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We are almost to the end of 2022! Soon, it will be time to switch out your calendar and welcome the new year, which means it is the perfect time to evaluate the past year and reflect on any changes you want to make in the coming year. Before you do begin setting your goals, we want to share some tips to help make them more thoughtful, SMART, and right for your needs. Keep reading for guidance on setting goals for the New Year!

With the winter season approaching, our food preferences might start to change. You may begin to crave hearty, comforting meals that warm your body from the inside out. The winter months are packed with holidays, family get-togethers, and events centered around food, which may make it seem impossible to stay on track with your health and fitness goals. In this article, we will go over three important tips and tricks to help you stay healthy during the winter months!

Did you know that mental health and nutrition are connected? At Common Threads, we acknowledge this fact by focusing our work on nutrition AND overall wellness. After reading this article, you’ll understand why taking care of your body supports your mind, and vice versa. We hope you will gain some insight into how to better care for your overall well-being.

For many, family meals are reserved for special occasions such as holidays or reunions. As everyone balances their daily schedules, it can sometimes be difficult to plan consistent meals with your family. However, setting aside time to spend with your family and share a meal together may be more important than one may think and worth adjusting a schedule for.

On Monday, August 8, Common Threads hosted a Community Top Chef cooking competition in Los Angeles. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, this event celebrated the upcoming launch of Common Threads’ High School Career Exploration pilot program, a collaboration with LAUSD, Susan Miller Dorsey High School, and Chef Sonja Mason.

Intuitive Eating! If it’s not a diet, what exactly is it? Intuitive Eating is a mind-body approach to eating created by two dietitians, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. It involves listening to your body and responding to its messages to meet your physical and psychological needs.

This article reviews the discussions of the American Society of Nutrition’s 2022 Conference. The American Society of Nutrition is a mission-based membership driven organization that strives to advance the science, practice and education of nutrition. This conference was very informative and opened up discourse about nutrition misconceptions and myths that impact public health. Let’s dive into some of the hot topics discussed!

Summer is winding down and your child may be getting ready to head back to school. This can be a very stressful time for everyone, especially children. Learn some fun tips and tricks that you can use to help your child prevent and manage their stress so that they can focus and succeed where it matters!

Common Threads is launching a new STEM-focused cooking and nutrition program in partnership with Susan Miller Dorsey High School. This innovative pilot program will cohort 20 high school students from the 9th and 10th grades to participate in chef-led cooking classes. These students will then serve as Small Bites facilitators at 5 nearby elementary schools to lead hands-on nutrition education lessons for 150-200 school students.

This month we celebrate Earth Day, an annual, worldwide campaign to raise awareness for pressing environmental issues like climate change, recycling, deforestation, pollution and more. While technically only one day a year, Earth Day highlights topics that should be kept top of mind while we go on about our everyday lives. In this blog post, we’re challenging you (and ourselves!) to try implementing the following practices, and let us know what they do for your daily routine

In late 2020, one particular partnership started heating up, opening a spicy new world for Common Threads. The First We Feast team approached Common Threads via email in fall 2020, indicating that the organization was very aligned with First We Feast’s goals for cause marketing. The resulting conversations showed that First We Feast is just as passionate and delighted about food and nutrition as Common Threads is.

Happy Black History Month! Historically recognized in February, this month celebrates Black history and heritage of both the past and the present, including educating people on the often forgotten, veiled experiences and figures who shaped various industries. At Common Threads, we recognize and value the cultural roots in which much of our food is rooted in, with many of our recipes stemming from Caribbean, African and Southern cuisines.

One of Common Threads’ program partners, FRESHFARM FoodPrints, offers programming that creates opportunities for students to learn about different food traditions through their five senses and by building connections with their own cultures and history. In this guest blog, the FoodPrints team shares its approach to educating communities about food (something aligned with Common Threads’ mission) and provides some tips for how families can engage children in positive discussions about food.

Although the food supply in the United States is one of the safest, bacteria or pathogens may still contaminate some foods we eat, making us ill with foodborne disease, also known as “food poisoning”. Currently, there are around 48 million cases of foodborne illness each year – the equivalent of sickening 1 in 6 Americans, making it essential to be mindful about food safety while cooking.

The Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods and drinks has been updated to make it easier for you to make informed choices. The Daily Values for many nutrients have been updated based on new nutrition research. So, the % Daily Value, or %DV, may be different on some of your favorite foods and beverages.

Happy New Year! Each year, people all over the world participate in different New Year’s food traditions that are believed to bring them good luck in the coming year. Join us as we dive into some of these traditions!

