On the “veggie tray” at gatherings, it’s the vegetable that’s usually leftover. The one that gets eaten last, if at all, when its more colorful veggie partners are long gone. Yet this humble looking vegetable is a nutrient-packed “cancer-fighting superfood.” What is it? It’s CELERY! Yes, celery is more than a scoop for dip or [...]
We know that fruits and vegetables are beneficial to our physical health. But what about our mental health? Could the food that makes us healthier also make us happier? Does the food that fuels our bodies best also fuel our creativity, our engagement in life and feelings of well-being? Recent studies suggest the answer is [...]
I didn’t always like asparagus. My childhood exposures to this nutritious green vegetable were of the overgrown and overcooked variety. Mushy or woody and stringy, I didn’t care for it. Later in life I was happily introduced to thin, tender asparagus spears, properly trimmed and barely cooked to crisp-tender perfection. A new food love was [...]
As a girl, I loved munching those crunchy, golden kernels of fresh corn on the cob. I would roll the cob in a small pat of butter, lightly salt it, then work my way from one end to the other, eating that crisp, fresh goodness a couple of rows at a time. Yes, it was [...]
I was fortunate to grow up with family dinners. Real family dinners, with scratch cooked food and every member of the family at the same table most nights. The TV was in another room. There was no texting or cell phones going off. It was a time to enjoy a hot meal, and catch up [...]
For many, “getting healthy” is an elusive goal. They think about it when they go shopping, wishing clothes fit better. They think about it when they are doing activities with their kids, wishing they had more energy and stamina to keep up. And they think about it when talking with their “healthy” friends, wondering how [...]
Vegetables are a critical part of a healthy diet, providing needed fiber, vitamins and nutrients. But getting kids to eat their veggies isn’t always easy. Here are some ways to encourage your kids to eat (and enjoy) their vegetables. […]
Recently the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA) released the National Action Plan to Promote Health Through Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption 2010 Report Card. You may recall that way back in 2005 the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans dramatically increased the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables from 5-9 daily servings [...]
