Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Oodles of Zoodles

Have you ever heard of zoodles? They are noodles made from zucchini, and they serve as a great low-carb substitute for regular pasta noodles. Zucchini isn’t the only vegetable that you can turn into noodles; summer squash and spaghetti squash also make great “noodles.” Squash are low in calories and high in nutrition. It is […]

WRITTEN BY: Amy Meehan, MPH Healthy People Program Specialist

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Woods, M.Ed Healthy Finances Program Specialist

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Pixabay.com

SOURCES:

  • Gourd, L., and Oliveri, C. “Putting MyPlate on Your Table: Vegetables,” The Ohio State University Extension. (2015). Available at: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/SS-152-15
  • Larsen, H. “9 Fall Produce Picks to Add to Your Plate.” Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2016). Available at: http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/nutrition/healthy-eating/fall-produce-picks
  • USDA, Snap-Ed Connection: Winter Squash. (2017). Available at: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide/winter-squash
  • USDA, Mixing Bowl: Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes, Basil, and Parmesan. Available at: https://whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/spaghetti-squash-tomatoes-basil-and-parmesan.

Fall for Pumpkins!

The fall season is upon us, with October and Halloween right around the corner. One of the most common practices for families is the annual pumpkin carving for jack-o-lanterns. Apart from displaying artistic creativity, pumpkins are a nutritionally dense vegetable that can be used for more than decoration. Below are a few of the health […]

WRITTEN BY: Jennifer Even, OSU Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Hamilton Count

REVIEWED BY: Cheryl Spires, Program Specialist, SNAP-Ed, NW Region, Ohio State University Extension

SOURCES:

  • Produce for Better Health Foundation. Top 10 Ways To Enjoy Pumpkins. Fruits & Veggies: More Matters: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/top-10-ways-to-enjoy-pumpkin
  • Kohn, J., Toast the Season with Pumpkin Seeds, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, published
  • October 26, 2015. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
  • Rudrappa, U. Pumpkin Nutrition Facts. Nutrition and You: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pumpkin.html

September is National Potato Month

Hooray!  A whole month to celebrate the potato!  I really don’t need a reason.  Potatoes are my comfort food.  I’ve been known to stop on my way home from work just to get some hot mashed potatoes or to heat up some leftover potatoes from the previous night’s dinner. Potatoes sometimes get blamed for being […]

WRITTEN BY: Barbara Hennard, Educator, OSU Extension, Family & Consumer Sciences

REVIEWED BY: Shawna Hite, Healthy People Program Specialist, OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Pixabay.com

SOURCES:

  • Iowa State University Extension: https://iastate.app.box.com/s/v938wtxytvyxnci0ct1vlzhwn0gcttna
  • University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension http://food.unl.edu/documents/Potato.pdf
  • National Potato Council: http://www.nationalpotatocouncil.org/potato-facts/
  • Potato Goodness: http://www.potatogoodness.com/

The Kids Are Out of School: What Am I Going To Feed Them?

School is almost out for the summer, are you ready? One big transition with having the kiddos home for summer is what to feed them. This article will give you some ideas, and a recipe to try! USDA uses MyPlate model for a representation of how to build a healthy plate. To get all the nutrients we […]

WRITTEN BY: Susan Zies, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Wood County & Ashley Parsons, BGSU Dietetic Intern with OSU Extension, Wood County

REVIEWED BY: Dan Remley, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition and Wellness, OSU Extension

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Whole Grains Council and Ashley Parson.

SOURCES:

  • http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/what-is-a-whole-grain
  • http://www.choosemyplate.gov/MyPlate

Asparagus Season is Here!

Spring brings about the growth of gardens and the opening of many Farmer’s Markets in Middle America. One of the first vegetables that we typically see available in Ohio, locally grown, is asparagus. If you plan to purchase this tasty treat, look for asparagus that is nearly all green with medium size and firm stalks. […]

WRITTEN BY: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

REVIEWED BY: Liz Smith, Regional Program Specialist, SNAP-ED, Ohio State University Extension.

SOURCES:

  • National Center for Home Food Preservation: http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/store/ksu_refrig_freeze.pdf, http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/blanching.html
  • Penn State Extension: http://extension.psu.edu/health/nutrition-links/pennsylvania-produce/produce-buying-guide/asparagus
  • Fruits and Veggies More Matters: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/asparagus
  • Penn State Extension: http://extension.psu.edu/health/nutrition-links/pennsylvania-produce/produce-buying-guide/asparagus

Spring is here…in the produce aisle

The weather has not been Spring-like, but you can still find a taste of Spring in the produce aisle.  Each season I look forward to new fruits and vegetables that are in limited supply other times of the year.  Seasonal produce offers fresh selections at a reasonable price.  The 2015 -2020 Dietary Guidelines have maintained […]

WRITTEN BY: Barbara Hennard, OSU Extension Educator Mercer & Auglaize Counties

REVIEWED BY: Shawna Hite, Healthy People Program Specialist

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • www.pixabay.com

SOURCES:

  • http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/
  • www.choosemyplate.gov
  • http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

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