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Eating well

Corned beef, green beer and the American remix of St. Patrick’s Day

Every March 17, millions of Americans don green clothing, crowd into Irish pubs and toast with emerald-tinted beer to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, boosting the economy by about $7 billion. They’ll feast on corned beef and cabbage, watch parades featuring leprechauns and shamrocks and embrace their Irish heritage, real or imagined. Ask an Irish person about these traditions, and you might get a puzzled look; the raucous, green-hued celebration Americans know today bears little resemblance to how St. Patrick’s Day is observed in Ireland. What’s billed as an Irish tradition is ...

Create your own portable energy booster right at home

METRO — Protein bars are a convenient energy booster that’s easy to carry. That portability makes protein bars a go-to for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy activities like hiking that burn lots of calories. Though it’s easy to pick up a protein bar at the store, it’s also possible to make ...

Mardi Gras: Missed the party? Throw your own

Please allow me to apologize. It seems that Mardi Gras was early this year so by the time you read this column today (Ash Wednesday) the party is officially over. But that doesn’t mean it’s too late to make Cajun/Creole dishes. Let the good times roll, anytime! The flavors of New Orleans are big and bold. The dishes have a rich and mixed historical background, formed with French roots, livened with Spanish spices, African vegetables, German sausages, Irish potatoes and from Italy, tomatoes and garlic. The combinations of flavors are complex and robust and easy to fall in love with ...

Americans ease up on food rules as federal nutrition guidance shifts

As federal nutrition guidance shifts, American kitchens are changing with it. Home cooks are relying less on strict food rules and more on familiar meals they know will work, repeating dishes instead of chasing idealized eating plans. This shift in behavior shows a clear turn from years of highly prescriptive diet culture. Instead of constantly recalibrating meals to meet evolving standards, many households now favor dependable options that balance comfort, cost and effort. Roast chicken, pasta, soups and casseroles return to the table regularly, chosen because they deliver without ...

Savory, satisfying ideas for lunch and dinner

Family Features — When cold and flu season calls for savory and satisfying meals, remember you don’t have to be sick to enjoy the best this time of year has to offer. Skip the same old soups and stews, though, and level up your comfort food cache with the flavor and versatility of pearl ...