Healthy Living

The holidays are a special time for many, filled with new and long-standing traditions. This includes food traditions. How can you turn down grandma’s famous pecan pie or your aunt’s spectacular mashed potatoes and gravy? Your objective should not be to deprive yourself, but indulge smartly and maintain your current …

On average, the American family throws out about $640 of leftovers a year. Ever heard of the phrase, “Cook it once; use it twice”? Most of us can think of lots of other more enjoyable things to do than spending time in the kitchen, dicing, cooking and cleaning. Truth be …

If your family is among the thousands of “host families” that invite single or unaccompanied service members to share in your Thanksgiving meal, you are probably always looking for ways to top your last feast. One way to stay ahead of the curve is to deep-fry a turkey. Ah, yes, …

We have all heard that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may help control our weight and lower our risk for heart disease as well as other chronic diseases. We have even been encouraged to fill half of our plate with fruits and vegetables. Experts recommend that ideally, Americans should …

MyPlate is a visual guide to encourage Americans to eat a variety of foods and build healthy meals. Experts believe the best and most simple way to improve Americans’ diets and combat obesity is to have Americans focus more on the proportion of each food group on their plates rather …

When your kitchen contains the necessary tools for cooking, it’s easier, faster and less frustrating to get meals on the table and enjoy cooking. And by eating at home, you’ll save time and money, and you can prepare healthier meals. One big mistake in preparing meals at home is trying …

Where does the food we eat come from? This question is one part of the farm-to-table experience taking place across the nation. And the experience really begins with where the food is grown on the farm. Often, we choose to create our own unique farm-to-table experience when purchasing local fruits …

Eating a salad can be an exciting way to increase your intake of vegetables and fruits. (No, really, it can be!) The variety is limitless, and if you choose wisely, eating salads can be satisfying and even help you eat fewer calories and less sodium throughout the day. Be sure …

As part of building a healthy eating pattern, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that you choose a good mix of foods by consuming a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within food groups. This is the best way to ensure that your body gets what it needs for optimal …

Whether your goal is to get healthier, lose weight or maintain your health, almost everyone has a reason to be motivated. Being healthy truly is a journey, not a destination. The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the …