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
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
There are so many recipes to avoid wasting any Thanksgiving leftovers – make sure to check them out! Leftoverpallooza I Leftoverpallooza II Mashed Potato Turkey Bites Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Turkey Stew / Estofado de Pavo Turkey Tostadas / Tostadas de Pavo Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas / Quesadillas de Frijol Negro y Batata Broccoli Potato Soup / Sopa de Brócoli y Papa … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving! // Leftovers
Last week I tried spaghetti squash for the first time. Have you ever tried it? My friend, Amberly, over at createbetterhealth.org posted on our Instagram page about how to cook spaghetti squash, and I figured I should try it! Let me tell you… It was so good. Fruitsandveggies.org shares all the fun facts and tips… Continue reading Create Amazing Veggies // Microwave Spaghetti Squash
Halloween is just around the corner; do you have all your tricks and treats planned? Make sure you don’t forget to include healthy Halloween snacks. Here are some SPOOKY ways to make your Halloween HEALTHY: Mini Mummy Pizza: These are a quick and easy way to add whole grains to dinner. Serve with a side… Continue reading Healthy Halloween // Spooky Snack Ideas
Emma Parkhurst, Assistant Professor, Health & Wellness at Utah State University Extension, is teaming up with Utah Public Radio. She'll be hosting a podcast all about Utah specialty crops - products that are unique to our state. Each podcast will feature some of these crops, their health benefits, and the role they play in helping Utahns… Continue reading Cropping Up // Utah Specialty Crop Podcast
Have you made bread from scratch? If you are intimidated at the thought of baking a loaf, skip the bread recipes that call for yeast, require the right amount of kneading, and need time to rise. Instead, try your hand at a quick bread. With a few simple ingredients, your flavors of choice, and a… Continue reading Create A Quick Bread // Cinnamon Apricot Bread
What is the gourd's favorite sport? It's squash! This time of year, fresh, locally grown produce starts to dwindle. It's time to switch gears to fall fruits and vegetables. Winter squash is in its prime. Once harvested, if kept in a cool place, winter squash will last several months. This makes winter squash the perfect… Continue reading Roast, Bake, and Mash Through the Winter // Top Ten Ways to Enjoy Butternut Squash
Did you know that the communication and relationship skills learned at the dinner table help prepare you and your family for life's ups and downs? The FMI Foundation tells us all about it with their Family Meals Movement. But what if family mealtime feels less like a time of family togetherness and more like a… Continue reading Survive the Ups and Downs with Family Mealtime // Sesame Chicken
Do you want to create a balanced meal all in one bowl? One that is quick to clean up and will provide the nutrition your family needs? Make a stir fry! Use ingredients you have on hand and follow our Create a Stir Fry steps below. Oriental Beef Stir Fry is one of my go… Continue reading Create A Stir Fry // Oriental Beef Stir Fry
Did you know that plums are a member of the rose family? It's true! It is also a close relative of peaches, apricots, and cherries. Many different varieties are grown in Utah. They range from small to large, and may be yellow, blue, red, purple, or green. Plums ripen late in the summer or early… Continue reading Plum Delicious // Top Ten Ways to Enjoy Plums
Create Better Health 