The holidays are rooted in culture and tradition, similar to our values here at Common Threads. It is also a time to gather with family and friends, to make cherished memories, eat delicious traditional foods, and bring in the new year with the best intentions.

Staff from Common Threads and the Chicago History Museum were recently joined by Mariah Gladstone, founder of Indigikitchen, to host a virtual webinar highlighting indigenous cultures and cuisine in honor of National American Indian Heritage Month.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it is time to give thanks and gather with our loved ones! Food is one of the most important traditions during Thanksgiving, with many families selecting dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and green beans for their meal. Other families incorporate dishes from their family or cultural heritage for this special occasion.

In late October, Common Threads teamed up with local leaders to hold a virtual panel discussion focused on nutrition equity in South Florida. Common Threads Co-Founder and CEO Linda Novick O’Keefe led a discussion with two Miami-Dade County School principals, the CEO of the area’s largest food bank, and three elected officials representing various South Florida communities.

To help meet new and emerging needs of school communities during and after the pandemic, historic levels of federal funding for K-12 schools and districts are available through the American Rescue Plan’s ESSER (Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. These dollars can be used to support schools with re-opening, to enhance COVID-19 safety protocols, and to support broad-ranging student services.

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional holiday first practiced thousand of years ago by indigenous people such as the Aztecs and the Toltecs. They didn’t consider death the end of one’s existence but simply another chapter of life. Rather than grieve for their dead, ancient Mexicans celebrated the lives of the deceased and honored their memories. During Dia de los Muertos, observed October 31 – November 2, they believed that the dead had a brief window to leave the spirit realm and visit their loved ones in the mortal world.

Schools have reopened, but the pandemic has not ended. In the past year, Common Threads offered virtual nutrition education classes to thousands of students across the country. After a program evaluation, the Research & Evaluation team identified how students benefited from participating in these e-lessons.

Fall into healthy habits this season by practicing mindful eating. So what is mindful eating? Mindful eating is not a diet, and there are no rules or menus. Mindful eating refers to applying mindfulness techniques to eating.

September 15th-October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month, and Common Threads wants to acknowledge the impact of Hispanic-Americans on nutrition and education. It is important to note the difference between the terms “Hispanic,” and “Latinx.”

It’s easy to get into a rut when it comes to your weekly meals. One easy way to keep things interesting is by switching up your proteins! Red meat has faced some criticism in the media, but in reality, red meat can be a great addition to a nutritious, balanced diet. Below is some insight on the nutritional benefits and cultural relevance of pork, and some recipe ideas.

Eating breakfast daily is important for everyone, especially kids! Eating in the morning after a night’s sleep will provide energy to the brain since the body has been fasting overnight. Evidence supports that eating breakfast in the morning has positive health outcomes in terms of improved satiety and appetite control, weight management, and the reduced risk of chronic disease.

Picky eating is normal. Yes! It’s normal! It is believed that picky eating, which can get progressively worse from ages 2 to 6, is a normal survival trait that our ancestors benefited from in order to survive. It makes sense. Having fear of trying new foods saved many from being poisoned. Picky eating also occurs because children are exploring their freedom to make their own choices. It is an independence thing.

SoFlo Health, a local weekly health and wellness show produced by WPLG-Local 10 (Miami’s ABC affiliate) shot a few segments with members of Common Threads’ Miami team, including Chef Instructor Mariano Mercado and Chef Instructor Mimi Chacin

After seven years of working in the culinary industry, Vicky AuYeung was seeking to be a part of an organization whose main focus was to bring people together from local communities through food. With that focus, she found a job opportunity at Common Threads as a New York based chef instructor.

Shawanna Kennedy traces her path to teaching culinary arts and nutrition education back to her grandmother’s kitchen. She studied psychology at Southern Illinois University and began working in the mental health field, but found her way to Common Threads after meeting co-founder Chef Art Smith.

Common Threads has developed a complete summer reading list that incorporates books about healthy lifestyle choices, growing a garden, and foods from different cultures! Try reading these books with your child to experience the important life lessons food teaches, from cultural acceptance to self care.

Eating well can be one of the most important things that people can do for their overall health and wellness, yet the unfortunate reality is that so many people don’t have access to or the knowledge on how to create nutritious and delicious meals for themselves and their families. Read more to learn about a collaboration to change one school.

PRESS RELEASE: In advance of the upcoming academic year, the national nonprofit Common Threads is offering a free two-day virtual Wellness Summit for teachers and after-school educators, July 13 and 14.

Common Threads, a national nonprofit organization that provides cooking and nutrition education to children in under-resourced communities with a focus on cultural diversity, today announced the appointment of Anita Lo, a Michelin star chef, to its national board of directors.

