Culinary Arts Month – July 2019

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear culinary arts? Perfect looking plates of food, right? The definition is actually a lot simpler than that. The term “culinary arts” is defined as “the practice or manner of preparing food.” To put it simply, it means the act of cooking food rather … Read More


After-School Activity

The first day of school is coming up. With the rush of gathering school supplies, packing lunches, and meeting teachers, it can be easy to lose track of time and forget to include time for children to be active. Start the school year off on the right foot by planning for physical activity! Some children … Read More


Touch Football

August is here which means football season is upon us. As a family you can play a non-contact game of football that doesn’t involve tackling–either touch football or flag football. These variations make it easier for young children to learn how to play. Before you play touch or flag football, make sure you have plenty … Read More


Butterfly Snacks

Fill a re-sealable snack bag with two healthy treats (one on each side). Pinch the middle with a clothespin. You can decorate the clothespin to look like a butterfly with markers and twist ties. Try grapes, cheese cubes, baby carrots, celery, pretzels, oat cereal, dried cranberries, almonds and more! … Read More


Grow a Family Garden

Gardening is a great activity to do as a family all year long. Between digging, pulling weeds, raking, and other tasks, gardening is undoubtedly hard physical work! Not only is gardening a great physical activity, but it also allows you to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. Your children having a hand in growing their own … Read More


Picnic Safety

Summer has officially arrived! Like many of you, I like spending time outdoors especially having cookouts, picnics and other activities centered around food. Good food, fun, and family are my summer favorites. But before planning any outdoor food activity, here are a few simple tips to consider to ensure that unwanted bacteria won’t have a … Read More


Quick and Easy Summer Salad

Summer is the time when I am looking for great recipes to add to my go-to list. My new found Tomatoes, Onion & Cucumber Salad has been on my rotating list for side-dishes for a few months now, and it’s delicious every time I make it. It tastes great with everything from grilled fish to chicken. … Read More


Chicken Pitas

Makes 2 servings Serving Size: 1/2 pita Ingredients 1/2 cup spinach leaves, washed 1/2 cup seedless grapes, each grape cut in half 1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken breast, cold 1/4 cup shredded slaw mix–can use shredded carrots and green and red cabbage in place of slaw mix 1 tablespoon green onion, sliced 2 tablespoons fat-free … Read More


Are canned fruits and vegetables healthy?

My husband, who grew up in rural North Carolina spent many of his summers with his grandfather. He saw acres of farmland with fresh vegetables including cabbages, collards, green beans, okra, field peas, squash, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupes, Muscadine grapes, peaches, etc. He and his grandfather would get up early in the mornings to … Read More


Go Nuts!!

Nuts are my favorite snack to munch on in between meal times. They are bite-size nutritional powerhouses, packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. When I choose this vitality-boosting snack, I stick to a handful mix of unsalted nuts to get the best valuable vitamins and minerals in my diet. All nuts have different … Read More


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Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

North Carolina State University
Agricultural and Human Sciences Department

Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES)