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Are You Ready?
POSTED: December 17, 2024
You are probably asking, “update of what?” Federal law requires that the U.S. Dietary Guidelines be updated every 5 years. Since the last update was done in 2020, the new ...
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Who Inspired Us on Our REAL Food Journey?
POSTED: December 10, 2024
I am often asked, “how did you learn about eating healthy?” or “how do you know REAL food is the best way to eat healthy and thrive?” My answer would involve 3 things: ...
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How to Enjoy Holiday Treats Without Going Overboard
POSTED: December 3, 2024
‘Tis the Season! The season with a love/hate relationship for many of us. We love the decorations, the parties, the time with family and friends, the festive music and, of course, the sweet ...
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We Want to Donate $100 to Your Favorite Charity!
POSTED: November 26, 2024
Each and every day, you inspire us, and we are so thankful for all of you! We love hearing all of your stories about the changes you are making and how your own REAL food journeys are changing ...
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Double Duty Pumpkin Power!
POSTED: November 19, 2024
Is there a lonely can of pumpkin sitting in your pantry? If so, let’s put it to work! And if not, pick one up because we are going transform it into not just one, but two incredibly ...
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Stress-Busting Meal Prep Strategies for the Holidays
POSTED: November 12, 2024
Does the thought of holiday meal prep make you anxious? The next few weeks will be filled with fun, family and friend gatherings, and hopefully some delicious REAL food. But it can also bring a ...
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Success Does Not Happen Overnight, but Oatmeal Does!
POSTED: November 5, 2024
Have you tried overnight oats? We hope so! If this is already part of your breakfast routine, we hope we can spark some new ideas. And if you haven’t tried it, we want to inspire you to ...
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The Great Potato Debate
POSTED: October 29, 2024
“Avoid white potatoes…eat sweet potatoes instead.” “A white potato is worse than a Snickers bar.” “Potatoes have too many carbs.” Have you heard any of these before? Are you ...
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Decor or Dinner? Why Acorn Squash Needs to be on Your Plate!
POSTED: October 21, 2024
Are you someone who walks by acorn squash at the store and thinks, “Ooh, that will look so cute on the table next to my pumpkins!”? Then, a couple of months later, it ends up in ...
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Cooking is a Superpower!
POSTED: October 15, 2024
Do you remember the movie “The Incredibles?” Our kids loved this movie growing up. We always had entertaining discussions about what our superpower would be. Superhuman strength, ...
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Time to Celebrate Brussels Sprouts Season!
POSTED: October 8, 2024
When you hear it is Brussels sprouts season… what is your reaction? Are you excited, or are you thinking “ugh, I DO NOT like Brussels sprouts!”? If you don’t think ...
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What Would You Put on Your Napkin?
POSTED: October 1, 2024
Are you ready?! In just 30 short days, we are going to reveal The Napkin, which contains everything we believe you need to know to eat healthy and thrive! This is what helped us transform our ...
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REAL Food on the Road – PNW Edition
POSTED: September 24, 2024
Did you catch our coaching tip a couple of weeks ago on keeping your REAL food lifestyle alive on a cruise? We have had the Pacific Northwest (the PNW) on our bucket list for a while, so we ...
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Continuing Strong into Fall
POSTED: September 17, 2024
We are now past Labor Day weekend, school is well underway, football games have started and most of us have “checked out” of summer mode. We recently heard someone say, “I am ...
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Cruisin’ – REAL Food Style!
POSTED: September 10, 2024
Have you ever wondered… is it really possible to keep your REAL food lifestyle alive and kicking on a cruise? We sacrificed and did the research, and the answer is ...
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“Choose Your Hard”
POSTED: September 2, 2024
A few weeks ago, I was listening to a radio show one morning and the hosts were talking about something that intrigued me… they were discussing how you have to “choose your ...
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Abracadabra…Pesto!
POSTED: August 27, 2024
We asked some family and friends what they thought about pesto. The response? “you mean that green stuff?” That made us think a coaching tip might be helpful! If you already ...
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No more intimidation…how to enjoy eggplant!
POSTED: August 20, 2024
This may be one of the most misunderstood vegetables…or should we say, fruit… it’s the eggplant! And, yes, in case you were wondering, the eggplant is a fruit (it is actually a ...
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Aimee’s Inspiring Story of Conquering High Cholesterol!
POSTED: August 12, 2024
Are you ready for some more inspiration? You may remember Lee’s inspiring story that we shared a few months ago. In just six months, Lee lost 40 pounds, reversed her prediabetes, brought ...
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It’s Melon Time!
POSTED: July 30, 2024
If you are hitting the farmers’ market within the next few weeks, it will be obvious that melon season has arrived! There are many ways to enjoy local, in-season melons, but do you ever ...
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Enjoy Healthy Ice Cream All Summer Long!
POSTED: July 23, 2024
Confession time! A few years ago, I tried “nice cream” (also known as banana ice cream) and I wasn’t crazy about it. In the months that followed, especially hearing others share their great ...
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Seeds to Sprouts in Just a Matter of Days!
POSTED: July 16, 2024
What is your perception of sprouts? There was a time when I thought they were just added to sandwiches, wraps and salads to make them look fancy. It didn’t even cross my mind that they ...
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Do This to Stay Healthy All Summer Long!
POSTED: July 9, 2024
Welcome to the “dog days of summer!” While there is no official definition, the “dog days of summer” are considered to be July and August, when the heat and humidity are ...
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Mocktail Mastery: Healthy, Non-Alcoholic Drinks!
POSTED: July 2, 2024
Have you ever wanted to change your relationship with alcohol? Or have you ever thought about going alcohol-free for a period of time, but are concerned about how it will affect your social life? ...
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Discover the Joy of Soy Foods!
POSTED: June 25, 2024
Did you read last week’s coaching tip on soy? If so, you read about how whole soybean foods can provide nutritional benefits and be part of a healthy REAL food lifestyle. Since you may not ...
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What’s the Story with Soy?
POSTED: June 18, 2024
What is your perception of soy? Do you embrace it as something that is beneficial for your health? Or is your perception that it should be avoided due to concerns about breast ...
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Delicious Dressings at Your Fingertips!
POSTED: June 11, 2024
Did you read our coaching tip last week about whether a burger can be healthier than a salad? Big flavor loaded salads are absolutely one of the best things you can eat. And the right ...
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Can a Burger Be Healthier Than a Salad?
POSTED: June 4, 2024
Which do you think is healthier? A burger or a salad? If we asked ten people this question, at least nine would say, “Of course, the salad is healthier!” What if the ...
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Nature’s Candy – Let’s Talk Figs!
POSTED: May 28, 2024
What comes to mind when you think of figs? The classic Fig Newton cookie? I don’t know about you, but I used to group figs in the same category as prunes, and I wasn’t sure I liked ...
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Road Trip Season is Here!
POSTED: May 21, 2024
With Memorial Day weekend just a few days away, that means “hello summer!” As many of us will be gearing up for summer travels, we want to provide some inspiration to help you enjoy ...
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Don’t Believe Everything You Think
POSTED: May 14, 2024
Picky eaters. We all know one. Maybe we are one. Or we once were. Almost every single day, we hear “I don’t like _________.” You can fill in the blank with all kinds of things such as mushrooms, ...
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Are You Getting Enough Protein?
POSTED: May 7, 2024
Do you feel like you are constantly bombarded with conflicting messages about protein? It seems like protein has recently taken on a “superfood” status. You will find no shortage of ...
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Why to Include Fennel in Your REAL Food Routine!
POSTED: April 30, 2024
The past few weeks, we have talked about the importance of eating a wide variety of plants, including LOTS of vegetables and fruits. Plus, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, herbs and spices! ...
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Ask Us Anything #2!
POSTED: April 23, 2024
A few weeks ago, we shared a coaching tip to answer some of the questions we are frequently asked. Thanks to your responses, we are answering some more questions we have been hearing recently. ...
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Why We Should All Be Eating Buddha Bowls!
POSTED: April 16, 2024
Did you read our coaching tip last week? Did the thought of eating 30 different varieties of plants every week seem overwhelming? To keep you inspired and motivated to enjoy a wide variety of ...
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These May Be the Most Important Things to Count!
POSTED: April 9, 2024
Do you count numbers as part of your diet? Some people count calories. Others count carbs, sodium, fat, or added sugars. We know there are situations where it might be helpful to track these ...
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Could This Be the Best Ever Breakfast Casserole?
POSTED: April 1, 2024
Welcome to April! This week, we were inspired to share a new breakfast casserole recipe with you! The inspiration for this came from a social media post we saw about this crazy fast and easy ...
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Why We Should All Eat with the Seasons
POSTED: March 26, 2024
It’s official…spring is here! What do you most look forward to this time of year? For some, it may be the warmer temperatures. For others, the blooming trees and the greening ...
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Stock Your Pantry with Keys to Success Staples!
POSTED: March 19, 2024
As you are embracing your REAL food journey, there is one area that may need a little help and renovation… the kitchen pantry! The pantry has a funny way of accumulating items that never ...
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No Fail Smoothies
POSTED: March 12, 2024
How often do you make smoothies? Do you make the same one over and over, or do you change it up to enjoy different flavor combinations? Smoothies can be a delicious – and nutritious – ...
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Are You Neophobic?
POSTED: March 5, 2024
What are you afraid of? Maybe it’s arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) or a fierce case of acrophobia (a fear of heights). There’s another common phobia that we don’t hear much ...
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Be a Good Host!
POSTED: February 27, 2024
We’ve all heard, “it’s important to have a healthy gut.” But what EXACTLY does that mean? And, maybe you have heard people talk about the “microbiome,” ...
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You Can Freeze That?!
POSTED: February 20, 2024
We are frequently asked about freezing different foods and meals and, as you can probably imagine, we have stumbled upon several tricks that have left us thinking… “I had no idea you ...
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Seafood 101
POSTED: February 13, 2024
Are you intimidated when it comes to seafood? Maybe you are like my in-laws, who love eating fish, but rarely make it at home because of the intimidation factor. Or maybe you had a bad ...
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Ask Us Anything!
POSTED: February 6, 2024
Do you have questions as you progress on your REAL food journey? Trust us, you’re not alone! We thought our weekly coaching tips would be the perfect opportunity to ...
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Lee’s Inspiring Story!
POSTED: January 30, 2024
Ready for some inspiration? In our December coaching tip Celebrating a Milestone Birthday!, we talked about our goal to share more of YOUR success stories. We are blessed to have seen first-hand ...
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Read This Before You Open Your Next Can of Soup!
POSTED: January 23, 2024
Especially this time of year, as we are in the heart of winter, we get the question: “what do you think of canned soups…and is it ok to use recipes that include canned soups like ...
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Is Food Culture Controlling Your Kids?
POSTED: January 16, 2024
In the beginning… as a parent, when your baby first starts to eat “real” food and is excited to explore all the new textures and flavors, you may find yourself thinking, ...
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Is Your Workplace Conspiring Against You?
POSTED: January 9, 2024
What kind of food culture would someone find if they dropped into your workplace? Do donuts and bagels make frequent appearances in the breakroom and in meetings? Are there candy dishes ...
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How Does Culture Influence Your Food Choices?
