This blog post was written by Illinois State University graduate student and dietetic intern, Emily Kearney.  Peanut butter is a staple in many American households. According to the Peanut Institute, the average American eats 3 pounds of...

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 type in “apple cider vinegar” into any search engine, thousands of results touting its alleged health benefits will pop up. There are claims that it promotes weight loss, improves digestion, aids in heartburn, improves heart health, lowers blood sugar levels, and much, much more. However,...

Most people couldn’t be happier to start this new year; a fresh start and a step away from a year that dared to isolate and defy our self-contentment. The most common New Years’ resolutions include exercising, eating healthy and losing weight, and after such a challenging year, likely even more...

This blog post was written by Illinois State University graduate student and dietetic intern, Kayla Kaspari. Before you go out and grab a pre-made bite to eat, make a healthy meal in one pot! One-pot meals make cooking easy, fun, and they make cleanup a breeze! While eating out is...

This blog post was written by Illinois State University graduate student and dietetic intern, Kayla Kaspari.  Many cultures (Mediterranean, Latin, Asian) and diets (vegetarian) are rooted in meatless, plant-based meals. Some individuals never consume meat, while others limit meat for...

This blog post was written by Illinois State University graduate student and dietetic intern, Kayla Kaspari.  Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, are a part of the legume family and are grown similarly to soybeans or peas. These plants produce edible seeds, called pulses, that...

This blog post was written by Illinois State University graduate student and dietetic intern, Kayla Kaspari.  Whether a tomato is considered a fruit or vegetable is one of the most highly debated questions in the food world. No matter what they are, tomatoes find their way to our...

One of my favorite ways to use fresh herbs is to add them to different drinks. It brings a completely new dimension to what may already be a familiar drink. It can be as simple as adding mint to your iced tea, basil to your lemonade or rosemary to your orange juice. There are many ways to impart...

Originally discovered in China, kiwifruit found it’s way to producers in New Zealand, Italy, Chile and in the United States, California. While today’s generation is growing up with kiwi available at the grocery stores all year round, many generations had never heard of this funny looking fruit. It...