Our Top 5 Blogs on Plant-Based Proteins

Several of our team members are vegetarians or married to one so we are always looking for ways to get creative with plant-based proteins. In honor of National Protein Day on February 27th, here are the top 5 blogs we have written on plant-based proteins. 5. Quick Weeknight Dinner Recipe: Kale and White Bean Pasta […]

Heart Healthy Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home

Treat your significant other or loved one to a special dinner by securing a dinner reservation at this year’s hottest new restaurant—your own kitchen. Last February, our colleagues at Homegrown filmed a cooking demonstration for a heart healthy Valentine’s Day dinner. Watch and learn as Carolyn Dunn, NC State Extension nutrition specialist, guides you through a simple […]

6 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressings

Part of Eating the Med Way includes choosing olive oil and using herbs and spices. You can use olive oil for cooking, dressings, and marinades. Using herbs and spices in your cooking is a great way to add flavor without adding a lot of salt. Below are 6 delicious salad dressing recipes that are great for […]

Make Smart Breakfast Choices

Eating a nutritious breakfast (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and a lean protein such as eggs) maintains blood sugar levels and sets the tone for a day of healthy eating. This also promotes weight maintenance and weight loss by maintaining blood glucose levels and your metabolism. Check out this handout from our colleagues at NC EFNEP […]

Winter Citrus Salad

This recipe comes from Med instead of Meds and is a fabulous salad for citrus lovers! The recipe was created by Chef Ellen Clevenger-Firley and is a wonderful way to enjoy fresh citrus any time of the year, including during its peak season – winter. Serves 4Serving Size: 2 cups (481 grams)Prep Time: 15-20 minutesTotal […]

Healthier Eggnog Recipe

Christmas is this Friday! For many families, eggnog is a timeless tradition during the holidays but it comes with a hefty amount of calories (around 180 calories for 4 ounces). For those who crave the flavor on a regular basis try out this recipe for a healthy eggnog smoothie: Recipe from NC EFNEP Ingredients ½ […]

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

What is better on a chilly winter day than a nice hearty bowl of soup? Butternut squash is a great winter vegetable that can be used in a variety of ways, including this super easy and healthy soup made right in the crockpot.  It is really as easy as chopping everything up and throwing it […]

Food Gifts in 2020

Our colleagues at the NC Safe Plates team have prepared a Food Gifts Fact Sheet with tips to gift food safely this holiday season! Homemade food gifts are common around the holidays. Many options, such as homemade spicemixes, baking mixes and breads have minimal food safety risks. Items such as home canned ordried foods, infused […]

Chocolatey Black Bean Brownies

December 8th is National Brownie Day in the United States. To celebrate, I want to share with you a recipe that gives a new twist on the classic chocolate brownie: the black bean brownie. I know you are probably skeptical of beans in your brownies, but hear me out on this one. These brownies do […]