Food Allergy Awareness Week

Food Allergy Awareness Week.  The 9 foods identified by the law are: Milk; Eggs; Fish; Crustacean shellfish; Tree nuts; Peanuts; Wheat; Soybeans; Sesame 

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) was founded in 1991 and is the world’s largest nonprofit organization that provides information about food allergies to the media, schools, health professionals, the food industry, pharmaceutical companies, government officials, and the food-allergic community.

FAAN’s mission is to raise public awareness, provide advocacy and education, and advance research for all those affected by food allergy and anaphylaxis.

Respect Every Bite

Food Allergy Bullying: It's Not a Joke

In 1997, FAAN created Food Allergy Awareness Week to educate others about food allergies, a potentially life-threatening medical condition.

FAAN’s annual programs include Food Allergy Awareness Week, Food Allergy Conferences, Mariel C. Furlong Awards for Making a Difference, Food Allergy News for Kids Poster Contest, Teen Summit, Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergy, Walk for Food Allergy, Kids’ Congress on Capitol Hill.

For further information on FAAN, visit:

Websites: http://www.foodallergy.org/
Twitter: @FoodAllergy

YouTube Channel: FAANPAL

Contact Information:

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network

(800) 929-4040 

http://www.foodallergy.org/

National High Blood Pressure Education Month and World Hypertension Day

The World Hypertension League (WHL) is a division of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Every year, 17 May is dedicated to World Hypertension Day (WHD). World Hypertension Day was established to highlight preventable stroke, heart, and kidney diseases caused by high blood pressure and to communicate to the public information on prevention, detection, and treatment.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body.


Know Your Blood Pressure Number
The first number, systolic blood pressure, measures the maximum pressure exerted as the heart contracts. A measurement over 90 and under 140 is generally considered normal for an adult.

The lower number indicates diastolic pressure is a measurement taken between beats when the heart is at rest. A measurement over 60 and under 90 is generally considered normal for an adult.

High Blood Pressure is a Global Epidemic. Over 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure (or hypertension).

Lower Your Sodium

Prevention and Control of High Blood Pressure

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

2. Eat More Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

3. Cut Back on Salt Intake
4. Exercise
5. Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly
6. If you are on medication, take the medication as prescribed.

Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). National High Blood Pressure Education Program

The World Hypertension League (WHL).  The World Hypertension League's (WHL) objectives are to promote the detection, control, and prevention of arterial hypertension in populations.

National Employee Health and Fitness Month

Employees’ Health And Fitness Programs

Workplace Wellness Programs enhance the
overall health and productivity of your organization.

Benefits For Employers

Increase employee productivity

Improve health care costs

Less illness and injuries

Reduce employee absenteeism

Benefits For Employees

Less stress

Improve physical fitness

Better eating habits or weight control

Increase physical and mental health 

Global Employee Health and Fitness Month™ is Administered annually by the National Association for Health and Fitness. NEHF is a national health observance created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their worksite health promotion activities. Founded in 1989, National Employee Health and Fitness Month has enlisted tens of thousands of participants from employers around the world.

For More Information on how to Improve Employee Health and Fitness visit the following links:
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month

National Employee Health and Fitness Day Campaign

NCPAD The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability

UN International Day of Families

Food brings us together; family keeps us together.

National Family Month is celebrated every year from
Mother's Day through Father's Day.

May 15th is the United Nations International Day of Families. 

2024 Theme: Families and Climate Control

Climate change adversely affects families' health and well-being by increasing pollution levels. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods, exacerbated by climate change, often lead to forced displacement and loss of livelihoods. These events negatively impact agricultural productivity and access to water, intensifying hunger and vulnerability. Additionally, they cause economic disruptions in industries sensitive to climate impacts, such as agriculture and fisheries.

Without significant action, adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change will become increasingly difficult and costly.

Empowering families through education, changing consumption habits, and advocacy is essential for meaningful and effective climate action. Families pass values across generations, so instilling sustainable habits and climate awareness early on is crucial. Integrating circular economy principles into early childhood education can help build a sustainable economic model based on minimizing waste and regenerating natural resources. Families, as consumers and advocates, can drive the transition to a circular economy.

The 2024 International Day of Families aims to raise awareness of how climate change impacts families and the role families can play in climate action. Through family and community initiatives, we can foster climate action with education, access to information, training, and community participation.

International Day of Families, 

The Family Meal, a Tradition Celebrated Worldwide

National Women’s Checkup Day, a part of National Women's Health Week

National Women’s Health Week is organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH). The goal is to empower women to make their health a top priority. 

There are some women who are so busy caring for their families and others, neglect to care for themselves. During National Women’s Health Week remind your wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and/or girlfriend to take steps to improve their health and prevent disease.

