Kent State Interns

  It’s March in Ohio and the weather could not be more inconsistent. One day it’s warm and sunny and the next it’s cold and gloomy. It can be hard to decide what to eat when the season is changing. So, what is going out of season from winter, what is coming in season for spring, and how can you meet them in the middle? To start with, what are the foods on their way out from winter? And what foods are coming in for spring? Now, how do you make the most of this indecisive weather with the season change? Choose dishes that use some foods from winter AND some foods from spring. These types of dishes will give you that hearty comfort that you want when it’s cold and gloomy but will also give you that brightness and freshness that the warm weather and spring are bringing in.  Take advantage of the overlap in the seasons through your meals instead of getting caught up in the back and forth between gloomy and bight days this year. -BC Resources: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-pr...

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  Grapes: edible sunscreen!   The skin is the largest organ of the human body; contributing to 16% of your body mass! This is why protecting it is so important. Sun rays are great for vitamin D levels, but without the right skin protection, they can be very damaging. Sunblock is always encouraged, but more protection is always appreciated. A study from a group of researchers at the University of Alabama, Birmingham discovered that eating 2 ¼ cups of grapes, or a powder of freeze-dried grapes, can significantly increase your skin’s resistance to UV rays!   The Study Each participant had their sensitivity to UV light assessed before and after the trial. This was done by assigning a MED (Minimal Erythema Dose) value to each participant. This value indicated the threshold in which UV radiation will cause visible redness in the skin. Study results found that the amount of UV light required to redden participants skin was about 74.8% greater after grape consumption for 14 days....

  St. Patrick’s Day will soon be upon us, and with it, the influence of Irish cuisine onto our plates. Of course, one of the most prominent items will be showcased as usual – the potato ! Mashed potatoes will sit atop the shepherd’s pie, and underneath the sausages with Guinness onion gravy. There will be roast potatoes alongside the roast lamb, and champ potatoes capping the beef stews. And let us not forget, the shredded potatoes mixed into the boxty – the Irish potato pancakes – or the taters whipped up with cabbage or kale in the good old Colcannon. No matter the bar, tavern, pub, restaurant, or household, potatoes are guaranteed to find their way onto your plate for the most Irish holiday outside of Ireland. There are few things more synonymous with Ireland and the Irish than potatoes . Yet, what if I told you that potatoes are not Irish? What would you do equipped with the knowledge that this famous tuber, which we have come to love in Irish cuisine, is n...

As spring approaches and the weather warms up, it’s easier to get out of the winter funk.  Here are some ideas of activities to do to get outside!          Running/walk on the trail : this helps boost serotonin and also can be a stress reliever as well!    Garden : The easiest vegetables to plant in the spring are tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and raspberries!    Hiking with friend s: this can be used to relieve stress and also help catch up with friends as well!    Grab a takeout lunch/dinner with friends and have a picnic outside!  This is a covid friendly activity and you are able to enjoy the sunshine as well! Lots of Vitamin D!!      Here’s a great recipe for a salad to use your veggies and fruits you grow in your garden:        Walnut Raspberry Salad and Raspberry Vinaigrette INGREDIENTS ·       ·         3 tablespoons raspberry pres...

Primavera "Spring" is near...the weather is warming and the sun is shining, it is only a matter of time until we are in the spring season. It is only a matter of time until everyone around us is getting spring fever, some may already have it now with it being the beginning of March currently.  Spring time means the need to try out some new recipes to celebrate the winter season coming to an end. What better dish to make than Primavera Pasta or Spring Pasta that incorporates all the lovely spring vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, spinach, and many others. Primavera Pasta Ingredients: 8 ounces   spaghetti 2   portabella mushrooms 1/2   pound (1/2 bunch) asparagus 1   bunch broccolini (or   2 cups   broccoli florets, with stems kept as long as possible) 3 cups   spinach leaves, roughly chopped (or   3 ounces   baby spinach) 4   garlic cloves 2 cups   frozen peas ( 10 ounces ) 1 tablespoon   soy sauce...

March is National Nutrition Month. Each year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics chooses a focus for that year’s National Nutrition Month. This year, the focus is “Personalize Your Plate.” They created a week-by-week list of how to participate and work towards personalizing your plate. Week 1: Variety The focus during this first week is similar to MyPlate since the main point is to include foods from each food group. This week also focuses on hydration, enjoying food without distractions, and reading nutrition facts. Week 2: Plan Ahead This second week focuses on planning ahead to improve the nutritional content of your meals. While a big focus is to choose healthy meals for the week and create a grocery list to shop for those meals, this week also reminds you to plan ahead for traveling and make smart menu choices when eating out. Week 3: Learn New Cooking Skills The focus of the third week is to increase your skills in the kitchen. You can do this through trying new flavors, food...