Share a Pear This December, celebrate more than just the holidays, celebrate National Pear Month! Pears are the apples cousin- slightly different but equally delicious. Juicy pears provide so many health benefits and “pear” well with so many different foods.   There are roughly 3000 varieties of pears grown worldwide. They come in made different…

Pears are a great dessert fruit that can be cooked to bring out it’s natural flavors and aromas. The cinnamon, nutmeg and almond extract pair perfectly with the distinct sweet pear flavor. This recipe can be served as its own dessert or alongside pie or cake.

Make some room in your schedule for National Chocolate Day! Just three short days after Thanksgiving, this holiday is one to be celebrated. Chocolate has more than just rich flavor, it also has a rich history. Get to know the background behind your favorite dessert and you might have a new appreciation.   You may…

    The year is just flying by; Thanksgiving is already upon us! Thanksgiving has to be my favorite holiday. I love that the whole family is one place, tables are full of great food, and it’s just getting cold enough to light a fire. What a way to kick off the holiday season.  …

November is Sweet Potato Awareness Month but I’m pretty sure we are all aware of sweet potatoes’ existence. These root vegetables are a staple at the Thanksgiving table! But Thanksgiving isn’t the only time you should be including this veggie in your life. Sweet potatoes are a great addition to a wholesome eating plan and…

November is more than just Turkey Month, it’s also Peanut Butter Lover’s Month. All you peanut butter lover’s out there raise your hand. Peanut butter is a natural spread and the perfect topping on anything. It’s really amazing how versatile the peanut is and I think we all can agree that peanut butter is its…

  Every night is the same dilemma: what do I make for dinner? My family gets sick of the same meals over and over again but figuring out what to make is a time consuming process. I’m sure you can relate. Are you tired of recycling the same four or five meals time and time…

Split pea soup is a savory and wholesome dish that’s just perfect for the cool weather. This week is National Split Pea Soup Week and also a wonderful time to introduce this healthy, hearty dish into your life.   There are many variations of this soup but it traditionally consists of split peas, chicken or…

Excite your taste buds with this dish! It’s sweet, yet still nutritious with dietary fiber and nutrients from the apples and sweet potatoes. Have your children help you make these, and have fun while doing so.

Now that Halloween’s over, we can celebrate the real holiday here, National Sandwich Day! It’s only fitting that America’s favorite lunch item has its own special day. Personally, I love sandwiches; you can put anything you want on them – they’re great on the go, and they’re very versatile. They’re the perfect lunch for a…

I love the fall. I love the holidays, the fashion, the weather, the decorations and the food. Pumpkins incorporate a little bit of everything. They’re pretty, they’re trendy, they represent the fall and they’re tasty. Pumpkins are delicious and definitely do not get enough credit for it! Learning a little bit about pumpkin beyond the…

Word has been stirring of nutrition labels being added to alcoholic beverages. It’s about time the FDA has shed some light on the caloric content of alcoholic beverages that to some are consumed on a regular basis. Though moderate consumption of wine has some benefits, alcohol in general contributes very little to your healthy lifestyle….

Who knew school lunch had its own week? Well it does. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week in order to celebrate the school lunch program in America.   So why do we need a week to celebrate school lunch? Take a moment to think back to your days in elementary…

Happy October everyone! October is one my favorite months- cooler weather, changing leaves, autumn clothing, and apple picking! As I was speaking with my interns about how I love this time of year, Kimberly shared how her favorite family tradition is their annual trip out east to go apple picking. Her family always make it…

There is nothing I love more than the beginning of fall. The nights become cooler, the leaves begin to fall and the neighbors are decorating their porches with pumpkins and gourds. Fall harvest is particularly my favorite. All of the new fruits and vegetables fill up grocery store as well as my kitchen. There are…

This Wednesday is National Guacamole Day! What could be better than a day celebrating a creamy avocado mashed up with fresh cilantro, lime, and other great produce? If you couldn’t tell already, I have a bit of a passion for all things avocado and for guacamole in general. So let’s dive into the avocado and…

When I was growing up, we always ate family dinners. My dad was home from work by 6:30 pm and we ate together every night.  It was a very special time where we talked about our days and shared stories.   Unfortunately for many, family meals have become less common as family members seem to…

I’m writing this blog today with a cup of tea to my left, a box of tissues to my right and a throat lozenge in my mouth.   Yes, I am sick. My throat hurts, I am coughing and overall I just don’t feel well.   I don’t usually get sick so this is really…

Are you a coffee drinker? Hot, iced, latte, cappuccino? Or do you go for those dessert-type beverages like the Frappuccino?   If you like the more decadent specialty drinks, you probably are aware that they come with some “extras”, such as a hefty amount of calories and fat grams.   If this is you, you’ll…

The Memorial Day Holiday is meant to celebrate the lives lost from the armed forces; people who gave their life for the freedom and liberty of this country. Let’s salute them!   This long weekend is always a tough one for many chronic dieters. So many parties, so much food, it never ends! And who…