National Farmers Market Week

We visited a local market in Tamarac, Florida, to celebrate National Farmers' Market Week. The group is known as the Community Farmers Markets of South Florida. 

"As a food photographer, my visual senses came alive; as an explorer of foods, the smells and flavors were enticing; and as a dietitian, my mind raced with the food combinations, satisfying the senses and nutritional needs." Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LN, FAND

Farmer's markets are worldwide and reflect an area's culture and economy. They often feature locally grown produce, meats raised humanely, handmade farmstead cheeses, eggs and poultry from free-range fowl, and heirloom produce.

"Farmers grow the food, talk about how they grew the food, and learn from the shoppers who, in turn, prepare the food for family dinners. The farmers market is where food is both fuel and culture, and thus where we grow healthy communities." - Richard McCarthy, founding President of the Farmers Market Coalition and Executive Director.

The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers' markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities. 

Twelve Reasons to Visit a Farmers' Market

 Alice Henneman, RD

Food Safety and the Farmers Market

With the number of farmer's markets increasing throughout the country, food safety inspectors are working harder to ensure consumers get safe products when they shop.

Abbey Harding is a food safety inspector for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Part of her job is to inspect farmer's markets, like the one in Grand Rapids, to ensure vendors comply with current regulations.

An inspector looks at the labeling. Vendors need to specify where their products are grown. Typically, packaged goods vendors must list weights, ingredients, and whether the product requires refrigeration.

"If it's coming from a licensed source, we'd check with license control," Abbey Harding said. Michigan vendors need to be licensed, and if they process food, they may be subjected to inspection at their facility.

Resources.

USDA, Farmers Markets

Community Farmers Markets of South Florida. Current Farmers Markets are located at the following places:

• Plantation Farmers Market, a year-round adventure, every Saturday from 8-2, in Volunteer Park on Sunrise Blvd, between NW 188th Ave and Flamingo Road.
• Tamarac Farmers Marke is also a year-round market, held every Sunday from 9 to 2 on the NW corner of Southgate and University.
• Boynton Beach Farmers Market, year-round every Saturday from 9-2, on the SE corner of Boynton Beach Blvd and Federal Highway.
• Margate Farmers Market is a seasonal market open from November to April.

National CBD Day What is Jannabis Wellness?

Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RDN, FAND is a Holistic Cannabis Practitioner, Culinary Nutritionist, Cookbook Author, and Speaker.

Prior to her journey as a Holistic Cannabis Practitioner, I followed Janice's work in the field of dietetics and nutrition. She is well known and respected in our profession and her cookbooks and meal planning strategies are very popular. I am a fan of Janice and when she decided to expand her practice to include Jannabis Wellness products - it caught my attention.

I read about her father's relief from pain after using medical marijuana, and I knew I wanted to know more. I have a son who is a quadriplegic with Spastic Cerebral Palsy and suffers pain constantly. Could this be an answer?

I read Janice's extensive References and Resources, and an article in the April 2019 Issue of Today’s Dietitian, Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RDN, describes Cannabis Use for Treating Disease. I decided to contact Janice and ordered PCR Hemp Oil Salve to massage my son's hamstrings.

My son was a bit hesitant about trying the salve, even though I told him it would not make him high. He decided to try it. With continued massage, Jake's hamstrings loosened up. It was not permanent but provided temporary relief.

Janice’s mission is to help others suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, autoimmune disorders, IBD/IBS, and other debilitating conditions. She completed training at the Holistic Cannabis Academy and now advises clients on access, proper cannabinoid ratios, dosing, best consumption methods, and cooking with cannabis in her consulting business, Jannabis Wellness.

Jannabis Wellness products are derived from medicinal hemp (legal nationwide according to the 2018 Federal Farm Bill). View list of products.

