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

April 30, Mr. Potato Head Celebrates his Birthday 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.

Mr. Potato Head Celebrates his Birthday
with an Important Health Message

History

Mr. Potato Head was invented by George Lerner in 1949 and first manufactured and distributed by Hasbro in 1952. Mr. Potato Head made his debut on April 30, 1952, as the first toy advertised directly to children on television. Before this, all toy advertising was directed to parents. This commercial revolutionized marketing. Over one million kits were sold in the first year.

In 1952, the original Mr. Potato Head kit provided separate plastic parts to be stuck into a real potato or other vegetables. By 1964, due to government regulations, Hasbro was forced to include a plastic potato "body" in its kits. This change was due to choking hazards and sharp pieces.

          Special Appearances
                 and Awards

1987. Mr. Potato Head gives up his pipe to Surgeon General C. Everett Koop in Washington, D.C. and became the "Spokesspud" for the American Cancer Society's annual "Great American Smokeout" campaign. 

May 1, 1992. Mr. Potato Head turns 40 years old and receives the President's Council for Physical Fitness award at the third annual Great American Workout.

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.

Vintage Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head Commercial

 

Toy Story 2 Bloopers with

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

Resources.

Hasbro, Inc. is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of toys, games and other family entertainment. Hasbro is the manufacturer of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Hasbro has a long tradition of supporting children worldwide through a variety of philanthropic programs.  Their mission is to assist children in triumphing over their life obstacles and to bring the joy of play into their lives.  Visit Hasbro Community Relations to learn about the many programs Hasbro supports.

From Garden to Plate: the Journey of Fruits and Vegetables

Keep healthy eating simple by filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables at mealtime. Eat fruits and vegetables when you want to have a snack. The more colorful you make your plate, the more likely you are to get the vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs to be healthy.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. Keep cut-up fruits and vegetables like carrots, peppers, and cucumber or orange slices in the refrigerator for a handy snack.
2. Dried fruits are tasty and easy to carry.
3. Keep a fruit bowl in the refrigerator or on a table or countertop. Your family can grab and go!
4. An apple is a perfect quick snack—and there are more than 7,500 varieties of apples to try!
5. Fruit smoothies, fruit salad, and frozen 100% juice bars are better than high-fat, sugary desserts.

Resources
1. Fruits & Veggies–More Matters® 
2. Healthy Family Project

National Agricultre Day

National Ag Day

Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies, and countless others across America join together to recognize agriculture's contributions. The Agriculture Council of America hosts the campaign on a national level.

Thank you to all our farmers.
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.

*Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
*Appreciate agriculture's role in providing a safe, abundant, affordable product.

Do you know where the food on your plate comes from?

Each American farmer feeds more than 144 people, dramatically increasing from 25 in the 1960s. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.

Resources:
National Ag Day Blog

The Edible Hanukkah Menorah

The Hanukkiah, also known as the Hanukkah “menorah,” is a candelabra designated specifically for the Hanukkah candles. The Hanukkah lamp contains room for nine candles — one for each night, plus the shammash or helper candle.

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.

Fruit and Vegetable Menorah

A fun project and a healthy snack for all. 
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 cantaloupe, cubed
1/4 cup blueberries
4 strawberries, chopped
9 golden raisins

Giving Tuesday Gifts that Make a Difference

You can purchase gifts to support causes, educate and foster awareness, and show you care about a loved one's health. These gifts make a difference in a person's life. The gifts listed below are just samples of what is available. Please check the websites to view the entire catalog.

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

What not to donate to a food bank

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.

Food with packaging concerns: This includes food with damaged packaging, such as dented or bloated cans, packaging that is already open, or even items in glass containers, which can shatter and cause food safety concerns for any other food they’re stored near. A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't consider buying it new, don't donate it.

Baked goods: Like leftovers, food banks can’t confirm how your baked goods were made or their ingredients, so they can’t be donated. However, food banks often have relationships with local restaurants or bakeries that donate extra food appropriately labeled and handled to nearby pantries, soup kitchens, or shelters.

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.

Finding a Charity, You Can Trust
Charity Navigator

Shop UNICEF

American Cancer Society

Feeding America

The Humane Society of the United States Shops

National Nutrition Month Catalog

and more...

Gifts to Support a Cause

 Shop UNICEF

UNICEF Cards and Gifts

American Cancer Society Store

Feeding America

The Humane Society of the United States Shops

The Humane Society is the nation's largest animal protection organization. They work to reduce suffering and improve the lives of all animals by advocating for better laws, investigating animal cruelty, encouraging corporations to adopt animal-friendly policies, conducting disaster relief and animal rescue, and providing direct care for thousands of animals at our sanctuaries, emergency shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics.

Gifts to Educate and Foster Awareness

Books by Dietitians
 Dietitians-Online Books by RDNs 

National Nutrition Month®  at the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

 Check out the National Nutrition Month® catalog for exciting products featuring the Eat Right Campaign.

