Blog
Hands on Learning Can Get a Little Messy
When my daughter and son were little, we spent time making cookies and memories. Along the way there were messes but also great learning experiences. I now enjoy teaching Kindergarten through 8th grade students nutrition lessons at afterschool programming for ISU Extension and Outreach.
Connect with your Teen through Parallel Cooking
“Mom, can we use these bananas to make Peanut Butter Oat Bites so I have something to eat before school?” asked my high school age daughter recently.
Lunch on a Loop
It’s my turn to share the foods I enjoy that are also good sources of fiber! When our team decided to write this series, I reflected on where the fiber in my diet comes from. The answer was most of the usual suspects – fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Instead of going into more detail about those foods, I figured I would share a routine that makes it easy for me to get enough fiber. My coworkers will laugh at the routine I’m choosing to share 😊.
A 20 Minute Stir Fry and 25 More Main Dishes to Love
Our Healthy and Homemade Main Dishes cookbook is available today! The book contains 26 recipes including our July recipe of the month, Sweet Pork Stir Fry. Recipes include nutrition analysis, easy to read directions and tips for success. The cookbook is ideal for new and experienced cooks. It features some helpful tools to make cooking simple, including:
Dinner for Snack Lovers
This month our blogs are all about making a meal out of your favorite snacks. Whether you enjoy cooking or not, sometimes you just do not want to spend time in the kitchen preparing a meal. Turning snacks into dinner allows you to have a tasty and nutritious meal for minimal effort.
Fresh and Flexible Snack Boards
Today I get to kick off our series on snack boards – one of my favorite topics! My mom makes a snack board for most family get-togethers and they’re always pretty and delicious.
A Freezer Full of Possibility: Cooking for One Without the Waste
Last week we took a peek into Katy’s freezer and learned how she makes day-to-day meals and snacks easier for her family of four using frozen foods. This week I get to share how I use my freezer as a household of one. In some ways cooking for one is simpler because I have only myself to please and I know what I like. However, cooking for one or two requires some careful planning to minimize waste and make the most of your effort.
Tax Time!
Tax refunds are important. For many families, the tax refund is the most important financial event of the year, and families make careful plans to use the tax refund to improve their family’s wellbeing.
Balance Your Holiday Plate
Warm Up with Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
When the weather cools down or you are feeling under the weather, nothing hits quite like a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup. But have you ever wondered whether that restaurant or takeout version stacks up to what you could make at home?
Breakfast on the Run
I am a busy student, trying to balance classes, work, and an internship, so I am often eating on the go. I was planning out my meals for the week and decided that breakfast sandwiches would be a great option. They’re portable and easily customizable with your choice of protein, toppings, and bun… and the best part? They freeze and reheat beautifully.
Thanksgiving Meal Plan on a Budget
Holidays in the fall and winter are my favorite because of the warm, comforting foods that are always served. The air is filled with spices and herbs, and the sweet smell of a pie or two.