Health equity has taken on a new importance since the COVID pandemic struck the world more than a year and a half ago. Chicago, a city with a notable racial life expectancy gap when comparing White and majority minority communities, also faced disproportionate COVID morbidity rates among Black and Latinx populations, as well as some Asian communities.

Summer is typically a two or three month break for students to relax, recuperate, and make memories with friends and family. Children learn to develop social skills, creativity and friends all during the summertime. But for some families and children, the break can be a more stressful time than the school year itself. Many families struggle to keep their children healthy and occupied during the summer break due to a number of factors.

Summer time is upon us and keeping kids energized and hydrated for summer can be a lot of work! Having healthy snacks on hand helps keep kids fueled and satisfies hunger in between meals. Snacks also provide additional nutrients kids need for proper development and growth.

It’s been very difficult for me to watch the recent outpouring of hate in cities across the world in recent weeks, including acts of antisemitism and airstrikes and brutal violence against Gazan civilians and other civilians in occupied Palestinian territories.

Summer is almost here, and with the warmer weather comes a desire for families to take vacations and enjoy new foods. Unfortunately for many families, summer means loss of reliable access to food and challenges with children experiencing the “summer slide” or loss of academic progress made during the school year.

While Common Threads’ food philosophy prioritizes fresh ingredients and simple recipes, we also have the privilege of partnering with companies who are on the vanguard of food science technology. Companies like DouxMatok and Griffith Foods are developing technologies and innovations that will help people maintain a healthy diet while staying excited about the options available.

Like many people across our country, we were relieved to see the guilty verdicts in the trial of Derek Chauvin earlier this week. This was an important step in calling for accountability from members of the law enforcement community and seeking justice for George Floyd and the many other Black men, women and children who have been murdered or harmed in incidents motivated by race …

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes and all you need is a warm and sunny spot, water, and a little love! This month we are going to explore the many different and approachable ways you start growing produce plants at home!

Plant-based or plant-forward meals focus on using ingredients that come from plants and limiting or excluding animal products. Plant-based foods include not only fruits and vegetables, but beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. There are many reasons why people choose plant-based meals: health benefits, sustainability, animal welfare, cost, and of course, taste.

What kind of humans do we want our youngsters to be upon graduation? If you can think about social-emotional learning (SEL) from this perspective, it’s easier to imagine integrating it into our teaching practices and personal lives.

Common Threads will continue to raise awareness for social justice, work toward solutions to inspire change, and create safe spaces for children and families in our community.

This week we will explore sources of fruits and vegetables, nutrition and health benefits, fun ways to incorporate and personalize your plate with fruits and veggies. It’s something we hear all the time, eat your fruits and vegetables! But do you know why they are so important?

Let’s explore sources of whole grains, nutrition and health considerations, and ways to personalize your plate with whole grains. What makes a grain a “whole grain”? All grains are considered whole until they are processed in some way.

Common Threads, a national nonprofit organization that provides cooking and nutrition education to children in under-resourced communities, today announced the appointment of Edwin McDonald IV M.D., assistant professor of medicine and associate clinical director of Adult Clinical Nutrition for University of Chicago Medicine, to its national board of directors.

Making healthy dietary choices can help you feel your best and stay active. It can also help you lower your risk of developing some health conditions. But—even though there seems to be an endless supply of information out there about nutrition—it’s not always easy to know what foods are best for you.

This week we will explore sources of protein, including nutrition and health considerations, cooking methods, and ways to personalize your plate with proteins.

March is Women’s History Month, a time to acknowledge the role of women in history. Women have shaped all industries and especially the culinary, nutrition and health fields. Even a month of celebration falls short of recognizing such immense contributions to the world, but Common Threads wants to commemorate some of the most impactful women in cooking. These inspiring leaders have found their passion in food, and with that, changed the world.

As part of Common Threads’ ongoing diversity, equity & inclusion programming, the organization held a Know & Grow workshop in December focused on how to best engage with people with developmental disabilities. The session was led by Natalia Wong, executive director of the WOW Center in Miami, a nonprofit that serves over 200 adults with developmental disabilities, offering programs such as music therapy, art, and educational studies.

We all love a good home cooked meal and the rich savory flavors from Southern cuisine. In celebration of Black History Month, we are exploring the history of some of the South’s most popular foods. Join us as we give them a healthy twist while honoring their origin and tradition.

To help address unprecedented hunger and food insecurity that families continue to face as a result of COVID-19, Common Threads teamed up with its partners in Austin and Pittsburgh to provide food distribution just in time for the holidays.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits have had to shift their fundraising strategies, knowing they don’t have as many tools in their arsenal as they did about a year ago.

