The Magic of Quinoa By Charna Sheinfeld, Nutrition Intern Most people have heard and probably tasted Quinoa by now. It was only a few years ago that quinoa was an item only found in specialty health food stores, reserved for those “health nuts” among us to enjoy. So what is so special about this pseudo…

National Eat a Cranberry Day is coming up on November 23rd. What better time to celebrate cranberries than a few days before Thanksgiving? Cranberries are a trademark for the Thanksgiving holiday feast and many other holiday celebrations.  Today, I encourage you to eat a cranberry (or a couple) and create amazing recipes that focus on…

Fall is in full swing – trees are shedding their leaves, the air is brisk, and fall produce are plentiful. During this month, we are turning the spotlight on one of my favorite root vegetables, the sweet potato, for National Sweet Potato Awareness Month. Sweet potatoes are popular in the conversation on health due to…

Each year, the second week in November is designated as Split Pea Soup Week – and for a good reason.   Let us take a moment to review all the health benefits split peas have to offer. This legume is a nutrition-packed powerhouse! Split peas provide a whopping amount of heart healthy soluble fiber.  Did…

The month of October has been chosen for more than 30 years to be National Popcorn Poppin’ Month in celebration of popcorn, one of America’s oldest snack foods. October was chosen because the popcorn harvest takes place each fall in the Midwest.   Popcorn is unique to other snack foods in that its roots trace…

The Nutritional Power of Cauliflower Kale better brace itself because there is a new “it vegetable” in town and that is cauliflower! Because of its naturally mild flavor, cauliflower is extremely versatile. It can be roasted, broiled, cooked, and steamed. It’s wonderful eaten on its own, added to soups and salads, or even manipulated into…

Did you know that the month of February is National Potato Lover’s Month?  Though this tuberous vegetable is a food staple in Irish culture, you don’t have to be Irish to appreciate all that potatoes have to offer. Potatoes are a favorite in my home…give my husband and daughter potatoes with dinner and they are…

Fiber is a form of carbohydrate, also known as roughage or bulk. It is sugar or starch from plants. There are many great food sources of fiber including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Nutritional fiber supplements are another way to incorporate fiber into your diet. An example of a fiber supplement is psyllium, which…

National Bean day is today!  This day can be celebrated by serving up your favorite bean dishes at “bean parties”, by sending gifts to your friends      such as beans in a jar with your favorite bean recipe, or by creating bean projects with your children.  Before you choose which way you will celebrate National Bean…