As we move into 2025, the “food as medicine” movement is poised to take center stage in conversations about health and wellness. The idea that what we eat can prevent, manage, or even treat chronic conditions is not new—nutrition has long been a cornerstone of well-being. However, as this trend gains momentum, it’s worth examining both its potential and its pitfalls. While food can indeed be a powerful tool for health, it’s not a panacea, and oversimplifying its role risks leading us down a problematic path.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett is a leading cautionary proponent of not leaning on food too heavily to make your medical decisions. Her insights serve as a reminder of the complex relationship between diet, health, and medical care.

The Rise of “Food as Medicine”

The appeal of “food as medicine” lies in its simplicity and empowerment. Who wouldn’t want to take charge of their health with every bite? The research backs this empowerment with substantial evidence: diets rich in whole fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. One clear example is the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes whole foods such as olive oil, fish, nuts, and an array of fruits and vegetables, demonstrating significant health benefits according to studies published in journals like the New England Journal of Medicine.

In Arizona, for example, we’re fortunate to have a vibrant agricultural landscape that supports this approach. The state’s farms produce an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables—think crisp leafy greens, juicy citrus, and nutrient-packed tomatoes—alongside healthy protein sources like beef and poultry. This local bounty can provide the foundation for a healthier lifestyle, fostering community connections and promoting well-being.

Yet, as this trend accelerates, it’s being co-opted in ways that could undermine its value. The food industry has a knack for turning good intentions into marketing gimmicks. Ultra-processed foods—think sugary cereals, packaged snacks, and ready-to-eat meals—are increasingly being fortified with vitamins, minerals, or trendy superfood powders and marketed as “healthful.” A granola bar laced with added fiber or a soda boasting vitamin C might sound like medicine on paper, but these products often come with a hefty dose of sugar, sodium, and artificial additives.

Nutrient fortification doesn’t erase the downsides of ultra-processing. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlights that the consumption of processed foods is linked to various health issues, including obesity and metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, slapping a “food as medicine” label on these items risks confusing consumers about what truly nourishes the body.

The Danger of Overreach

One of the most concerning aspects of the “food as medicine” trend is the potential for it to be seen as a replacement for medical care. Dennett has encountered clients who’ve skipped doctor visits or abandoned prescribed treatments, convinced that a kale smoothie or a turmeric supplement could “cure” their ailments. While nutrition plays a critical role in health, it’s not a standalone solution. Conditions like hypertension, autoimmune diseases, or cancer often require a nuanced approach that can only be provided through professional medical diagnosis and treatment.

A one-size-fits-all dietary fix simply doesn’t exist. Nutrition and medicine must work hand in hand, not in opposition. For example, Dennett highlights diabetes management. A balanced diet can help manage blood sugar levels, but without proper monitoring and medication when necessary, relying solely on food could lead to serious complications. The American Diabetes Association emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive diabetes care plan that goes beyond diet to include medication, physical activity, and ongoing medical support.

Similarly, someone with a nutrient deficiency might benefit from targeted dietary changes, but only a medical professional can pinpoint the root cause—whether it’s poor absorption, a genetic factor, or an underlying condition. For instance, studies published in The Journal of Nutrition have shown that certain individuals require specific interventions beyond dietary changes to address deficiencies.

The Role of Mental and Emotional Well-Being

While the conversation around “food as medicine” often focuses on physical health, we must also consider the role of mental and emotional well-being. The relationship between diet and mental health is an emerging area of research, as evidenced by studies showing that a healthy diet can positively influence mood and cognitive function. According to a systematic review in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, diets high in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids are associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety.

This interplay between food and mood highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of health that considers physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Food can certainly have a positive impact, but it should not be viewed as a cure-all for mental health issues. Individuals struggling with severe mental health conditions should seek professional help, as diet alone cannot replace therapeutic interventions.

Collaboration Is Key

The real promise of “food as medicine” lies in a collaborative approach, as suggested by Dennett and other nutritionists. Imagine a healthcare system where dietitians, doctors, and other providers team up to create personalized plans that integrate nutrition with medical treatment. This type of teamwork can help bridge the gap between diet and medical care, ensuring that individuals receive a holistic yet scientifically sound approach to their health.

For example, a patient with high cholesterol might benefit from both dietary changes and medication. A registered dietitian could develop a personalized meal plan focusing on heart-healthy foods, while a physician monitors cholesterol levels and prescribes medication as necessary. This collaborative approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also promotes long-term health benefits.

