Nutrition

Eggs and green and orange vegetables cooking on a stovetop in a black frying pan.

7 Stovetop Recipes for Your New Apartment

— By Brigette Williamson, Dietetic Intern, University of Maine Cooperative Extension & Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Moving into your first apartment is both exciting and scary. When it comes to planning what to cook, it can be intimidating if recipes require special utensils or tools. However, you don’t […]

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A large variety of different-sized and colored pumpkins on a wooden table.

Pumpkins: More Than Just a Jack-O-Lantern

— By Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Pumpkins are a type of winter squash and are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is what gives them their deep yellow to deep orange color. Vitamin A is important for keeping your skin healthy, preventing eye problems, and promoting a […]

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A family picking out sweet potatoes at a farmers market.

Ask EFNEP: Cooking for Busy Families – Using Local Ingredients

— By Mikaela Greenwald, EFNEP Community Education Assistant in York County, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Using local ingredients in your cooking is a great way to incorporate fresh, in-season foods. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are picked and sold at their peak ripeness and are often less expensive. Ripe in-season fruits and […]

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raw organic vegetables in a plate

Organic Food Facts: Health, Safety, and Your Budget

— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program) Whenever the topic of food comes up, whether with friends, family, or during a nutrition class, questions about organic food almost always follow. Over the past decade, interest in organic food has grown, with organic foods often viewed […]

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A woman and her son prepare an omelet

From Picky Eaters to Kitchen Helpers: Making Mealtime Fun

— By Debbie Barnett, EFNEP Community Education Assistant in Kennebec County, University of Maine Cooperative Extension If you have children or work with them, you know it can be a challenge to get everyone on board with what is on the plate. Johnny wants tacos, but not beef. Eva wants beef, but no dairy. Nea […]

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Berry pops on a table.

The Summer Snack Scene

— By Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Summer means longer, warmer days, outdoor activities, and for many of us, a house full of hungry kids. Summer snacks don’t have to be expensive to be healthy or take a lot of time to prepare. Below are ideas and tips to […]

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Cottage cheese on a wooden spoon.

Cottage Cheese: Don’t Call it a Comeback…

— By Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension It’s been here for years. Cottage cheese is all over social media. Your social media pages are probably filled with cottage cheese recipes, influencers singing its praises, and a sudden 180-degree turn about love for this dairy product. Many of us remember […]

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3 panels, left to right - blueberry banana smoothie with spinach, berries, and a banana in the background, egg bites with diced veggies on an English muffin, avocado slides on a piece of whole grain bread.

Ask EFNEP: Three Tips to Add Vegetables to Breakfast

— By Chris Finemore, EFNEP Community Education Assistant, University of Maine Cooperative Extension “I want vegetables for breakfast.” … said no child ever. When I read the question about how to add vegetables to breakfast, I realized it probably wasn’t a common request from kids and adults. When I asked local schoolchildren if they eat […]

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A plate of sliced, roasted chicken breast with herbs and spices.

Why Buy a Whole Chicken?

— By Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension When buying chicken, you probably have a specific cut in mind based on your recipe, personal preference, or current store sales. You might have noticed that whole chickens are often advertised at lower prices per pound than individual cuts like breasts or […]

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Navigating Nutrition Labels: Understanding Carbohydrates and Added Sugars

— By Jen Spann, University of Maine Dietetic Intern and Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor University of Maine Cooperative Extension Reading a nutrition label can seem overwhelming, so we’re here to help! Here are a few key points to keep in mind: Nutrition facts labels are based on a standard 2,000 calorie per day […]

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