Keep your motor running

"Gentlemen, start your engines!” I wonder how many times I have overheard that sentence in my house. Yes, I am married to an automobile racing fan. Because the race-car drivers usually drink milk at the end, I guess racing has a nutrition connection. This long, cold winter has been a challenge for vehicles and our[...]

Do microwave ovens zap nutrients in foods?

The other day, I received a message when I returned to my desk after a meeting. Someone had called to ask about microwave ovens and nutrition. As I listened to the question, I decided that I was settling a bet. When people are making wagers about nutrition, I don’t mind being involved. The gentleman caller’s[...]


When in doubt, throw it out

I had to go to the grocery store at 6 a.m. to pick up two more packages of deli turkey because somebody left the first two packages on the counter,” my husband noted one morning. “Well, when in doubt, throw it out, right?” he added. “Yes, that’s the rule,” I said. I was happy I[...]

Study shows more benefits of family mealtimes

One morning as I was brushing my teeth, I heard a snippet on a news program about new Canadian family meals research. I zipped into the living room with my toothbrush still in hand, wanting to hear more. We at the NDSU Extension Service launched “The Family Table” a year ago to encourage families to[...]


Be ready for extreme cold this winter

Jake looked up at me with his dark brown eyes. He appeared kind of sad. He was standing by his blue sweater, which one of my daughters had removed. She thought he was too warm in his woolly sweater because he already has a fur coat. Yes, Jake is a dog. Our bitterly cold January[...]



Under pressure

Are you enjoying your coffee?” my husband asked our 19-year-old daughter. “Please stop spying on me!” she exclaimed as she opened the front door of our home. She was not impressed with her parents. “I could turn off the lights in the house now,” my husband said to me a little mischievously. “No, we better[...]

Diet can give your immune system the advantage

Recently, I was on six flights during the course of five days, with about 250 people per flight. Every flight had several people who were sneezing or coughing. So, I was exposed to at least 1,500 people all nestled in a pressurized tube, breathing the same recycled air. Now I wait to see if my[...]


Cut food waste this holiday season

As I peered in our refrigerator the other day, I noticed some small containers with dabs of leftovers that had just reached their “time to toss” phase. I always feel guilty when we throw away food in our home. To help use any extra servings, I eat left­overs almost every day at work. Unfortunately, sometimes[...]

Pizza party

Do you recall your first experience with pizza? The first time I tried pizza, at about age five, I was not sold on it. In fact, I couldn’t imagine why anyone wanted to eat it on a regular basis. I was enticed by TV ads that said pizza made from the kit being advertised was[...]