Three years ago, I was newly married and was touring the farmhouse we were going to be renting. As I entered the kitchen for the first time my heart sank as I realized there was no dishwasher. “I’ll be fine,” I told myself, “How many dishes can we actually make?” I had grown up in … Continue reading Countertop Dishwashers
There is no substitute for the thrill and challenge of eating a caramel apple—biting through the sweet, sticky caramel into a tart crisp apple while sweet, sticky juice runs down your chin. Oh, the memories! While the memories are sweet, the potential for a foodborne illness from caramel apples is real. Caramel apples should either … Continue reading Tips for Success with DIY Caramel Apples
My son, Thomas, recently reached a milestone – he tired his 100th food at 10 months of age. You may wonder how this concept of introducing a baby to 100 foods came about. Early last November I was very pregnant, listening to Katie Ferraro, RD, speak at the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual … Continue reading Baby-Led Weaning
Beets are packed with nutrients and heart-healthy antioxidants, making them a great addition to any diet. Aside from being totally delicious and beautiful on a plate, beets are low in calories and really good for you. They lower blood pressure, boost stamina, fight inflammation, are rich in fiber, support detoxification, contain anti-cancer causing properties, and … Continue reading Can’t Beat Beets and Beet Chips
Rachel Sweeney is the newest member of the AnswerLine team! AnswerLine is a new role for Rachel Sweeney, but Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is not. Rachel grew up on a diversified farm outside of Iowa City and was actively involved with Johnson County 4-H as a member of the Graham Champions 4-H Club. … Continue reading Meet Rachel Sweeney
The long-awaited summer treasure, sweet corn, will be available from local growers very soon. Getting a likeable variety and biting into an ear of plump kernels bursting with that sweet, corn flavor is well worth the wait. Sweet corn is an old food. The specific time when sweet corn originated cannot be pin-pointed. However, Spanish … Continue reading Sweet Corn – A Summertime Treasure
The produce department at the grocery store is the most shopped department. Usually located at the front of the store, the brightly colored fruits and vegetables and eye-catching displays welcome shoppers to the store and the opportunity to explore nutritious options. As shoppers peruse the aisles and refrigerated cases to make selections, one is sure … Continue reading Deciphering Produce Labels and Codes
Sipping a big glass of ice-cold, freshly squeezed lemonade on a hot summer day is one of life’s memorable pleasures. Lemonade made with real lemons, sugar, and water. There are two easy ways to make fresh lemonade—fresh squeezed or DIY concentrate. Either option is made with just three simple ingredients—fresh lemons, sugar, and water. Making … Continue reading Make Lemonade! Drink Lemonade!
It’s strawberry season! Those lush, first fruits of summer are starting to appear in home gardens, farmer’s markets, and u-pick patches. How do you keep them fresh and enjoy them at their prime? There is nothing worse than having fresh strawberries go bad within a day or two. Because it happens all too frequently, consumers … Continue reading Containing Strawberry Freshness
Memorial Day is just around the corner and for many Americans it is about a three-day weekend and the “unofficial” start of summer—barbecues, swimming, camping and lake trips. However, Memorial Day is more than all of that. Since 1868, it has been a national holiday dedicated to the men and women who have died while serving in … Continue reading Keep Memorial Day – Honor Our Fallen Heroes