Moreover, initiatives like the “Food is Medicine” program in California demonstrate how community resources can support this integration. This program connects healthcare providers with local farmers’ markets to provide patients with vouchers for fresh produce, demonstrating a successful model for improving access to nutritious foods while promoting healthy eating patterns.

Moving Forward in 2025: A Balanced Perspective

As we embrace the “food as medicine” trend in 2025, we need to do so with eyes wide open. Arizona’s fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins are a gift to our plates and our bodies, but they’re only part of the equation. It’s tempting to chase the allure of quick fixes and flashy marketing, but we must recognize the intricacies of health and nutrition.

Education plays a crucial role in this journey. Empowering individuals to discern between genuinely healthful foods and heavily marketed processed products is essential. Governments can support these efforts by implementing policies that promote food literacy, enabling people to make informed choices about their diets.

Furthermore, as the trend matures, scientific research will continue to shed light on the complex relationships between food, health, and disease. Institutions like the National Institutes of Health are funding research into the connections between diet and disease, helping to clarify the role of nutrition in health outcomes.

Final Thoughts

While the “food as medicine” movement offers exciting possibilities for enhancing our health through nutrition, it also presents challenges that must be addressed. Navigating this landscape requires a commitment to understanding the nuanced relationship between food and health, recognizing that nutrition is an essential component of a broader healthcare strategy.

In 2025, let us embrace food as a tool for wellness while remaining vigilant about its limits. Collaboration between healthcare providers and nurturing a culture of informed choices will be essential as we move forward. The ultimate goal is a healthier society that recognizes the intrinsic value of food not just as sustenance, but as a vital part of holistic wellness.

In this dynamic landscape, it is imperative to foster partnerships among nutritionists, medical professionals, and patients, ensuring that the “food as medicine” trend serves its true purpose: enhancing health and quality of life without oversimplifying the intricacies of medical care. Through balanced approaches and informed decision-making, we can truly harness the power of food in our pursuit of better health outcomes.

The “food as medicine” movement offers tremendous potential to revolutionize how we approach health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic conditions. Yet, as Carrie Dennett and other experts warn, we must tread carefully to avoid the pitfalls associated with oversimplifying this complex relationship.

As we embrace the diversity of our local agricultural bounty, let us do so with the understanding that true health is not solely found on our plates. It emanates from a collaborative relationship between informed medical practice and the nourishment that food can provide. Together, as we build a healthcare landscape grounded in science and supported by nourishing food choices, we can forge a path towards a healthier future for all.

At Fill Your Plate, we’re also trying to help with this effort through our recently released podcast, “Fill Your Plate Now,” where we bring in the nutritionists, farmers and other experts to understand our nutritional opportunities and celebrate tasty, healthy food.

 By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau Director of Strategic Communications

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Year after year, whenever fall rolls around, the hype and obsession surrounding pumpkins begins. Pumpkin pies, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin candles, pumpkin décor, pumpkin lotions, and soaps, carved pumpkins, the list is endless. While pumpkins are definitely cute, and the pumpkin-flavored drinks and pumpkin-scented candles are all amazing, there’s plenty of other fall squash that deserve some attention too!

Arizona produces lots of different vegetables, pumpkins, and other squashes included! Here are 8 varieties of squash that grow well in Arizona and are harvested from September to November.

• Acorn Squash – Has a sweet flesh that is great stuffed or baked.
• Buttercup Squash – Small squash that are great for baking or mashing.
• Delicata Squash – A thin-skinned squash that can be cooked and eaten without peeling.
• Dumpling Squash – Tiny mini squash often used for decorating. But are great baked, grilled, or steamed.
• Kabocha Squash – Large and very hard and tough outside but has a velvety flesh.
• Butternut Squash – A very versatile squash great for baking, roasting, and sautéing.
• Spaghetti Squash – Once baked, the inner strands resemble spaghetti noodles.

While some are better for certain cooking methods than others, most squash are very versatile and can be baked, steamed, grilled, roasted, sautéed, mashed, or used as a base for soups. Also, all squash is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins A, B6, and C, potassium, fiber, and some omega-3 fatty acids. They can be stored for a month or more.

Some of these varieties such as acorn, butternut, and spaghetti squash, you can find in your local grocery store, while others such as dumplings, delicata, and kabocha are more of a specialty variety found in farmers’ markets.

