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Sliced apples and apple halves on wood cutting board with knife

3 Apple Side Dishes for Fall

September 9, 2026

USApple notes that the U.S. grows more than 100 apple varieties. So, no matter what flavors, colors, or crispness level you're looking for, there's likely a variety you'll enjoy. Now that we're close to autumn and it's apple season, I'm ready to...

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Tomatillos on a round wood board with a decorative red and white towel

Try the new food (featuring tomatillos)

July 29, 2026

Live Well. Eat Well.

Along with sardines, jicama, and pawpaw, tomatillos are on the list of foods I probably never would have eaten, if not for my job where people ask me about food. It's to my benefit to learn about foods I know nothing about. ...

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Wicker basket filled with live grass, flowers, and dyed eggs

Create earthy eggs with plant dyes for spring

March 18, 2026

Live Well. Eat Well.

Yes, the flowers and grass in the basket in this blog's cover photo are real! Our horticulture staff added grass seed and soil to the baskets a week before class and then helped class participants plant pansy flowers into the baskets....

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Red nonstick skillet cooking two venison steaks

Flavorful venison recipes for winter

December 17, 2025

Live Well. Eat Well.

Partnerships are a big part of Illinois Extension programs. This one started more than five years ago with a conversation about deer hunting and turned into recipes, videos, a webinar, and Hunters Feeding Illinois. As someone who did not grow up hunting...

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Repeating pattern of walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts

Nuts need food safety too

November 12, 2025

Live Well. Eat Well.

What are your favorite nuts and seeds? Maybe pecans or walnuts? Sunflower or pumpkin seeds? Fortunately, no matter your favorites, nuts are a nutritious choice!NutritionNutritionally, 1/4 cup of most nuts and seeds - or 2 Tablespoons nut butter - contains 14-18g fat, 5-7g protein, 2-4g fiber,...

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Bowl of red pepper flakes next to 3 red chilis on dark gray background

Make your own red pepper flakes

August 20, 2025

Live Well. Eat Well.

Although National Pepper Month is celebrated in November, sweet and hot peppers are coming out of gardens and farmers markets in mid- and late-summer here in Illinois. While the peppers are peak quality, I'll enjoy them fresh as a crunch snack with dip or use in...

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Cup of prepared tea on wood background with dry tea leaves and ball tea strainer. Photo by Melanie Dijkstra on Unsplash

6 reasons to use soaked foods in the kitchen

February 12, 2025

Live Well. Eat Well.

Water is amazing, right! Human bodies contain around 60% water; it's part of our natural environment from weather to watersheds; and we need water for our gardens and crops to...

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Whole pomegranate, open pomegranate and pomegranate arils on gray background

Practice mindfulness while opening pomegranates

January 15, 2025

Live Well. Eat Well.

Once (maybe twice) each winter, my rural grocery store will stock whole pomegranates. They are a highlight of my winter fruit picks because of their sweet taste and pop of vibrant ruby red. Plus I get a chance to practice mindfulness while freeing the little arils...

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Acorn Squash Are Not for Just Squirrels: With Tips on Eating, Shopping, and Storage

Acorn (squash) are not just for squirrels

October 30, 2024

Live Well. Eat Well.

There are more varieties you can grow and buy, but the main winter squashes I see sold in grocery stores and from farm stands around me are butternut, spaghetti, and acorn squashes. Acorn squashes are typically small, and if winter squash is new to you,...

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a line up of dairy free milk options and milk splatter over top

Exploring dairy and dairy-free alternatives: A guide to your options

June 17, 2024

June is Dairy Month, a perfect time to explore the wide variety of dairy and dairy-free options available. Whether you enjoy traditional dairy products or prefer plant-based alternatives, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Let's dive into the delicious world of dairy and dairy-free options...

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Healthy Eating Blogs