Kent State Interns

  Lately, I have been seeing a handful of recipes from people who have started to avoid oil as well as other fats in their diets. Some people are coming up with some tasty oil-free salad dressing, and that is wonderful for people that maybe need to watch their fat intake, but plant-based oils such as canola, flaxseed, or soybean oils should NOT be looked at as being unhealthy like saturated animal fats are. Not all fats clog our arteries or raise our cholesterol. In fact, plant based oils have zero cholesterol in them. Cholesterol only comes from animal products.   Our bodies need both fat and carbs in addition to protein. It is also worth noting that if you eat too much of any one of these macronutrients, your body will make fat out of anything you eat in excess. Yes, this includes protein. Fats are essential for different bodily functions and are needed for good overall health. They are also important in absorbing fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. You...

Easy to Grow Garden April in Ohio can show glimpse's of warmer weather and plenty of sunshine. Even though we may be in flux of snow, rain, or warm rays of sunshine. It can be a good time to start thinking about starting your own garden. It can be challenging maintaining a garden, but there are many benefits that can go along with it as well. Some benefits that can come from growing your own garden are: Exercise Feeling of accomplishment Money saver Fresh fruits or vegetables Can help combat loneliness Improve health Improve strength Can build relationships For beginner garden growers, some thing you will need to consider having: Durable gloves Hand spade Scissors or shears Rake Soil Fertilizer Plot of land or flowerpot Water Sunny area Seeds Having this equipment will allow for you to have a positive gardening experience. Lastly, you will need fruit or vegetables to grow. The following produce is considered the easiest produce to grow for beginners. Bell pepper: Blackberries or Ra...

  The Art of Campfire Cooking Giphy.com With Spring already here, Summer is ticking closer and closer to us…..that means picnics, hiking, canoeing, swimming, and so much more! One of my favorite parts of Summer is the nice roaring fire outside- whether deep in the wilderness or in one of our friend’s backyards… bon fires are top 10 awesome things of Summer (for me). Other than part of a great summer night, bon fires are great for cooking but it can be very challenging because of the lack of temperature control. The other thing that can be tough is figuring out what to cook on that fire that will be fairly easy and hassle free. Here are some recipes to spice up your future bon fire nights: amazon.com   One of the easiest things you can make over a fire is a pie. No….not one of those pies: a toasty pie. Toasties are those versatile sandwiches you make to be for any meal- breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. First you will need a campfire pie iron (you can get one almost anywher...

Did you know that April is National Soy Month? To be honest, I didn’t know this either until very recently. So, why does soy even need a whole month dedicated to it? There are many misconceptions surrounding soy and today we’re going to address some of these.  First off, what is soy? Soy products all originate from the same place - the soybean. This includes edamame, which are simply immature soybeans. Soy comes in many forms but most people are more familiar with soy milk, tofu, and soy sauce. Other products include tempeh, miso, soy butter, soy yogurt, and even soy puddings!  Soy is a good source of protein, fiber, and many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants! According to the FDA, soy foods consumed in moderation are safe for everyone, aside from those with an allergy to soy. Fact or Myth? Soy is a complete protein Fact!  Although most complete protein sources are meats, soy products are also complete proteins. In other words, they provide all nine essential amino ac...

Dispelling the myths surrounding eggs With Easter arriving at the end of this week, the stores are stocked with chocolate, jellybeans, and of course, eggs. In the past, eggs have gotten a bad reputation due to high levels of cholesterol. Yes- eggs are high in cholesterol, but they are also packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals 1 . And while cholesterol is a factor that leads to heart disease, there are a lot of other foods that are also risks- without the benefits that are seen with eggs. Foods to look out for those high in saturated or trans fats as well as those with low nutrient density and high calories. These foods will make you feel full, but you might not be getting your necessary nutrients if you are eating more of these foods rather than nutrient dense foods. Nutrient dense foods are high in vitamins and minerals and may also have added benefits like antioxidants and fiber. Eggs are on the nutrient dense food list, containing vitamin A, vitamin D, selenium, iodine, and...

 The Spring Break Bounce Back Getting to the end of the semester     Credit: Giphy.com Spring break has come to an end- you are in the 57% of Americans (stats from 2021) that just got back from traveling and you have to find the motivation to sprint to the end of that Spring semester……where do you even begin? No worries. We got your back ;) Here are some tips to help you get to the end of the semester:   1.       Make Sleep A priority Good sleep is great way to keep your body healthy and mind refreshed to keep your goals to finish school strong in check. Getting enough sleep will also help to keep your mood positive and your focus sharp. 2.       Being Mindful Mindfulness is all about awareness: recognizing your needs and honoring yourself by taking care of those needs. Bringing an attention to mindfulness in your life will help keep stress levels low. Mindful comes in all forms: like mindful eating, taking breaks whe...