Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Pumpkins mark the fall season with decorative flair on front porches and tabletops as well as in our favorite fall flavors—pumpkin spice has quite a following! It’s boosted pumpkin’s pizazz beyond pies and lattes to hummus, pasta, and even facial scrub. The most popular winter squash—pumpkin and pumpkin seeds—has a … Read More
Oatmeal has been a popular choice for a healthy breakfast in America for over 150 years, but our busy schedules these days often prevent us from preparing it in the traditional way. Food manufacturers addressed the issue in the 1960s by introducing instant oatmeal, which cut the cooking time to … Read More
It happened just like that. You sat on the couch, spoon in hand, to enjoy a few spoonfuls of your favorite ice cream. Suddenly, you were staring down the barrel of an empty carton, with remnants of Rocky Road splattered on your chin. “Not again,” you cried. As you pondered … Read More
Have you ever been warned that you should cut bread out of your diet because it's full of carbohydrates, makes you gain weight, and is bad for your health? If you’re a bread lover, sourdough bread may be a great option, because the health benefits of sourdough bread are numerous. … Read More
Known as America’s favorite vegetable, potatoes are beloved for their versatility, their compatibility with other foods, and their ability to be transformed into two of America’s favorite junk foods. And although sweet potatoes aren’t as popular, they’re perceived to be a healthier alternative to white potatoes because of their lower … Read More
Green tea may be one of the healthiest beverages you can drink, except, perhaps, for matcha tea. The healthy compounds found in green tea are even more highly concentrated in matcha, a bright green powder made from green tea leaves. Learn how to use it in everything from your morning … Read More
Limes typically don’t receive the same attention year-round as their yellow sibling, the lemon. The summer season is usually when they get the most shine, thanks to their presence in key lime pie, as a mixer for cocktails, and as a finishing touch on grilled meats, fish, and guacamole. But, … Read More
A lot of people want to decrease their sugar intake, and with good reason; too much sugar can increase your chances of dementia, contribute to osteoporosis, and more. But are artificial sweeteners, such as maltitol, the way to go? There are a multitude of alternatives to sugar, including stevia, agave, … Read More
Whether you have access tomatoes fresh from the garden, the grocery store, or even canned tomatoes, there is so much potential for this healthy, delicious ingredient. Tomatoes are a very versatile ingredient, but a favorite recipe that can be used for a multitude of dishes is tomato sauce. This easy … Read More
When I was young, we had a huge cedar tree in front of our house. My two brothers and I loved that tree, as it seemed to be made for climbing. It was the perfect play tree; in it we built platforms, played games, and continually found new routes up … Read More