POSTED: January 2, 2024
Imagine this… what if you were from outer space and just got dropped off here, landing smack dab in the middle of the country. After observing everything for a few weeks, your friends back ...
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Consistency is Key!
POSTED: December 26, 2023
With 2024 just a few days away, and everyone anxiously awaiting the announcement of their “New Year’s Resolutions,” we’d like to FIRST encourage you to take a moment and reflect on your ...
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Catching Up with Santa in the UP!
POSTED: December 19, 2023
Holiday magic?! We have been blessed the last few years to have the opportunity to chat with Santa and catch up on all that he and Mrs. Claus – and the elves and reindeer of course – ...
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Ditch the Packet with This 4-Ingredient REAL Hot Chocolate!
POSTED: December 12, 2023
The holidays are here and winter is right around the corner… have you started craving a warm cozy cup of hot cocoa? Whether it was your own childhood or a special treat for your kids, how ...
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Celebrating a Milestone Birthday!
POSTED: December 5, 2023
Can you imagine missing your child’s birthday? With the daily hustle and bustle, you get so busy trying to keep all the balls in the air…and you suddenly realize your precious ...
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How to Dodge Diabetes Deliciously!
POSTED: November 28, 2023
Have you or someone you love just been told… “You have prediabetes” (or “you have diabetes”)? Unfortunately, this is currently happening at an alarming rate, and we have had ...
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The Sides Can Steal the Show!
POSTED: November 14, 2023
Have you started your Thanksgiving menu planning? If so, have you given any thought to how colorful your holiday table will be this year? Last week during a cooking demo I was ...
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40 Bursts of Inspiration for Your REAL Food Journey!
POSTED: November 7, 2023
Do you have sayings or quotes that help you navigate different areas of your life? We definitely do! For example, my husband is always reminding our kids, “You ...
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Welcome to Sweet Treat Season!
POSTED: October 31, 2023
Happy Halloween! We hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween adventure this evening, whether it is taking the kids or grandkids trick-or-treating, or staying home and passing out treats and ...
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A Guide to Winter Squash
POSTED: October 24, 2023
“You mean my fall porch decorations?! I would have no idea how to cook with them!” Is this you or someone you know? If so, you’re not alone – we hear this all the time! ...
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Living it UP in the UP!
POSTED: October 17, 2023
We recently took a trip to the Upper Peninsula (the “UP”) of Michigan, where we learned what it meant to be a Yooper! This is what residents of the UP call themselves (derived from ...
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All Systems are Go!
POSTED: October 15, 2023
If you have not already noticed, earlier this week after many hours… we FINALLY have the website issue resolved! Our technical experts have assured us that this will solve the issue, ...
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Let Your Slow Cooker Be Your Personal Chef!
POSTED: October 10, 2023
Imagine coming home and dinner is ready! The slow cooker has been working all day long, so you can enjoy a delicious dinner as soon as you walk in the door. Fix it and forget ...
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Technology is great, until it isn’t.
POSTED: October 7, 2023
A few of you may have recently experienced challenges accessing the Eat REAL America website. For everyone else, you probably haven’t experienced any issues and all has been perfectly ...
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These Greens Make a Comeback in the Fall
POSTED: October 3, 2023
Do you assume that since summer is over, the farmers’ markets and fresh greens are winding down? There are several varieties of dark leafy greens that make a comeback in the fall when the ...
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Make Your Own Coffee Creamer
POSTED: September 26, 2023
Do you love coffee? Do you love a little creamer in your coffee? If so, I am right there with you! Before our REAL food journey, I had a tendency to go a little overboard with the sugar or ...
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How Are You Training Your Muscles?
POSTED: September 19, 2023
Do you ever have things happen that leave you thinking… “was that a coincidence?!” This happens to us quite often, especially if we are paying attention! Over the past ...
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Spaghetti Squash Season!
POSTED: September 12, 2023
I still remember our first encounter with spaghetti squash… we were at the farmers’ market, feeling pretty adventurous so we decided to buy one. It was more out of curiosity whether it ...
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What Really Matters!
POSTED: September 5, 2023
It had been almost 4 years since Zonya and I had been together in-person. A couple of weeks ago, I was blessed to spend a weekend in Michigan with my nutritionist partner in crime, Zonya ...
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If Rice Could Talk
POSTED: August 29, 2023
As we know all too well by now, there is mass confusion when it comes to food. And rice is no exception. One day you hear that brown rice is always better than white rice. The next day ...
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Let’s Talk Health AND Wealth!
POSTED: August 22, 2023
Have you ever thought about how the same concepts that help you achieve good health can also help you achieve financial well-being? Our daughter graduates from college this December and ...
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Is the Back-to-School Routine Stressing You Out?
POSTED: August 15, 2023
How is it possible that school is starting up again already? In our area, most children are headed back this week, and some even started last week. If you have kids or grandkids headed back to ...
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Don’t Let This Opportunity Pass You By!
POSTED: August 8, 2023
What is one of the biggest benefits to “eating with the seasons?” It’s the anticipation of those flavorful and nutritious foods coming into season each year! You start ...
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10 Meals for Under $10!
POSTED: August 1, 2023
“Eating healthy is just so expensive.” We hear this all the time. Reality check…Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive! It’s TRUE! And, as proof, ...
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Food As Medicine?!
POSTED: July 25, 2023
What comes to mind when you think of hospital food? Many of us may think “bland,” “boring,” and “colorless.” These descriptions can ...
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Here Today, Gone Tomato!
POSTED: July 18, 2023
We all know that flavor-exploding sweetness that comes from a perfectly ripe, freshly-picked tomato. In many parts of the country, juicy delicious summer tomatoes are becoming abundantly ...
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The Stinking Rose
POSTED: July 11, 2023
When we began our REAL food journey, one of the first things we began to experiment with was FRESH garlic. Yes, I have always loved garlic, but was an avid user of garlic powder. I had never ...
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Food Freedom!
POSTED: July 4, 2023
Happy 4th of July to the Eat REAL America community! We hope you all are enjoying some relaxing time with family and friends – and of course enjoying delicious and nutritious food and ...
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What’s Your Number?
POSTED: June 27, 2023
When you go to the store, what percentage of the food you buy is ultra-processed? Would it shock you if we told you this number is over 60% for the average American household? Are ...
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Cool as a Cucumber!
POSTED: June 20, 2023
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see a cucumber? Maybe one of the following? “Maybe I should buy some to make homemade pickles.” “They are OK, ...
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WARNING: Don’t Eat Cherry Tomatoes!
POSTED: June 13, 2023
Believe it or not, this is real advice from some real “nutrition coaches!” One of our Eat REAL America members shared this story after a meeting she had with her ...
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Let’s Talk About Alcohol!
POSTED: June 6, 2023
Do you love having a glass of wine with dinner? Is this part of your relaxing evening routine? This was us! And we felt pretty good about enjoying a glass of wine with dinner because we have all ...
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Should You Avoid “FODMAP” Foods?
POSTED: May 30, 2023
Have you heard of the FODMAP Diet (or the Low-FODMAP Diet)? For some reason, we have gotten a lot of questions about this diet recently. So, we thought we should share some ...
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The Good Life!
POSTED: May 23, 2023
We want to give you something a little different with the coaching tip this week! As Memorial Day weekend is approaching, we wanted to provide something a little lighter and entertaining! ...
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It’s Thyme for Fresh Herbs!
POSTED: May 16, 2023
Fresh basil at your fingertips? Mint growing just a few steps from your kitchen? Growing fresh herbs at home is an excellent way to add tremendous flavor to your meals, boost your nutrients and ...
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AI’s Take on REAL Food!
POSTED: May 9, 2023
Have you encountered AI yet? If you haven’t heard of it, we are talking about “artificial intelligence.” Even if you think it hasn’t affected your life, it probably ...
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Celebrate Mother’s Day…REAL FOOD Style!
POSTED: May 2, 2023
Believe it or not, Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away. Are you ready? You may be celebrating your Mom or a special person in your life. Or maybe your family is asking, ...
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All About Iron!
POSTED: April 25, 2023
Do you ever wonder if you are getting enough iron? Have you been told you need to get more iron in your diet? If so, you’re not alone. We were doing a cooking demo a couple of ...
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What do we eat?
POSTED: April 18, 2023
“Woman shows every meal for 47 days!” If you saw this headline, would you think “she is crazy!”? Or you might wonder, “what kind of fad diet is she trying to ...
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What is that Alien Looking Vegetable?
POSTED: April 11, 2023
As farmers’ markets are opening all over the country right now, we want to help inspire you with some of the early season vegetables you will be able to enjoy within the next few weeks! ...
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I Already Feel So Much Better!
POSTED: April 4, 2023
“I’m feeling sooooo much better, and that’s after just 2 weeks of eating REAL food!” “In less than a week, my digestive issues have calmed down and I’m feeling ...
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Welcome to Asparagus Season!
POSTED: March 28, 2023
Can you guess which vegetable was once proclaimed the “king of vegetables,” can help reduce the risk of birth defects for pregnant women, helps manage PMS symptoms, prevents ...
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Breaking 100!
POSTED: March 21, 2023
What if you could live to 100? And, we are talking about REALLY LIVING and REALLY THRIVING! Think of all the great moments, experiences and memories! Imagine being part of not just your ...
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Today Is A Big Day!
POSTED: March 14, 2023
Do you know what today is? If you said “March 14th,” you are right, but it’s much more than just March 14th! Quick flashback to math class… it’s Pi Day! And that’s not ...
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Burger In A Bowl!
POSTED: March 7, 2023
Do you sometimes find yourself craving a burger? Then, you work really hard to tell your brain to push that craving aside, telling yourself, “burgers aren’t healthy…I should ...
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Are You Throwing Away Flavor?
POSTED: February 28, 2023
Have you ever noticed how many Eat REAL America recipes call for citrus zest – either lemon, lime or orange zest? Do you sometimes ask yourself “is that ingredient really necessary?” or do ...
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T-Shirts and Pickles!
POSTED: February 21, 2023
Those things go together, right?! Today they do! First, we want to announce the winners of the Eat Real t-shirts! Thank you for such a wonderful response to last week’s coaching tip! We ...
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Win a Free Eat REAL T-Shirt!
POSTED: February 14, 2023
Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope all of you are celebrating this “holiday of love” with your loved ones – and, of course, some delicious and nutritious REAL food! You know ...
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You’ve Gotta Try this Satisfying Sweet Treat!
POSTED: February 7, 2023
One thing we have learned on our REAL food journey is… it helps to have bite-size sweet treats easily and readily available. And, of course, we have also learned that ...
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Which diet is best for 2023?
POSTED: January 31, 2023
Any guesses? Let’s face it – our nation is obsessed with diets, especially this time of year. It is estimated that U.S. consumers spend $33 billion annually on these programs. Many ...
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Butter Board Fascination…
POSTED: January 24, 2023
Have you noticed the recent fascination with Butter Boards? We’re not sure exactly where this started, although it seems that a Portland, Oregon chef, Joshua McFadden, may have originated ...
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Even Better Than What the Doctor Ordered
POSTED: January 17, 2023
We have all heard the advice,“to be healthy, you need to eat more fruits and vegetables.” But what EXACTLY does this mean? And, are there certain foods that are more important ...
