You washed the dishes, the counters, and the floor. How about a fresh start with your food, too?

Research shows that a clean, organized kitchen helps you eat healthier overall. Here are a few tips to get started.

Refrigerator and freezer: Remove all items one section at a time. Wipe down shelves, drawers, and sticky jars with hot, soapy water. Toss foods that are past their prime.

Labels can be confusing about food freshness -- and safety. The University of Minnesota Extension gives these guidelines:

There are broad nutritional benefits to eating a colon-healthy diet –low in saturated and trans fats, high in fiber and in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants: Vitamin E, selenium, magnesium.

Holiday gatherings often center on food. Our favorite treats symbolize connection and celebration. But for families managing food allergies, this heightened emphasis on food is stressful. And when food becomes the symbol of our affection for each other, it’s about more than just the menu.

When new eating habits meet treasured holiday traditions, it’s tough for everyone – from the grandma whose traditional peanut butter blossom cookies are suddenly off the menu to the dad trying to prep his daughter with multiple allergies for a holiday party buffet.

Kids love Halloween – carving pumpkins, bobbing for apples, trick-or-treating.

But for families managing food allergies, Halloween can be more of a trick than a treat.