Cooking from My Pantry is a new series featuring Kirsten Romero, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian with the wellness program at Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. While we're all spending a lot more time at home, Kirsten is here to show you how you can make healthy recipes using real ingredients from your own pantry. 

Cooking from My Pantry is a new series featuring Kirsten Romero, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian with the wellness program at Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. While we're all spending a lot more time at home, Kirsten is here to show you how you can make healthy recipes using real ingredients from your own pantry. We encourage you to join along in creating today's recipe: Pantry Pasta

Whatever your new year’s resolutions might be, here are six healthy habits you might want to try:

What you eat affects both your physical and mental health. Think of the food you eat as the fuel for your body and for your brain, just like gas is the fuel for a car. Good fuel comes from food that is good for you, and it directly affects your brain and, therefore, your mood.

What you eat affects both your physical and mental health. Think of the food you eat as the fuel for your body and for your brain, just like gas is the fuel for a car. Good fuel comes from food that is good for you, and it directly affects your brain and, therefore, your mood.

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is “Go Further with Food. To go further with food is to get more healthy foods in your diet starting with a healthy breakfast. You’ll go further with food by planning meals and snacks in advance, so you’re more likely to make nutritious choices. Since food is the fuel we all need to live healthy, active lives, reducing food waste will help our entire planet go further with food.

It’s February, and love is in the air with Valentine’s Day flowers, candy, and hearts everywhere. It’s a time to think about the people we love.  It’s also American Heart Month! What a perfect time to show yourself some love, and take good care of your heart!

It’s a scary fact that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to heart attack and stroke, and over 92 million Americans have some form of heart disease.

Some risk factors for heart disease can’t be controlled, like gender, age, and family history. The good news is that lifestyle choices, like what you eat and how active you are, can be controlled, and a healthy lifestyle can have a positive effect on your heart health.  Even small changes for the better can improve your heart health and reduce your overall risk for heart disease.

When it comes to nutrients, pumpkin contains more fiber than kale and is full of iron, potassium, and heart-healthy magnesium. Pumpkin is a rich source of vitamin A, which is key for healthy vision, proper cell growth, and a strong immune system.  This vitamin A includes beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that may help protect against cancer, fight inflammation, and improve skin appearance.