I love Thanksgiving. Don’t you? Hopefully your Thanksgiving was filled with family, friends and delicious food!   Now that the turkey’s finished and the guests are gone, what do you do with the leftover potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffing? There are so many creative ways to reuse your leftovers to make new and tasty dishes that…

Thanksgiving is hands down one of my favorite holidays.  I love having the whole family in one place and a table full of good food.  It is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!   However, I do know that with the joy of Thanksgiving comes the stress.  Usually the stress comes from…

Did you know that about 40% of the United States food supply goes uneaten?   This equals out to ~1,500 calories/person/day.  Discarded food in homes and foodservice accounts for 60% of this total food loss, and is avoidable!   Well good thing tomorrow, November 15th is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day! It may not sound…

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.  One in 11 people have diabetes today and over 86 million people are at risk for developing diabetes.  Yes, you read that right.   Do you want to know what the scary part is about that statistic?  Diabetes is 100% manageable.   November is…

Each year, the second week of November is designated as National Split Pea Soup Week – and for good reason!  Split pea soup is a savory and wholesome dish that is perfect for the changing of seasons.   There are many varieties of split pea soup but the most common ingredients are split peas, broth, onions…

We are rooting for sweet potatoes this month! November is National Sweet Potato Awareness Month. You typically see sweet potatoes as a staple on your Thanksgiving table, but I’m sure you eat them year round as well!   Christopher Columbus did what?   History of Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are native to Central and South…

Spaghetti Squash By Charna Sheinfeld,  Nutrition Intern Cheap, easy to prepare, versatile, gluten free, and guilt free. These are just some of the many ways to portray spaghetti squash. This yellow, oval shaped squash gets its name because of the way its flesh separates after being cooked into yellow strands resembling spaghetti. At only 42…

October is more than just a month to celebrate spooks and sweets.  It is also a month to celebrate treats that are good for you, like popcorn (which also makes a perfect treat for Halloween).  Luckily, October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month!   Did you know that Americans consume 14 billion quarts of popcorn annually? …

BOO! Did Halloween scare you? Are you feeling uneasy with the haunting holiday of sweets approaching? Halloween is always a difficult, but extremely important time to practice mindful eating, but don’t worry! I’ve got you covered.   When you think of Halloween, the first few things that come to mind are probably costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin…

Did you know that October is National Cranberry Month? Cranberries add great color to your meals and offer a refreshing taste.  The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognize cranberries as a nutrient-dense fruit!  They are a great source of antioxidants and have anti-cancer properties.   Cranberry Facts   According to a study conducted by the…

Vegetarian and vegan lifestyles are growing in popularity as millions of Americans choose to go meatless, whether it’s because they are animal lovers or feel that eliminating meat from their diet is simply better for their health.   In hopes to bring attention to these lifestyles, October is recognized as National Vegetarian Awareness Month. It…

As soon as fall rolls in and October starts, the pumpkins come out! Pumpkins are pretty, trendy, and represent the weather and holidays approaching. But, pumpkins are also delicious and they do not get enough credit for it!! Besides using them as decorations, they are the perfect food to eat on a chilly day!  …

International Walk to School Month, celebrated on October 7th, gives children, parents, school teachers and communities an opportunity to be part of a global event to celebrate the many benefits of walking. Walkers from around the world walk to school together to create communities that are safe places to walk.   Walk to School Day…

An Apple a Day May Really Keep the Doctor Away! By Charna Sheinfeld,  Nutrition Intern   Most of us take them for granted, but there is really nothing more satisfying than biting into the crispy sweetness of an apple. With the month of October upon us, what better way to celebrate the month of apples,…

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I encourage you to use this month to spread awareness and get your yearly check-up. It is important to take time out of your day to actively participate in learning ways to prevent, plan and detect the disease.   Did you know that approximately 1 in 8…

World Heart Day is celebrated all around the nation on September 29th! World Heart Day, created by the World Heart Federation, is one of the biggest platforms to raise awareness of Cardiovascular Disease. Heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death. Every year about 17.3 million people die from heart disease and…

The idea of cooking a healthy dinner may intimidate you, but you shouldn’t let it!  Cooking should be a fun and enjoyable experience so allow your creativity to shine.  Luckily, Sunday is National Cooking Day and is a perfect day to celebrate home cooking and to experiment with new dishes.   National Cooking Day’s purpose…

The air is getting crisp, leaves are changing and it seems like you smell cinnamon and pumpkin spice everywhere you go!  You know what that means, fall is here! Get the most out of this season by planning fun activities for you and your family and putting a healthy twist on classic fall treats!  …

With school in full swing across the country, the topic of teenage obesity resurfaces as kids are outside less and inside more in school and doing homework.  According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, around 20% of adolescents, age 12-19 years, are obese in the United States, which puts them at risk for a…

September is Fruits & Veggies- More Matters Month® and we are so excited. This month is perfect to help you focus on adding MORE fruits and veggies to your plates. Fruits & Veggies – More Matters® is a non-profit organization focusing on helping you eat more fruits and vegetables to better your health.   Did…