There are lots of things to love about spring. Warmer weather, sunnier days, blooming flowers. And one of our favorite things – it means farmers markets will soon be in full swing! Shopping at farmers markets allows you to meet the people who grow your food, buy produce when it’s in-season, and maybe find a new favorite fruit or vegetable. Here are some helpful tips for shopping at farmers markets:

If you haven’t heard, egg prices are egg-stremely high right now! Let’s talk about some ways you might be able to save money on eggs by replacing them with something else in the kitchen. 

We get it. Thinking about physical activity doesn't always bring up a lot of excited feelings. Maybe it’s hard to find the time or you don’t want to get sweaty. Perhaps you have limited mobility or you’re just too tired from a long day. But we’re going to lay out some reasons that you might not have considered for why it’s so important to be physically active. Hopefully, reading this will motivate you to spring into action!

You might not like that it’s freezing outside, but one good thing about freezing, at least when it comes to food, is that it can help you save time and money. Did you know fresh foods like bread, milk, nuts, meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit can all be frozen? Maybe you’re not able to eat everything you bought before it goes bad. Or perhaps you cooked some extra soup or casserole over the weekend. You can freeze it and eat it later!

According to MyPlate, it’s important to “vary your protein routine.” Eating different foods from the protein group helps you get a variety of nutrients. One type of food from this group is fish and seafood. Even though fish and seafood might not be the most popular protein choices for a lot of Americans, there are so many different types of fish and seafood out there. Chances are you can find some that fit your tastes and budget! 

There’s nothing better than a bowl of hot soup to warm you up on a cold day. Soups can be easy and quick to prepare, as well as very nutritious. Here are the top reasons we love soup:

It’s usually more budget-friendly to eat most meals from home, but let’s face it – fast-food restaurants are part of many people’s routines. In general, these foods provide more calories, sodium and saturated fat and cost more money than meals you make at home. While we encourage you to limit fast-food to special occasions, with a little planning, it is possible to find items or full meals from fast-food restaurants that can fit into your MyPlate plan.  

One of our favorite foods this fall is winter squash! Winter squash is a vegetable that is easy to find (and easy to cook) and it is usually on sale in the fall. Common types you might see are butternut, acorn, spaghetti, delicata, and even pumpkin. They can be cooked many ways, from a roasted squash medley, to hearty and comforting soups, and even mashed like potatoes or diced in a salad. Here are some tips and tricks for adding this delicious vegetable to your next meal. 

It has happened to all of us. We had to throw away leftovers, a food item spoiled in the fridge, or a pantry item went stale. When food is thrown away, your money is being thrown away, too. How can you keep this from happening? Here are some tips to help save money and make sure all the food you buy is eaten. 

Foods like ramen, mac and cheese, instant potatoes, rice mixes, and oatmeal are common items in many pantries. They are quick, easy meals that are also comforting and affordable. But have you ever thought about jazzing them up? Tossing in a few extra ingredients can really take your classic pantry staples to the next level!  By adding more ingredients to packaged foods, you can: