One of the best things about summer in Iowa is the wonderful fruits and vegetables that come into season. Sweet corn, summer tomatoes, and fresh green beans are high on my list. In Iowa, we are lucky to have a program that helps Iowans who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eat more...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
In last week’s blog, Justine shared all about protein, including why we need it, how to determine how much we need, and what foods contain protein. Today I’m sharing a sample one-day meal plan for a 15-year-old male, a 40-year-old female, and a 65-year-old female who all get 30-60 minutes a day of physical activity....| Spend Smart Eat Smart
I hear and read a lot about eating protein foods, but I often end up confused. Am I not eating enough protein? Am I eating too much? This week and next week on the blog, Jody and I are digging deeper into protein needs to help us all better understand this topic. To start off,...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
This month I am excited to bring some attention to an old favorite recipe and offer an idea for how you might try it a different way. Sloppy Joes have been around for a long time and most people have a favorite version of them. My favorite is the version on our website. This recipe...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
With (slightly) warmer temperatures and longer days, I view spring as a season for new opportunities and renewal. Trees are beginning to bud, birds are building their nests, and flowers are starting to bloom. All the newness that comes with spring brightens my mood and brings a new level of motivation- motivation I desperately need...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
Have you noticed the displays with garden seeds going up in the stores in your community? Those displays are a sign to me that it is time to start thinking about our garden for the summer. We do not plant our garden until after the middle of May to avoid freezing, but it is fun...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
The gardening urge tends to strike me this time of year as we start to see trees, flowers and grass come back. I love to grow flowers, herbs and a few vegetables at home. I stick with container gardening because I do not have the space for a raised bed or an in-ground plot. Even...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
Pasta is a fan favorite at our house. I love the flexibility of pasta and how I can use a variety of sauces, cheeses, noodles, and even protein. Thankfully our daughters enjoy pasta, so some form of a pasta dish ends up on our meal plan at least 1-2 times a week. To switch it...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
Does anyone else’s mind go blank when you start to make a meal plan, and you can’t think of anything to write down? Or is it just me? Some weeks the ideas just pop into my head. Other weeks I struggle with deciding what to make. Here are four things I do to help me...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
So far in our meal planning series we have heard a lot about how to engage our families in the process to make it easier and suit everyone’s preferences. That might leave you thinking that if you live on your own, meal planning will be a breeze – no arguments over dinner! I can share...| Spend Smart Eat Smart