I found the literature and research compelling, and recommend the following readings:
1. References and Resources, Jannabis Wellness
2. Cannabis Use for Treating Disease, Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RDN, April 2019 Today’s Dietitian

August, National Sandwich Month - Use Your Creativity

August is National Sandwich Month. The sandwich was named after John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. During the 1700s, it is said John Montagu created the sandwich because he wanted to eat his meal with one hand.

Resource: Build a Better Sandwich, @Healthyfamprj

 

Greatest Movie Sandwiches

National Root Beer Float Day

A root beer float, also known as a "black cow" is traditionally made with vanilla ice cream and root beer.

From the traditional root beer float to an ice cream treat made with vanilla ice cream and frozen root beer soda, National Root Beer Float Day was a big hit in our home.

We chose a diet root beer soda to avoid excess sugar and limit the calories. The amount of diet root beer is not limited because it has "zero" calories.

Beverage. Make sure you carefully combine the soda and ice cream. The reaction causes bubbles to form and a rapid rise in foam, which is part of the fun and can get messy.  Use 1/4 cup light vanilla ice cream. Add a straw and a spoon and enjoy.

Ices.  Add 1/4 cup light vanilla ice cream to a 4-ounce cup. Slowly pour diet root beer soda on top. Add an ice pop stick (optional). Leave in the freezer overnight.  Serve as an ice pop or with a spoon.

Ice Cubes. Freeze root beer soda in an ice cube tray. Leave in the freezer overnight. Add ice cubes to water, milk, or explore the possibilities.

August 3, National Grab Some Nuts Day

Nuts once considered a high fat, high-calorie food is now being recognized as a Nutritious Snack with essential fatty acids, omega fats, protein, and many vitamins and minerals.

August 3, National Watermelon Day - Food Safety, Nutrition, and Recipes

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) is a non-profit organization formed in 1989 by watermelon growers and shippers. Their goal is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research, and educational programs. The NWPB has developed marketing programs to boost watermelon sales in supermarkets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their site contains recipes, nutrition facts, fun games for children, lessons for educators, and information for health professionals and the media.

Watermelon and Food Safety
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cutting watermelons.

2. Wash the outer surface of the melon with clean running water and dry to remove any dirt. If you purchase a pre-cut piece of watermelon, you should rinse the rind portion in fresh water and dry it.

3. Wash cutting boards, countertops, scoops, knives, and other equipment or utensils with hot water and soap to avoid cross-contamination.

4. If you refrigerate the watermelon after purchasing, be sure to keep the watermelon cool.

5. Always refrigerate watermelon once you have cut into it. Place in a covered container or cover the cut surface with plastic wrap to prevent the melon from becoming mushy.

Nutrition Facts about Watermelon

Watermelon is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, contains no Trans Fatty Acid, no Cholesterol, very low in sodium, and has only 46 calories in One Cup. Watermelon contains lycopene, an antioxidant which may reduce the risk of cancer.

Watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. It is a great way to get additional fluids.

Creating Snacks or a 
Light Meal using Watermelon

Watermelon Circles with Feta Cheese and Lentil Salad

Fun with Fruit

Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad

Selecting a Watermelon

How to Grow Watermelons

Carving Watermelon 

American Family Day The Family Meal Time

Family mealtime is an ageless tradition shared by people all around the world. Eating dinner together keeps the doors of communication open. It's a perfect time to show your children they are your priority. Studies have shown children who eat dinner with their families are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs and more likely to develop good eating habits.
 

Family Dinner

Segment from World Report, April 2009

A recent family study conducted by Brigham Young University, quizzed more than 1500 IBM employees. The results show that families who spend time eating dinner together will encounter less conflict between family and work.

The BYU study appeared in issues of Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report and Slate magazine. Dr. Jacob expressed the hope for society to value dinner time, and not allow things to interrupt it.

In fact, a multi-national study cited by the marriage and family therapy program at the University of Minnesota and its director, reports family meal time has a more positive influence on emotional and intellectual development in children and teens than sports or additional time in school.

Nutritious Meals for Families on a Budget