Holidays are a time to come together at the table and celebrate traditions with family and food. While the holiday celebrations may be different this year, food is still the common thread that brings us all to the table, whether it’s in-person or virtually.

Common Threads is a national nonprofit that is providing virtual cooking and nutrition education programming during COVID-19 to help families in under-resourced communities make healthy and affordable food decisions in the grocery store, kitchen, and dinner table.

Thanksgiving in 2020 was a paradox in many ways, but a Common Threads dream team came together to prove that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Common Threads partner The Advisory Committee of Liberty City Youth (TACOLCY) teamed up with Miami-based Holmes Elementary School and Common Threads supporter, Wild Fork Foods, to host a Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway benefiting Liberty City families and community.

Explore our fall menu of recipes, featuring our favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables and incorporating budget friendly pantry staples. These are great options for your Thanksgiving meal or any day and your comfort cravings will be satisfied!

COVID-19 has transformed education, challenging educators to think differently about how to reach students. Throughout the pandemic, teachers have reported varying levels of success with the move to virtual learning.

It’s soup season! Indulge in our favorite fall comfort food with healthy soups, chilis, and stews. Our favorite recipes are “souper” easy to make and with a few tricks and treats can be a “souptacular” dish for a chilly fall day. Follow our easy ABC tips for cooking up a healthy bowl of soup.

Halloween may be different this year, but we can still keep the sweet, healthy, and fun! There’s tons of different ways to celebrate this Halloween is a safe and socially distanced way. Try our easy, kid-friendly, and festive recipes and bring the fun of Halloween to your own kitchen.

By Common Threads | Oct 16, 2020 Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 is the 75th celebration of World Food Day, a global day organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This year, Common Threads is helping families in need by highlighting resources and...

By Common Threads | Oct 14, 2020 Food community lends its voice to promote wellness on Friday, Oct. 16 AUSTIN (Oct. 13, 2020) - COVID-19 has had a profound impact on communities across the country, with one in five American families facing food insecurity, according...

By Common Threads | Oct 8, 2020 By Shana Alford A day in the life of Stella Yi Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, ranges from engaging New York City community residents in research...

By Common Threads | Sept 28, 2020 More than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic as families have coped with health issues, job losses, virtual education and food insecurity, institutions such as government agencies, school districts and nonprofit organizations have...

By Common Threads | Sept 30, 2020 Common Threads interviewed a few parents and educators about their experiences with virtual learning, food acquisition and meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In this interview, Diana Morales from Houston shares her perspective on...

By Common Threads | Sept 16, 2020 By: Lucette Talamas Lucette Talamas, MS, LDN, registered dietitian with Baptist Health South Florida and a Common Threads Miami board member, shares her recipe for healthy homemade flour tortillas. Stuff these delicious South American...

By Common Threads | Sept 16, 2020 September is National Family Meals Month™, an initiative launched by FMI Foundation in 2015 to raise awareness of the lifelong benefits gained when families share meals together. What started as a grassroots initiative five years ago...

By Common Threads | Sept 8, 2020 Beyond providing space for everything ranging from blue sky thinking to brass tacks planning, staff retreats (often referred to as “all hands” meetings) can serve as an opportunity for culture building by bringing the entire team...

By Common Threads | Sept 4, 2020 Partnerships include food distribution initiatives in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh. AUSTIN | April 13, 2020 (Updated Sept. 3, 2020) – To address food insecurity communities are facing in the...

By Common Threads | Aug 28, 2020Earlier this month, Common Threads’ Chicago board and long time Common Threads supporting partner, The Chopping Block, co-hosted a live stream, interactive cooking class in support of Common Threads’ Back to School Campaign. Common...

By Common Threads | Aug 26, 2020 Elizabeth Halle, a member of Common Threads' Miami board loves one of Spain's classic dishes, the Tortilla Española. In this special blog, she shares her experiences of enjoying Tortilla Española during her travels, and now at home...

By Common Threads | Aug 18, 2020 An interview and discussion with Yvonne Wang-Silonga of New York By Letty Salas & Julia ChantAug. 18, 2020 Common Threads recently had the opportunity to sit down with parent Yvonne Wang-Silonga for an interview regarding how her...

By Common Threads | Aug 14, 2020 An interview and discussion with Antoniette DiGregorio, P.S. 88 The Seneca School By Shana AlfordAug. 14, 2020 As schools reopen this fall – often with a continuation of virtual education – Common Threads will be featuring educators...