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And Now…the Rest of the Story…
POSTED: January 10, 2023
What did you think of last week’s coaching tip? Did the numbers or video give you or someone you know a sense of unease? Last week, we unveiled the first step to making a ...
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Lasting Change is Possible with These Three Things
POSTED: January 3, 2023
Have you made a New Year’s resolution? Many of us have…and the good news is most of us are probably still on track since we are just a couple of days into the new year! The age-old ...
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Bringing 2022 To a Close and Looking Forward to 2023!
POSTED: December 27, 2022
With 2023 just a few days away, and everyone anxiously awaiting to announce their “New Year’s Resolutions,” we’d like to FIRST encourage you to take a moment and reflect on the accomplishments ...
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Our Sit-Down with Santa!
POSTED: December 20, 2022
Some of you may remember our interview with Santa last year. We didn’t want to bother Santa this year, knowing how busy he is. So, you can imagine our surprise when he called and asked ...
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Gift Giving Made Easy
POSTED: December 6, 2022
Are you struggling to come up with gift ideas for someone on your Christmas list? Are you looking for something that is useful, practical and, dare we say, possibly inspiring? We ...
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The Original Non-Stick Skillet
POSTED: November 29, 2022
Do you own a cast iron skillet? Do you love it and use it all the time? Or, is it sitting lonely in a cabinet or maybe tucked away with the camping gear in the garage?! Cast iron skillets can be ...
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Discovering Something New Every Day!
POSTED: November 15, 2022
Do you know what inspires us the most? Our Eat REAL America members…YOU! We learn so much from your insights, feedback and engagement! Within the past few weeks, we discovered something new ...
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Coconut Confusion?! (PART 2)
POSTED: November 8, 2022
Are you ready for more about coconut? Last week, we talked about coconut nutrition, coconut oil and coconut milk, and shared a variety of nutritious and delicious meal ideas! This week, for part ...
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Coconut Confusion?!
POSTED: November 1, 2022
Is coconut healthy? Shouldn’t I avoid coconut because it is so high in saturated fat? What is the difference between light and full-fat coconut milk? We get so many ...
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Recreate Your Favorite Restaurant Meals at Home!
POSTED: October 25, 2022
Do you ever enjoy a restaurant meal and wish you could recreate it at home? Or, do you wish you could make it healthier so you could enjoy it more often? This happens to us all the ...
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Is It Against the Law to Enjoy This Canned Veggie All Year Long?
POSTED: October 18, 2022
According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, 90% of the sales for this canned vegetable (well, technically, it’s a fruit) take place every year during the 4-month period from ...
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Make Your Meals Pop With Flavor With These Easy Toppings!
POSTED: October 11, 2022
What do you think when you hear words like chimichurri or chutney or gremolata? You have probably seen these words on menus in nice restaurants and have watched chefs making dishes with them on ...
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Use This Strategy When You Find Yourself Asking ‘What’s for Dinner?’
POSTED: October 4, 2022
“What’s for dinner?” We all know a little planning is involved to best answer this question, especially if you are cooking with fresh ingredients and eating at home (which we ...
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Does Your Pumpkin Spice Come From the Farm or the Factory?
POSTED: September 27, 2022
With just a few short days until the start of October, “pumpkin spice season” is well under way! It used to start making its appearance with the beginning of cooler ...
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Are You an Expert in BS?
POSTED: September 20, 2022
“I walk by the butternut squash all the time at the store, but never buy one. I always buy it frozen…using a fresh one is intimidating for me.” “Growing up, my mom never ...
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Would These 7 Changes Get America Eating Healthier?
POSTED: September 13, 2022
Each week, our objective with our Eat REAL America coaching tips is to either inform, inspire or entertain (OK, maybe a little of each!). Occasionally, we also like to include tips that discuss ...
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Impress Your Guests With These Tailgating Tips
POSTED: September 6, 2022
As we head into September, autumn is rapidly approaching – (even if the weather in your area may not feel like it yet!). This, of course, means fall festivals, family trips to the pumpkin ...
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Some Things We Heard This Week
POSTED: August 30, 2022
Do you ever have one of those weeks where you hear things that just seem to stick with you and you can’t stop thinking about them? We recently experienced one of those weeks and wanted to ...
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Frozen in Time
POSTED: August 23, 2022
One of the best pleasures of summer? Fresh, flavorful fruits and vegetables! If you eat in-season (which we highly recommend!), then you most likely love this incredible summer ...
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Fruit floating down the river?!
POSTED: August 16, 2022
What do Mofongo, star fruit, red snapper, cherries and tiny mangoes all have in common? These are just some of the local and delicious foods we experienced during our trip to Puerto Rico last ...
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This May Be Harming You More Than You Think!
POSTED: August 9, 2022
Busy with work, busy with kids, busy with social obligations, busy keeping up the house — busy, busy, busy! Regardless of where we live, the season we’re in, how old we are; whether we have ...
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Feeling Peachy?!
POSTED: August 2, 2022
We are kicking off the month of August highlighting one of the most popular fruits grown in the United States, especially during the summer… PEACHES! And August just happens to be National ...
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Blistered and Charred…and Delicious!
POSTED: July 26, 2022
Have you heard of shishito peppers? What about Padron peppers? Would you believe me if I told you these little peppers are life-changing, with only 3 ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare? ...
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Things That Make You Go “Hmmmm…”
POSTED: July 19, 2022
Just last week some information came across our radar and we thought… “we have to share this with our Eat REAL America community!” It triggered all kinds of interesting ...
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Give Your Kids This Life Skill and Cure Summer Boredom at the Same Time!
POSTED: July 12, 2022
Has summer boredom kicked in for your kids yet? If you have kids – or grandkids – at home this summer, or know someone who does, you know the challenge of keeping them busy and ...
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It’s Blueberry Season!
POSTED: July 5, 2022
How is your “fruits and vegetables of the week” challenge going? Did you remember?! In our coaching tip a couple of weeks ago, we encouraged you to enjoy a variety of colorful ...
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Eat Your Sunscreen?!
POSTED: June 28, 2022
Are you embracing the blistering hot summer weather that arrived with a bang in many parts of the country the past couple of weeks? Or are you already over it and looking forward to fall? ...
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Does Variety Matter?
POSTED: June 21, 2022
Do you know someone who eats the same foods over and over, each and every day? Some people may find comfort in this routine. Others would find themselves in the uncomfortable and frustrating ...
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What’s the Plan? {Snack Edition}
POSTED: June 14, 2022
Are you a natural planner? Whether you call it discipline or a slight case of OCD, we happen to be planners. And, we have found this very helpful when it comes to eating healthfully. When we ...
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Are You a Farro Fan?
POSTED: June 7, 2022
You are probably intimately familiar with quinoa, which has exploded in popularity in the past few years. And, quinoa is loaded with nutrients and is a versatile addition to so many recipes, but ...
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Reasons to Add Radishes to Your Routine
POSTED: May 31, 2022
Are you someone who loves the vibrant red crunch of a fresh radish? Or does that distinct peppery radish flavor send you running the other direction? Some people absolutely love ...
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It’s Not Dying You Should Worry About…
POSTED: May 24, 2022
Have you ever heard someone say something similar to this: “No one lives forever…I might as well enjoy life while I can!” or “So what if I die a few years early? ...
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Do You Eat Healthy Away From Home?
POSTED: May 17, 2022
Do you feel like you make healthy choices when you go out to eat? Do you always opt for a salad or a vegetarian meal because you think, “surely those must be the healthiest options?!” ...
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It’s Rhubarb Season!
POSTED: May 10, 2022
What do you think of when you hear “rhubarb?” A lot of people say, “I remember my grandma cooking with it” or “Rhubarb pie, of course!” or “I have no idea what to do with ...
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Is Inflammation a Secret Killer?
POSTED: May 3, 2022
Are you confused about inflammation and how it affects your health? Is it good for you, or bad? If you are confused, rest assured you’re not alone. We want to help you understand ...
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15 Ways to Beat High Food Prices
POSTED: April 26, 2022
Do you feel like food prices are increasing every time you go to the store or eat out? It’s not just a feeling – it’s reality! In just the last 12 months, food prices ...
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Do This and You Don’t Have to Obsess About Portion Sizes
POSTED: April 19, 2022
Have you wondered if your health would be under better control if your portion sizes were too? Or, are you not even sure what a reasonable portion size is anymore? We have great ...
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Making This Part of Your Routine Will Change Your Life!
POSTED: April 12, 2022
It’s farmers’ market season! Have you fallen in love with the farmers’ market yet? For some, a weekly visit to the local market something is something they look forward to and ...
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Microgreens: Big Benefits in a Small Package!
POSTED: April 5, 2022
Have you ever watched cooking shows or read food magazines and noticed those tiny, vibrant leafy greens that chefs use as the finishing touch on their dishes? They look a little bit like sprouts, ...
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What We Found During Our Trip to the Grocery Store
POSTED: March 29, 2022
Have you taken the time to step back and look around at the grocery store recently? A couple of times each year, we visit the store specifically focused on checking out the newest products and ...
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Have you Tried This Versatile Veggie?
POSTED: March 22, 2022
Hearts of palm? Have you heard of it? Does it sound exotic and expensive? This unique veggie was foreign to us until several years ago. We were at a restaurant in New York and ordered a Steak ...
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Lower Your Cholesterol with These 3 Foods!
POSTED: March 15, 2022
Why is it so important to keep our cholesterol in check? Heart disease is the number one leading killer for both men and women! Because of this, it’s very important to keep our cholesterol ...
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Does Color Matter?
POSTED: March 8, 2022
We have all heard the advice: “Eat the Rainbow” Of course, we are NOT talking about the rainbow found in a bag of Skittles or a box of “magically delicious” ...
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Are Pancakes REAL Food?
POSTED: March 1, 2022
Happy Pancake Day! Did you know today is Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day)?! In honor of this special day, let’s talk pancakes! Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash ...
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Sodium…Where You Least Expect It!
POSTED: February 22, 2022
How much sodium are you consuming every day? Believe it or not, the average American consumes over 3,500 mg of sodium daily! The CDC also reports that about 90% of Americans 2 years old and ...
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Can You Really Reprogram Your Taste Buds?
POSTED: February 15, 2022
Why do some people crave a burger, fries and soda, while others crave fruits and vegetables? And, is it true that your cravings can actually change to prefer healthy (REAL) food? What ...
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Chocolate Lovers Rejoice!
POSTED: February 8, 2022
February gives us all kinds of reasons to celebrate the health benefits of chocolate! Of course, Valentine’s Day is just a few days away. Plus, February is also American Heart Month and ...
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Grocery Store Tour – Buying Bread Without a Chemistry Degree!
POSTED: February 1, 2022
We’re back in the grocery store with a trip to the bread aisle! Do you feel confused with all the options in the bread aisle? If so, you’re not alone! Is multi-grain a ...
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Life Is Too Short to Count Ingredients
POSTED: January 25, 2022
Do you skip recipes that have too many ingredients? And how many is too many? Over the past few weeks, we have heard a couple of people say they don’t make any recipes with long ingredient ...
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Where the Magic Happens!
