Tag Archives: colds

9 out of 10 Teens Not Eating Their Vegetables

A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave teens failing grades when it comes to eating their fruits and vegetables. Only ONE teen out of ten in the United States is getting their recommended daily amount of fruits and veggies. Looks like a lot of kids are going to have to stay after class… for a healthy snack. The news is bad: Only 13% of high school students eat three servings of vegetables daily. Only 32% of high school students eat two servings of fruit daily. Less than one out of every ten kids eat … Continue reading →

Composting 101

In one of my last blogs, I talked about making your kitchen green, but failed to mention composting. That is because I felt composting deserved its own blog! Composting is an easy way to help reduce the amount of garbage you send to landfills, plus your garden will love you! What? You don’t have a garden? Well, we will get to that later. The first thing you need is the right container or bin. This can either be open-aired or closed. Keep in mind that the closed bins break down the material faster because they retain heat better. Some people … Continue reading →

Having Fun at a Farmer’s Market

Now that the weather is warming up, farmers markets are springing up around the country. In warmer climates these massive markets are open year round, but here in the chilly Upper Midwest, outdoor farmers markets are seasonal (and the indoor ones are only held bi-weekly). Their fleeting appearance from May until October is one of the reasons they are so popular in my neck of the woods. Another reason produce-loving residents flock to farmers markets here is that they are just plain fun. When was the last time you took your children to a farmers market? My preschooler loves visiting … Continue reading →

More Meatless Meal Options

Now that Lent is here, many home cooks are looking for meatless options to serve on Fridays. If you aren’t in the mood to fry fish or dine on other seafood options, then consider adding these delicious meatless dishes to the mix. PASTA WITH ROASTED MUSHROOMS AND ROSEMARY CREAM SAUCE Ingredients: For the Pasta: 6 cups cooked farfalle pasta 3 cups crimini mushrooms roasted with olive oil For the Rosemary Gorgonzola Cream Sauce: 1/4 cup butter 2 tablespoons minced onion 1/4 cup flour 4 cups milk Salt, pepper, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes to taste Creamy Gorgonzola cheese 3 rosemary … Continue reading →

Making Meatless Meals

In honor of Ash Wednesday I thought it would be appropriate to feature some simple meatless meal options. The following recipes can be made in less than 30 minutes, but the satisfaction you’ll get from preparing such healthy and delicious dishes will last ten times as long. SHRIMP AND ARTICHOKE SCAMPI Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 large cloves garlic, minced 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 (14-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained 1/3 cup dry white wine 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons lemon zest 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish … Continue reading →

Save Money—-Make Your Own Chinese Restaurant-Style Dishes

I love getting Chinese take-out, especially on Friday nights. Unfortunately, with the economy (and my family budget) in flux, Chinese food has tumbled to the bottom of the priority list. The fact that it cost nearly $40 to feed a family a four (two main dishes and two sides) means I probably won’t be visiting my favorite Chinese eatery for a while. If you love Chinese food as much as I do, but you don’t have the cash to feed your habit, consider making your own. There are dozens of Chinese dishes that can be made in less than an … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Vegetables

As much as your children would rather you forget them all together, vegetables are a vital part of a traditional Thanksgiving spread. While my brother’s tot will happily munch on carrots sticks (drowned in Ranch dressing) as though he were part rabbit, my preschooler needs to be bribed to take even a nibble of the crunchy orange vegetable. This is why our family meals such as Thanksgiving must include a variety of veggie dishes. The first one I’m sharing with you is the only carrot recipe my daughter will eat. Once you scan the ingredients you’ll see why. The second … Continue reading →

Where the Cold Germs Hide in Your Home

If someone comes down with a cold or flu in your household, it is usually inevitable that at least one other family member will get it. At least that is the way it is in my household. By the time one person starts exhibiting the symptoms, chances are that we have all already been exposed to the same germs. That still doesn’t stop me from disinfecting everything in sight. But what if someone who appears ill comes to visit you in your home? It could be anyone from a friend stopping by to little kids at a playdate. While I … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Outbreak!

It started with one cat: runny nose, weepy eyes, sneezing. Soon three more cats were drippy and lethargic. The cats-only boarding facility had an outbreak! I’ve been working at the boarding facility since last December (how time flies) and this is the first time I’ve seen anything like this. The first cat — patient zero — usually has runny eyes and a sniffly nose. He’s a Himalayan, and like other flat-faced breeds, they can be susceptible to upper respiratory problems. Other Himalayans who come in to stay with us tend to have very runny eyes, too. So when patient zero … Continue reading →

Simple Seasonal Dips You Can Make with Your Kids

In a previous blog I mentioned that my 4-year-old daughter is enrolled in a cooking class. She absolutely loves it and has fast become my second set of hands in the kitchen. Each week her teacher introduces a new theme, which is incorporated into all of the classroom activities (cooking, reading, art projects, etc.). With fall in full swing, acorn squash was this week’s featured ingredient. The recipe my daughter made is listed below. It couldn’t be simpler to make… and believe it or not my persnickety little eater actually tried some of it (which is another reason I enrolled … Continue reading →