Lady using a phone app to track what she is eating.

I Got Back on Track by Tracking: 10 Takeaways

I recently turned 50 and hit the realization that many of our participants realize… my metabolism is not what it used to be. For much of my adult life, I have been able to eat mainly healthy foods without paying close attention to my portions. I could eat some chocolate every day without having to […]

Cups of coffee.

Are My Coffee Habits Healthy?

Coffee, in many places, is more than just a beverage- it can often symbolize connection, culture, history, productivity, and daily routine. Worldwide, approximately 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day, and in the U.S., nearly 3 in 4 Americans consume coffee each day. But should our consumption be this high? Coffee is ambiguous […]

Chef in the kitchen preparing food.

What I Learned at Cooking School- Part 2

Cooking is my passion. I am fortunate that this passion often overlaps my career in nutrition as we work to build healthy recipes, test cooking techniques, and write curricula that helps everyday cooks make healthy food for their family. As with any passion, you should sharpen your knives from time to time. The way I […]

Chef in the kitchen preparing food.

What I Learned at Cooking School- Part 1

Cooking is my passion. I am fortunate that this passion often overlaps my career in nutrition as we work to build healthy recipes, test cooking techniques, and write curricula that helps everyday cooks make healthy food for their family. As with any passion, you should sharpen your knives from time to time. The way I […]

Finished easy egg bites.

Easy Egg Bites

You may be familiar with egg bites that are offered at Starbucks or in the freezer section. They are super convenient and offer a grab and go high-protein option for breakfast or lunch. They can be, however, loaded with too much cheese and have a steep price tag. Even with escalating egg cost, you can […]

Kale arugla farro salad on a plate.

What I Learned About Salads from Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen is a fast causal restaurant that serves salads, bowl meals, and protein plates. They are a growing chain with a loyal following. I don’t usually eat out as I prefer cooking meals for my family. When traveling, however, it is an opportunity to try new restaurants, hence my visit to Sweetgreen during a recent […]

Infographic for Pam's Kitchen.

In Need of Meal Planning Inspiration This Week?

In need of meal planning inspiration this week? Pam Outen was recently honored by NC State University for her 50+ year career as an Extension agent. Pam’s goal was to help people plan quick, easy, and nutritious meals. You can find Pam’s videos on her YouTube channel Pam’s Kitchen*. I hope this will fuel your […]

Glass jars of treats.

Too Much of a Sweet Thing

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of sweets around you making it difficult to stay on track and maintain your weight? To make matters more difficult, the more sugar you eat, the more your body actually craves it. This can create a cycle of sugar overloading if you are not mindful of your choices. […]

Funny eggs with different mood faces on a yellow background.

Food and Mood…How do they connect?

Have you ever thought about how the food that we eat can affect our mental health, either positively or negatively?  There has been a lot of research done recently on the connection between food and mood.  As a matter of fact, the Food and Mood project led by several large government agencies is an effort […]

Stack of chocolate chip cookies

My Dessert Dilemma

I love dessert! Once my husband and I became empty nesters, dessert became a real dilemma for me since my husband doesn’t eat sweets. I would bake a dessert and have a serving each day. As the days went on, the dessert would become stale or soggy, and I would end up tossing the rest […]