So, give other varieties of squash a place in your fall décor and meal rotation! They are delicious, nutritious, and grown locally!

For more articles like this, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

One thing that I look forward to the most every fall is making cute, seasonal salads. Now you might be thinking, can’t you make cutesy salads any other time of the year? The answer is always yes, but no salads are prettier and yummier than the ones made with fall produce, at least in my opinion! So, here is a quick guide on how to make fun fall salads using seasonal produce, as well as a recipe for my favorite salad of all time! The following guidelines are very open-ended and are meant to more so guide the process and inspire you. That way, you can make a salad with only the things you like, and none of the things you don’t like! So, grab your favorite salad bowl, and let’s get started!

Pick a Base:

Every good salad starts with a lush, green base. Remember, while it’s typically what is used, lettuce isn’t your only option for a good salad base! Some good options besides plain ol’ romaine lettuce include mixed greens, arugula, spinach, or kale. You can even mix a bunch of these together!

Pick a Protein:

Adding protein to your salads is a good way to not only add flavor but to make it a complete meal and help you hit your daily protein needs. Grilled and sliced chicken and steak are great, as well as turkey and salmon!

Add a Grain:

Grains in a salad take it to a whole new level. It adds flavor, and texture and makes it heartier. Some good grains to add to the top of a salad include wild rice, brown rice, barly, spelt, quinoa, or farro.

Add the Fun Stuff:

Once you get all the other items from above put together, now you can really get creative and add all the extras to make the salad just that much better. Pick out some yummy seasonal fruits and vegetables to put on top, chop some nuts, throw on some dried fruit, or sprinkle with cheese. For fall salads specifically, some seasonal ingredients that are amazing in salads include roasted sweet potatoes, roasted squash, roasted or raw brussel sprouts, pumpkin seeds, apples, and pears.

Dress it Up!

No salad is complete without a dressing. You can never go wrong with a simple olive oil and balsamic drizzle. But for something a little more flavorful that goes on almost any kind of fall salad, try making a vinaigrette! My favorite is one made with apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard (the recipe is below). But truly, you can make a vinaigrette with all sorts of different oil, vinegar, and herb combinations.

When I make a fall salad, my absolute favorite combination of salad ingredients is:

• Kale
• Grilled chicken
• Quinoa
• Dried cranberries
• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• Chopped apples
• Roasted butternut squash
• Apple cider, honey, and Dijon vinaigrette (see below)

It’s got protein, carbohydrates, and fat, so it’s a perfect complete meal, and it has the perfect combination of salty, tangy, and sweet ingredients!

Vinaigrette Recipe:

• ¼ C. Olive oil
• ¼ C. Apple cider vinegar
• ½ Tsp. Sea salt
• 1 Garlic clove pressed
• 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
• 1-2 Tsp. Honey
• Pepper to taste

Arizona agriculture produces lots of the seasonal ingredients needed for fall salads! Local farmer’s markets are the perfect place for finding unique and delicious fruits and vegetables to toss in your salads!

For more recipes, articles, and information about what’s in season and where to find it, check out the Fill Your Plate website!

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Pumpkins have long been a symbol of the fall season. Whether it be pumpkin décor, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin candles, or the traditional pumpkin pie, we all enjoy this bright orange squash in some way or another. Besides just simply looking cute or tasting amazing when made into a pie, pumpkins actually boast some pretty significant health benefits.

According to Registered dietician Julia Zumpano, the health benefits of pumpkin are so great, that she recommends not just limiting our consumption of pumpkin to the fall months. Here are some of the ways in which pumpkin contributes to our health.

• Good for your eyes
• Promotes heart health
• Boosts immune system
• High in carotenoids which may help fight cancer
• Increases satiety

While pumpkins may be super nutritious, incorporating them into your diet by only eating pumpkin pie is unfortunately not a good way to increase your consumption of pumpkin. So, here are some other ways to include pumpkin into your foods.

• Roast it
• Use puree in soups or sauces
• Mix it into baked goods
• Stir it into yogurt or oatmeal
• Use it in a smoothie
• Roast the seeds and use as a salad or oatmeal topping

Pumpkin is a very versatile squash, that can be used in both savory recipes or sweet ones! Regardless of how you use it, pumpkin packs a nutritional punch that we should take advantage of!

