​As the holiday festivities quickly turn into New Year celebrations, be sure to remember those guests at parties who, for one reason or another, forego traditional cocktails and seasonal spirits. Give your friends and family a non-alcoholic beverage option that is fun, exciting, and even nutritious!

Holiday Milk Punch will make everyone merry and bright. Made with chai tea, the subtle boost of caffeine will put some extra pep in their step to keep them going until the midnight ball drop. Folks will feel festive from the seasonal spices, all while benefitting from the 9 essential nutrients found in real milk. I’ll drink to that! 

This Peppermint Milkshake will serve as a delicious treat and a fun activity for the kids. They will have a blast decorating their cups with melted chocolate and peppermint candies before enjoying this creamy, dessert-like drink. Top it off with real whipped cream to make it extra decadent. 

If you are looking for a more traditional holiday drink, try Homemade Eggnog using real milk and cream. With just the right amount of sweetness, your guests will find comfort in this familiar treat. As a time and stress saver for the party host, this beverage could also be enjoyed as an adult libation by adding a choice of brandy, bourbon or rum. Be sure to clearly label each batch! 

When planning your holiday shindig, take stock of your guests and their preferences. There are a variety of fun refreshments for everyone to enjoy, and you might even send your guests home with a new favorite. Cheers!

This month I was invited back to WTVQ to talk about bone health! Take a look at the video to learn how to achieve Bonegevity, or bones that are built to last.

Check out my latest interview on WTVQ, discussing healthy ways to celebrate the Easter holiday.

This year for National Nutrition Month we are promoting a campaign titled "Diet Disasters!"

​Fall is in full swing, and you know what that means: pumpkin everything! This popular flavor is making its way into everything from coffee to candles earlier and earlier each fall season. What is it about this fruit that we love so much? How did it carve its own slice into our Thanksgiving traditions?

It was my pleasure to partner with Foodchain, a local nonprofit organization, to teach a dairy good lesson for Lexington's youth!

Currently, the average food bank recipient receives less than one gallon of milk per year. However, to meet the recommended three servings of milk each day, they need more than 1 gallon per week. Milk is naturally nutrient-rich, containing nine essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality protein per serving and three of the four nutrients missing in the diet of most Americans– calcium, vitamin D and potassium.

Nutrition-related illnesses are more prevalent in food insecure households. One third of households utilizing food banks has a family member living with diabetes and 58% of food bank clients report high blood pressure. Research shows three servings of milk each day can help maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. According to Feeding America, 79% of food insecure households report purchasing cheaper, unhealthy food to provide enough to eat for their families. Milk, yogurt and cheese are affordable sources of high-quality protein. In fact, each serving of milk only costs about a quarter.
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Food banks are beginning to address the dairy deficiency at their facilities, which has led to the launch of a program called Milk2MyPlate. This program is working to bring food banks and milk suppliers together with a common goal to provide a consistent supply of fresh milk to those who need it most. September 7th is National Food Bank Day, and you can show your support by taking the #10GallonChallenge! Donate 10 gallons of milk to a local food bank near you, and together we can help end hunger.

Visit thedairyalliance.com for more information about dairy farming, recipes, and more!