Blog
Kale, the Healthiest Vegetable
My daughter and her husband decided they are going to eat healthier and exercise more. As part of the plan, she is trying to prepare more of the “30 Top Foods” she found in a magazine article. One of the foods she wanted to try from the list was kale. Kale really is a superstar vegetable. Like other leafy greens (collards and spinach) it is rich in lutein, beta-carotine, Vitamin K and offers just about everything else too (calcium, fiber, folate, iron and Vitamin C).
Fish Tacos – Why Should You Give Them a Try?
It’s Lent and grocery stores are featuring fish. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines suggest that we eat more seafood. Many restaurants feature great tasting fish tacos, so they make a great way to introduce your family to fish. Our Fish Tacos recipe is quick and easy. The sauce base is ranch dressing, which you may have on hand. The greens are chopped cabbage, which provides more nutrients than lettuce. Also, you can use various types of fish.
Feed 50 People for $50!
Need recipes that will feed a crowd (e.g. a club, relatives, or a post-event gathering) for $50 or under?
Anyday Picnic Salad
April’s featured recipe is one of my favorites. It’s easy, versatile, and very tasty. I serve Anyday Picnic Salad on top of romaine as a salad, or on whole wheat bread as a sandwich. You can use apples and grapes as the fruit, or try strawberries, melon or pineapple. Once when I was out of celery, I used radishes to give it a little crunch.
Meat and Veggie Mac – SUPER QUICK AND EASY
Everybody is extra busy during May. It’s the beginning of outdoor sports such as soccer, softball, and baseball. Spring celebrations abound such as graduations and Mother’s Day, plus it’s time to get the vegetable and flower gardens going. Whatever the reason, it seems no one wants to be in the kitchen.
June Featured Recipe-Vegetable Fried Rice
I’m ready for some sunshine and warm weather so I can work and play outside. This means that meals have to be extra quick and easy. Vegetable Fried Rice is one of my “Go To” recipes. It’s super easy, costs about $.70 a serving, very versatile and I almost always have everything I need.
Time for a Picnic, Try Pita Pockets
This month’s featured recipe is Peanut Butter Pita Pockets.
2 Great Recipe Websites
When you are looking for an easy, low cost, nutritious recipe, I hope you browse our SpendSmart.Eat Smart recipe site. If you cannot find what you are looking for consider trying these two sites: foodhero.com and http://www.quickhealthyrecipes.msstate.edu/index.php. They are both sponsored by other land-grant universities, whose purpose like ISU Extension, is to turn university research into learning opportunities.
Top 5 tips to save time, money, stress and calories for Thanksgiving dinner
Are you having guests over for dinner on Thanksgiving? Dreading the extra stress, expense and calories? Here are some helpful ideas.
Holiday Gift Ideas
Check Out a Sneak Peek Inside
Ramen Noodle Skillet
Ramen Noodle Skillet was a hit with my kids when they were in school and it still is one of my favorite recipes. I think the noodles were the attraction for them. I like it because you can use just about any vegetable that you have in your garden or vegetable drawer, only one pan gets dirty, and you can have the meal on the table in 15 minutes.
Tailgating … as American as Apple Pie
Tailgating is as American as apple pie, but unless you want some time on the sidelines, take care when planning a party in a parking lot. Last year I cringed a few times as I observed food sitting out 3-4 hours before a football game started and then the same food was brought out again after the game for snacking!
