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Food Blog Posts

Green Bean, Cranberry and Nut Salad in a bowl

November 14, 2022

For this holiday season, I was looking for a way to mix up the menu a little bit and offer something a little lighter. This Green Bean, Cranberry and Nut Salad is perfect.

Purple, yellow, and orange carrots.

November 11, 2022

Have you ever seen purple, yellow, red, or white carrots? The first time I saw a bag of ‘rainbow’ carrots in my grocery store, I had to do a double take. Carrots are only supposed to be orange, or at least, that’s what I thought. 

Woman on an exercise machine

November 8, 2022

With all the upcoming holiday get-togethers around the corner, it can be easy to move less, sit more, and gain weight. This year, join our Walk with Extension 12 Days of FITMAS Challenge, which emphasizes moving more and eating more vegetables.

A charcuterie board.

November 4, 2022

Charcuterie boards are all the craze right now, and rightfully so! They’re fun to make and delicious to snack on. With the holidays coming up, they’re sure to be the talk of the party!

collage of cornucopia designs

October 31, 2022

The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is most often associated with Thanksgiving. It is generally depicted with the fruits of harvest overflowing its horn-shaped form and serves as a reminder to be thankful and grateful. If you like do-it-yourself projects, making your own cornucopia is an easy project.

Frozen foods in a fridge.

October 28, 2022

There are some weeks when I don’t feel like cooking dinner or am short on time to prepare a meal from start to finish.

Turban Squash

October 17, 2022

Pumpkins, gourds, and squash, oh my! With fall in full effect, I’m buying fall décor all the time. Do I already have several pumpkins on my porch? Yes. Will I be buying more? Also, yes. 

Woman tossing salad

October 11, 2022

Flu season is upon us, and there’s no better time than now to kick your nutrition up a notch! One easy way to strengthen your immune system is by adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Good nutrition plays an important role in fighting off illnesses, including the flu.

spreme grilled sandwich

October 3, 2022

Every now and then we all could use an upgrade. Well, here’s a great twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich. The vegetables give the sandwich a little crunch, which kicks it up a notch!

A mixture of vegetables.

September 30, 2022

The holidays are coming up and we all know what that means. Food, food, and more food! During these festivities, it’s important to remember to eat your vegetables, too.

Field corn.

September 27, 2022

As you travel Mississippi roads, it’s common to spot a corn field or two during your travels. Corn is the fourth ranked crop in the state, bringing in over $700 million each year!

peach salsa in a bowl

September 19, 2022

Fruit salsas are fabulous and can add even more dimension to the flavors of your dishes. Try this peach salsa with fish, chicken, or pork.

Bowl of Greek Island Salad

September 2, 2022

I really enjoy eating Mediterranean style food and this tasty, protein-filled salad with Greek seasoning is perfect for me.

pot of boiling water

August 30, 2022

Do you know what is safe and unsafe when it comes to using water that is under a boil-water alert? Here's what to do and not do if you are under a boil water notice.

Catfish on a plate

August 25, 2022

August is National Catfish Month! Celebrate by adding some farm-raised, Mississippi catfish to your regular menu plan. Check out some of our previously featured recipes.

Figs

August 22, 2022

With figs in season, they’re on my mind a lot these days. The sweet, Southern decadence is quite the treat! I associate figs with my grandparents since they had a tree in their backyard. I remember helping them pick buckets full of figs when I was younger and eating them soon after they were picked. 

four jars of banana pudding overnight oats

August 12, 2022

Do you need a grab-and-go breakfast but want to skip the fast food? Overnight oats are a great option.

A woman and two children slice vegetables

August 9, 2022

Most children tend to go through picky eating phases. There are many things that could cause a child to be selective about what they eat. Some of these tips may help entice your picky eater.

A pitcher of homemade sports drink on a counter

July 29, 2022

Most of the time water is the best choice before, during, and after physical activity. However, there are times when you might benefit from a sports drink.

rosemary, basil, and dill collage

July 28, 2022

Many herbs are easy to grow in the garden or in containers. Rosemary, basil, and dill are mainstays in my garden because I like to use them while cooking in my kitchen.

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About Extension for Real Life

Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.

That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living. Pretty good gig, right?

The three main writers for the blog are Ellen Graves (Seamstress of Social Media Strategy), Susan Collins-Smith (Content Connector) and Keri Lewis (Captain Cat Herder). But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!

You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu

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