Cold weather has set in, and the days are shorter here in Utah. This combination can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle. The term sedentary means a lot of sitting or lying down, with very little exercise. When you are sedentary, your body is affected in several ways: You burn less calories, which may lead… Continue reading Don’t Let Work Weigh You Down // Peanut Butter Crumble Muffins
Salt, also known as sodium, tends to get a bad rap in the nutrition world. Your body actually needs salt. The problem is that most people get much more than they need. When this happens, it is time to halt the salt! Too much sodium puts you at risk for developing high blood pressure, heart disease,… Continue reading Halt the Salt // Greek Pasta Salad
This salad is perfect as a light and healthy lunch or as a side dish for dinner. The combination of sweet strawberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and tangy dressing pairs perfectly with the fresh and earthy flavor of baby spinach. Nutritional Benefits This salad is packed with highly nutritious foods that offer a wide range of… Continue reading Easy Spring Recipe: Strawberry and Spinach Salad With Sunflower Seeds
Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product. Grains are divided into 2 subgroups: whole grains and refined grains. MyPlate recommends making half of your grains, whole grains. Whole grains are nutritious and contain a fiber-rich outer bran layer, the nutrient-packed germ, and the starchy endosperm… Continue reading Grains // Slow Cooked Oatmeal
Do you have extra veggies in the fridge? What about fruit you don't want to spoil? Don't let the extra go to waste - make a kabob! Use steak, chicken, or go vegetarian. A fruit kabob makes a fun and tasty dessert. Be creative and see what you can come up with. Use our Create… Continue reading Create a Kabob // Garlic Parmesan Steak Kabobs
Start off the day on the right foot with this tasty and healthy breakfast spinach and mushroom wrap. Ready in just 15 minutes. This delicious meal will become a household favorite! Grocery List: Whole Grain Tortillas Eggs Shredded Cheese Mushrooms Spinach Minced Garlic Recipe Breakdown Start by washing and dicing your mushrooms. If you purchased… Continue reading Tasty & Healthy Breakfast Spinach and Mushroom Wraps
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics designates March as National Nutrition Month®. It’s a great time to focus on the basics of a healthy diet and set a few goals to be healthier. This year, the theme of National Nutrition Month® is “Fuel for the Future”. Our health habits today impact our future. Make some goals this… Continue reading National Nutrition Month® // Fuel for the Future
February is Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. In fact, 1 in 4 deaths each year are caused by heart disease. Although you may find this alarming, there is some good news! Heart disease can often be prevented. It's all about making healthy… Continue reading Heart Health Month // Mexistrone Soup
You’ve seen the bags of dried beans sitting on the shelves of the grocery store, but have you ever tried cooking with them? It is easier than you would think, it just takes a little planning ahead of time. In this post, you'll find information on the benefits of dry beans, plus some mouthwatering recipes… Continue reading The Benefits of Dry Beans – Bean Burrito Bowl with Elote
There are four basics to food safety: Clean Separate Cook Chill Clean: Wash Your Hands and Cooking Areas Kitchens are full of germs that can easily be transferred to the food you eat. Prior to cooking food, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm or cold water. Repeat this… Continue reading Food Safety // The Basics
Smoothies are popular among all ages. You can create a delicious and nutritious smoothie from simple foods in a jiff too! What is a Smoothie? Smoothies are creamy beverages typically full of blended fruits, vegetables, yogurt, milk, or juices. Some people add nuts or seeds too! When creating a smoothie you choose 2-3… Continue reading Create a Smoothie // Delicious and Nutritious
In June of 2011 MyPlate was released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It was created to support the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPlate replaced the 1990’s MyPyramid. Did you know that the Dietary Guidelines are updated every five years? They sure are! Starting in 1980 they have been issued by the… Continue reading MyPlate vs MyPyramid // Do You Know the Difference?
Finding the motivation to cook for yourself when you live alone can be difficult. Many of us live alone for different reasons and circumstances. Maybe you haven’t married or are choosing not to. You may be a college student with roommates but without a coordinated meal plan together. Maybe you’ve lost a spouse. Whatever your… Continue reading Cooking for One // Meal Planning Tips
January 19th is National Popcorn Day! Did you know that the corn we eat and the corn we pop are two different varieties? They are! Only one variety of corn can become popcorn, Zea mays everta. This corn variety has small ears, and the kernels burst when exposed to dry heat. When popcorn… Continue reading Popcorn // A Healthy Snack
How much water do you drink daily? Often you will hear the 8x8 rule recited, meaning eight 8-ounce glasses or 64 ounces. Or maybe you’ve heard you need an ounce per pound of body weight but how much do you really need? Well, it depends. Factors such age age, sex, medical conditions, activity level, and… Continue reading Happy Hydrating // Hydration Tips
As we ring in the year many of us are setting goals, making plans, and full of motivation. If you haven’t set your goals yet, I’d encourage you to make SMART Goals. SMART GOALS SMART is an acronym for: Specific: Well defined, clear, and unambiguous Measurable: With specific criteria that measure your progress… Continue reading Start Smarter // Set SMART Goals
The holidays are here, and the snow has started to fall. It is such a magical time of year, but it can also be a time where we forget about healthy eating. It’s tempting to feast on all the yummy cookies, candies, and other holiday treats. While those indulgences can be good in moderation, it… Continue reading A Balanced Holiday Season // Whole Wheat Sugar Cookies
Do you ever feel like you’re too busy to eat healthy? I know I do! With today’s fast-paced lifestyles, healthy eating can seem tricky. But remember, it is important to make nutritious food choices as often as possible. Below are three tips to eat healthy in a hurry. Plan aheadThe first step to healthy eating… Continue reading Healthy Slow Cooker Meals // Recipes to Try!
Menu planning does not need to be difficult or time consuming. It increases the likelihood of dining at home when you already know what you are having for dinner. Eating at home is a great way to save money and enjoy more nutritious meals. Check out the USDA’s tip sheet on Menu Planning: Use this weekly… Continue reading Menu Planning 101
Happy Thanksgiving! This time of year always makes me feel so grateful for what I have. I decided to enlist the help of the wonderful Create Better Health ambassadors, supervisors, and State Office to see what they are thankful for this year, and hope that you will be able to make a list, as well. … Continue reading A Grateful Thanksgiving // What are you grateful for?
The holidays are just around the corner, and it is so easy to splurge. With these simple healthy holiday swaps, you can still enjoy everything you love, while eating nutritiously. Check out these healthy swaps and the recipes below! You are sure to love them. Enjoy! Recipe Links: Turkey Easiest Ever Sweet Potatoes Fresh Cranberry… Continue reading Healthy Holiday Food Swaps // Recipes
All month long we get to celebrate PEPPERS! Do you like peppers? There are so many different varieties; it may be hard to choose your favorite. The most common peppers are red, yellow, orange, and green, but did you know bell peppers also come in black, brown, white, and purple? Bell peppers are packed full… Continue reading National Pepper Month // Top Ten Ways to Enjoy Peppers
What is Create Better Health Utah Create Better Health Newsletter Create Better Health Online Course Blogs Create Better Health Blog Create Better Health en Español Blog Kids Create Blog County and State Social Media Pages Social Media Directory - Create Better Health Utah State University Extension Programs USU Extension Locations USU Extension Nutrition Expanded Food… Continue reading Create Better Health Link Guide
Winter is always a hard time for me. With the freezing temperatures, less sunlight, and even snowy weather, it can often make it difficult for us to stay active. But that does not have to be the case. Let’s talk about how physical activity can help fight those winter blues and some tips and tricks… Continue reading Fighting the Winter Blues // Tips to Stay Physically Active
