Kent State Interns

If fall had a soundtrack, it would be warm, nostalgic, and a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. And if fall had a cookie ? It would definitely be a warm chai sugar cookie. Taylor Swift once mentioned making chai cookies for friends, and ever since, fans have tried recreating their own versions. These cookies blend soft sugar-cookie comfort with tea-inspired spices, making them perfect for fall gatherings, late-night baking sessions, or simply listening to Red (Taylor’s Version) with your cat. Below is my Swiftie-approved guide to chai-inspired cookies at home, BH’s Version .   Dry ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cardamom ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp nutmeg A pinch of cloves Wet ingredients ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp heavy cream Topping ¼ cup sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon   Directions In a medium bowl, whisk all dry ingredient...

If you’re hosting guests with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance this Thanksgiving, don’t panic! It’s entirely possible to pull off a delicious and cozy feast without missing any of the classics we know and love. With a little planning and a few simple swaps, your table can be just as familiar (and maybe even tastier) as a traditional spread. Here’s how to make it happen:   Start with the Easy Wins A lot of Thanksgiving staples are naturally gluten-free. Think:   Turkey Mashed potatoes Roasted veggies Cranberry sauce   So, no need to reinvent the entire menu. Start with what already works and build from there.   Keep an Eye Out for Sneaky Gluten Gluten can hide in strange places. Broth, gravy packets, spice mixes, even some canned pie fillings can contain it as a thickening agent. Just give labels a quick read and look for “gluten-free” to save yourself the surprise later.   Make Simple Swaps You don’t have to create brand-new recipes—just tweak what you alrea...

If you have a sweet tooth, then this one is for you! Personally, I have a tendency to overindulge in sweet treats. Sometimes, when I want a sweet treat, I try to make it a little bit healthier so that I can feel my absolute best while also not depriving myself of the things that make me happy. My favorite solution to this is yogurt bark, and it's completely customizable to your preferences! It's nutritious and delicious, packed with nutrients such as calcium, fiber, vitamin C, and other antioxidants, making it the perfect snack for flu season and overall health.  Here's my personal recipe. Let me know if you give it a try! Ingredients: 1 32-oz tub of regular or Greek yogurt (vanilla or strawberry preferred). Fruit of your choice (I prefer to use blueberries, strawberries, and banana slices). Honey and/or peanut butter (optional). Chocolate chips (optional). Other preferred toppings such as coconut, almonds, etc. (optional).  Equipment needed: 1 large cookie sheet with raise...

          Shorter days and dark November mornings can feel brutal, especially when you’re knee-deep in dietetic rotations and these settings don't wait for sunlight. There’s something about dragging yourself out of bed at 5:02 AM when it’s still pitch black that just feels wrong. Some mornings, I take an extra five minuted to sink into my oversized chair, coffee mug in hand, and stare at the ceiling, always wondering how humans survived before cozy blankets and caffeine existed. Lately, I’ve had to get extra creative just to make it through those early wake-ups without turning into a zombie.     One of the first things I’ve learned is to lean on light whenever possible. A few minutes with my newly acquired light therapy lamp while sipping coffee feels like it has flipped a switch in my brain. It wakes me up and makes the day feel a little more doable. Whenever I can, I also do my best to take advantage of natural sunlight, whether that’s stepping...

       As the nutrition major of the family, I am automatically put in charge of bringing the fruits, vegetables, or of course, the salad to any family gathering or holiday. This salad recipe is my favorite to bring to Thanksgiving because it is colorful, tasty, and packs in the nutrients. It combines Brussel sprouts and apple making it refreshing and light- perfect as an appetizer before indulging on a yummy and filling Thanksgiving dinner. The colors also make it a perfect dish for Christmas as well! Just half a cup of Brussel sprouts provide: ~30 calories  109 micrograms of vitamin K: essential for blood clotting and bone health 48 milligrams of vitamin C: boosts the immune system, antioxidant, increase iron absorption 47 micrograms of folate: important for cell division, red blood cell production, and heart health  30 micrograms of vitamin A: vision, supports the immune system, skin health  They boost health, support cardiovascular health, and lowe...

       Though now is a time where we celebrate our own cultures, the holidays are an important part of culture everywhere! Acknowledging different cultures can expand our world of food in ways we didn't even know existed! It can allow us to be able to create new dishes, experience different flavors, and allow us to even learn something new about that specific culture.       Typically during the holidays, we tend to stick to our ways of food due to the culture and tradition of our westernized society. Not to say in other places these attributes to the season aren't celebrated, but the difference is what we may be lacking to be able to maximize our experience during the holidays. Stuffing, gingerbread, mashed potatoes, ham and even more are all things that you would recognise as our “culturally relevant” foods during Christmas time. Oftentimes we don't think of what food might be similar or different that is eaten in other places around the world. I...