Spoonful

A variety of green herbs on a white background

The Art of Preserving Herbs

— By Lali Constantino, UMaine Extension Master Food Preserver Volunteer Drying is one of the most ancient and cost-effective methods for preserving food. This simple technique relies on the natural energy of the sun or the dry heat of a hot summer day. You can easily do it by hanging herbs in a warm, shady […]

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Frozen yogurt bark pieces stacked on top of each other with ingredients used in the recipe shown in the background: strawberries, blueberries, and granola.

Frozen Yogurt Bark: An Easy & Fun Sweet Treat

— By Alex Gayton, Assistant EFNEP Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator, Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP), University of Maine Cooperative Extension Visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s recipe website for the Frozen Yogurt Bark recipe. This Frozen Yogurt Bark is a fun summer treat that is fully customizable and is a simple […]

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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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Mother and son at a farmers' market.

Food Safety When Buying Directly from Farmers

— By Chesley Ferris, Dietetic Intern, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Did you know that Maine has around 115 summer farmers’ markets and 30 to 35 winter farmers’ markets? One of my favorite things about living in Maine is visiting our farmers’ markets. I love connecting with local farmers and finding unique fruits and vegetables. […]

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a close up of whole cucumbers sprinkled with salt, garlic cloves, and herbs

Tips for Making Crunchy Homemade Pickles

— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension It’s green bean and cucumber season here in Maine, and pickling is my favorite way to preserve these vegetables. I always can a batch of crunchy dilly beans and sweet bread-and-butter pickles to enjoy throughout the year. But every year, I hear from […]

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blueberry banana smoothie in a tall glass cup with a blue and white striped straw and recipe ingredients in the background - banana, cinnamon, blueberries, and spinach.

Are Bananas “Bad” to Add to Smoothies?

— By Alex Gayton, Assistant EFNEP Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator, Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP), University of Maine Cooperative Extension Visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s recipe website for the Blueberry Banana Smoothie recipe. Blueberry Banana Smoothie has been my favorite smoothie combination for years. It’s simple, only needing five ingredients, […]

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Close up of mixed frozen peas, corn, and carrots.

Keep it Safe: Cooking and Handling Frozen Vegetables

— By Chesley Ferris, MPH, Dietetic Intern, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Buying frozen vegetables saves time and money. Frozen vegetables also stay fresh longer, helping to reduce food waste. However, did you know that not all frozen vegetables are safe to eat straight from the freezer? In fact, most frozen vegetables need to be […]

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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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strawberries cooking in a pot

5 Tips for Making Delicious Jam and Jelly This Summer

— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension During the summer I usually get a few calls from frustrated preservers asking why their jam or jelly didn’t come out right. It’s annoying to try and make a nice, spreadable jam and instead end up with something that’s too runny or too […]

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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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