From cooking for one to reusing leftovers, University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educators will be covering health eating and wellness topics during webinars. (Photo provided by University of Illinois Extension)

Staying healthy can be a challenge, especially as more of our time is spent at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the next two months, learn healthful strategies for enriching your wellness journey that can change your life.

Free online webinars offered by University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educators begin at 1 p.m. (Central) each Wednesday, beginning April 8 and running through May 20. Register online at go.illinois.edu/HealthAtHome.

• April 8 | Food Rescue at Home: Reducing Food Waste and Reusing Leftovers
  Reducing food waste is a shared responsibility and we can all play a part in reaching the national food waste reduction goal – to reduce food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030. Learn what you can do to reduce food waste at home, save money, and protect the environment.
• April 15 | Emotional Eating:Understanding How Stress Impacts Hunger and Appetite
  Have you ever found yourself searching for something to eat when you are not truly hungry? We eat for a number of reasons; maybe we’re looking for comfort, feeling stressed and overwhelmed with life, or simply bored. Increase your awareness of how emotions and stress affects eating habits, increase your ability to identify emotional triggers leading to emotional eating, and learn helpful practices to reach your wellness goals.
• April 22 | The Science Behind Popular Eating Trends
  What is all the hype around Keto? What about Whole 30, Paleo or Intermittent Fasting? Join us to explore these eating styles and learn the pros and cons of current diet trends. Plus, explore the eating plans which are evidence-based such as Mediterranean, DASH, and the USDA MyPlate.
• April 29 | Every Step Counts:Getting the Most Out of Activity Trackers
  Every step counts. Activity trackers give you an accurate count for steps, heart rate, and sleep. They are also fun; they get you off the couch and moving. One could say they are a wearable piece of accountability. Learn about different types of activity trackers, take a talk test, and set goals for yourself. Get tips to get the most out of your activity tracker.
• May 6 | Take Your Kitchen Appliances Out for a Spin
  Are your counters full of appliances? Did you get an electric pressure cooker as a gift and not sure what to do with it? Do not let it sit on your counter collecting dust. Join in to learn how to use slow cookers, spiralizers, heavy-duty blenders, air fryers, and the newest type of electric pressure cookers. We will share tips and tricks, recipes and food safety information, all to make your life easier and your meal plans varied!
• May 13 | Diabetes:Practicing Self-care During Difficult Times
  Managing stress during difficult times is challenging for everyone; however, if you or a loved one has diabetes, it is even more important to be intentional about managing stress. Making healthy food choices, getting adequate physical activity, and understanding how stress affects diabetes are all steps you can take to get through those difficult times.
• May 20 | Cooking For One
  Set the table and light a candle for yourself. Single-person households are on the rise and forecast to grow over the next 15 years. The fastest growth in single-person households are citizens between 35 and 55 years of age. Cooking for one can be creative and rewarding with or without leftovers. Indulge, choose what you like to cook, and get the good smells going in your kitchen! Join us and learn some new ways to plan, shop, prepare, and enjoy meals on the smaller side. Liven up your menus.

Access the online registration at go.illinois.edu/HealthAtHome. For more information on University of Illinois Extension, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/