Health Blog Posts
March 8, 2019
Looking for a snack that will tide you over until your next meal but not derail your health goals? These peanut butter yogurt-dipped grapes are a fun way to get a serving of fruit and a hit of protein, without racking up major calories!
February 28, 2019
Leftovers can be a huge time-saver, but they also have the potential to go to waste. Food tossed is money lost! (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
February 19, 2019
Y’all know I love a good slow cooker recipe. This one is fast and easy, and, depending on your barbecue sauce, can also be healthy. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish / Cindy Callahan)
February 15, 2019
Growing up, Brussels sprouts were the vegetable every kid on TV loved to hate. Most people think they hate these cute little veggies that resemble tiny cabbages, even if they’ve never tried them. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
January 30, 2019
After the holidays and the traditional sweet potato casseroles and pies, I’m ready for a lighter, faster take on this Southern staple. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
January 25, 2019
I’m always interested in ways to add flavor to food without adding fat. I like to experiment with herbs, and I recently discovered flavored vinegar. Did you know you can make your own? (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
January 11, 2019
We all know we need to eat more vegetables, but finding ways to include them in our busy lives can be a challenge. It’s easy to get in a rut and eat the same vegetables year-round, but you may find some tasty options if you try something new! (Photo by Canstock)
January 4, 2019
If you are tired of New Year’s resolutions, let me ease your mind: these four tips are really fast, easy habits that will help you stay healthy. If you’ve got 20 seconds, you’ve got time for at least one resolution! (File photo by MSU Extension)
December 21, 2018
Ready to enjoy a tasty breakfast treat without the guilt? These whole-grain pancakes will do the trick! Be sure to top with fresh or pureed fruit, such as sliced berries or bananas. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
December 14, 2018
The whole spices can be expensive, but they are strong, so they go a long way. If you’re not familiar with the spice mace, it tastes similar to nutmeg but is considered milder in flavor. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
November 23, 2018
Making my own snacks gives me complete control over the ingredients. I love to use local honey in this recipe for homemade granola bars, which are lower in calories than most store-bought options, and are high in fiber. And the cranberries give this snack that sweet-tart combination I enjoy. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
November 16, 2018
Not into conventional gardening? A salad table just may be for you.
With these elevated gardening beds, you can grow fresh vegetables and herbs throughout the year right at your fingertips. These tables work well in small spaces and eliminate the physical demands of an in-ground garden. (Photo courtesy of Carla Moore)
November 9, 2018
I’m always looking for ways to make healthy eating easier! This recipe for breakfast burritos makes eight tasty treats you can easily freeze for a low-cost, protein-filled breakfast on the go! (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
October 26, 2018
Some days it’s hard to get all of my daily servings of fruits and vegetables. One way I’ve found to solve this problem is roasting an assortment of vegetables in the oven. I get to choose my favorite seasonal vegetables, which are usually more affordable. I love the texture and flavor of roasted vegetables too. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
October 23, 2018
The days are getting shorter, and if you’re like me, you don’t always feel like cooking when you get home -- but you don’t want to eat fast food either. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
October 12, 2018
If you like one-pot meals but want a little more variety in your dinnertime favorites, sheet pan suppers are the way to go! If you line your pan with foil, you’ll spend less time at the stove top AND the kitchen sink. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
September 25, 2018
When the weather begins to cool down, I start thinking of wintery foods. But let’s face it: in Mississippi, it’s not going to be cold for a while! Instead of heating up the oven, you can save time by making a “baked” potato in the microwave! (Photo by Jonathan Parrish)
September 18, 2018
Abbye Buchanan, of Florence, is the 2018 winner of the Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H ATV Safety PSA Contest. Buchanan is 11 years old and has been a member of 4-H for 3 years. (File photo/MSU Extension Service)
August 15, 2018
August is Catfish Month and when you need a quick meal on the table in no time, catfish is your friend! With some cornmeal, spices, and some olive or vegetable oil, you can pan fry some Mississippi farm-raised catfish to have supper ready in 20 minutes or less. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
July 27, 2018
If you’re looking for a fresh and low-fat summertime potluck food that features locally grown produce, this fresh corn salad is quick to make and is a crowd pleaser. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Art Shirley)
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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