For pumpkin recipe ideas, check out the recipes page on Fill Your Plate!

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

One of the tell-tale signs of the changing of the seasons from summer to fall is the days beginning to get shorter. During the summer, it feels like the days are endless, letting you get so much done while the sun is still shining.

But during the fall and winter months, the days seem so short that it feels like you can never quite get all your tasks done in a day. Here are 4 ideas on how to make the most out of fall and winter days.

Keep your usual wake-up and bedtime schedule.

Since the sun doesn’t rise as early and it sets much sooner than it does in the summer, the amount of “daytime” is significantly reduced. But there are still 24 hours in a day, the only difference is how long the sun is up. So, by keeping your usual waking up and going to bed times, you’ll still have just as much time to get tasks done, but the only difference is that some of those hours will be in the dark.

Strategically schedule tasks.

Since there are fewer hours of the day with sunlight, rearrange your schedule to where tasks that can be done in the house like dusting, vacuuming, or even computer work are during the darker hours of the morning or darker hours of the evening. This leaves you with the middle of the day to do those chores that are best done with sunlight, like yard work or running errands in town.

Don’t neglect exercise

Although it might be tempting to just take it easy, curl up with a blanket and cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the coziness of the season, its important to not give up on exercising. Going on a brisk walk in the morning or afternoon is a good way to keep your blood pumping and your energy levels high. Staying active will keep you motivated to push through and get all of your daily tasks done. It is also a good way to fight off that little bit of seasonal depression that we often get.

Meal prep

Getting meals made ahead of time or cooking in bulk to have leftovers is a great way to reduce the amount of time you spend in the kitchen every day. This is also where a roaster pan, crock pot, or pressure cooker might come in handy! Another thing to consider is choosing meals that are quick and easy, and that also reheat well. Ideas for meals that meet those criteria include soups and stews, casseroles, and pastas. Check out these yummy soup recipes from Fill Your Plate!

Hopefully these ideas help to make it easier to enjoy those lovely fall and winter days, and still stay on top of all our responsibilities!

By Sarah Hunt, AZFB Communications Intern

In need of some fall inspiration? Look no further! Fill Your Plate has got you covered for all things autumn! Look through our articles from over the years below to find ideas for decorations, activities, Halloween costumes, and more!

Halloween Candy Cookie Recipes

Easy Homemade Halloween Kids Costumes

Halloween Crafts To Do With Your Kids (And By Yourself Too)

Spooky Halloween Treats

Arizona’s Fall Festivals (2020)

5 Tips for Haunting Your House this Halloween

How to Have a Healthier Halloween

Host a Frighteningly Fun Halloween Party

Celebrate Halloween with Arizona-Grown Pumpkins & Trick or Treating Party at Bashas’

Halloween for Foodies! (If you dare!)

History of The Day of the Dead (El Día De Los Muertos)

The Ultimate Fall To-Do List: 50 Activities for Friends and Family

10 Different Ways to Decorate Pumpkins

Fall Activities in Arizona

Everything About Pumpkins

The Switch Witch: How to maintain healthy habits during the season of tricks and treats

City Kids Go Country… at Mortimer Family Farms

49 Things to Do with Pumpkins

Where to get a Scare!

Butternut Squash Soup

Carving Pumpkins? Bake Those Seeds!

Fall Salad

My 5 All-time Favorite Fall Homemade Soup Recipes

Mini Pear Pies: A New Fall Favorite

5 Easy Do-It-Yourself Fall Decorations

6 Easy Ways to Warm Up Your Home this Fall

Our Top 7 Fall Comfort Foods on Fill Your Plate

What’s in Season in Arizona This Fall?

Fall into Autumn with Specialty Soup and Stew Recipes

Falling for Traditional Foods with a Twist

10 Fun Facts about Candy Apples

Fun Facts About Candy

Find more seasonal articles on Fill Your Plate’s blog!

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Finally! It’s officially the first day of fall and the weather is cooling down in Arizona and it is becoming nicer to be outdoors than it is to be indoors! If you’re looking for something to keep yourself busy with and that keeps you outdoors during the cooler weather, consider planting a garden! Whether you choose flowers, vegetables, or both, gardening provides a great reason to be outside getting some sunlight and physical activity.

