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Latest Columns by Mary Ehret

November 14, 2009

A1c may be the test

October 24, 2009

Don’t waste your pumpkin

Most of us reach for pumpkin that has already been peeled, steamed and deseeded. It comes in a can and is quite easy to use. Some of us buy the canned with the seasoning and sweeteners already mixed in. It’s OK, we all need shortcuts. But this November 1, let’s see if a little reading can save that pumpkin from landing in a landfill.

October 17, 2009

It’s apple time

Fall is here and it is a great time to enjoy some of our Northeastern Pennsylvanian apples. For our history buffs, here is a short summary of how apples arrived here in Pennsylvania. Historical records from the Massachusetts Bay Company indicate that apples started to grow in parts of New England as early as 1630. Soon, apple growing spread to all parts of America, due largely in part to an apple seed farmer named John Chapman. Known in fairy tales as Johnny Appleseed, John Chapman distributed seeds to European settlers of Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana in the 1800’s. The tale of Johnny Appleseed describes him as wearing ragged clothes and a tin pot over his head...I guess in case he gets hit by an apple! Today, the apple is ranked as America’s favorite fruit, and the United States produces over 2,500 varieties of apples.

October 10, 2009

The facts about H1N1

With the recent outbreak of H1N1 in the area, let’s review again some precautions that can be taken to keep you and your family healthy. First, what is Swine Influenza? Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type An influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

October 3, 2009

Freezing mushrooms

Pennsylvania is known for its wild mushroom and cultivated mushroom crops. Many times as a child, my dad took me mushroom picking in the woods of Quaker Lake. Growing up with preserving mushrooms gave me some not so common insight into the cautions of preserving mushrooms safely. Great caution needs to be taken by the novice mushroom picker, not only in picking, but also in using the proper technique for preserving mushrooms.

September 26, 2009

Fill up on fiber

Today’s media often highlights the most popular diets and health promoting foods.

September 19, 2009

Winter squash

This coming week we will celebrate the first day of fall. As we enjoy our last bit of summer squashes like zucchini and summer squash, we can start to enjoy the nutritional value and taste of winter squashes.

September 12, 2009

Prevent the Freshman 15

September 5, 2009

Keep tailgates safe

The official season has begun, football, that is. Part of the fun of enjoying a fall football game is the tailgate party. At the top of the list for having a successful pre-game party is having plenty of good food and beverages.

August 29, 2009

Freezing your harvest

The month of August is coming to a close, along with many of our gardens and sadly to say, the farmers’ markets. If you haven’t already, you may want to preserve these wonder vegetable flavors by freezing.