The weather forecast around the country this week is giving people hope that they can finally begin spring planting. "Mark Baden on Friday said it's time to plant, so everybody came in Saturday said 'It's time to plant. Mark Baden said so last night,'" said Karen Matt, co-owner of Plant Land, located in Milwaukee.Lisa Laabs, a Wisconsin resident, and her family joined dozens of others Sunday at Plant Land as they made their way through the garden center, letting their eyes be their guide."I love the tradition of things starting to warm up and us starting to get ready for that summer weather," Laabs said. "They all get their pots at home and they get to pick out their own colors, and we take time to plant them together." With the temperatures starting to climb, many are eager to get fill their gardens, but patience is key.Matt, another shopper, told WISN that not all vegetables can thrive in these current temperatures."A few more weeks for sure would be tomato plants, pepper plants and eggplant. Cucumber, melon, squash that's at the end of the month," Matt said.But there are things you can plant. "Anything in the cold crop Brussels sprouts, broccoli, lettuces, cabbages, kohlrabi, beans peas," Matt said.Matt shared the recipe for a bountiful harvest: good soil, plenty of sunshine, water and some tender loving care. "All of us each have one of our own pots. Then we all plant them, and it looks so beautiful when we put it together," Sarah Laabs said.Matt advises to wait to plant greenhouse vegetables until nighttime temperatures are consistently 55 degrees or warmer.

Shelly Frank, Registered Dietitian: "Planning healthy meals can sometimes be a challenge. We often hear that it is a struggle to provide balanced meals due to food cost or food waste.

Today, we're going to show you some healthy food choices that will help you save money and keep your kitchen stocked.

The "MyPlate" graphic can be used to build a healthy meal. Each section represents a different food group. We will go through each section and highlight cost-saving tips.

In general, buying in bulk, choosing store brands, buying on sale and in season are all good ways to save money.

Meal planning often starts with the protein group, which includes foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs and beans. Beans are budget-friendly and a good way to stretch your food dollar. They make a great addition to soups, stews and casseroles. Canned meats and fish are shelf-stable and can be substituted into most recipes.

For fresh meats, buy on sale or in bulk if your budget allows. Meats are easy to freeze. Or, cook a batch of meat that can be used in several meals for the week.

Eggs and peanut butter are healthy, low-cost proteins that are easy to add to meals or snacks.

Processed or instant grains are often not the healthiest options and tend to cost more. Choose longer-cooking grains like rice and cereal.

We recommend whole grains when choosing bread, rice and pasta for more fiber and nutrition.

Remember to compare prices when shopping. Choosing store brands will often save money.

Half your plate should be produce. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. It will cost less and taste best. Buy the amount you can use before it spoils.

Convenience items like precut fruits and vegetables tend to cost more. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are healthy options available year-round. Choose fruit canned in 100 percent juice and low or no sodium canned vegetables.

In the dairy section, consider buying larger containers. Skip the sugar by choosing plain versus flavored milk. Pick plain yogurt or yogurts lower in sugar.

Planning ahead is key to staying on track with your food choices and budget. For more tips and ideas, please watch our grocery shopping and meal planning videos."

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The funding for these videos was in part provided by Master Han and the Han’s White Tiger Tae Kwon Do Annual Break-A-Thon. Thank you!

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you may not be going to. The grocery store is often these days, so you want tohave food that won't go bad before your next trip. If you're tired of your expensive fresh food spoiling before you get a chance to eat it, stock up on these long lasting fruits and vegetables. Root vegetables can be hardy and filling, MASH says. If produce like onions are stored in a dark, dry place with good air circulation, they can last up to six weeks. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and limes pack of vitamin C punch and their thick skins helped them last a couple of months in the refrigerator. Get your home miss or ranch dressing ready for fresh carrots. Whole fresh carrots tend to last around four or five weeks, while the baby versions won't make it any longer than four. According to Mashed Prevention says pumpkin and winter squash can last between two and six months if kept in a single layer in a cabinet where air concert kya late around them. Even after you've bought long lasting foods, make a schedule of when you're going to eat them, use what's most likely to go bad first and save the more stable foods for later. Still not sure if you're going to eat your veggies before they turn mushy and gross. There's nothing wrong with hitting the frozen food aisle.

Frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as the fresh stuff, so go ahead and add them to your cart

Updated: 6:50 AM EST Jan 8, 2021

We can all agree that as much as we wish we were people who could buy fresh produce and use it all before it goes bad, most of us are not those people. In that case, bags of frozen veggies are the most convenient option at the grocery store. But you may still be wondering if the frozen stuff is as nutritious as the fresh kind, and the answer — for the most part — is yes!The added bonuses of purchasing frozen vegetables are that they're available all year round, even if one particular veggie is not in season. Plus, they're typically cheaper than buying fresh. According to Healthline, veggies are typically frozen right after they're harvested so they retain the majority of their nutrients. Some studies have even shown that certain items like broccoli and kale have higher levels of riboflavin and antioxidants respectively, when frozen versus when fresh. It's important to be aware of exactly what frozen vegetables you're buying, though, because while many of them do not contain added preservatives, some may lose some nutritional value with the addition of salt, sauces, or seasonings that will be noted on the product's packaging. Healthline also suggests that while frozen foods have a longer shelf life, keeping veggies in the freezer after two years could potentially lower their nutritional value. Bottom line, frozen bags of vegetable medleys and mixes are a great option for those who want to eat healthy without the risk of wasting any fresh produce. Win-win!

We can all agree that as much as we wish we were people who could buy fresh produce and use it all before it goes bad, most of us are not those people. In that case, bags of frozen veggies are the most convenient option at the grocery store. But you may still be wondering if the frozen stuff is as nutritious as the fresh kind, and the answer — for the most part — is yes!

The added bonuses of purchasing frozen vegetables are that they're available all year round, even if one particular veggie is not in season. Plus, they're typically cheaper than buying fresh.

According to Healthline, veggies are typically frozen right after they're harvested so they retain the majority of their nutrients. Some studies have even shown that certain items like broccoli and kale have higher levels of riboflavin and antioxidants respectively, when frozen versus when fresh.

It's important to be aware of exactly what frozen vegetables you're buying, though, because while many of them do not contain added preservatives, some may lose some nutritional value with the addition of salt, sauces, or seasonings that will be noted on the product's packaging.

Healthline also suggests that while frozen foods have a longer shelf life, keeping veggies in the freezer after two years could potentially lower their nutritional value.

Bottom line, frozen bags of vegetable medleys and mixes are a great option for those who want to eat healthy without the risk of wasting any fresh produce. Win-win!

Nestled just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio is a little magical slice of foodie heaven. Jungle Jim's International Market is one of those places thats absolutely worth the detour to visit. It's nearly impossible to describe the absolutely massive scale of this place. At over 500,000 square feet and with a food selection representing more than 70 countries, Jungle Jims is a literal foodie haven.

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