POSTED: January 18, 2022
When is the last time you or someone you know said, “I don’t like ________”? Last month? Last week? Maybe it was yesterday, or maybe even earlier today! We are ...
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If Superman Was a Spice, He Would Be This…
POSTED: January 11, 2022
Turmeric… the real deal or just a bunch of hype? Is it really as beneficial as some people claim? We have several family members and friends who have dealt with arthritis and cancer ...
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Good Food = Good Mood
POSTED: January 4, 2022
Have you heard of “Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?” Especially this time of year, you or someone you know may experience feelings of anxiety or depression. The holiday celebrations ...
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Healthy You in 22!
POSTED: December 28, 2021
Last year at this time, we provided 21 ideas to embrace a healthy REAL food lifestyle… this year, as New Year’s Day rapidly approaches, we want to help you be the ...
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Catching Up With Santa!
POSTED: December 21, 2021
Some of you may remember our exclusive interview with Santa in 2019. We were honored that he took time out of his super-busy schedule to talk to us. Well, the luck truck struck again and we had ...
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The other pandemic?
POSTED: December 14, 2021
As we begin to wrap up another year, we have been reflecting on the past 12 months. Of course, it’s impossible to think about this past year (or the past two years) without COVID being ...
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Are Sugar Substitutes Safe?
POSTED: November 30, 2021
We have all heard about the dangers of artificial sweeteners… …from causing cancer, to disturbing the beneficial bacteria in our guts. So, it’s easy to see how we can become ...
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‘Tis the Season for Pomegranates!
POSTED: November 16, 2021
Welcome to pomegranate season! If you haven’t seen them already, these ruby-red seasonal fruits should start showing up at your local stores. There was a time when we really weren’t familiar ...
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The Perfect Time of Year for Homemade Granola!
POSTED: November 9, 2021
Have you been telling yourself… “I am going to make some homemade granola,” but for one reason or another, you keep putting it off? Granola can be an ideal snack…paired ...
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Holiday Survival Plan!
POSTED: November 2, 2021
Are you afraid to step on the scale during the holidays? Are you dreading all the sweets and not-so-healthy dishes that show up every year between Halloween and New Years? If so, ...
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An Apple A Day…
POSTED: October 26, 2021
Do you ever stop and notice there are things you take for granted? Maybe something is so abundant, or it is just part of your routine, that you really don’t give it much thought. That is, ...
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Shar/Ku/Tuh/Ree: Your Edible Art Project
POSTED: October 19, 2021
It’s one of the most popular trends on social media. It has been even been called the “adult lunchable.” You have probably seen these in magazines, at local restaurants ...
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Happy Anniversary!
POSTED: October 12, 2021
Time flies when you’re having fun, right?! Believe it or not, we published our very first Eat REAL America weekly meal ideas and coaching tip 8 years ago, in October 2013. My husband and I ...
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Fiberlicious!
POSTED: October 5, 2021
What if you could… reduce your risk of colon and rectal cancer by 56% lower your risk of heart disease by 40% help fight obesity, type 2 diabetes and constipation plus more! ...
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Hop-Gredient
POSTED: September 28, 2021
Love beer?! Love food?! Why not love them together?! More and more people are now pairing beer and food…just like we have been pairing wine and food for many years. The right beer paired ...
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Better Breakfast Challenge: Planned-Overs?!
POSTED: September 21, 2021
Have you taken on the Better Breakfast Challenges this month? Have you experienced any new breakthroughs? Did you try oats or eggs in a new way, or any of our kid-friendly breakfast ideas? ...
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Better Breakfast Challenge: Egg-cellent Ideas!
POSTED: September 14, 2021
Did you take the challenge last week and try oats in a new or different way? Remember, our better breakfast challenges this month are all intended to help you and your family reduce the amount of ...
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Better Breakfast Challenge: No Fear!
POSTED: September 7, 2021
Did you take the challenge last week and offer your kids an “out of the ordinary” breakfast? Did you do find a way to change it up and reduce the amount of ultra-processed ...
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Can You Really Get Kids Excited About a Healthy Breakfast?
POSTED: August 31, 2021
We know weekday mornings can be hectic… and hectic may not even begin to describe your mornings if you have school-aged kids. Trying to get them out of bed, dressed, and even awake enough ...
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Is This True for the Kids In Your Life?
POSTED: August 24, 2021
How can we help our kids not just survive, but thrive? A couple of weeks ago, a study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showing that 67% of calories consumed ...
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Inspiration to Transform Your Yogurt Into Delicious & Nutritious Meals!
POSTED: August 17, 2021
We hope you enjoyed last week’s tour of the yogurt section! In the coaching tip and video, we mentioned how healthy yogurt can be (loaded with protein, calcium and beneficial bacteria)! ...
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Grocery Store Tour – Grab a Spoon For a Trip to the Yogurt Section!
POSTED: August 10, 2021
Do all of the choices in the yogurt section of the grocery store overwhelm you? We can relate! And, we want to share what we have learned on our REAL food journey. There are so many ...
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Expanding Our REAL Food on the Road Travel Series
POSTED: August 3, 2021
How do you find the best REAL food restaurants when you are on the road? You may remember our coaching tip from February where we shared how we selected restaurants to visit in our trip to ...
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Now is the Perfect Time to Enjoy this Misunderstood “Veggie!”
POSTED: July 27, 2021
If we asked the question, “what is the one vegetable that you just don’t know what to do with?”, what would you say? So many people respond to us by saying… ...
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Use This Simple Formula To Transform Your Veggies
POSTED: July 20, 2021
Do you… love the crisp taste of pickled vegetables, but wish they weren’t quite so salty? Or, do you wish you could avoid the questionable ingredients you see on those jars of ...
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Get Off the Bottle with These 50 Easy & Delicious Homemade Dressings
POSTED: July 13, 2021
Do you make your own salad dressings? Or, are you thinking, “no way, who has time for that?!” Believe it or not, homemade dressings are so much easier than you think…not to ...
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Grocery Store Tour – Vinegars and Dressings
POSTED: July 6, 2021
Why all the vinegar choices at the store? And, what about all those bottled salad dressings…can they be part of a healthy lifestyle? Continuing our grocery store tours, we ...
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Celebrate Red, White and Blue…REAL Food Style
POSTED: June 29, 2021
Fireworks, enjoying time with family and friends, soaking up the sun at the pool, or relaxing on the lake! If you are like us, you are not only looking forward to celebrating all things summer, ...
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Insomnia? REAL Food to the Rescue!
POSTED: June 22, 2021
“I’m so tired…I just can’t get a good night’s sleep!” “All I want is to wake up energized and to feel like I can take on whatever comes my ...
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Why Cooking at Home May Not Be So Healthy After All
POSTED: June 15, 2021
Did that headline grab your attention? It definitely got ours! Then, as we read the rest of the article, two things struck us: 1. Cooking at home does NOT increase the risk of heart ...
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Grocery Store Tour: Cooking Oils are Not Created Equal!
POSTED: June 8, 2021
It seems like such a simple question: “What is the best oil to use?” Have you looked at all the choices at the store lately? There is olive oil, coconut oil, walnut oil, peanut ...
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Why the Rolling Stones May Be To Blame for Unhealthy Eating
POSTED: June 1, 2021
Are you back out there? Last Tuesday marked the first day where restaurant dining activity EXCEEDED pre-pandemic levels…this according to OpenTable.com’s CEO Debby Soo. Clearly, ...
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How To Make Your Summer Gatherings Unforgettable!
POSTED: May 25, 2021
Summer celebrations! Pool parties! Family reunions! This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. And, we will savor all the opportunities to gather again with family and friends – ...
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At The Core of It…
POSTED: May 18, 2021
Have you started craving pineapple yet? There is something about pineapples and warmer weather that just seem to go together. With the unofficial start to summer only a couple of weeks away, ...
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“You Are What What You Eat Eats”
POSTED: May 11, 2021
In response to our coaching tip last week about “Should you only eat organic?”, an amazing member of our Eat REAL America community requested insights on topics like grass-fed beef, ...
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Should You Only Eat Organic?
POSTED: May 4, 2021
Do you wonder whether you should be eating more organic foods? Are you confused about what “organic” really means? If you watched our virtual grocery store tour in the ...
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Let’s Veg Out – Our Virtual Tour of the Produce Section
POSTED: April 27, 2021
How much time do you spend in the produce section of the grocery store? If you are on a REAL food journey, you will likely (AND SHOULD!) spend well over half your time and money here. ...
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Spiralizer…Two Thumbs Up!
POSTED: April 20, 2021
Are you a spiralizer fan? If so, have you ventured beyond zucchini? Since we will soon be surrounded by amazing late spring and summer produce, we wanted to revisit one of our favorite ...
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Taxes or Eating Healthy – Which is More Difficult?
POSTED: April 13, 2021
Do you dread preparing your taxes this time of year? We certainly do! Should we claim our college-aged children as dependents? What tax credits can – and should – we take? How do ...
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Gr-r-reat Grocery Store Tour: The Breakfast Aisle
POSTED: April 6, 2021
Thanks to your generous response and feedback, we are continuing our virtual grocery store tours! Just in case you missed our first one on nuts and nut butters, you can check it out here. This ...
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Are These For Real?
POSTED: March 30, 2021
Have you taken the time to actually look around at the grocery store recently? We went to the store last week to check out the newest products and the latest trends, and we were shocked how many ...
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Have No Fear…Artichokes Are Here!
POSTED: March 23, 2021
If you enjoy eating with the seasons, one fantastic food about to hit the scene in March is… fresh artichokes! Are you thinking…artichokes are expensive, take too ...
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What Is Food?
POSTED: March 9, 2021
We are surrounded by “food” in everything we do and every part of our lives! But, have you ever stopped to think about what “food” really is? Are all of the things we eat really ...
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Grocery Shopping is Nuts!
POSTED: March 2, 2021
Do you have a love or hate relationship with grocery shopping? Did we really just ask that question?! Most people will probably tell you they DREAD grocery shopping! For some, it is the ...
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Are You Nuts?
POSTED: February 23, 2021
Do nuts make a regular appearance in your meals? We often hear people say they avoid nuts because they are “too high in fat” or “have too many calories.” Nut lovers ...
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Folks, This Ain’t Normal!
POSTED: February 16, 2021
Most of us know we live in a culture where we want our food to be convenient, fast and cheap. So, to answer our wishes, many foods in the supermarket today have been developed to provide just ...
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Yes, 10 servings per day is possible!
POSTED: February 9, 2021
What would you say if we told you we are each supposed to be eating 10 servings of fruits and vegetables…daily!? Would you respond by saying, Krista and Zonya, “No way, you all ...
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REAL Food Travel Series – Fayetteville, Arkansas
POSTED: February 2, 2021
What if you had a resource to find all the best REAL food restaurants anywhere in the country? We’re talking about those restaurants that use the best and freshest in-season, local ...
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Keepin’ It REAL On The Road
POSTED: January 26, 2021
REAL food on the road. We know this can be a struggle. In fact, we recently shared a coaching tip inspired by an Eat REAL America couple who had relocated to Florida for the winter, and were ...
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Put Those Lonely Coffee Mugs Back to Work!