Not only is gardening just an enjoyable hobby, but it is actually good for you! Anya Miller, a dietician at the Mayo Clinic says that gardening has an abundance of health benefits. If you choose to plant a vegetable garden, then you get to reap the fruits of your labor, literally. With veggies planted in your garden, you’ll be all set with your own homegrown, fresh vegetables to incorporate into your diet. Even if you stick with filling your flower beds with all kinds of flowers, you’ll still benefit from gardening, as it is a great way to alleviate stress and anxiety and to make yourself get outside more. Plus, it can be a family affair. When children experience the fun of gardening they become more aware of where their food comes from.

Wondering what to plant? Miller suggests planting a variety of different colored vegetables in your garden, as each veggie contains different vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to our health. For more detailed and specific information about what to plant and when here in Arizona, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has some great resources on their website, including a Master Gardener program!

So, get outside and plant a nice little garden while the temperature is lower and enjoy your own fresh vegetables or flowers!

For even more Arizona gardening information, check out this collection of articles from Fill Your Plate!

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

The holiday season is upon us, which means that it’s time for family gatherings, extravagant decorations, and lots of yummy holiday food. But along with the holiday season also comes another season. Cold and flu season. Here are some tips from an article by VeryWellFit on how to strengthen your immunity this winter!

Maintaining good lifestyle habits is a great, easy way to help keep yourself healthy this winter. Prioritize washing hands well, getting good sleep and nutrition, staying well hydrated and active, and keeping stress levels low. In addition, you can take certain vitamin and mineral supplements to help keep yourself from becoming ill, specifically vitamin C, D, and zinc. Vitamin D is actually a really good vitamin to take to boost your immunity.

But remember, supplements are not magic pills that will ensure that you don’t get sick. So, before you go and buy a stockpile of these supplements, registered dietician Alanna Cabrero suggests stepping back and looking over the big picture first. Make sure that your lifestyle habits are in check, such as your sleep quality, stress levels, and hand hygiene. Also, see if your diet is lacking in any of these vitamins and minerals. If so, then supplementation would be a great option.

Getting sick is never enjoyable, especially during the most wonderful time of the year. So, take some preventative actions this year to help yourself stay healthy!

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

There is nothing more fun than decorating your house for the fall season. Here are a few DIY fall home décor ideas to help get your home decked out in pumpkins, leaves, and acorns!

My personal favorite is the fabric pumpkins. My grandma and I spent hours making them. It was hard to stop because they are so cute!

• Dried Orange Garland
• Fall Mason Jars
• Mason Jar Lid Pumpkins
• Glittery Acorns
• Pinecone and Acorn Wreath
• Burlap and Flower Wreath
• Twine Pumpkins
• Corn Husk Wreath
• Wax Dipped Leaf Garland
• Fabric Pumpkins

For even more fall decorations that you can make at home, check out this article from Fill Your Plate!

By Sarah Hunt, AZFB Communications Intern

Want to make your house smell like fall naturally? Try this potpourri recipe! I would rather leave this on the stove in a pot than light a candle during the holidays, because you don’t have to worry about blowing out the flame at the end and making the room smell like smoke after you just burned such a pleasant smell. This recipe will have you in the fall mood in no time!

Fall Simmering Spices

By Kathleen of The Fresh Cooky blog

prep time: 5 minutes | total time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 3-4 apple slices
• 1-2 lemon slices
• 1-2 orange slices (optional, but try and use one citrus)
• 1-2 cinnamon sticks
• 1-2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice (optional)
• 1/2- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 vanilla bean, optional (can sub. 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract if desired)
• 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1-2 sprigs, fresh thyme
• 1-2 bay leaves (fresh or dried)
• water to fill the pot

Instructions

For Simmering Spices/Potpourri

1. Simply slice, snip, fill and toss in your desired ingredients into a small pot. Fill pot with water (or expired apple juice or orange juice) and bring to a simmer on the stovetop (or in a mini-crockpot). Replenish water as it evaporates. Do not leave unattended.

Assemble for Gifting

1. In a cellophane bag, place the larger fruit items first (whole, not sliced) followed by the spices.
2. Wrap with pretty ribbon or twine and tag giving instructions on how to simmer.
3. That’s it! Change it up as you like, let me know what you put into your fall simmering spices! Love these, try my Christmas Simmering Spices as well!

Find more crafts to make on Fill Your Plate’s blog!

By Kennadee Riggs, Communications Intern

With fall just around the corner, Arizona residents are looking to fill their calendars with activities that can make the most of this season! For any of you farm fans out there, here are five local places with festive activities they will be putting on this autumn!

