There are two types of grains in our diet: whole grains and refined grains. A whole grain contains the entire grain kernel and contains a much richer flavor and nutrition. Refined grains have outer layers of the grain removed during processing. Many of us eat plenty of grains (think pasta, bread, cereal, crackers, and tortillas) but are low in intake of whole grains. A great goal is to consume at least half of your grains from whole grain sources, and it can be easy to do! Whole Grain Needs:

This winter, make your plates green with nutrition from two powerhouse vegetables – kale and collard greens. Both of these greens are members of the cabbage family and are a great addition to your meal as a side dish or as an addition to your favorite soup recipe. Our Greens recipe below is a great side to go along with baked chicken or roasted turkey.

Strawberries! Blueberries! Blackberries! (and more) Berries may be available in many stores all year long, but are seasonal to Illinois in the summer months. What does that mean for you? Foods that are in-season may cost less and taste better! On Let's Eat For Health, Illinois!, we've got many berry recipes that taste great for you to try this summer. One of our favorites is the Melon Berry Banana Fruit Salad. Try it and then tell us what you think on our Facebook page!

Have you tried a tomato yet this summer? A tomato always seems to taste better when in-season and grown close to home. We all know that tomatoes are used to make salsa, though many of us may only have tried fresh salsa when we go out to eat at restaurants. Next time, ditch the bottled variety at home, too – you can easily make your own! Selecting Tomatoes: Choose tomatoes with bright, shiny skin (while red is the most common, tomatoes do also come in other colors, such as purple or yellow). Avoid tomatoes that have cuts or bruises.  

Cool off in the heat of summer with our July featured recipe, Kiwi Strawberry Parfait! You can make the recipe your own with different fruit and yogurt flavors, too. Kiwi Strawberry Parfait Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced 1 cup fresh (or thawed from frozen) strawberries, sliced 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt 1/2 cup corn or bran flakes cereal   Preparation:

Kids can help cook this summer, and it is a great way to help them eat new or different foods! It's as easy as PLAN, COOK, and EAT. Plan Work together to pick out a recipe or menu item they want to make with you. Start by looking at a cookbook, a recipe box, or recipe website and pick something that looks tasty and easy! Add the ingredients to your shopping list and plan when you will make the recipe.

Our popular Pizza Buns recipes is the perfect main dish for a busy evening. Serve with a side of green beans, piece of fruit, and glass of milk for a balanced dinner the whole family will love! Pizza Buns Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey 1/4 cup onions, finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon pepper 3/4 cup pizza sauce 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 6 hamburger buns, sliced   Instructions:

Seeing pints of strawberries is a welcome sight at farmers' markets! When they are in season, strawberries tend to be easier to find, taste sweeter, and cost less than what we pay during the winter. Eating strawberries fresh as a snack is a great way to enjoy this sweet fruit. They also work great in easy recipes, like our Breakfast Parfait.