February is one of the coldest months of the year, which is why it comes as no surprise that National Homemade Soup Day is on February 4th! With the temperature continuing to drop throughout the month, get cozy and warm yourself up with a nice hearty bowl of soup.   One of the major reasons…

As you probably already know, Superbowl Sunday is this Sunday! While I’m not really a huge sports fan, I do love getting together with friends and family to watch the game (and halftime show)! What kind of food do you like to have at your get-together? While there is nothing wrong with “bar food”, I’m…

I’m sure you’ve all heard about how important it is to keep your thyroid healthy, but do you really know what that means?   Do you know where your thyroid is located and how to “keep it healthy”? Today, I want to focus on your thyroid health and what kind of role you can play…

Did you know that January was National Folic Acid Awareness Month?Folic acid is one of the few nutrients you may not often think of when it comes to your daily intake – as a society, more time is spent focusing on vitamin D, fiber and protein (along with a few other nutrients). However, folic acid…

When you find yourself short on time, what is your quick go-to snack choice? Often times, you may choose a granola bar –they are an easy, convenient and cheap option for on the go. However, it is important to know that not all granola bars are created equally.   Luckily, today is National Granola Bar…

Many people are lured into trying various weight loss diets and products, only to soon realize that they don’t work! Some of these diets are a bit extreme and lack energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for your body to function properly.  These diets provide rules about what you can or cannot eat….

Trust me, I know how tough it is to stay motivated to be active during the winter months but National Family Fit Lifestyle Month is the perfect incentive! I love celebrating this month because it involvesthe whole family. There are many ways for you and your family to stay fit together during Family Fit Lifestyle Month….

The New Year has begun and what better way to start the year off by learning about the basics of wheat. January is National Wheat Bread Month so take advantage, stay informed and make the most out of it!   All About Wheat   Did you know that wheat makes up a majority of our…

Pasta has been a staple in many people’s diets since as early as the 13thcentury.  Pasta made its way to the Americas in 1789 when Thomas Jefferson brought it over. Its popularity has grown even more since then! There are many different types of pasta: penne, ziti, macaroni, farfalle and spaghetti to name a few….

January is National Fiber Focus Month, which makes it the perfect time to learn more about the benefits of fiber and how to increase your intake. First, let’s briefly discuss what fiber is. It’s a form of carbohydrate that your body can’t break down into usable energy. It’s broken down into insoluble and soluble fiber,…

There’s only ONE day left in 2018! That is just crazy to me. The year went so quickly!   If you’re like most people, you probably started this year with hopes that you would find a diet you like and stick with it. However, as the end of the year nears, you realized that you…

I don’t know about you, but I am constantly hearing about how our diet can be beneficial or harmful to our brain health. There have been plenty of nutrition-related research studies that break down the “good” and “bad” to keep your brain functioning at its best ability.   Most famously, nutrition-related research has found improved…

I don’t know about you, butwhen I think about pumpkin pie, I usually associate it with Thanksgiving. However, pumpkin pie is still in season! In fact, National Pumpkin Pie Day is tomorrow, December 25th, and what a great holiday it is.   Did you know thatthe first pumpkin pie recipes were found in British cookbooks in the…

It’s no surprise that hamburgers are an American staple as it is seen on almost any menu and restaurant.  In fact, did you know that in the U.S., the national total for hamburger consumption is about 50 billion burgers per year? That’s a whole lot of burgers!   Burgers are a traditional “summer” food (think…

Are the holidays a stressful time for you? Maybe being around all your relatives and the crowds feels overwhelming.  You may feel even tenser knowing that this time of year is supposed to be joyous, yet all you feel is anxious. Luckily, there are many steps you can take to overcome your feelings of anxiety…

As the holidays approach, it’s very easy to get caught up in all the rush. Whether you are preparing to host a party or preparing a favorite dish to contribute to a potluck, it’s important to practice food safety to prevent foodborne illnesses during the holidays. Every party usually includes a guest that is vulnerable…

Happy National Pear Month! Did you know that there are over 3,000 varieties of pears grown around the world? Pear trees were first brought to the United States in the 1800s by colonists. It was found that the trees brought to Oregon and Washington were the ones that thrived and, therefore, those two states are…

December is a month filled with holidays and celebrations and this week we are currently in the midst of Hanukkah!   This year, Hanukkah began on Sunday, December 2ndand willend on Monday night, December 10th. Also known as the “Festival of Lights”, we celebrate the victory of the Maccabees against the large Syrian army and the rededication…

Did you know that tomorrow, December 4th, is National Cookie Day? That’s right, there is an entire day designated to celebrate this delicious dessert!   Let’s start with how cookies were created – It’s quite an interesting story as they were actually created by accident. Back in the day, when chefs were baking cakes, they…

You may have heard about omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the news, but don’t know exactly what they are or what they do. Omega-3 PUFAs is a nutrient that is found in plant sources and fish. Your body needs omega-3 fatty acids for normal metabolic function, however you are not able to create it. That is…