The annual National Women’s Health Week kicks off on Mother’s Day, Dedicate this day to visit or make an appointment with your healthcare professional. Schedule a check-up. Prevention and early detection are crucial to one’s health. To learn more about National Women's Health Week visit the following links:

National Women's Health Week 

National Women's Checkup Day

Why is it important for women to participate in National Women's Checkup Day?

It is important for women to get regular checkups because screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap tests, can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often than others. Screenings and routine care can help women lower their risks of many health conditions, including heart disease.

How can women participate in this important event?
Women can participate in National Women’s Checkup Day by:
Contacting their current health care professional to schedule a checkup and get important screenings on National Women’s Checkup Day.

Discussing with their health care professionals which screenings and tests are right for them when they should have them, and how often.

For information about participating in National Women’s Checkup Day and other National Women’s Health Week activities, visit the National Women’s Health Week website at https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw/ 

Women's Health Month

The information provided here is from the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC). 

National Fruit Cocktail Day - Variety and Nutrition

National Fruit Cocktail Day

Definitions.
1. A mixture of sliced or diced fruits.
2. A mixture of chopped fruit served as an appetizer, often chilled; tends to be less sweet than a fruit salad.
3. A mixture of fresh or preserved fruits cut into pieces and served as an appetizer or dessert; also called a fruit cup.
4. Canned fruit cocktail and canned fruit salad are similar, but fruit salad contains larger fruit while fruit cocktail is diced.

Canned Fruit Cocktail can be purchased in the following packing mediums:
Extra heavy
Heavy
Light
Fruit Juice and Water
Fruit Juice
Artificially Sweetened

The USDA product sheets1 state canned "Fruit cocktail" must contain pears, grapes, cherries, peaches, and pineapples, otherwise it cannot be called fruit cocktail. It should contain fruits in not less nor more than the following percentages:
30% to 50% diced peaches, any yellow variety
25% to 45% diced pears, any variety
6% to 16% diced pineapple, any variety
6% to 20% whole grapes, any seedless variety
2% to 6% cherry halves, any light sweet or artificial red variety

A simple fruit salad or fruit kabob makes a healthy dish and easy to prepare.

Kick off Mother’s Day with a Festive Brunch

Kick off Mother's Day with a Festive Feast

Healthy and Caring Mother's Day Gifts 

Mothers are special. You can create a gift she will cherish forever without spending a lot of money or very little. Some of my favorite gifts have been handmade.

Gift Ideas for Mom with Zero Calories

Photos or Homemade Cards

Nutrition Consult with a Registered Dietitian

Perfume

Spa Day or Massage

Online Video

Flowers and/or Balloons
Handprints

Gift Baskets

Makeover
Vouchers for:
  1. Go food shopping for a month.  
  2. Wash mom's car. 
  3. Clean the kitchen for a week.
  4. Treat mom to a movie.

Favorite Mother's Day Videos

Anne Geddes pictures to 
Celine Dions song 'A mothers Prayer'

I Love You Mommy


The History of Mother's Day

Mother's Day Recipes

1. Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes That Are Sure to Impress. FoodNetwork, 
2.  Mom’s Favorite Mother’s Day Recipes. Half-baked Harvest.

Stamp Out Hunger with the National Association of Letter Carriers

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the National Association of Letter Carriers will do its part to Stamp Out Hunger across America. Now in its 32nd year, the Stamp Out Hunger effort is the nation's largest single-day food drive collecting more than one billion pounds of food since its inception in 1993. In 2012, Americans donated more than 70 million pounds of food, which marked the ninth consecutive year at least 70 million pounds were collected. 


The Stamp Out Hunger food drive provides food to local food banks and pantries that rely on donations. With more than 50 million Americans living at risk of hunger, food banks nationwide continue to experience record demand for emergency food assistance.

Donate items, such as canned meats, fish, soup, bottled juice, vegetables, pasta, cereal, and rice that do not require refrigeration. Please do not include expired items or glass containers.

Stamp Out Hunger 




Help out

Place non-perishable food products in a bag and leave
them on your mailbox. Your Letter Carrier will deliver
the food to local food banks.

To find out how you can help, go to

Stamp out Hunger Food Drive

A Shrimp-filled Journey from around the World

Global Shrimp Delights: A Culinary Journey. Join us on a shrimp-filled journey worldwide, from prawn curry (India) to Paella (Spain).

ShrimpTacos with Green Apple Salsa, Cooking Light  

Resources

1. LouisianaShrimp Association

2. Food Network, Healthy Shrimp Recipes
3. TasteAtlas, Shrimp, and Pawn Dishes Around the World. 

May 6, International No Diet Day - A Celebration of Body Acceptance and Body Shape Diversity

International No Diet Day (INDD) is annually observed on May 6th. It is a celebration of body acceptance and body shape diversity. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of diets. A blue ribbon is used to symbolized INDD cause.

