Recent changes in school lunch menus required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act are generating discussion in Kansas' and the nation's school districts. "The 2012 changes in the menus are intended to address concerns about children's nutrition, health and obesity that can lead to chronic diseases," said Sandy Procter, K-State Research and Extension nutrition specialist, and state coordinator for the U.S. ...

After the gathering, most Thanksgiving hosts find they have an abundance of turkey leftovers. Lucky you! Even if your family quickly tires of re-heated turkey, these leftovers can be counted among your Thanksgiving blessings with just a little planning. Cooked turkey freezes beautifully and can then be used in many dishes for a quick, easy meal. This is especially nice with the busy holiday season upon us...

In today's world of "reduce, reuse, recycle," consumers are looking for ways to save on waste. But when it comes to storing or transporting food for meals, reusing bags could create a food safety problem. Plastic storage bags are intended to be used once, and then thrown away. ...

Most salsas are a mixture of low-acid foods, such as onions and peppers, with acid foods, such as tomatoes or fruits. Recipes may call for adding vinegar, lemon or lime juices or other ingredients that also will impact the acidity of the overall recipe. It is important that ingredients be carefully measured and that directions for making the salsa are followed if you are planning to home-can or preserve it...

How many times have you heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? It's because eating breakfast is linked to better performance and more. Most public schools offer a breakfast program and these meals are offered to all children and at a free or discounted rate for those who qualify. According to an article in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, some benefits of eating breakfast include:...

If you have ever been elbow deep into a recipe only to discover you are missing a key ingredient, you know how frustrating that can be. It may leave you wondering how to substitute something else for that ingredient and hoping it doesn't alter your product too much...

Investing time and energy in preserving this summer's fresh fruits and vegetables can add variety and nutrition and health benefits to fall and winter meals. Doing so also can trim grocery bills, said Karen Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension food scientist, who explained that seasonal produce is typically less expensive when at its peak production and supplies are more available. ...

Snacks provide energy between meals, and that's why a Kansas State University nutrition specialist suggests planning snacks to include health-promoting fruits and vegetables that will complement, rather than compete, with meals. Why the emphasis on fruits and vegetables?...

Everyone is different. Calorie needs depend on your age, gender and activity level. Ask 10 people what to eat to stay healthy and you will likely get 10 different answers. Often, it is our own limiting beliefs that hold us back from consuming a healthy diet...

Spring cleaning is a tradition that encourages us to freshen up our homes and get ready for the hectic season of summer. Taking advantage of the natural urge that comes each spring to get rid of items that are weighing you down can allow you to begin fresh with a more streamlined lifestyle. Cleaning, in general, will be a lot easier when the clutter is gone...

If you are a gardener who has asparagus in your patch, like me, you are probably watching anxiously for those first tender green shoots to appear. I saw the first last week. This is a sign of two things -- that spring is here and there will soon be an abundance of the tasty spears...

Americans consume much more sodium than they should, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of the sodium comes from common restaurant or grocery store items. Ten types of foods are responsible for more than 40 percent of people's sodium intake. ...

Making beef or venison jerky is becoming increasingly popular; it's relatively easy, allows seasoning the dried, lightweight meat product to your taste, and can offer a cost-savings on food, including snacks. Mistakes in the process can, however, compromise the quality of the product and cause foodborne illness, said Karen Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension food scientist...

U.S. Department of Agriculture consumer food specialists report the quantity of food consumed on Super Bowl Sunday is second only to Thanksgiving. And, while food safety information is plentiful during the holiday season, bowl parties can create additional food safety risks, said Karen Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension food scientist...

It's an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas. . . how harmful could it be? The health risk from radon is increased lifetime risk of lung cancer. Radon exposure accounts for approximately 12 percent of annual lung cancer deaths in the United States or approximately 21,000 deaths. ...

This week, I'd like to share a blog post from a co-worker from across the state. The following was written by Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent Linda Beech in Finney County about a recent experience she and her husband had in their hometown that is both humbling and inspiring. I hope it will encourage you, as it did me, to be kinder and more generous as we celebrate the spirit of the season that is upon us. It is shared with Linda's permission...

Gifts of food are usually welcome, particularly during the holiday season when edible gifts can save the recipient time and money. These gifts also ease gift-giving costs for the giver. "Gifts of food can, however, raise some food safety concerns," Karen Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension food scientist said...

Grocers display pumpkin pies on store shelves without refrigeration, yet cooks who make pumpkin pies at home are instructed to refrigerate the perennial fall favorites. "The difference in recommendations is due to the formulation of the pie recipes," Karen Blakeslee, K-State research and extension food scientist said...

Whether you decorate for fall with pumpkins, carve them into Jack O' Lanterns or use them to bake a pie, it is pumpkin time. The name "pumpkin" originated from the Greek word "pepon" which means "large melon." Pumpkins were once believed to remove freckles and cure snake bites. ...