Consumer IQ

Spring Market: Asparagus

It seems there’s a National Day for pretty much anything you can think of: National Walk Around Things Day was April 4th. National Root Beer Float Day is August 6; National Cheese Curd Day is October 15.  While not nearly as exciting as National Static Electricity Day (1/9), National Asparagus…

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Real Life

Organic Panic

Armed with a detailed grocery list (organized by department and aisle because I’m that  Type A about such things) I confidently steer a shopping cart into the overflowing produce department of my local Mariano’s.  I head straight for the organic section. I always have such high hopes of filling my…

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Recipes

Creamy Asparagus Soup

Asparagus has been looking good this spring. Try this easy to make soup on those days that don’t quite feel like spring yet!

Consumer IQ

Pantry Staple: Pasta

Some pantry staples are easy and tasty real food swaps: Pure maple syrup for maple-flavored syrup, two ingredient natural peanut butter for sugar-added peanut butter, olive or coconut oil for canola and vegetable oil. Other pantry must-haves are more challenging to swap.  Like rice.  And pasta. Spaghetti with Prego is…

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Real Life

Confession.

My plan was to start this blog to share what I’ve learned about eating real food.  I’d love to be able to support others in our mutual quest to eliminate junk food from our plates, pantries, cars and desk drawers.  I’ve been learning about and moving toward a real food…

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Veggie Corn Chowder
Recipes

Vegetable Corn Chowder

In August I freeze corn fresh from the farmers market to use in this and other dishes during the long Midwest winter. By quickly blanching the shucked ears in boiling water, cutting off the kernels, and freezing in two cup portions, I can have sweet corn year round. Sometimes I…

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Consumer IQ

Vegetables: Fresh vs Frozen vs Canned

FRESH VEGETABLES Since falling in love with farmers markets and the fresh, local produce they offer, I’ve stopped buying canned fruits and vegetables. Fresh, organic vegetables are infinitely more flavorful than canned. Fresh fruits and vegetables have their own unique textures, too. Shop farmers markets if you can when the…

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