Spoonful

Blueberries, ginger, cinnamon, ground clove, and honey.

How to Make and Preserve Elderberry Syrup Safely

— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension During cold and flu season many people turn to natural remedies like elderberry syrup and fire cider vinegar to try to prevent illness or lessen symptoms. Elderberries are full of antioxidants and vitamins that in turn may boost your immune system. Homemade elderberry […]

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Close-up of four pieces of butternut squash cut.

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

— 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 Butternut Squash Soup recipe and recipe video. For those of us missing fall, this Butternut Squash Soup is creamy and full […]

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A man looking at a product.

Don’t Toss That Food Yet! Understanding Food Product Dating Labels

— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program) With the new year underway and spring just around the corner, you might be tidying up your kitchen and coming across boxes and cans of food past – what you assume are – their expiration dates. What […]

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Grapefruit.

How to Make and Can Citrus Marmalades

— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Winter means citrus season in the U.S. Oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes—the list of citrus varieties is long. While not native to Maine, we love to use wintertime citrus fruits to make delicious marmalades and also try to incorporate locally-grown ingredients wherever possible. Marmalades […]

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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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Bowl of black bean soup topped with avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Speedy Winter Black Bean Soup

— 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 Winter Black Bean Soup recipe and recipe video. We are in the thick of soup season and let’s be honest, who […]

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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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Spoonful Blog Recap 2024. The numbers 2024 are displayed with food photos filling each number. 2 is filled with tomatoes, 0 is filled with pickled vegetables in jars, 2 is filled with green beans, and 4 is filled with cocoa beans and chocolate.

From Tomatoes to Zoodles: A Deep Dive into Your Favorite Spoonful Posts

— By Emily Mott, EFNEP Administrative Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension We’re jumping on the trend (albeit a little late) and reflecting on our last year at the Spoonful Blog! Before we get into that … Hi, I’m Emily and this is my blog writing debut! While I usually work behind the scenes and […]

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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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Molasses bars stacked in a pile on a white plate

Mainely Dish: Molasses Bars (Mystery B Bars)

— 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 Molasses Bars (Mystery B Bars) recipe and recipe video. Craving a cozy winter treat? Try UMaine Extension’s Molasses Bars (Mystery B […]

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