Veg-Centric: Plant-Based Eating

Q: Dear SAGE, Yesterday, my twelve-year-old came home and said she was interested in eating more plant-based dishes after learning about agricultural deforestation. I’m proud of her environmental convictions, but I’m not sure what that means for her health and our already chaotic dinner routine. Where do I begin? Sincerely, An Overwhelmed Momnivore A: Global eating habits are becoming increasingly plant-based, especially in the traditionally meat-loving West. The motivations that push individuals towards a more plant-based diet, and the items...

Easy Nutritional Guidance: Understanding the SAGE Spotlight Program®

Eating well is a lifelong skill that’s difficult to learn in a world filled with persuasive food packaging, marketing and advertising, and fad diets. Enter SAGE’s Spotlight Program, a nutritional program designed to guide students of all ages in making healthy choices. The SAGE philosophy is that no foods are bad—everything has a place when you practice the principles of variety, balance, and moderation. We’re updating our established Spotlight program according to the most recent USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans...

The Prevalence of Food Allergies at SAGE

Creating an Easy Herb Garden

Want the benefits of flavorful, garden-fresh herbs, but don’t have a green thumb and tired of shelling out for pricier options at the store? Here are some tips to get you started. Easy Herbs to Try Basil is universally recommended as the starter herb. It not only has a fantastic scent and flavor, but also wilts visibly if under-watered—and, most importantly, bounces back quickly once you do water it. Ten other starter herbs to try are chives, cilantro, dill, mint...

From Our Kitchen: Shakshuka

This traditional Israeli breakfast is healthy, delicious, and vegetarian. Break from your normal brunch rut and give this savory one-skillet dish a try. It can also be enjoyed with a side salad and a loaf of crusty bread for dinner. Trust us on this one—you won’t regret it. Serves 8 Ingredients: ¼ cup canola oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, diced 1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced 7 garlic cloves, minced 1/3 cup tomato paste 1...

Summer Reading Recommendation: In Defense of Ruth Reichl’s Delicious!

Food-writer-turned-foodie-author Ruth Reichl has whipped up a stellar beach read in her first novel, Delicious! (Random House 2014, 374 pp.). Abounding with self-discovery, new beginnings, and characters who begin to feel like friends after only a few pages, it’s a book best read in a single sitting on a long, sunny midsummer afternoon. A driven college dropout gifted with a supernatural palate but paralyzed by a lack of self-confidence, Billie Breslin is an understated superhero—complete with an elusive alter...

Herbs & Spices: How to Use Those Dust-Collectors

If you’ve ever bought an unusual spice only to have it sit unused in your cabinet for years to come, this article’s for you! SAGE Food Service Directors share their best tips on how to use up any unfamiliar spices collecting dust in your cupboard. Allspice is great in dry rubs for barbecued meats. Anise is excellent for rice pudding or fruit salad. Any desserts including a syrup are great with a little touch of anise. Use apple pie spice...

From Our Kitchen: House-Made Trail Mix