Hooray! In just a couple of days it will be Thanksgiving—the perfect time for…cranberries! Yup. You read that right. I’m excited for the cranberries. Sure, the turkey and the taters are delicious, but you can have them any ol’ time of year. For me, cranberries are a special treat for Thanksgiving Day and not something […]
Author Archives: Paula Widish
18
Nov
Nov
We decided to send our kids to school with packed lunches long ago, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. But there’s a sticky little problem that goes along with it—around our house, we call it “lunchbox envy.” And this far into the school year, we know it will make an appearance any time […]
11
Nov
Nov
A battle has been raging between adults and children since the beginning of time. You know what I’m talking about. It’s about a simple, throughout-the-day routine that keeps some pretty serious diseases at bay. And it only requires two things—soap and water. Yup, hand-washing. Think about the most common question you hear parents ask their […]
04
Nov
Nov
We all know the old saying touting breakfast as the most important meal of the day—and there’s a ton of truth to support this philosophy. Making breakfast a priority sets the stage for balanced blood sugars and reduced food cravings throughout the rest of the day. But not all breakfasts are created equal, right? The […]
28
Oct
Oct
With Halloween fast approaching at the end of this week, pumpkins are everywhere, and especially around this time of year, pumpkins make most people think “Jack-o’-lantern!” Yet if the only thing you’ve ever done with a pumpkin is carve out a spooky face and leave it on your front stoop for decoration, you’re really missing […]
21
Oct
Oct
Walking is my exercise of choice. I have a few avid runner friends who’ve tried to convert me, but walking is just so much more appealing to me. Whether I’m enjoying the city sidewalks, exploring the trails around town, or hiking in the foothills, I always feel better after a walk outdoors. And based on […]
14
Oct
Oct
Landscape plans may be the furthest thing from your mind now that it’s autumn, but I say this is the perfect time. With incredible deals at local nurseries, you can get so much more bang for your buck—sometimes twice as much. My family has moved around a fair bit, and at each of our homes […]
07
Oct
Oct
When the temperature cools and the leaves begin to change color, I always seem to get the urge to dust off my slow cooker. Not that it’s neglected at other times of the year—after all, what better way to keep your baked beans warm at the neighborhood cookout? But fall and winter are definitely the […]
30
Sep
Sep
Fall is here, and along with the season comes one of the most versatile fruits out there, the apple. It’s easy to find an apple recipe for every eating occasion you can imagine, and for good reason. This ubiquitous, orb-like fruit is simply delicious—and it’s quite nutritious as well. What’s so great about apples? Let […]
23
Sep
Sep
With a name like buckwheat, it would be understandable to assume it’s a form of wheat. Right? Well, if you were to make this assumption, you’d be completely wrong. Turns out that buckwheat isn’t a grain, like wheat. It’s actually a fruit seed related to rhubarb. The fact that buckwheat is a seed rather than […]
16
Sep
Sep
One of most heated debates about food these days is whether or not organic food is more nutritious than conventionally grown. No matter what side of the fence you’re on, it’s easy to find a study that will support your perspective. In my mind, there are some basic, common-sense reasons why we should eat as […]
09
Sep
Sep
It’s my birthday this week, and I tend to treat the day the way most people treat January 1st. This is the time when I reflect on what’s going exactly the way I want and what could use a little adjusting. I’ve always approached it from a whole mind-body-spirit angle since I truly believe that […]
02
Sep
Sep
Who doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat every once in awhile? I know my family does. While I don’t have baked goods around continuously, a really good chocolate chip cookie is one of my all-time favorite indulgences. And now that I know about various choices for healthy sweeteners, I feel better about indulging just a little […]
26
Aug
Aug
Around our house, ketchup is the king of condiments. My husband got hooked when he was in the Navy. Forced to eat the bland food they served on the aircraft carrier, he disguised the powdered eggs with ketchup. My boys adore the sweet, tomato-y flavor it adds to most anything. But for me, it’s just […]
19
Aug
Aug
Plants are amazing things. Not only can they provide us with delicious food, they’re pretty to look at too. I dare you to gaze at a patch of wildflowers and feel angry. Basic biology class filled us in on the life-serving purpose of plants. We exhale carbon dioxide, which they turn back into oxygen for […]
12
Aug
Aug
Around these parts, a new school year is about to begin, and with it comes the discussion of what to do about lunches. I can count on both hands the number of times our boys have gone through the lunch line for their midday sustenance, but that doesn’t stop them from being completely fascinated by […]
05
Aug
Aug
I’ve always been a snacker by nature. I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t need a little something by 4:00 in the afternoon. It’s just not right. My boys are much the same way, only they’re constantly in search of a bite to eat. When it comes to snacks, they’re bottomless pits. What goes into those […]
29
Jul
Jul
I’m willing to bet you’ve never heard someone say, “Beets are okay.” If you mention beets to someone, you’ll either get a cringe of loathing or a spontaneous smile with an audible “Mmmmmm.” For some reason they’re just one of those vegetables people either love or hate. I’m lucky enough to be of the Mmmmmm […]
22
Jul
Jul
As an avid self-healther and an information junkie, I’m always interested in reading about different philosophies and pioneers of real-food nutrition and alternative health. That’s why I was excited to see that one of the July specials at SRP is Wild Rice: The Biography of Vivian Lillie Rice by David Blot and Libby Demmon. Sure […]
15
Jul
Jul
It’s summer. It’s hot. Staying hydrated is important, and no matter the occasion, water is the best choice you can make. But beware—with some water bottles, you may end up downing more than just water. My personal water “bottle” of choice isn’t a bottle at all. There’s nothing better than a wide-mouthed, quart-size canning jar, […]