Simply Nutritious, Quick and Delicious 2025

Water is pretty straightforward. That is until you realize that you can not only drink tap water, filtered water, spring water or natural mineral water, but you can also buy sparkling water, seltzer water, tonic water or club soda. Are you confused by the differences? You're not the only one!...

Who doesn't love cheese? Grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, baked lasagna with ooey gooey cheese melted all over it are common cheesy dishes. But with over 2,000 varieties to choose from, it's time to put a little more thought into your cheese choices.Cheese is formed from milk. Milk...

Burgers are the quintessential all-American grilling favorite. Nothing beats biting into a juicy burger with all the fixings. But when it's dry and under seasoned, it can be a disappointment. Just how do you get the perfect burger?It starts with the right kind of beef. Most grilling experts will...

It’s peach season here in Illinois and if you get your hands on a fresh juicy peach, you’ll be tempted to grab another. Peaches are categorized as either freestones or clingstones. The flesh of a freestone peach will not stick to the pit, while the flesh of the clingstone pit is…well, clingy. While...

Some people believe that they hate to cook, but often find that what they actually hate is the decision process: What should I fix? What will the whole family eat? What's quick? It's much easier to make those decisions when the plan is already in place. In fact, you may decide that you actually...

When asked what my favorite herb is, I'd have to go with basil. Not only is it fragrant and flavorful, but it's also a beautiful plant. Basil is an annual herb belonging to the mint family. It's so easy to grow that even I, a wannabe gardener with a black thumb, cannot kill it.If you grow your own...

Protein is an important macronutrient for building up our bodies. While many people meet or even exceed their protein needs, some groups often fall short, such as adolescents (ages 9-18) and older adults (60+). Generally, people need around 5-7 oz. of protein per day. When most people think of...

There’s all kinds of buzz words in the weight loss industry and one that has had its share of the spotlight is bone broth. What is bone broth and how does it differ from regular broth or stock? All three are very similar and thus, can be used interchangeably. First, regular broth is made by...

Seed oils have gotten some bad press lately, but there is no evidence that they are harmful, and in fact, they might even be helpful. Seed oils are the fats extracted from the seeds of various plants, like corn and soybeans. Coined the “Hateful Eight” by social media influencers, they include corn...

Many recipes will call for an onion, but when you get to the store and see all the different types of onions, which one do you buy? Not all onions are alike, so understanding the differences can help you choose the right one for your recipe. Onions are a member of the allium family, along with...

When serving a meal to a child, you may have heard them demand that their foods not touch each other. This mantra of “don’t let my foods touch!” is one to live by when storing and preparing raw animal foods, including meat, poultry, fish, seafood and eggs, which must be kept separate from ready-to...

Morels are the mushroom hunter's prey. Depending on the weather and location, the first Illinois morels of the season may begin to appear in late March to early April and generally ends in May. Morels are difficult to cultivate, thus are generally gathered in the wild rather than farmed. It may be...

Squish it. Smash it. Smoosh it. Our very first taste of solid food most likely came in a mashed or pureed form. However, as we have aged into adults, we must not forget that we can still enjoy our inner-baby’s love of mush. Here are four mashed foods that shouldn’t be stopped when the high chair...

If you’ve never seen poppy seeds, you may wonder what these tiny dark specks are doing all over your bagel. Poppy seeds are often used in baked goods, giving the product a slight nutty, sweet/spicy taste, a crunchy texture, and a unique decoration.There are many different types of poppy seeds,...

Nothing says “I love you” like a decadent bar of rich chocolate for your Valentine. There are many types of chocolate, but dark chocolate is the one that has received all the hype for its health benefits. However, can such a treat be good for you?Like milk chocolate, dark chocolate is made with...

Waking up to a warm bowl of oatmeal in the cold months is a good start to the day. Oatmeal has it’s perks; it’s quick and easy to prepare with a hundred different variations to keep it from getting boring, and it’s fiber content makes it both hearty and healthy, filling up your tummy while keeping...

While some people wouldn’t dream of skipping breakfast in the morning, others just aren’t breakfast eaters. There are three common reasons as to why breakfast may be overlooked: “I don’t have time,” “I don’t like breakfast food,” and “I’m not hungry.” It’s the “I’m not hungry” excuse that most...

The shorter days this season can leave many people feeling the winter blues. It’s not uncommon to be in a sore mood when there’s less natural sunlight. But a more severe type of depression, called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a medical condition that appears when fall and winter come, and...