Just Peachy Pops
By Kelly Bogard
I love making treats for Butters. As we get closer to summer, I was looking for something to make for her – something that would not only fulfill her sweet tooth, but also not make her bounce off the walls like the average four-year old does when something fun is coming soon. Unfortunately, to go along with the fun is the Texas heat. So what could I do to make the unofficial start of summer fun? How about a peach popsicle?
read moreIs organic taking over my produce section?
By Jessica Domel
I absolutely love cooking, but going to the grocery store stresses me out.
I live in a community where the organic section of the grocery store is so large that it makes searching for traditionally-grown produce feel like an Easter egg hunt.
It literally took me at least 10 minutes one day to find traditionally-grown spinach. I found the variety of organic blends right away, but the more affordable, traditionally-grown spinach was hiding over by the seafood freezers behind a cart of other produce.
read moreBeefy Spaghetti Squash Bake
By Kelly Bogard
I love pasta. Really, I think I must have been Italian in my past life. I would eat pasta every day if my waistline could handle it. See, my problem is moderation.
Just like most everything else in life, pasta must be eaten in moderation. When I think of pasta, I think about the biggest bowl of spaghetti or a giant plate of chicken alfredo. And even though you can eat those things every once in a while, you shouldn’t have them every day.
read moreCultivating the future
By Jessica Domel
As many of you know, last week was Texas Food Connection Week–a week in which we encourage farmers and ranchers to really connect with consumers to talk with them about where their food, fibers and fuel come from. As I traveled to one of the local Texas Food Connection Week events, I was thinking about my two nieces, who are five and three, and wondering whether or not they know where their food comes from.Our family owns a farm that my father runs, but I never really sat down with the girls and asked if they knew that all that corn in the fields was used to feed cattle and so on.
read moreThe Southern food stereotype
By Amanda Hill
Last week, I heard about a study that found that “Southern food” is unhealthy. By Southern food, the University of Alabama at Birmingham study meant fried foods, burgers, processed meats and sugary drinks (specifically sweet tea). The study noted an increased stroke risk with fried foods and a higher risk of diabetes with sweetened drinks.
Forgive me, but why is this “groundbreaking” science? It’s not new news that fried food and/or meals high in salt and sugar content cause an increased risk of health problems. The research reports that people who eat “Southern-style” meals six or more times a week have a 41 percent higher stroke risk than those who ate those meals just once a month.
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