POSTED: January 19, 2021
What if you could have delicious eggs and veggies for breakfast in less than 3 minutes? Great news — you can! And, it’s the perfect way to use those lonely oversized coffee mugs ...
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It’s Like Riding a Bike
POSTED: January 12, 2021
Do you remember learning to ride a bike? We remember more vividly teaching our kids how to ride a bike. As we held onto the back of the seat, they would wobble and weave as we guided them ...
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Kick the Packet to the Curb
POSTED: January 5, 2021
Pre-mixed seasoning packets. Available for any seasoning combination you can dream up…taco, chili, ranch, brown gravy, hollandaise, fajita, spaghetti and so many more. They are easy, ...
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21 for 2021!
POSTED: December 29, 2020
Here we go! As we rapidly approach New Year’s Day, everyone will be making their “resolutions” and the #1 resolution every year always seems to be to eat healthier (right up ...
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Are You Ready for Blood Orange Season?
POSTED: December 22, 2020
Have you noticed blood oranges showing up at your local stores? If so, do you savor these while they are available, or do you tend to walk past them, opting for the more recognizable navel, ...
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Fired Up for 2021!
POSTED: December 15, 2020
Is it just us, or do you feel like you have something bottled up and ready to burst out in 2021?! After the year we have just experienced, we feel like 2021 is the time for something significant ...
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Get to the Root of It!
POSTED: December 1, 2020
What comes to mind when you hear “root vegetables?” Some might say “intimidating” or “I am not even really sure which vegetables make the root vegetable list.” ...
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From healthy to white fluffy pancakes?!
POSTED: November 17, 2020
An Eat REAL America member recently shared a message that we think many of you may relate to… we certainly did! This husband and wife, who are thriving in their REAL food ...
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What happens when you cut out processed foods?
POSTED: November 10, 2020
Are processed foods really that bad for us? And, what is considered a “processed food?” We recently participated in a webinar hosted by an organization called Diet ID, where ...
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Is there a difference between cocoa and cacao?
POSTED: November 3, 2020
Are cocoa and cacao the same thing? And should you believe those headlines about losing weight by eating chocolate? So, what’s the deal? We want to help you sort through the ...
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It’s Not You, It’s Our Environment…
POSTED: October 27, 2020
Let’s face it, we are social beings and are highly influenced by what is around us. And there is no denying it…food is all around us…it is absolutely everywhere! Food is a part of ...
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Is it possible to transform this popular breakfast staple?
POSTED: October 13, 2020
We were recently presented with a challenge… DONUTS, made with REAL ingredients! They needed to be delicious enough to satisfy a sweet tooth, yet healthy enough to enjoy without ...
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Emergency Substitutions: Part 2
POSTED: October 6, 2020
Why does this always happen?! Does this sound familiar…you have your list (check), you go to the store (check), you get home and start preparing dinner (check), and then everything comes to a ...
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Emergency Substitutions: Part 1
POSTED: September 22, 2020
Does this sound familiar? After a long crazy day, you are feeling pretty good about the plan for dinner. Sure, you only have a 30 minute window, but no problem, you’ve been to the store, have ...
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They Look So Pretty, But What do You Do With Them?
POSTED: September 15, 2020
It’s transition time! Now that we are in the last full week of summer, there is an abundance of in-season produce! There is still quite a bit of summer produce available…tomatoes, ...
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Could These 4 Simple Seasonings Change Your Life?
POSTED: September 1, 2020
We have had several “aha” moments in our REAL food journey. One of the most game-changing moments was learning how to roast vegetables. And, it is not just us — we have seen it ...
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Spring Rolls 101
POSTED: August 25, 2020
Quick, easy, and the possibilities are endless! You can use your favorite veggies, fruits, seafood, meats, nuts, herbs and so much more! Plus, they are affordable, delicious and good for you! ...
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It Comes Down to 3 Simple Words!
POSTED: August 18, 2020
With the abundance of chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes, excess weight and cancer, it’s no surprise there is a constant buzz about healthy eating, nutrition, diets and food. But, ...
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Summer Grilling Series: Pizza Edition
POSTED: August 4, 2020
How is your summer grilling going? Have you discovered some new favorites to cook on the grill? We hope you have found inspiration to grill… …more veggies …salads (yes, ...
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Turn Onions Into a Flavor Powerhouse!
POSTED: July 28, 2020
Caramelized onions… sounds fancy, right? Chances are, you have enjoyed these sweet, savory, tender onions on a burger, steak or sandwich at a restaurant and thought, “wow, those have great ...
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It’s All About Flavor!
POSTED: July 21, 2020
On Saturday, we did a cooking demo at a local farmers’ market. This is one of our favorite things to do because every time – not just once in a while – EVERY TIME someone says, “I ...
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Another Under-Appreciated Kitchen Tool…
POSTED: July 14, 2020
Among our favorite kitchen gadgets, there is one that we have received a lot of questions about recently…questions like “do I really need one?” and “will I use it?” ...
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Grilling Fruits and Desserts!
POSTED: July 7, 2020
Is your summer grilling in full swing? Did you “get your grill on” as part of your July 4th celebrations? Hopefully, you were able to enjoy not just grilled meats, but ...
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Meet Beverly and Ken…
POSTED: June 30, 2020
“We feel better, have more energy and sleep better, and we no longer succumb to emotional eating!” How many people wish they could say this?! We are often asked, ...
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The Ultimate Summer Salad
POSTED: June 23, 2020
What if we told you we had a salad idea that would help you savor and enjoy fresh in-season ingredients all summer long? Would you believe it?! Plus, you can customize it with ...
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It’s What’s On the Inside That Counts!
POSTED: June 16, 2020
Which would you prefer? A perfectly round flawless tomato? Or, for 30% less money, a tomato with some funky lumps and bumps? Many people tend to avoid the “ugly” produce, even though they are ...
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Summer on a Stick!
POSTED: June 9, 2020
Summertime bliss… an ice-cold glass of lemonade, fireworks on the 4th of July, relaxing in the pool listening to your favorite summertime music, watermelon seed spitting contests and devouring a ...
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Grilling Salads (Yes, Salads!)
POSTED: June 2, 2020
Are your grills getting a workout, now that we are in the heart of grilling season? A few weeks ago, we kicked off our summer grilling series with a coaching tip encouraging you to grill more ...
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Is Someone Watching You?
POSTED: May 26, 2020
We are NOT talking about Siri or Alexa… …although you may feel like they are always watching you in a techy creepy kind of way. We ARE talking about people watching you – ...
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Have No Fear…
POSTED: May 19, 2020
Do you ever have moments where you feel like your meals are a failure? Have you ever thought: “I am a horrible cook!” “When I try to make something new, it always turns ...
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Are You a Locavore?
POSTED: May 12, 2020
Are you thinking, what in the world is a locavore? And, is this a good thing or a bad thing? “Locavore” is used to describe someone who tries to eat locally grown or ...
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Grill More Veggies!
POSTED: May 5, 2020
Are you ready for grilling season? With the extra time at home the past few weeks, grilling season may have started early this year for many of us. And, let’s face it, for some, grilling ...
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Can Your Pizza Crust Really Help Fight Cancer?
POSTED: April 21, 2020
This is something we continually reinforce to our kids. And, it is something that has had special meaning for us ever since listening to Jimmy Valvano’s inspiring 1993 speech at the ESPYs. ...
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Ordinary or Extraordinary?
POSTED: April 14, 2020
Have your meals changed since our world “shut down” over the past few weeks? In our culture, our lives tend to become so insanely busy that meals often become an afterthought. There ...
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The Secret to Creamy Delicious Hummus
POSTED: April 7, 2020
Most of us have probably had really good hummus… you know the one from that local Mediterranean restaurant (heck, it may be the reason you keep going back)…it is so creamy and ...
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Taking a Break from REAL Food
POSTED: March 31, 2020
With this whole Coronavirus thing and being in quarantine for days on end, we have been doing a lot of thinking… and we have made a big decision. We are taking a break from ...
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Don’t Get Stuck in a Rut!
POSTED: March 24, 2020
One amazing member of our Eat REAL America community shared a great quote this week: “Grocery shopping during the pandemic has become an episode of ‘Chopped’: 🤔 What can I make with a bruised ...
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Are Superfoods the Answer?
POSTED: March 17, 2020
Have you noticed a resurgence in people talking about “Superfoods?” Google saw a huge spike in the interest of Superfoods last week. And, as we turned on the TV on Friday to catch up ...
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Which is More Important? Eating Healthy or Exercising?
POSTED: March 10, 2020
Can you exercise your way out of bad eating habits? Which is more important, exercise or eating healthy? Have you ever thought…“It’s ok to have that doughnut…I had a ...
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Bring Convenience To Your Kitchen!
POSTED: March 3, 2020
“I don’t like leftovers!” Have you ever heard this from your family or friends? Or, maybe you have even said this?! Let’s face it – with our crazy schedules, ...
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The Best $1 Investment You Will Ever Make!
POSTED: February 25, 2020
What if we told you one of our favorite kitchen tools costs less than $1.00? And, you probably have one in YOUR house right now…it has been around for over a hundred years… …it’s a ...
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Let’s Talk Meat!
POSTED: February 11, 2020
When did meat become so confusing? Is it healthy or will it take years off your life? What about all the new “plant-based” meats…how do they compare ...
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On the Cutting Edge
POSTED: February 4, 2020
When we started cooking more frequently, one of our first lessons was… knives. “You only need one,” says Mark Bittman, NY Times cooking advice columnist. We now agree ...
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Why you don’t want aunts in the pantry
POSTED: January 28, 2020
Have you ever heard of “food imposters?” They are substances pretending to be food… and there are many food imposters lurking out there! One of the most blatant ...
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Essential Tools for Your Kitchen
POSTED: January 27, 2020
Because we spend countless hours in the kitchen coming up with delicious, easy-to-prepare, nutritious meal ideas for the Eat REAL America community, as you can imagine, we have our favorite ...
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Delicious AND Nutritious!
POSTED: January 21, 2020
Sound, sight, touch, smell and taste… we all know the five senses. Which are the most important when it comes to food? Of course, smell…and especially taste! We ...
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Breakfast of Champions?
POSTED: January 14, 2020
As we have mentioned before, some of the food rules we love by Michael Pollan are: “Buy items with fewer than 5 ingredients,” “Don’t eat anything that your great-grandmother wouldn’t ...
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A Sweet Makeover of a Savory Favorite
POSTED: January 7, 2020
We all know hummus is famous as that pre-dinner snack or appetizer that’s the ideal dip for pitas and veggies, right? But have you ever considered hummus to be an after-dinner sweet treat? ...
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What is your One Thing?
POSTED: December 31, 2019
“I’ve been on a diet for two weeks, and all I’ve lost is 14 days.” -Totie Fields Does this sound familiar? As the new year rolls in, millions of people will start their new routines – including ...
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Exclusive Interview with Santa
POSTED: December 24, 2019
As you can imagine, Santa has been super-busy with final preparations for his around-the-world trip that is now underway! Just before he left, he took a few minutes to talk to us about a variety ...
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Willpower May Not Be Enough!
POSTED: December 17, 2019
In case you missed it, in our coaching tip two weeks ago, we announced that we are donating $2,500 to your favorite charitable organizations! We still have room for more! Please hurry over to ...
