Recipe Spotlight

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Who doesn’t look forward to Thanksgiving dinner? While we all love the classics like turkey, stuffing, and green bean casserole, what about celebrating Thanksgiving with an oh-so-Florida twist? In fact, Florida’s autumn bounty provides tons of options for delicious Thanksgiving treats. Crunchy alligator bites are the perfect appetizer, while fresh, in-season Florida […]

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Out of all vegetables, perhaps none are as emblematic of fall as squash. Pumpkins signal the start of the autumn season, while dishes like roasted butternut squash shine in Thanksgiving day feasts. Even better, tons of squash varieties are grown right here in Florida.  No matter what variety, squash are highly versatile

Florida Grapefruit: Citrus That Doubles as Savory by RYAN MILEJCZAK Grapefruit comes in white and red (sometimes called pink) varieties, with the red varieties being the most popular. Similar to other citrus fruits, they’re an excellent source of vitamin C, as well as potassium, thiamine, and folate. Since they’re mostly water, grapefruit are also a

Enjoy Your Peanuts With a Little Pizazz by RYAN MILEJCZAK Florida peanuts are a nutritional powerhouse. They’re rich in healthy fats, protein, and key nutrients like B vitamins and vitamin E. A single 100 gram serving of peanuts provides 95% of the recommended daily value of manganese, and significant amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, and dietary

Not-So-Sinful Summer Munchin’ by ANDREA NIKOLAI, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Summertime cookouts are a great way to bring people together but can also put your family in a land mine of high fat and high sugar options. Luckily, you can still get the great tastes of sweet, crunchy and savory foods and feel good about

Refreshing Recipes to Pluck Straight From Your Garden by RYAN MILEJCZAK Crisp, refreshing mint is a favorite for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike. It’s super easy to grow, beloved by pollinators, and absolutely thrives in the hot and humid Florida climate. There are different kinds of mint, which are all in the genus Mentha,

Say a Sweet Farewell to the Season With Even Sweeter Treats by RYAN MILEJCZAK Strawberries might be the official State Dessert of Florida, but they’re not the only sweet treat grown here in Florida. Right now, it’s the blueberry’s time to shine.  Every year from March to May, Florida blueberry season provides us with a

by RYAN MILEJCZAK When it comes to beef, it’s hard to beat grass-fed. It has higher omega 3s and 6s, a better vitamin profile, and it’s lower in fat and calories. Plus, it’s more humane, because certified grass-fed beef spent its life grazing a pasture rather than on a feedlot. Because the cows are fed

Healthy Snacks Don’t Have to Slow Down Your Kids  By RYAN MILEJCZAK Busy kids need healthy foods to stay active and nourish their growing bodies. Extracurricular activities, from sports to 4-H and FFA, require plenty of fuel in the form of food energy. But if you’re a kid on the go, how can you find

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Florida Strawberry Season is in full swing, and this year’s crop is especially delicious thanks to the year’s colder weather. Besides being delicious, strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium. They’re also rich in antioxidants. There are tons of great ways to enjoy Florida strawberries, from eating