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Food Blog Posts

three rows of lettuce grow in a garden

May 23, 2025

If you grow your own vegetables, you will likely see at least a few pesky insects that want to feed on your plants. Slugs are one of the pests you may be noticing now.

Jars of home canned pickled vegetables

May 20, 2025

Are you planning to can fruits and vegetables this year? Don’t just wing it. Planning and preparation are important first steps.

Yellow Squash

May 16, 2025

Did you know yellow squash is in the pumpkin family and are 95 percent water? 

A woman stands at the kitchen sink.

May 14, 2025

Handwashing can help prevent you and others from getting sick, but be sure you are washing the right way!

A woman holds a bowl of Teriyaki Meatballs.

May 7, 2025

Easy Teriyaki Meatballs come together fast and make a delicious meal.

Grill with hotdogs and chicken on it

April 29, 2025

Warmer weather means it’s grilling season! Summer grilling is all about bringing people together. Some of my favorite childhood memories are ones spent at family cookouts! 

A person reads a Nutrition Facts label on a can of food in the grocery store.

April 22, 2025

That box of granola bars looks nutritious, and it may be. But do you know how to tell for sure if certain foods on the grocery store shelf fit into your daily diet? Here's how to tell.

Closeup of Pineapple Fried Rice

April 15, 2025

Pineapple Fried Rice is both savory and sweet and makes an easy, nutritious weeknight dinner!

Heads of cauliflower

April 11, 2025

Did you know cauliflower is an underdeveloped flower bud? Cauliflower is a great substitute for high carbohydrates and starchy foods. 

A woman stirs balsamic glazed carrots cooking on the stove.

March 17, 2025

Have extra carrots you need to use? Try this recipe with balsamic vinegar.

A woman stand in front of the camera.

March 12, 2025

It’s March, and that means it’s National Nutrition Month! One of my favorite times of the year. This year’s theme is all about how food connects us. And when you think about it, food is much more than what’s on your plate.

Green and purple lettuce.

February 21, 2025

Did you know lettuce was one of the first vegetables brought to America by Christopher Columbus? What a great fun fact!

A woman stands in a kitchen and holds a bowl of soup.

February 18, 2025

Swiss cheese and curry powder amp up the flavor in this quick soup.

A woman stands in a kitchen.

February 12, 2025

Show your heart some love —because a healthy heart means a healthier YOU! Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. But the good news is that, in many cases, heart disease can be prevented. 

A pot of Quick Chili sits on the stove.

January 27, 2025

Do you need a warm, satisfying meal fast? Try this Quick Chili. All you need are five ingredients and 30 minutes.

A woman sits at a kitchen table and smiles for the camera.

January 21, 2025

A new year is perfect for resetting and refocusing on your health and wellness goals. Being more present or mindful is a great way to start. What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the process or practice of gently focusing on your awareness in the present moment. Being more mindful can help you feel your best and meet the goals you set for yourself.

A plate of PBJ Nachos

December 17, 2024

What are we going to eat? That’s a question I get almost every day – whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. If you are looking for a few new options, check out some of the recipes we’ve featured on The Food Factor.

Snowman christmas cookies on wood cutting board

November 22, 2024

Whether you’re gifting cookies, jams, breads, or savory treats this holiday season, here are a few quick tips for keeping your food gifts safe.

 

A person stirs a skillet of turkey gravy cooking on the stove.

November 19, 2024

This traditional holiday gravy recipe is easy and fast.

A woman stands in a kitchen

November 12, 2024

Incorporating healthier eating habits into your daily routine can help prevent and manage diabetes by helping you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Check out these tips to help you get started.

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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

Recent Posts

three rows of lettuce grow in a garden
Slugs eat a wide variety of plants, but they are especially fond of leafy greens, such as lettuce. Photo by stock.adobe.com.
How to Manage Slugs in the Vegetable Garden
Jars of home canned pickled vegetables
Dreaming of a pantry stocked with home canned produce? Make sure you follow the proper techniques with the correct equipment and research-tested recipes. Photo by: Tamara Harding/stock.adobe.com
Home Canning FAQs
Yellow Squash
Photo by Adobe Stock
Harvest of the Month: Yellow Squash