HEARTh & HOME

By Janae Jean – For this Valentine’s Day, treat yourself (and your sweetheart) to breakfast in bed. These two recipes are simple to prepare but complex in flavor. Heart healthful flax seed adds protein and good fat. If you prefer to cube your own potatoes and tofu, simply do so …

by Janae Jean What do the most popular New Year’s Resolutions have in common? Looking at polls on Statista.com from 2016, 2017 and 2018, eating healthier, improving self-care, increasing overall fitness, losing weight and trying something new were favorites every year. I’m confident that those will still be the favorites …

By Janae Jean Pears and cranberries are both popular ingredients on holiday tables. According to the traditional song The Twelve Days of Christmas, the Christmas season begins with the gift of “a partridge in a pear tree.” Cranberries, historically known as “craneberries,” were served at the first Thanksgiving dinner. This …

By Janae Jean – For Thanksgiving, we are sharing four different takes on the classic cranberry sauce. The cranberry, is second only to the blueberry in antioxidant capacity per cup. They are also high in vitamins C and E and fiber and very low in sugar with only 46 calories …

By Janae Jean In North America, pumpkins and other winter squash are synonymous with fall. Pumpkin pies, lattés, breads, muffins and more are everywhere as well as squash soups and risottos. While you may think that pumpkin and squash look very different from one another, pumpkin is actually a variety …

By Janae Jean October is the half-way point for the fall semester at most colleges and universities. Students are in the midst of studying hard for midterms and midnight snacks become meals. For this fall semester, here are two healthful variations on the college dorm room classic ramen noodles. Ramen …

By Janae Jean September is such a busy time of year for many of us. Summer vacation season is done, and it’s time to go back to school. Even those of us who aren’t in school or don’t have students in our homes are getting ready for the cooler fall …

by Janae Jean – August in the Midwest is hot and humid. So, why not add some heat to our dinner plates as well? This month we have a plant-based meal inspired by the Indian Subcontinent. Indian food is known for its spicy flavors. This month’s masala-inspired dish is packed …

By Janae Jean – In the United States we use the word smörgåsbord to refer to any type of buffet style meal. It literally means “sandwich table” in Swedish. Its normally a large spread of cold and hot dishes, featuring regional ingredients such as herring, salmon, dill, cucumbers and crispbread. …

By Janae Jean –  Lavender is for more than skin care and potpourri; it’s a culinary herb that adds a certain je ne sais quoi to both sweet and savory dishes and beverages. Lavender is a common herb in Southern French or Provençalcooking. While recently becoming popular in North America, lavender …