Wednesday, May 15, 2024
UN International Day of Families
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
April 30, Mr. Potato Head Celebrates his Birthday
with an Important Health Message
with an Important Health Message
Potato Head is a beloved American toy. He has gone through many changes, but over the last few years, he has become involved in physical fitness and healthy eating. In this birthday video, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head discuss cutting back on salt, butter, and sour cream and increasing their physical activity.
with an Important Health Message
History
1995. Mr. Potato Head made his Hollywood debut with a leading role in the Disney/Pixar movie, Toy Story.
1996. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head joined the League of Women Voters and their "Get out the Vote" campaign.
1997 Mr. Potato Head became the "spokesspud" for Burger King’s new French fries campaign.
1999. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head starred in Toy Story 2.
March 24, 2000. Mr. Potato Head is inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame.
February 12, 2002. Mr. Potato Head rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
2002. On his 50th birthday, Mr. Potato Head is awarded his own official AARP card.
2002. The Rhode Island Legislature gave the approval to feature Mr. Potato Head on a state auto license plate in order to raise money for charity.
2005. Mr. Potato Head became the national “spokesspud” for the United States Potato Board.
2010. Mr. Potato Head appeared in Toy Story 3.
2011 Hasbro unveils a new, noticeably thinner Mr. Potato Head at the 2011 International Toy Fair convention in New York City.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
From Garden to Plate: the Journey of Fruits and Vegetables
Remember that all forms count: fresh, frozen, canned, dried, or 100% juice. The next time you go shopping, choose veggies that may be new to you (try sweet potatoes, beets, or collard greens) and fruits too (try papaya, cantaloupe, or kiwi) to make your plate even more fun and exciting!
It’s easy to add fruits and vegetables to the meals that you’re already making:
- Breakfast is the perfect time for fruit. Try topping your cereal or oatmeal with bananas or peaches. Add blueberries to your pancakes. Or add fruit to your fat-free or low-fat yogurt. Blend frozen fruit, 100% juice, and/or yogurt to make a healthy smoothie.
- Lunchtime is a great time for a colorful salad. Add a variety of veggies, like corn, carrots, and spinach. A salad makes a healthy lunch if you don’t use too much dressing. Add a tangerine, banana, or grapes to your bagged lunch.
- At dinner, try meat dishes that include fruits and veggies, like chicken with apricots or kebabs with peppers and pineapple. Or make a meal featuring vegetables, such as veggie pizza or vegetarian chili with lots of vegetables.
Fruits and vegetables make great snacks and desserts:
- Keep cut-up fruits and vegetables like carrots, peppers, and cucumber or orange slices in the refrigerator for a handy snack.
- Dried fruits are tasty and easy to carry.
- Keep a fruit bowl in the refrigerator or on a table or countertop. Your family can grab and go!
- An apple is a perfect quick snack—and there are more than 7,500 varieties of apples to try!
- Fruit smoothies, fruit salad, and frozen 100% juice bars are better than high-fat, sugary desserts.
1. Fruits & Veggies–More Matters®
2. Healthy Family Project
Monday, March 18, 2024
National Agricultre Day
Happy National Agriculture Day!
Ag Day is about recognizing - and celebrating - the contribution of agriculture to our everyday lives. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
*Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
*Appreciate agriculture's role in providing a safe, abundant, affordable product.
National Ag Day Blog
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Tempura Tofu and Spring Vegetables
Tempura batter is traditionally mixed in small batches using chopsticks for only a few seconds, leaving lumps in the mixture that, along with the cold batter temperature, result in a unique fluffy and crisp tempura structure when cooked. The batter is often kept cold by adding ice or by placing the bowl inside a larger bowl with ice in it. Over-mixing the batter will result in the activation of wheat gluten, which causes the flour mixture to become soft and dough-like when fried.
Specially formulated tempura flour is available in worldwide supermarkets. This is generally light (low-gluten) flour and occasionally contains leaveners such as baking powder. Tempura generally does not use breadcrumbs (panko) in the coating.
Thin slices or strips of vegetables or seafood are dipped in the batter, then briefly deep-fried in hot oil. Vegetable oil or canola oil are the most common; however, tempura is traditionally cooked using sesame oil. Many specialty shops still use sesame oil or tea seed oil, and it is thought certain compounds in these oils help to produce light, crispier batter.