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Ever Wondered How Much a “Smidgen” Is?
POSTED: December 10, 2019
What really is the difference between chopped, diced, and minced? And, how much is a “dash?” Where is the cooking terminology instruction manual?! Some “fancy” cooking ...
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Happiness is Homemade
POSTED: November 26, 2019
Which is the best broth to buy? Is homemade broth really better than store-bought? We receive quite a few questions about chicken broth and vegetable broth, and these are just a couple of ...
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What if Your Gift Had the Power to do THIS?
POSTED: November 19, 2019
What if you could change someone’s life this Christmas? As you are turning your attention towards Thanksgiving, are you also starting to anticipate holiday gift giving?! Whether you ...
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Is Comfort Food Just a Myth?
POSTED: November 12, 2019
Whether it’s a cold blustery winter day, or life has you anxious and stressed out, do you immediately start craving a bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese, or a cozy meal of fried chicken ...
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Create this Masterpiece with Just 4 Simple Ingredients
POSTED: November 5, 2019
Did you see our coaching tip from a couple of weeks ago? In The Whiter the Bread, the Sooner You’ll Be Dead, we tried to reassure you that you don’t need a chemistry to buy nutritious ...
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Helping You Cope With the Start of Sweet Treat Season
POSTED: October 29, 2019
If you are anything like us, one of the biggest challenges with eating healthfully is… …managing the sweet treats! Especially if you have kids or grandkids, they seem to creep in from ...
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The whiter the bread, the sooner you’ll be dead.
POSTED: October 22, 2019
Do you feel like you need a chemistry degree to purchase a healthy and nutritious bread at the store? If you have recently evaluated the options in the bread aisle, it just may ...
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Do You Want to Know How Many Years You Have Left?
POSTED: October 15, 2019
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, do you ever stop to think… “how many years do I have left?” Do you ever worry about whether you will be able to accomplish ...
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KETO: IS IT WORTH IT?
POSTED: October 8, 2019
They say their sugar cravings are gone. They say their “brain fog” is gone. They are losing 3-5 pounds per week. It’s all because they are “going keto.” Is it all ...
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How Much Risk Are You Willing to Take?
POSTED: October 1, 2019
Are you a risk-taker? Now, we are NOT talking about bungee jumping or James Bond 007 stunts where your life’s in danger…just basic risk-taking. Whether we realize it or not, we all take ...
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With a Name Like That It’s Gotta Be Amazing!
POSTED: September 24, 2019
Bi Bim Bop! Have you heard of it, or maybe you are already a huge fan?! Watch us show you how easy it is to prepare! We first discovered this unique, mind-blowing meal during a trip to ...
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Wrap it Up and Tame the Morning Chaos
POSTED: September 17, 2019
Are you stuck in a rut when it comes to breakfast? Do you keep telling yourself that you want to eat a better breakfast to prevent that mid-morning sluggishness? Or maybe you would ...
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A Glimpse Into a Few Days With Zonya and Krista
POSTED: August 20, 2019
What does an inspiring fun-filled 4 days look like when Zonya and I get together? As you can imagine, there is NOT a lot of sitting around! I recently spent a few days at Zonya’s home base ...
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Have You Tried This 5 Minute Flavor Enhancer?
POSTED: July 23, 2019
Want a super-simple way to add another level of flavor and texture to your meals? No fancy equipment required, and it can be done in a matter of minutes! You can even delegate this simple task ...
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Should You Avoid “Nightshade” Vegetables?
POSTED: July 16, 2019
Maybe you have heard someone say… “I can’t eat nightshades because they make my joint pain flare up…or they give me heartburn.” We want to shed some light on this ...
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How to Fight Arthritis with REAL Food
POSTED: July 9, 2019
Do you or someone you love suffer from the pain of stiff and swollen joints, known as arthritis? Get ready for some good news! When it comes to a disease for which changing your ...
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Are Meal Delivery Kits All They are Hyped Up to Be?
POSTED: June 25, 2019
We are frequently asked about meal kit delivery services. Are they worth it? We want to share with you some of the comments we have heard, give you some thoughts to consider, including pros and ...
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Get Out of the Box
POSTED: June 18, 2019
A couple of weeks ago, while at the farmers’ market, we experienced a flashback! A friend of ours generously bought an Eat REAL Cookbook for some friends of his because they were just ...
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When Water Gets Boring
POSTED: June 11, 2019
“Make sure you drink enough water.” This advice has been drilled into our heads since we learned about nutrition basics in elementary school. Yet, despite the constant reminders, as ...
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The Magical Fruit…
POSTED: May 28, 2019
“Beans, beans, the magical fruit”… we all know the rest of this, right?! Why beans? Beans are a nutritional powerhouse, but are sometimes under appreciated. Beans of all kinds ...
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Keep Your Mind Sharp and Prevent Alzheimer’s
POSTED: May 21, 2019
What if you could reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 53%? And, wouldn’t we all like to slow down “old age forgetfulness” and improve our memory? ...
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Your Guide to What Is In Season Right Now
POSTED: May 14, 2019
A HUGE part of eating REAL is eating in-season – it’s such a great way to savor foods that are at their peak of freshness and flavor! We are frequently asked, “how do you know what is truly ...
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These Carbs Can Save Lives!
POSTED: April 16, 2019
The results of a study were published earlier this month in The Lancet, which found that 11 million deaths in 2017 were attributable to dietary risk factors. That would mean that poor diets are ...
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Has GERD Got You Down?
POSTED: April 9, 2019
Have you – or someone you know – ever had… A burning sensation in the chest, just behind the breastbone? A sour taste in the mouth, or lump in the throat? Chronic cough, ...
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Have you looked at the headlines recently?
POSTED: April 2, 2019
We all get bombarded with news feeds every day, and interesting stories can sometimes be overlooked. Don’t worry, we have you covered. We have been monitoring recent food-related headlines ...
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A Little Burst of Inspiration
POSTED: March 26, 2019
“I let go of the wheel and we fell off the wagon…” We recently had some close friends who had been successful on their REAL food journey tell us they got lazy and let go of the ...
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What is “Health?”
POSTED: March 12, 2019
Since January, our disease-dodging series has taken us on a journey to discuss: How you can reduce cholesterol without medication. What if you could ditch your blood pressure medication for good? ...
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Red, White, And…Yellow?
POSTED: February 26, 2019
What’s the difference between the different varieties of onions? Can they be used interchangeably? Scallions, green onions and spring onions…aren’t they all the same? Many of ...
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Together for a Weekend of Engagement and Inspiration
POSTED: February 19, 2019
This week, we want to share some of the highlights of the whirlwind, and oh-so-much-fun, 5 days Zonya and I just spent together! With me in Wichita and Zonya in Michigan, we have mastered the ...
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Can You Really Make This Treat Without Marshmallows and Butter?
POSTED: February 12, 2019
We recently received a request from one of our amazing Eat REAL America members… how can you make Rice Krispie Treats healthier? We love requests from members and, honestly, we love a good ...
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What if You Could Ditch Your Blood Pressure Medication For Good?
POSTED: February 5, 2019
Have you or someone you love been told “you need to get your blood pressure down?” In our disease dodging series, we provided information last month about how you can reduce your ...
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The Pantry Staple That Gets Better With Age
POSTED: January 29, 2019
Can a food be an amazing flavor enhancer while helping you control blood sugar and lose weight? YES! Vinegar is a perfect example! Last week, we told you about the life-changing ...
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Friends Don’t Let Friends Buy Bottled Salad Dressing
POSTED: January 22, 2019
Can salad dressing make or break a great salad? Salads are part of almost every meal in our home. Of course, quality REAL ingredients are a big part of phenomenal salads, and we believe the ...
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Can Pizza Really Be Healthy?
POSTED: January 15, 2019
Let’s face it…pizza is one of America’s favorite foods. It’s quick, it’s convenient and it’s a staple at most get-togethers. It is reported that the average American eats 23 pounds of pizza every ...
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How to Reduce Cholesterol Without Medication
POSTED: January 1, 2019
Did you know REAL food can be one of the best cholesterol-lowering medicines? Whether you have been told by your doctor “it’s time to get your cholesterol down” or you ...
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A Christmas Gift for You!
POSTED: December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas! On this most blessed day, we want to extend a HUGE thank you to all the Eat REAL America members and others who continue to support REAL food — we are so thankful for all ...
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No More Intimidation!
POSTED: December 18, 2018
Picture it… the perfect poached egg with a runny yolk and perfectly set egg white. Your fork slices through it and the yolk magically coats your toast, roasted or sautéed vegetables, pasta, ...
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December Superfood of the Month: Quinoa
POSTED: November 27, 2018
Do you know what food is considered to be a perfect snack for astronauts during their long missions? Believe it or not, it’s quinoa! Why? Because it’s loaded with ...
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Hard to Put Into Words…
POSTED: November 20, 2018
Over the past five years, Eat REAL America has given us so much to be thankful for. Most of all, we are so thankful for ALL OF YOU! The stories you share every single day about how REAL food has ...
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Are you surrounded by sugar pushers?
POSTED: November 6, 2018
We want to share… …an eye-opening article that caught our attention this week. It was written by Yoni Freedhoff, a Canadian doctor, who discusses how overconsumption of sugar has ...
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November Superfood of the Month: Cranberries
POSTED: October 30, 2018
As November rolls around, we can’t help but start thinking about the holidays. And, there is a fruit that seems to go hand-in-hand with the holidays (believe it or not, 20% of annual ...
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What do you tell people you are doing?
POSTED: October 23, 2018
How many times have you heard this? “I’m doing paleo.” “I’m doing the keto diet.” “I’m doing Whole 30.” “I’m doing weight ...
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The Real Reason You Should Eat Avocado Toast
POSTED: October 16, 2018
It’s ridiculously simple. It requires no recipe. It can be one of life’s simplest pleasures. And, it’s ideal for breakfast, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack or any time of the day. If you ...
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Buying Salt Shouldn’t Require a Chemistry Degree
POSTED: September 25, 2018
Have you stood in the salt aisle at the store and felt dazed and confused? There was a time when there were two options: iodized table salt or sea salt. Now, there is an array of salts ...
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Inspiring Stories From Our Members
POSTED: September 18, 2018
One of our favorite and most fulfilling aspects of Eat REAL America is the inspiration we receive from our members! Over the past few weeks, we have heard many inspiring and motivating ...
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September Superfood of the Month: Pears
POSTED: August 28, 2018
Do you know what fruit has over 3,000 varieties, helps reduce your cancer risk, and is considered “hypoallergenic?” It’s the pear! With fall, and hopefully some fall-like ...
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How to Eat Healthy in the Chaos of Daily Life
POSTED: August 21, 2018
It’s hard to believe it’s that time again… …back to school! If you have kids headed back to school, the routine that comes with it can be great, but it also can mean more ...
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Another Example of Why Reading The Ingredients is So Important
POSTED: August 7, 2018
It still amazes us how often we run across foods that are NOT what they appear to be. In this week’s coaching tip, we are going to pick on enchilada sauce…it sounds so simple, right? You ...
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Is Eating Healthy Really More Expensive?
