Did you know that bell pepper is considered a fruit? Botanically speaking, fruits are developed from the flower of a plant and have seeds, while vegetables are other parts of the plant. Learning more about the foods that you eat throughout June is a great way to celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month.  …

Did you know that strawberries are one of the most popular fruits eaten in the United States? They are extremely popular because they are so versatile, nutritious, and delicious! It’s no wonder then that this well-liked fruit has its own day. On February 27th, we get to celebrate National Strawberry Day!   You may be…

Who doesn’t love a delicious Pistachio? Not only are they packed with nutrients, but they are one of the most fun foods too eat!  They may take some effort to eat, but they are absolutely worth it in the end. Luckily, next Monday, February 26th, is National Pistachio Day so I have you covered with…

Did you know that your skin health is a reflection of your diet? If you are lacking nutrients or have a high fat and salt diet, your skin will not look its best. On the other hand, if you are well hydrated, eat well, and take care of your skin based on dermatologist’s recommendations, your…

It’s National Salad Week! To me there’s no better way to get in my veggies than in a salad. Salads need not be boring iceberg lettuce and a couple of cucumber slices anymore. There are many different ways you can prepare a salad. It makes a great side or main dish and is refreshing, light…

Don’t let the tiny size fool you, blueberries are jam packed with health benefits. This powerful fruit is actually categorized as a super food. Therefore, there’s no better way to showcase all that blueberries have to offer than by celebrating National Blueberry Month this July!   For years the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) worked…

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…

Pom Power By Charna Sheinfeld,  Nutrition Intern   They are the small glistening, crimson, crunchy arils that make the pomegranate fruit so distinctive. This unique fruit is not only impressive in its looks, but in its nutritional profile as well.   One serving of pomegranate seeds provides considerable amounts of vitamin C, which is necessary…

Oh boy, do I love the month of August. Why do you ask? Because it’s National Coffee Month!  Thomas Jefferson once said, “The coffee bean is to become the favorite beverage of the civilized world.” And he was right.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), coffee is the second most-traded commodity, globally, behind…

July is National Berry Month, so what better way to celebrate than learn all about the benefits of berries and different ways to incorporate them into your daily eating pattern?   Berries, like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain a wide variety of antioxidants, which can help in preventing cancer. They are very nutrient dense without…

It’s National Iced Tea Month!  There is nothing like a refreshing glass of cold iced tea on a hot summer’s day, which is why June is a perfect time to celebrate.  Iced Tea is a summertime staple and does a great job quenching your thirst. Besides being refreshing, tea has many health benefits and can…

The Superfood, Spinach It seems that your mother may have been on to something when she told you to “eat your spinach” for dinner! Spinach is bursting with healthful properties including being an excellent source of a slew of vitamins and minerals. This delicate green is high in antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamin K, vitamin A, iron,…

Mandarins, tangerines, satsumas- did you know all of these names are referring to the same citrus fruit many of us have come to know and love? Did you also know that this is the perfect time of year to buy these delicious little orange fruits?   Tangerines are often preferred over the orange because they…

Heart to Heart   Did you know that February is American Heart Month? This month is dedicated to help reduce that amount of lives taken each year due to heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, accounting for roughly 1 in every 3rd death. In order…

With snow just around the corner, there is no better feeling than curling up by the fire with a warm cup of tea. That’s probably the reason why January is National Hot Tea Month. It’s only appropriate to celebrate the most popular beverage in the world. Nearly 3 billion cups of tea are consumed daily…

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this October I encourage you to do your part to spread awareness as well as to try to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to reduce your risk.   Did you know that approximately 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in their…

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…

Cranberries have been a celebrated fruit every October since 2002, but their legacy is so much older than that. Cranberries were used by Native Americans to make a traditional dish called pemmican. Pemmican was a sustainable meal composed of hunted protein mixed with melted fat and cranberries. This meal was a staple to keep Native…

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…