12 cups peanut oil
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari
1 ½ teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
1 pound baby carrots with green tops
4 ½ ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
6 ¾ ounces rice flour (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups club soda, chilled
12 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed
Directions
3. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add club soda, stirring until smooth. Using a slotted spoon, dip the tofu in the batter. Place tofu in hot oil, and fry for 1 minute or until golden, turning once. Make sure the oil temperature remains at 375°. Remove tofu, and drain.
4. Return oil temperature to 385°. Using a slotted spoon, dip carrots in batter. Place carrots in oil; fry for 2 minutes or until golden, turning once. Make sure the oil temperature remains at 375°. Remove carrots; drain. Return oil temperature to 385°.
5. Using a slotted spoon, dip peas in batter. Place peas in oil; fry for 1 minute or until golden, turning once. Make sure the oil temperature remains at 375°. Remove peas, and drain. Serve tofu and vegetables with tamari mixture.
2. Cooking Light, Tempura Tofu and Spring Vegetables
Thursday, December 14, 2023
The Edible Christmas Tree
Supplies
Styrofoam Cones, assorted sizes (Can purchase at a craft shop
Toothpicks (Young children should be assisted by an adult)
An assortment of Fruits and Vegetables, such as Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Grapes, Watermelon, Mushroom, Arugula, Broccoli, Kiwi, Mango, Carrots, Tomatoes, Figs, Blueberries, Strawberries, Peppers, Squash, Carambola, Pomegranate Seeds
Protein: Cottage Cheese or Goat Cheese for snow
2. Wash the fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Wash your hands again.
5. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Use the largest fruits and vegetables first.
6. Be creative
7. Top your Christmas tree with Carambola (Starfruit).
8. Sprinkle Goat Cheese over the tree.
9. Serve with low-fat vanilla yogurt.
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The Edible Hanukkah Menorah
Menorah is the Hebrew word for a lamp. Lighting the candles is Hanukkah’s most central ritual. One candle is added on each night of the eight-night holiday until it is ablaze with light on the eighth evening.
Hanukkah menorahs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The eight candles should be the same height and at the same level, but the shammash is often placed higher or set off to the side.
I used the following ingredients (but you can use your favorite fruits and vegetables):
1/2 cucumber
1/2 yellow squash, diced
1/2 zucchini diced
4 red seedless grapes
1/2 cup watermelon, diced
1/4 cup raspberries
1/4 cup blueberries
4 strawberries, chopped
9 golden raisins
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Giving Tuesday
Gifts that Make a Difference
Gifts that Make a Difference
Donate to a Food Bank
A Guide to Practical and/or Healthy Food Staples to your Local Food Bank.
Breakfast Foods to Donate
Whole Grain Cereal
Rolled Oats
Pancake Mix
Baby Cereal
Syrup
Lunch and Dinner Foods to Donate
Tuna Fish
Canned Chicken
Peanut Butter
No-Nut Butter
Jelly
Whole grain pasta
Brown Rice
Canned Beans
Dry Beans
Canned Vegetables (low sodium/no salt)
Canned Fruit (light syrup/in own juices)
Pasta Sauce
Condiments
Dry Goods – Sugar, Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Baking
Soda, Spices
Baby Food
Snack Foods to Donate
Applesauce
Raisins
Dry Fruit
Granola Bars
Whole Grain Crackers
Trail Mix
Nuts
Fresh Foods (Not All Food Banks Offer)
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh Fruit
Yogurt
Milk
Eggs
Bread
Frozen Vegetables
The number one rule to remember is this: if your donation is perishable, i.e., it’s something with a limited shelf life if not refrigerated, food banks won’t accept it. But there are other categories of food that you can’t donate.
Items needing refrigeration: Food like produce, dairy, and meat can spoil quickly, and your local food bank may require the refrigerator or freezer space needed to keep these items fresh. Many food banks work directly with farmers, retailers, restaurants, and other companies to source these perishable foods for donation.
Expired food: When considering what to donate, think about what you’d be comfortable serving your family. Chances are, you don’t eat food past its “use-by” or “sell-by” date, so avoid donating anything past those dates to food banks as it could be unsafe to eat.
Leftovers: While sharing the bountiful food from big meals like Thanksgiving may be tempting, keeping leftovers for the family is best. To ensure the people they serve are safe, food banks can’t accept leftovers or anything made in personal kitchens because they aren’t individually sealed. The food bank can’t verify the ingredients or preparation process.