POSTED: July 17, 2018
“Eating healthy is too expensive.” “And it takes too much time.” We hear this a lot. Many perceive that it’s too expensive (or too time-consuming) to eat REAL food – or ...
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Do This to Stay Healthy All Summer Long!
POSTED: June 19, 2018
Summer is officially here! Well, it will be official this Thursday, June 21st! Here in the Midwest, the scorching temperatures and thick humidity have made it feel like summer for several weeks ...
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Your Worries Will Disappear with This No Fuss Breakfast
POSTED: June 5, 2018
Hakuna Frittata! Frittata. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? If you have no idea what a frittata is, you are not alone. For many years, we thought it was a complicated, fancy and ...
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June Superfood of the Month: Avocados
POSTED: May 29, 2018
What fruit has more potassium than a banana and is sometimes called an “alligator pear?” Believe it or not, it’s the avocado! And, yes, you read right…it is ...
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May Superfood of the Month: Mushrooms
POSTED: May 1, 2018
What comes to mind when you hear the word “fungi?” Does it make you want to run the other way? There was a time when we wouldn’t eat anything that contained this food, or we would at least ...
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How much education do doctors receive on the #1 cause of death?
POSTED: April 24, 2018
Picture it… …you are sitting in your doctor’s office, worrying about why you have just been diagnosed with heart disease (or a stroke, or diabetes, or cancer). Your mind is ...
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Eating Out Shouldn’t Shorten Your Life
POSTED: April 17, 2018
As Michael Pollan says… “The most important thing you can do, and it’s challenging for many people, is cook for your family.” Unfortunately, cooking at home with REAL ...
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Why Fat Free Dressing is Not the Answer
POSTED: April 10, 2018
How often are salads part of your meals? We must admit, salads are a part of almost every meal in our home. Especially when locally-grown produce is available — we love the taste, texture ...
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Gluten: Friend or Foe?
POSTED: April 3, 2018
Are you confused about all the messages regarding gluten? If so, you are not alone! Maybe you or someone you know is already living a gluten-free lifestyle…or maybe you have considered ...
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April Superfood of the Month: Dates
POSTED: March 27, 2018
They are wrinkly, brown and their chewy texture is sweet and satisfying. And, they are not raisins! We are talking about dates… and, for good reason, they are our Superfood of ...
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An Oat is an Oat is an Oat
POSTED: March 13, 2018
They are nutritious, taste great, can be transformed into sweet AND savory meals, and are versatile enough to be enjoyed for any meal of the day. Plus, they are easy to prepare and very ...
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We Need Your Opinion!
POSTED: March 6, 2018
It’s finally happening! We are closing in on the final stages of our NEW Eat REAL Cookbook, but we have one last dilemma: What do we title the book? We need your help! ...
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March Superfood of the Month: Kiwi
POSTED: February 27, 2018
If we asked you which fruit has the highest level of Vitamin C, what would you guess? Oranges, right? Believe it or not, there are several fruits (and vegetables) with more Vitamin C than ...
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Do this to eat healthy without depriving yourself
POSTED: February 20, 2018
How many times have you heard someone say they are trying to eat healthier or following a specific “Diet”, and then they begin to list all the things they are no longer eating? Or, ...
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Every Bottle Has a Story
POSTED: February 13, 2018
Happy Valentine’s Day! Last week, we provided tips on how to prepare the perfect steak for your loved one. Since you are likely preparing a wonderful meal at home or enjoying a meal at a ...
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The Perfect Steak
POSTED: February 6, 2018
As promised a couple of weeks ago, we want to follow up on our coaching tip regarding the Maillard reaction and provide some guidance on… …how to cook the perfect steak! With ...
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February Superfood of the Month: Cabbage
POSTED: January 30, 2018
What comes to mind when you hear the word “cabbage?” If all you can think of is coleslaw, you are likely missing out on some truly delicious meals, not to mention the AMAZING nutrition and ...
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Chemical Reactions in Your Kitchen?!
POSTED: January 23, 2018
Have you ever wondered why veggies taste so good when they are roasted? Or why bread smells so good when it is baking? And, “what’s the point of searing a roast ...
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Salads Aren’t Just For Summer!
POSTED: January 16, 2018
What is the best salad you have ever eaten? Take a second to think about it. You may be thinking of a summer salad with fresh, in-season tomatoes, cucumbers, romaine lettuce, basil and other ...
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Our Take on ‘What the Health’
POSTED: January 9, 2018
Have you seen it or heard about it? Both of our families were unsure what to expect, but decided to dive in and spend 90 minutes watching the documentary, “What the ...
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January Superfood of the Month: Flax Seeds
POSTED: January 2, 2018
What are they? Why are they important? Are they really good for us, or is it just marketing hype about another “healthy food?” These are the questions we are ...
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What Can a Nobel Prize Winner Teach Us About Eating Healthy?
POSTED: December 19, 2017
Can eating healthfully be both simple AND easy? And, of course, delicious too? We wholeheartedly believe the answer is YES! And, this will continue to be part of our mission as we head into ...
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Superfood of the Month: Which Flour Is Best?
POSTED: November 28, 2017
What is the difference between white flour and whole-wheat flour? Is whole-wheat flour really healthier? What about gluten-free flours? It doesn’t take much to notice ...
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Thanksgiving Every Day?
POSTED: November 21, 2017
We all know the nutritional and health benefits of REAL food… …but what if the benefits are much bigger than that? Perhaps there are also significant social and family benefits ...
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Time for a Paradigm Shift?
POSTED: November 14, 2017
Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Are you ready? What will be on your Thanksgiving menu this year? Of course, turkey is a staple in most homes and there are many favorite ...
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November Superfood of the Month: Parsnips
POSTED: October 31, 2017
“I am not a carrot!” Yes, a parsnip may look like a carrot, and they are often confused with carrots, but they want you to know they are NOT carrots! However, they ARE now in-season and ...
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How Well Do You Know Ginger?
POSTED: October 17, 2017
Not that Ginger! Is fresh ginger a staple in your house, or do you automatically go for ground ginger because you are unsure how to use that funky-looking “knob?” There is absolutely nothing ...
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October Superfood of the Month: Leeks
POSTED: October 3, 2017
We use them routinely now, but there was a time when we had NO idea what leeks were! I have to admit…I used to think leeks were something slimy that came in a jar…I couldn’t have been ...
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How to Get the ‘Processed’ Out of Your Sausage
POSTED: September 19, 2017
Did last week’s coaching tip stress you out? Did it make you think about all the processed meats that are part of your weekly routine…and how they are causing havoc inside your body? ...
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Does Lunchmeat Really Cause Cancer?
POSTED: September 12, 2017
If you haven’t heard the news… …The World Health Organization has now declared processed meats: “carcinogenic to humans.” Really?! And, what exactly is a processed meat? ...
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September Superfood of the Month: Cauliflower
POSTED: August 29, 2017
Some may think of it as a “boring” vegetable. It’s extremely common, colorless, and seems to go hand-in-hand with broccoli. It’s often served plain or boiled…or maybe you ...
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Got Milk?
POSTED: August 15, 2017
Milk…it does a body good, right?! Or does it? A lot of controversy has arisen regarding cow’s milk and our health. What exactly are these health concerns? Are plant milks better and, if so, ...
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How to Bring the Mediterranean to You
POSTED: July 18, 2017
We have all heard how healthy the “Mediterranean Diet” is, but why? Is it real, or all hype? How can you incorporate it into your routine? It’s true — the ...
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Let’s Celebrate!
POSTED: July 4, 2017
Happy Fourth of July! Happy Birthday America! As we celebrate America, our freedom, and everything that goes with it, we thought this would also be the perfect day to celebrate the success of a ...
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Your Guide For Selecting the Best Produce
POSTED: June 13, 2017
We all want to enjoy high-quality produce to get the benefit of the best possible flavor and nutrition. But how? The first tip in picking the best produce? Buy in-season at your local ...
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Can You Really Lose Weight Without Cutting Calories?
POSTED: June 6, 2017
What if you could lose weight and improve your health without feeling deprived and always hungry? Good news, you can! And one great way to do this is with legumes…how ...
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What Is All the Buzz About?
POSTED: May 23, 2017
Do you ever feel under-appreciated? Whether you’re a mom who just finished a hectic week or an employee who just finished a big project, at times we have all had that feeling…“do they know ...
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Your Best Strategy to Eat Well All Week
POSTED: April 25, 2017
We have all heard these quotes… “Proper planning and preparation prevent poor performance.” “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” “A goal without a plan ...
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Fight Cancer With Your Fork
POSTED: April 18, 2017
If there was a single group of foods, that has been scientifically shown to help you fight cancer… would you want to know about it? The good news…there is! And, this ...
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The Simple Way to Fight Damage Occurring in your Body
POSTED: March 21, 2017
What do you think of when you hear the term “antioxidant?” Most of us have heard this buzzword thrown around when a food is described as “healthy.” Or, you may have seen it on the ...
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What do Syracuse and eggs have in common?
POSTED: March 7, 2017
Ok, basketball fans…March Madness is rapidly approaching! That means brackets, food, drinks, parties…did I mention FOOD?! Since March Madness games and food seem to go hand-in-hand, that ...
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There is a Sweet Potato in My Toaster
POSTED: February 14, 2017
Last week, we shared some of the 2017 food trends. One of these was “Plant-based everything.” This week, we want to share another example of this. What if we told you that you can turn ...
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What is Trending Now?
POSTED: February 7, 2017
Every year, the “experts” predict the food trends for the coming year. So, we wanted to know… what are the food trends for 2017? First, let’s take a quick look back on 2016. In the ...
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January Superfood of the Month: Lentils
POSTED: December 27, 2016
“Bland, boring and they only belong in soups…” Is this your perception of lentils? Honestly, that used to be our perception. We never really had lentils until we started our ...
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How to Have an Unforgettable Holiday Party
POSTED: December 13, 2016
Are you one of the lucky ones who gets to host a holiday gathering this year? Festive get-togethers with family and friends can be joyous fun-filled occasions, but if you are the host, it can ...
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Thankful and Blessed
POSTED: November 22, 2016
As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches, hopefully we will all take time to pause (at some point among the cooking and chaos), and think about all the blessings we are so thankful for… for our ...
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Kick the Can to the Curb
POSTED: November 15, 2016
Is there a red, wobbly dish that sticks out like a sore thumb on your Thanksgiving day table? Is it there, amongst all the other dishes that have been prepared with patience and love, jiggling ...
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The Rewards Are Bigger Than Just Good Health
POSTED: November 8, 2016
ANNOUNCING… We have added a comments section to the coaching tips! Your thoughts and ideas are so important to our community and we want all of our members to benefit…so we encourage ...
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Simple Steps to Save You Over $1,000 Per Year
POSTED: October 18, 2016
Have you experienced digging through your refrigerator produce drawer and discovering a moldy green pepper, shriveled-up limp greens or cauliflower covered with brown spots? You had such great ...
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Do You Need an Easy Button?
POSTED: October 11, 2016
Convenience… let’s be honest, we all want more of it! Convenience is defined as any “quality or situation that makes something easy or useful by reducing the amount of work or time required ...
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Doing This Will Change Your Life!
