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Food Blog Posts

Figs

August 22, 2022

With figs in season, they’re on my mind a lot these days. The sweet, Southern decadence is quite the treat! I associate figs with my grandparents since they had a tree in their backyard. I remember helping them pick buckets full of figs when I was younger and eating them soon after they were picked. 

four jars of banana pudding overnight oats

August 12, 2022

Do you need a grab-and-go breakfast but want to skip the fast food? Overnight oats are a great option.

A woman and two children slice vegetables

August 9, 2022

Most children tend to go through picky eating phases. There are many things that could cause a child to be selective about what they eat. Some of these tips may help entice your picky eater.

A pitcher of homemade sports drink on a counter

July 29, 2022

Most of the time water is the best choice before, during, and after physical activity. However, there are times when you might benefit from a sports drink.

rosemary, basil, and dill collage

July 28, 2022

Many herbs are easy to grow in the garden or in containers. Rosemary, basil, and dill are mainstays in my garden because I like to use them while cooking in my kitchen.

A knife spreading strawberry jam on toast.

July 26, 2022

Summertime is a great time to try new recipes with in-season produce. Whether you garden yourself or have several friends who share their produce with you, there is always plenty of fresh produce to choose from this time of year.

A man cooks food on a grill.

July 19, 2022

Meat typically comes to mind when we think about backyard barbecues, but you can cook much more than that on the grill. Try adding fruits and vegetables this summer to go along with your protein choices.

Glass of Creamy Blueberry Shake

July 11, 2022

This Creamy Blueberry Shake is great for quick breakfast or an on-the-go snack.

Tuna cakes on a plate

July 1, 2022

If canned tuna is a pantry staple in your house, these Tuna Cakes can be on your dinner table in no time!

slice of Overnight Blueberry French Toast

June 21, 2022

This casserole recipe makes French toast simple. It’s great for breakfast but could easily be a dessert with the cream cheese and berry combination.

Easy Veggie Bake casserole

June 6, 2022

Not a fan of vegetables? Try this Easy Veggie Bake to camouflage them with a cheesy flavor and creamy consistency.

Canned salsa in a basket with other produce

June 2, 2022

Canning is a precise process that must be done correctly to have a safe, edible product. Proper preparation ahead of time will make the entire process much easier. These steps will help you get started.

Green tomato with buckeye rot.

May 26, 2022

Tomatoes are a popular crop for home gardeners, but they can be tricky to grow. Insects, disorders, and diseases can all cause problems with tomatoes. 

Beef brisket.

May 20, 2022

Beef is an excellent choice to include in a balanced diet. About half of the recommended daily value of protein is in a 3-ounce serving of beef! 

If you’re like me, you probably don’t know the characteristics of each cut of beef. When you’re at the grocery store, you just make the best guess you can and move on with your food shopping.  

You don’t just have to guess, though.  The Beef Checkoff program has lots of information about cuts, cooking methods, and...

a glass of lemonade

May 16, 2022

Lemonade is refreshing anytime of year! Try this version sweetened with honey.

A pile of heirloom tomatoes

May 12, 2022

Heirloom tomatoes have three distinct characteristics. Learn what makes them different from other kinds of tomatoes.

bunches of bananas

May 10, 2022

Potassium, like other nutrients, helps our bodies function properly. Potassium is a mineral that helps our bodies perform a number of functions, like muscle contractions, fluid regulation, and mineral balance in cells. It also helps us maintain normal blood pressure by limiting the effect of sodium. But many of us don't get enought of it. You might be surprised at the variety of potassium-rich foods.

closeup of meatballs

May 2, 2022

No matter how you slice it, venison is a great addition to your diet. These meatballs are versatile, and there are lots of ways you can add them to your meal plan.

Cooked tilapia on a plate

April 18, 2022

This Parmesan crusted tilapia is a quick and easy way to increase your fish intake. The dish has just a hint of red pepper flakes to add some personality.

A woman stands at a kitchen counter.

April 12, 2022

Seeds are an excellent source of fiber, healthy fats, and many important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a great way to add some crunch with a nutritional punch!

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About Extension for Real Life

Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.

That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living. Pretty good gig, right?

The three main writers for the blog are Ellen Graves (Seamstress of Social Media Strategy), Susan Collins-Smith (Content Connector) and Keri Lewis (Captain Cat Herder). But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!

You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu

Recent Posts

Tall grass grows in a field.
Chiggers are most active in grassy, overgrown, and wooded areas. These microscopic creatures, also known as redbugs, are tiny mites that can cause significant discomfort during the summer months. File photo by MSU Extension Service/Nathan Gregory.
Species Spotlight: Chiggers
three rows of lettuce grow in a garden
Slugs eat a wide variety of plants, but they are especially fond of leafy greens, such as lettuce. Photo by stock.adobe.com.
How to Manage Slugs in the Vegetable Garden
Jars of home canned pickled vegetables
Dreaming of a pantry stocked with home canned produce? Make sure you follow the proper techniques with the correct equipment and research-tested recipes. Photo by: Tamara Harding/stock.adobe.com
Home Canning FAQs