1. Schnepf Farms

24610 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Come along for some hay rides, a pumpkin and chili festival, petting zoo, home bakery and more!

1. Mortimer Family Farms

12907 E State Rte 169, Dewey, AZ 86327

If you are in for sunflower picking, barn dances, a pumpkin patch and more, head on down to Dewey for Mortimer Family Farm’s fall festivities! 

1. Mother Nature’s Farm

1663 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233

With a pumpkin forest, tube slide, petting zoo and other activities, Mother Nature’s Farm is a great place to be with the family this October!

1. Vertuccio Farms

4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212

Come on down to Mesa for a huge corn maze, air pillow, mini-golf, and zipline! These spooky activities are the perfect ways to get you and your family in the seasonal mood. 

1. Apple Annie’s Orchards

2081 W Hardy Rd, Wilcox, AZ 85643

Not only does this place hold Arizona’s largest cornfield, but an orchard of apples and pumpkins where you can pick your own! After you pick your pumpkin you can make your way down to their bakery for some home-baked goods, and on the weekend you will enjoy all-you-can-eat pumpkin or buttermilk pancakes. 

We hope to see y’all around at our local farms this fall as we celebrate such a wonderful season with family-oriented activities! For more articles and ideas like this, click here to check out our blog!

By Kennadee Riggs, Communications Intern

Have you ever wondered if there were any healthy advantages to eating a slice of pumpkin pie? Here is a list of popular fall ingredients and their own unique health benefits!

Pumpkin

This iconic spooky squash is loaded with nutritious reasons to love it even more. Pumpkins are 94% water! Not only can they make a fun way to stay hydrated, but they are rich in Vitamin A and C. Eating pumpkin can also reduce your risk of chronic diseases due to being high in antioxidants. Learn more here. 

Nutmeg

This sensational season is very rich in antioxidants which can help protect against signs of aging. It also adds to protection against serious conditions like cancer. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties. It has been proven to also work as an antibacterial. Click here to learn more!

Cinnamon

Spicy as it can be, cinnamon does a lot of good for the human body. It contains anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties; protecting against innumerable dangers to the immune system. It also has been used successfully to relieve digestive pains. For many more benefits of cinnamon, check out this website.

Turkey

While this particular poultry is packed with protein, turkey serves many other consummation purposes as well. It is full of B Vitamins which help produce neurotransmitters and supports the production of red blood cells. Turkey is also full of great minerals which help with hormone production and bone health. Check out this site to know more. 

Corn

This starchy stock is not only delicious both popped and freshly picked, it contains many better reasons to be included in this fall’s recipes. It is high in Vitamin C, which protects from cancers and cell damage. It is backed by many whole grain perks while being rich in potassium as well. Click here https://www.health.com/nutrition/health-benefits-of-corn to find more!

This autumn, be sure to include these important ingredients in your festive recipes. Even aside from all of the nutritious science behind them all, they each are delicious and nostalgic around this time of year. For more nutrition facts and recipes, check out the Fill Your Plate blog here!

By Kennadee Riggs, Communications Intern

Are you and your kids going to spend fall break at home? Are you looking for activities to keep you all busy? Here is a fun collection of autumn crafts to do with your children in the coming months of this season.

1 . Painted Pinecone Turkeys

This craft requires only a few items, one of which you can likely find on the sidewalks of your own neighborhood! The kids are guaranteed to love it. 

2 .  Pumpkin Volcano

Not only is this activity a festive activity, it is also an easy science experiment! Your kiddos will have a blast with this, all while learning about chemistry.

3 . Beaded Harvest Corn

A great way to teach children about history is to provide interactive activities that will help them love learning! Making beaded harvest corn is a wonderful crossover between a cute craft and an opportunity to learn about the origin of Thanksgiving. 

4 . Autumn Animal Collages

Are you tired of raking up leaves without putting them to use for something? Grab a handful from your pile in the backyard and gather your kids. This activity gives them an opportunity to be creative, all while recycling nature’s beauty!

5 . Pressed Leaf Bookmarks

If you have a reader in your family, and a few extra leaves in the yard, this do-it-yourself is for you. Pressing leaves and making aesthetic bookmarks are such a great way to have creative fun this fall!

For more seasonal craft and activity ideas, check out our blog at azfb.org!