POSTED: October 4, 2016
Do you “eat with the seasons?” If not, we highly recommend giving it a try! Just when you have been enjoying summer produce such as zucchini, melons, okra, tomatoes and peppers until you can’t ...
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Could You Be Eating More Than 1/3 Cup of Added Sugar Every Day?
POSTED: September 20, 2016
This probably won’t come as a shock, but sugar has been in the news again this past week. You are probably thinking…what now? In case you missed it, an investigation has determined ...
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De-Stress Dinnertime with This Time-Saver!
POSTED: September 13, 2016
Last week, we provided a delicious way to simplify and healthify your mornings with baked oatmeal cups. Did you have a chance to give them a try? We would love to know how you liked them and ...
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Try this Delicious Way to Simplify Your Mornings
POSTED: September 6, 2016
Have you noticed that oatmeal cups have recently become a “thing”?! We have been experimenting and have found that oatmeal cups can be absolutely delicious and help ...
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September Superfood of the Month: Bok Choy
POSTED: August 30, 2016
Cooler temperatures have to be right around the corner…right?! As we transition into Fall, we want to help you take full advantage of some of the cooler-season produce. And, what better ...
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We All Have This in Common With Olympic Athletes
POSTED: August 16, 2016
Have you been glued to the television this past week? Watching those incredibly talented athletes perform in Rio? Whether it was Simone Biles’ gravity-defying routines, Katie Ledecky’s ...
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When You Can’t Contain Your Excitement Any Longer!
POSTED: July 26, 2016
Your stories are so inspiring… whenever we see Eat REAL America members at lunch-and-learns, other events or just out-and-about, they are always eager to tell us about something exciting ...
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You Will Never Believe What Meal Our Kids Asked to Make Healthy!
POSTED: June 28, 2016
Several years ago, when we starting really paying attention to what our family was eating – and enjoying more meals made with REAL food – we asked the kids… “what is a meal we ...
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June Superfood of the Month: Beets
POSTED: May 31, 2016
If you are not regularly eating this vegetable, there is a long list of reasons why you should start…NOW! We are talking about BEETS! When we talk about beets, we frequently ...
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This may be the most memorable part of your summer vacation!
POSTED: May 17, 2016
As we all gear up for summer vacations, we want to provide some inspiration to help you enjoy some delicious and healthy meals on the road … First, eating on the road is NOT the time to ...
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What’s Your Cut Off Time?
POSTED: April 26, 2016
Zonya and I just spent 4 crazy busy, laughter-packed, hard-working, incredibly fun-filled days together in Michigan. We are working on new content and videos for Eat REAL America, plus ...
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Pop-ular Snack – Keep it REAL!
POSTED: April 19, 2016
So very simple, yet so amazing how this simple corn kernel “pops” when heated to become the fluffy, crunchy popular snack we all love! POPCORN! It’s reported that in the U.S., ...
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Kick the Bottle to the Curb!
POSTED: April 12, 2016
“My teenage daughter was eating the dressing from the Caesar Salad with Avocado Dressing with a spoon!” “I was skeptical about the Maple Almond Vinaigrette, but followed the ...
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March Superfood of the Month: Mango
POSTED: March 1, 2016
How often do you enjoy the delightful taste and nutrition of a ripe, sweet mango? Does it typically take a backseat to other more familiar fruits? Do you choose frozen mango because you aren’t ...
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“I Don’t Dread Cooking Anymore!”
POSTED: February 9, 2016
We are SO excited to share with you a great story about two Eat REAL America members! This inspiring mom and daughter team is a perfect example of what so many people could ...
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February Superfood of the Month: Sweet Potatoes
POSTED: February 2, 2016
It’s surprising how often we hear people say they don’t like sweet potatoes. When we hear this, the next obvious question is “have you had them other than at Thanksgiving with ...
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Betcha Can’t Eat Just One…
POSTED: January 26, 2016
What is one of the most popular snacks in America? You got it…chips! And, there are so many choices to pick from at the store…with all kinds of crazy flavors! Not surprisingly, many chips come ...
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Let Us Save You Some Time
POSTED: January 12, 2016
What if we could save you several hours this week? Great news…we can! As you may know, the new dietary guidelines were released last week. While the intent is good, we are ...
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January Superfood of the Month: Kale
POSTED: January 5, 2016
How many people do you know have kicked off the new year “dieting” to lose weight? They’ve given up sugar, carbs, fat, grains, meat, you name it…talk about deprivation! We ...
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Favorites!
POSTED: December 22, 2015
Merry Christmas! As we celebrate the holiday season and all we are thankful for, we want to extend a HUGE thank you to all of the Eat REAL America members, partners and others who continue to ...
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Health by Chocolate
POSTED: December 15, 2015
“Dieting? Don’t Forget the Chocolate!” “Excellent News! Chocolate Can Help You Lose Weight!” “Dark Chocolate May Guard Against Stroke.” ...
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The Perfect Gift…
POSTED: December 8, 2015
What do YOU want for Christmas this year? Most of us want the simple things…relatives getting along, no pets (or kids) knocking over the Christmas tree, and gifts we can actually use! With the ...
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Culinary Magic!
POSTED: November 24, 2015
Do you want to know the secret to making vegetables taste absolutely amazing? Would you like to work a little crazy-easy culinary magic? It’s so simple…put vegetables in the oven and roast them! ...
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Don’t Judge a Box By Its Cover!
POSTED: September 8, 2015
Try to wrap your brain around this… there are a whopping 17,000 new food products introduced every year! The grocery store shelves have become…needless to ...
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Every Community Has One of These…
POSTED: August 25, 2015
…an under-appreciated chef! You know the one, the chef that’s cranking out some out-of-this-world meals, but flies under the radar…often due to his or her humble character. ...
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Paleo vs. Vegan
POSTED: August 11, 2015
I am sure you have heard someone say… “eating vegan has changed my life” or “eating paleo is the only way to go.” We have all been bombarded by contrasting ...
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Even More Value for Eat REAL America Members!
POSTED: July 14, 2015
Ask and you shall receive! After continuing to listen to member feedback and requests, we are delighted to announce some exciting upgrades to Eat REAL America! First and foremost, we are VERY ...
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How My Dad Beat Diabetes!
POSTED: June 30, 2015
I am so excited to share with you a little bit about my dad’s recent diabetes diagnosis! And, I am so thankful my dad is allowing me to share this story with the hope it might help someone else! ...
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“I had no idea veggies could taste like that!”
POSTED: May 12, 2015
When I look back on our journey to enjoying more REAL foods, there is a key breakthrough that really stands out. This breakthrough opened up a whole new world for us and is what helped our son ...
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Don’t Fear the Yolk!
POSTED: March 3, 2015
The perfect food? Eggs? Yes! Many consider eggs to be “the perfect food” because there are so many nutrients jam-packed into such a small package! However, eggs have also been considered a ...
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“You’re Talking About My Family!”
POSTED: February 24, 2015
I was blessed with an opportunity to do a cooking demo at the local Women’s Fair this weekend. During the discussion, I shared some perspective on our eating habits before we started our journey ...
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Cool Whip…or Cruel Whip?
POSTED: February 3, 2015
It’s light, fluffy and sweet and is the perfect topping for pies, puddings and hot chocolate… Cool Whip! But hold on a minute…there is more going on in that ...
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Are You Fed Up?
POSTED: January 6, 2015
When I first saw the trailer for the documentary “Fed Up,” which was just released on DVD in September 2014, I was intrigued. We recently had the chance to kick back and enjoy some ...
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A Kansas City Treasure…The Westside Local
POSTED: December 30, 2014
One of the perks of having family in Kansas City is the opportunity to visit often and occasionally sneak out (leaving the kids with grandparents of course), have a “date” with my ...
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Top 10 Favorites!
POSTED: December 23, 2014
Merry Christmas! In celebration of the holiday season, we want to extend a HUGE thank you to all of our Eat REAL America members, partners and others who continue to support us — we are so ...
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All I Want for Christmas…
POSTED: December 9, 2014
If you love to cook, then you know the excitement of receiving a new kitchen tool or gadget! Or even better…the joy of giving someone a great gift for the kitchen that will help them enjoy ...
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Risky Business
POSTED: September 23, 2014
Have you ever read something that got you so fired up you just can’t stop thinking about it? A couple of articles did just that to me this week and I wanted to share them with you. First, the ...
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Meet Jimmy Vo…a One-of-a-Kind Wichita Farmer!
POSTED: September 9, 2014
As part of Eat REAL America’s series featuring local Wichita farmers, chefs and others who are great resources for REAL food, we wanted to provide you an opportunity to get to know an ...
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So much more than Imo’s Pizza…
POSTED: August 5, 2014
We recently traveled to Chicago and St. Louis for a family vacation and enjoyed several of the unique and fun things both cities have to offer including Lake Michigan, Wrigley Field, shopping on ...
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Meet The Flying Stove…Wichita’s Mobile Culinary Creators
POSTED: May 27, 2014
As part of Eat REAL America’s series featuring local chefs, farmers and others who are great resources for REAL food, we wanted to provide an opportunity to get to know a couple of amazing ...
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What was the 6th most overused word in 2013?
POSTED: May 13, 2014
Superfoods! Lake Superior State University creates an annual list of useless, overused, or misused words and “Superfoods” made #6 on the list for 2013! So, what exactly is a ...
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Oregon REAL Food Scene
POSTED: May 6, 2014
Aren’t we all on the lookout for fun and interesting places to visit?! We recently had the opportunity to travel to Oregon and wanted to share some of what we found! Plus, we have included ...
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Shake the Hand That Feeds You
POSTED: April 8, 2014
We hear it all the time… support local family farmers, connect with your community, know where your food comes from, and know your farmer! There is actually a perfect and easy way to do ...
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What can we learn from Brazil?
POSTED: March 11, 2014
Did you know new dietary guidelines are issued every 5 years in the U.S.? I know you may be thinking, how can the government come up with rules to tell us how to eat?! And, do we really need ...
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Meet A Local Celebrity Chef
POSTED: January 28, 2014
As Eat REAL America helps our community learn more about the local resources we have available for REAL food, we are beginning a series featuring local chefs, farmers and others. We want to give ...
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Maybe Grandma Was Onto Something…
POSTED: January 7, 2014
Ok, this is not an easy topic to write about without getting into the “science” of it, but I decided to give it a shot. I was talking with someone recently who said that flies ...
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Dear Santa…THESE gifts I can use!
POSTED: December 3, 2013
Most of us probably just want simple things for Christmas. You know, the relatives all getting along, no pets or kids knocking down the Christmas tree, and finding the perfect gifts for ...
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Kids Are a Hard Sell
POSTED: November 19, 2013
We have all seen and heard the reports that diets high in processed foods affect the health of our kids during their childhood and teenage years, with ongoing effects into adulthood. In our ...
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It’s all about the Ingredients
POSTED: October 7, 2013
There was a time when we remember always looking at the calorie content of food. Then we were told to also worry about the fat, and not just the fat, the saturated fat because that was the kind ...
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What is REAL food?
POSTED: September 11, 2013
Natural. Grows from the ground. Grows from a tree. Grazes on the prairie or swims in the ocean. Not made in a factory. Anything that once had a mother. Basically, REAL food is food that is ...
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