Just a note: You can ‘clean out your cabinets’ and donate, and some food banks can use the food after it is expired, but think of the Golden Rule. Would you want someone to give YOU their expired food? It’s better than wasting it, but be gracious and loving.
Charity Navigator
Gifts to Support a Cause
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Celebrate National Farm to School Month
• Become an official Farm to School Month partner! Partners commit to using their communications channels to spread the word about Farm to School Month. Suggested messaging and weekly updates will be provided by NFSN. Contact: info@farmtoschool.org
• Volunteer at your local school to support a school garden or classroom educational activity.
To learn more, visit the National Farm to School website.
Monday, June 26, 2023
Potty Training Awareness Month
Preventing Constipation
Causes of Constipation in Children
Toilet Training and Withholding. Your child may ignore the urge to have a bowel movement because of fear of the toilet or they don’t want to take a play break. Some children withhold when they are away from home because they are embarrassed to use a public bathroom. Withholding bowel movements sometimes results in a large painful mass of stool in the rectum called fecal impaction. If it hurts to have a bowel movement, your child may try to avoid a repeat of the uncomfortable situation. If you begin toilet training too early, children may hold in their stools, which can quickly become an involuntary habit that's tough to break.
Dietary Changes. Lack of fruits and vegetables or fluid in your child's diet may cause constipation. For some children, too much milk and not enough water can lead to constipation.
Medication or Disease. Certain antacids, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and various other drugs can contribute to constipation. Changes in your child's appetite or diet due to illness may have the same effect.
Emotional Pressure to use the toilet or to give up diapers.
Symptoms of constipation in children
- *Fewer bowel movements than usual.
- *The child is fidgeting, clenching buttocks muscles, or other unusual dancelike behaviors.
- *Experiencing Abdominal pain and cramping.
- *Painful or difficult bowel movements.
- *Hard, dry, or large stools.
- *Feces in the child’s underwear.
Prevention of constipation in children
*Offer high-fiber foods. Include: Fruits and Vegetables; Beans and Lentils; Bran sprinkled on cereals or yogurt; Whole grain bread and cereal; Dried or soft fruit added to muffins or cereal; Fruit spread
If your child does not like vegetables, serve them hidden in casseroles, pasta, or puree in soups. Ask your child to help out when preparing meals. Children are more willing to eat their food if they play a role in making their own meals.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following amounts of fiber needed per age and gender. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 6th ed. Elk Grove Village (IL): American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009
Age/Gender Fiber (grams)
2 - 3 years 19
4 – 8 years 25
9 – 11 years (female) 26
9 – 11 years (male) 31
- *Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Water is the best choice.
- *Establish regular meal and snack times
- *Promote physical activity. Regular physical activity helps stimulate normal bowel function.
- *Create a toilet schedule. Set aside time after meals for your child to use the toilet.
- *Remind your child to use the bathroom.
- *Ask your doctor if your child is taking any medication that may cause constipation.
Treatment of Constipation in Children
- *Follow the prevention instructions.
- *Consult with the pediatrician or family doctor before using over-the-counter suppositories or laxatives.
- *Contact the doctor if four or five days have passed without a bowel movement, or if constipation is accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever.
- *Consult a dietitian who can help create an appropriate food plan high in fiber.
Resouces
Foods to Boost Your Child’s Fiber, Nourish Interactive (pdf)
American Academy of Pediatrics
This young child describes his
concerns about Potty Training
Potty Time Can Be Fun: Sesame Street
The information presented here does not constitute medical advice for any individual. Specific cases may vary. Dietitians-Online and Weighing-Success recommend readers consult a qualified health professional on an individual basis. All materials are provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
Friday, June 16, 2023
June 17, Eat Your Vegetables Day and
June, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month
From MyPlate.gov
What Foods Are in the Fruit and Vegetable Groups?
for ½ cup are noted.)
In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens is considered as 1 cup from the Vegetable Group. The following link lists specific vegetables and amounts that count as 1 cup of vegetables (or in some cases equivalents for ½ cup are noted).
* Keep fruits and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry and seafood while shopping, preparing, and storing.
Fruits and Vegetables
Healthy Kids PSA: Color of Life
with nutritious, delicious vegetables.
Fruits and Vegetables Song
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