We know that childhood is a very important time for growth. Kids are exploring their environments and making sense of the world around them. What they experience can have a big impact on their future choices. This is true for nutrition, too! Children are learning what foods they like and what ones they would rather avoid. Parents are tasked with providing nutritious meals that will help their children’s minds and bodies grow strong. Calcium is important for all of us, but it is especially beneficial for children and young adults.

You cannot ignore it – pumpkins are everywhere. From pies, to coffee, and even bagels, it is hard to avoid. However, pumpkin is a versatile ingredient that does not always have to mean desserts and sugar. Our Sweet Pumpkin Sandwiches, a cousin to the more familiar Sloppy Joe, shows that pumpkin can shine as part of the main course, too.Choosing & Storing Pumpkin: Look for pumpkins without cuts and soft spots, and that are firm and heavy for their size. You can store pumpkins in a cool, dark place for up to two months.

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.Strawberries Nutrition: Strawberries are high in vitamin C, boasting more than citrus fruits when comparing ounce to ounce. Strawberries are also a high in folate, an important nutrient for your body's cell and tissue growth.

We love the month of May! Not only are the temperatures getting warmer, but you're in for a treat at the local markets! Many local farmers' markets in Illinois are opening up this month if they take a winter break. There will be more and more variety for you to choose from as the month goes on. What's in Season for May?

May's five ingredients or less recipe is a super versatile side dish that you will love! Enjoy it with your favorite sandwich, serve it at a BBQ, and bring it from home as part of your lunch. We love how the different flavors mix together for a savory dish that is perfect for Spring.

Did you know? April is National Garden Month!

I recall getting small boxes of animal crackers as a treat as a child. I would be so excited to find some of my favorite animals inside - lions, giraffes, and horses! It sure helped that they were delicious, too.

Though zucchini is officially classified as a summer squash, it is easy to find at the store all year long. Zucchini is a versatile vegetable and tastes great sautéed, baked into a casserole, added to soups, dipped raw into dip or added to top of a salad. And the extra bonus: zucchini's flowers (aka squash blossoms) are also edible! Our recipe below is a fun way to feature this vegetable and is a great one to get the kids involved in the kitchen.Zucchini Nutrition: Zucchini is fat and sodium (salt) free, low in calories, and high in vitamin C.

Our Salmon Melt recipe is perfect for those busy nights where you only have a few minutes to get dinner on the table. And with only five ingredients (not including pepper), you can be sure that it's affordable, too.Salmon MeltsServing Size: 1 sandwich

To many kids, cauliflower looks like 'white broccoli' when it shows up at the dinner table. While both of these vegetables are in the same family of plants, cauliflower can truly shine on its own. Plus, cauliflower can be found in purple and orange, too! Cauliflower is also having a trendy moment, and is used in many recipes in place of potatoes or other starchier items (think mashed 'potatoes', cauliflower crust for pizza, and more).