The INDD was created in 1992 by Mary Evans Young, a British woman who decided to fight the diet industry in order to raise awareness of the dangers of dieting, anorexia nervosa, and other eating disorders.

The Goals of the INDD:
1. Doubt the idea of one "right" body shape.
2. Raise awareness of weight discrimination, size bias, and fatphobia.
3. Declare a free day from diets and obsessions to body weight.
4. Present the facts about the diet industry, emphasizing the inefficacy of commercial diets.
5. Show how diets perpetuate violence against women.
6. Honor the Victims of eating disorders and weight-loss surgeries.

Resources:
International No Diet Day. Wikipedia 

May 4, National Orange Juice Day - Nutrition, Health, Recipes and History

The Benefits of Orange Juice

Orange juice is rich in Vitamin C. It helps maintain healthy teeth and gums; improves circulation; enhances iron absorption and helps resist infections. Orange juice contains Hesperidin, a bioflavonoid that may lower the risk of heart disease.

Bottled Sunshine...A Juicy Story (1968)

Part of the story of Florida citrus cultivation, processing and manufacturing. Produced by Hack Swain Productions; sponsored by Tropicana Products.

 

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

Scurvy Awareness. A Story About Ollie the Orange

 May 2nd is Scurvy Awareness Day. Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C and is still prevalent in certain populations around the world.

Symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, and swollen gums. Thankfully, scurvy is easy to prevent by incorporating foods rich in vitamin C into your diet, such as citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, peppers, and broccoli. Let's spread awareness about the importance of getting enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy! #ScurvyAwareness #VitaminC #HealthyDiet

Ollie, the Orange Fights Scurvy

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived an orange named Ollie. Ollie was a sweet, juicy, and plump orange who lived in a sunny orchard with his friends. He loved nothing more than basking in the sun and growing big and strong.

One day, while enjoying a sunny day in the orchard, Ollie overheard a group of fruits talking about a scary disease called scurvy. They said that scurvy happened when someone did not eat enough vitamin C and that it could cause a person to become very sick.

Ollie was a curious orange, and he wanted to learn more about this scary disease. So, he decided to ask the wise lemon who lived in the orchard.

The wise lemon told Ollie that vitamin C was very important for keeping our bodies healthy and strong. She said that fruits and vegetables were the best sources of vitamin C and that people who did not get enough of this vitamin could get sick with scurvy.

Ollie was very worried about the people who might get sick with scurvy. He knew he had to do something to help. So, Ollie gathered all of his vitamin C-rich friends, and they decided to team up and spread the word about the importance of eating foods rich in vitamin C.

Together, the fruits and vegetables made posters and held a rally in the town square. They sang songs and handed out oranges to everyone they met. They even talked to the news, who promised to spread the word about vitamin C and scurvy to all the people in the world.

Thanks to Ollie and his vitamin C-rich friends, the people of their community learned about the importance of eating foods rich in vitamin C, like the ones on their signs. They started to eat more fruits and vegetables, and scurvy became a thing of the past. And Ollie the Orange became a hero in the land, known for his bravery, kindness, and juicy goodness.

Ollie is Our Hero

Herb Day

Herb Day

Instead of salt, use herbs, spices, lemon juice, and/or vinegar to enhance the taste of your food. The health benefits are life-long.

Enhance the Flavor of Foods with Herbs

Wikipedia has provided an extensive list of culinary herbs and spices. The list does not contain salt (which is a mineral) or plants used primarily as herbal teas or medicinal herbs. Explore the different flavors and cultures.

Tips for Selecting and Storing Herbs and Spices

Spice it Up with
Susan Bowerman, MS, RD, CSSD

National Raisin Day

Raisins are dried grapes. They are fat and cholesterol free; gluten free; naturally low in sodium; a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.

Raisins contain the phytochemicals, resveratrol and anthocyanin. Studies suggest resveratrol may provide protection against certain cancers, coronary heart disease, and infections. Anthocyanins may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke; reverse the short-term memory loss associated with aging; reduce the risk of several types of cancer; help control high blood pressure; and help boost the immune system.

Serving Ideas. 
Eat them plain as a snack or add raisins to

·   Breakfast cereal

·   Yogurt or Ice Cream

·   Baked goods

·   Stuffing, Rice, Pasta

·   Salads

·   Trail Mix

Raisins and Sulfites

Commercially grown dried raisins are often treated with sulfur dioxide during processing in order to extend their shelf life. The sulfites used may cause adverse reactions in people who suffer from asthma.

Federal regulations prohibit the use of sulfites in foods classified as "organic."

Warning.
Raisins can cause renal failure in dogs. The cause is unknown.

1986 - The California Raisins

Growing and Harvesting Raisins

Resource   

Fruits and Veggies More Matters: Raisins