Blog
Be Mindful of Holiday Debt This Season and Beyond
Holiday spending can sneak up on us—gifts, travel, meals, and more. If you followed Barb Wollan’s recent 4-step plan to map out your holiday budget, you are already ahead. Now, take it a step further by using resources from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Utah State Extension, to stay mindful and in control of your personal finances this holiday season and beyond!
Spend Smart for the Holidays
When there is not enough money for everything we want (and there never is!), we can get the most value for our dollar by carefully planning how we’ll use the money we have. As the holiday season approaches, it is a great time to think through what your spending will look like to avoid starting the new year with money stress.
Soup-er Birthday
My birthday is later this week, so I want to celebrate with you all by sharing three recipes this month! Soup recipes are my favorites to make and eat. I love making soups because they are flexible and I can usually put a soup together with ingredients I have on hand. I love eating soup because of the warm feeling it gives me. Below are my top three Spend Smart. Eat Smart. soup recipes.
Five Foods to Eat for Brain Health
We often connect what we eat to our physical health. Eating to reduce our risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Or eating to keep our bones and muscles strong as we age so we can keep doing the activities we enjoy. What we eat can also affect our brain health. No single food can guarantee a sharp mind as we age, but following a healthy eating pattern that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins, fish, and healthy fats can help your brain function at its best. The good news is that the best foods for your brain are also the ones that are good for your heart and blood vessels. Good blood flow is important to a healthy brain.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Prebiotics and probiotics – I cannot always remember which is which and I usually have to look it up when someone asks me a question about them. What I do know for sure is that they are important for a healthy gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is made up of the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that live in our digestive tract, mainly the colon. Having a healthy gut microbiome may have positive impacts on the rest of our body such as a stronger immune system, better absorption of some nutrients, and cardiovascular health.
The Sleepy Side of Nutrition
When you think about nutrition, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, or lowering your risk of illness and disease. But have you ever considered how your food choices might affect your sleep?