By Common Threads | Aug 11, 2020 Four Black physicians and public health experts share their perspectives on how communities can achieve health equity, particularly as communities grapple with COVID-19 pandemic To help communities better understand the health...

By Common Threads | Aug 11, 2020 The Common Threads team is made up of dedicated staff who are aligning their personal passions with their professional careers. In this interview, we’re showcasing Vice President of Programs Stephanie Folkens’ journey from volunteer to...

By Common Threads | Aug 12, 2020 By Mimi Chacin Aug. 6, 2020 - The Coronavirus pandemic has affected virtually every aspect of life and society. At a time when nonprofits are among the most needed, they too are among the most impacted. However, the innate steadfast...

By Common Threads | Aug 4, 2020 The Common Threads team is made up of dedicated staff who are aligning their personal passions with their professional careers. In this interview, we’re showcasing Associate Director of Programs James Bell’s journey from volunteer to...

By Common Threads | Jul 24, 2020 Miami Herald opinion article from Co-Founder & CEO Linda Novick O'KeefeThe recent surge of COVID-19 cases, coupled with the looming expiration of federal benefits programs, mean many families are worried about the future.Common Threads...

By Common Threads | Jul 16, 2020 Common Threads has invited individuals from its network to share their perspectives on recent events. In this blog, Chef Bill Kim (chef/owner of urbanbelly and executive chef of Crate and Barrel’s Table at Crate) documents his thoughts...

By Common Threads | Jul 15, 2020 Camp to feature cooking lessons from celebrity chefs plus sessions for physical activity, mindfulness and more To help students and families mitigate the “summer slide,” Common Threads is offering a free, two-week virtual summer camp...

By Common Threads | Jul 7, 2020 Common Threads has invited individuals from its network to share their perspectives on recent events. In this blog, Chef Anita Lo from New York documents her thoughts on COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter movement, and how the restaurant...

By Common Threads | Jul 6, 2020 Cooking & nutrition education nonprofit will use two-year grant to begin sourcing food from urban farms for Chicago programs Chicago | July 6, 2020 – Common Threads, a nonprofit organization that provides hands-on, cooking and...

By Common Threads | Jul 1, 2020 Like families and organizations across the country, Common Threads is rapidly adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic — and we need your help.Many of the communities in which we work will be especially vulnerable to the repercussions of the...

By Common Threads | Jul 16, 2020 Article by: Linda Novick O’Keefe, Co-Founder & CEO, Common Threads With school being out and most of our summer plans on hold because of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents don’t know what to do to keep their...

By Common Threads | Jul 16, 2020 The following activities can help keep learning activities during the summer. Learn more by reading our blog from CEO & Co-Founder Linda Novick O’Keefe on the "summer slide.” TRIPS Many families are taking socially-distanced...

By Common Threads | Jul 9, 2020 Common Threads supports our students, parents, educators, employees and partners in support of the Black Lives Matter movement Article by: Linda Novick O’Keefe, Co-Founder & CEOJune 9, 2020 “Our world is a large quilt and its people...

By Common Threads | May 28, 2020 I’ve reached the part of my quarantine cooking where I’m digging into my childhood for recipes that feel comfortable and familiar, things I don’t let my adult self indulge in with any frequency. I could eat macaroni and cheese, like my...

By Common Threads | May 15, 2020 Common Threads explored the topics of culinary medicine, the Chicago-based Cooking Up Health program, and COVID-19 with expert Melinda Ring MD, FACP, ABOIM. Dr. Ring is the Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine,...

By Common Threads | May 1, 2020 May 1, 2020 - Common Threads is a national nonprofit that provides nutrition education programming in 12 markets. With offices in only five of these markets, many of our 36 administrative staff and all of our chef instructors and...

By Common Threads | Apr 21, 2020 AUSTIN | April 20, 2020 – Common Threads, a national nonprofit organization that provides cooking and nutrition education to children in under-resourced communities, today announced the appointment of two notable members to its...

By Common Threads | Apr 17, 2020 This blog is part of an upcoming series. Please stay tuned and look in your inboxes and on social media for more content. CHICAGO | April 14, 2020 – COVID-19 is now a historic pandemic. Thousands of new cases a day, record unemployment...

By Common Threads | Apr 8, 2020 Article by: Linda Novick O’Keefe, Co-founder & CEO April 7, 2020 - Passover was always my favorite holiday. When I was little, it was because I loved matzah and maror and horseradish, which I ate raw. More than anything, I loved...

By Common Threads | March 3, 2020 CHICAGO | March 2, 2020 – Recently, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois paid a visit to longstanding Common Threads partner, Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary School in Chicago. He spoke to students and faculty about his responsibilities as...