 Perfect for colleagues and clients alike!

Celebrate National Farm to School Month

The National Farm to School Network advocated for the creation of National Farm to School Month and now organizes the annual celebration in October. National Farm to School Month was designated by Congress in 2010 to demonstrate the growing importance of farm-to-school programs as a means to improve child nutrition, support local economies and educate children about the origins of food.

The National Farm to School Network has also developed resources and activities to promote Farm to School Month in schools, communities and media outlets. All of these tools are available on farmtoschool.org.

      

Here are some ways you can help us get the word out about Farm to School Month:

   • #F2SMonth - Use this hashtag in your social

Media Messages

   •@FarmtoSchool - follow on Twitter

   • Follow on Facebook

Learn more about the movement throughout October. They will be sharing stories and information on their blog about how farm to school is empowering children and their families to make informed food choices and contributing to their communities. 

The resource database is home to even more information and includes searchable tags for Farm to School Month as well as topics like farm to preschool, school gardens and procurement.

Celebrate National Farm to School Month

Many farm to school programs begin with a small activity generating interest and engages the whole community.

Organizations and Businesses
• 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

   • Show your support for Farm to School Month by becoming an official sponsor! Contact: info@farmtoschool.org

Teachers

   • Plan nutrition education activities, such as Harvest of the Month, featuring a local food product that is in season.

   • Connect instructional school gardens and garden based learning activities to the curriculum.

   • Organize farm tours or trips to the local farmers’ market.

   • Send information about Farm to School Month to parents.

School food service professionals

   • Promote Farm to School Month on the school menu and in the cafeteria. Find logos, posters and more at farmtoschool.org

   • Do a taste test of local products or feature one item for lunch, breakfast or snacks.

   • Create a farm-to-school salad bar using local products.

Farmers

   • Connect with your local school and offer to conduct a classroom session during October or offer to host a visit to your farm.

   • Promote Farm to School Month on your farm or at your farmers’ market booth with posters and other materials, which can be downloaded or ordered from farmtoschool.org.

Families

   • Visit your local farmers’ market. Buy something you’ve never tried before, cook it and share with your family and friends.

   • Cook with seasonal products as much as possible. Find out what products are grown in your region and when. Most State Departments of Agriculture or Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters can provide you with a regional crop calendar.
   • Volunteer at your local school to support a school garden or classroom educational activity.

Resource:
To learn more, visit the National Farm to School website.

July, National Ice Cream Month Join Our Ice Cream Social

It’s fun, cold, delicious, comes in many flavors. Which one to choose? What meets your taste? Test the Brands, Read the portion size, check the calories and fat. An educated consumer has the knowledge to make the right decision. 

The third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day. Enjoy

Our Ice Cream Social

Toppings

Ice Creams

Berries, Light Vanilla Ice Cream,

Caramel Sauce and Whipped Cream

Nutrition Information. 212 Calories; 4 g Protein; 30 g Carbohydrates;

1 g Dietary Fiber; 9 g Fat; 50 mg Cholesterol; 71 mg Sodium

Blueberries with 

Blueberry Crumble Ice Cream

Nutrition Information. 151 Calories; 3 g Protein; 17 g Carbohydrates;
1 g Dietary Fiber; 9 g Fat; 46 mg Cholesterol; 26 mg Sodium

Raspberries with 

Red Velvet Ice Cream and Vanilla Wafer

Nutrition Information. 157 Calories; 3 g Protein; 18 g Carbohydrates;
1 g Dietary Fiber; 9 g Fat; 49 mg Cholesterol; 59 mg Sodium

Kiwi, Blueberries, and Strawberries with 

Caramel Delight Ice Cream, Light 

Nutrition Information. 131 Calories; 4 g Protein; 23 g Carbohydrates;

1 g Dietary Fiber; 4 g Fat; 30 mg Cholesterol; 46 mg Sodium

Nutrition Information

Scoop Size Matters

Heidi Diller, Registered Dietitian, 

has tips to help pick a delicious ice cream 

without busting your diet!

Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, CSSD describes 
"How to choose healthier ice cream"

From the table below you can see ice cream has a variety of calories and amounts of fat. I have never been a fan of no sugar-added ice cream. However, the flavor of some of the light brands I found to match those of the regular and premium brands. Try some of the light brands and see what you think?

Resources

Ben and Jerry’s
Nutrition Information - Click Ice Cream

Blue Bell Creameries
Nutrition Information - Click Ice Cream Links

Breyers
Nutrition Information-Click product for info

Häagen-Dazs
Nutrition Information-Click Product for Info

July, National Watermelon Month Recipes, Nutrition, Growing, Selecting, Food Safety and Carving

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

Shrimp Cocktail Watermelon

Watermelon Fruit Cup

Watermelon Stuffed Sushi

Watermelon Stuffed Chicken Salad
with Crackers, Raspberries & Mango

Watermelon Stuffed Tabouli with Goat Cheese

Watermelon Stuffed Granola with Seasonal Fruit

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