Preheat oven to 400 degrees F° (200° degrees C). Use a non-stick baking sheet or spray lightly with cooking spray.
Arrange potato strips in a single layer on the baking sheet, skin sides down. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with thyme and salt and pepper to taste.
Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.
Watermelon Wonderland: Fun Creations for all ages.
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
Onions are bulb-shaped vegetables growing underground. Also
known as bulb onions or common onions, they are grown worldwide.
Onions are rich in plant compounds and antioxidants,
especially quercetin and sulfur-containing compounds. Colorful varieties, such
as yellow or red ones, have different antioxidants than white ones.
Nutrition Benefits
Fat-free; saturated fat-free; very low sodium; cholesterol free; good source of dietary fiber.
Selection
Choose onions that are firm and dry with bright, smooth outer skins.
Storage
*Store whole onions in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place; use within 4 weeks.
*Refrigerate cut onions in a tightly sealed container; use within 2-3 days.
Prunes are dried plums that are known for their sweet-tangy flavor and chewy texture. They have been consumed for centuries and are popular worldwide due to their unique taste and potential health benefits.
Prunes come from varieties of freestone European plum trees, meaning the pit is easier to remove, while fresh plums tend to be clingstone. Today, California is responsible for the majority of the world's prunes.
Nutritional Profile: Prunes are packed with nutrients and are considered a healthy snack. They are a good dietary fiber source, providing soluble and insoluble fiber.
Storage.
Prunes should be stored in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to keep them plump and moist. Keep in a cool, dry, and dark place for up to two months or in the refrigerator for four months.
Prunes can be frozen for long-term storage. Place in an airtight container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 12 months. Thaw frozen prunes in the refrigerator before consuming. Freezing may compromise the texture.
Culinary Uses: Prunes are versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. They can be eaten as a standalone snack or added to trail mixes. Chopped prunes can be added to cereal or breakfast oatmeal, blended in smoothies, or topped on a salad. They're used as a pastry filling or added to baked goods like cookies, muffins, and bread. Prunes themselves can be stuffed with chocolate, almond paste, or nuts. Wrapping them with bacon is a popular appetizer.
Prunes do well when sparingly used in savory dishes, such as soups, stews, and poultry stuffing. Pureed prunes make a good butter substitute, in addition to vinaigrette dressings, and make jam.
Digestive Health: Prunes are renowned for their natural laxative effect, primarily due to their high fiber content. Insoluble fiber helps keep your bowel movements regular, while soluble fiber helps to moderate digestion and absorb nutrients from your food. Prunes also contain sorbitol and chlorogenic acid, which can increase stool frequency.
Eating a serving or two of prunes can help you maintain gastrointestinal health by promoting regular bowel movements.
Warning. Eating too many prunes can have a laxative effect due to their high fiber and sorbitol content. Both can have a laxative effect on the body and may cause dehydration.
Bone Health: According to clinical research, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of prunes may help prevent bone loss and aid in maintaining healthy bone density and formation. The higher amounts of vitamin K in prunes also help to improve bone health.
Antioxidants: Prunes are a good source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the body against oxidative stress associated with various chronic diseases and aging. They also support overall health and immune function.
Weight Management: Prunes can be a part of a healthy weight management plan. The fiber content in prunes helps promote a feeling of fullness. They can be a satisfying and nutritious alternative to sugary snacks.
Prunes are delicious and nutritious fruit that can contribute to a balanced and healthy diet. However, individual dietary needs and considerations should be taken into account, so it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized advice.
Fun Fact.Name change In 2001, the Food and Drug Administration authorized plum growers in the United States to call prunes "dried plums." Due to a perception that prunes relieve constipation (perceived as derogatory), some distributors stopped using the word "prune" on packaging labels in favor of "dried plums."
MyPlate is a reminder to find your healthy eating style and build it throughout your lifetime. Everything you eat and drink matters. The right mix can help you be healthier now and in the future. This means:
Focus on variety, amount, and nutrition.
Choose foods and beverages with less saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
Start with small changes to build healthier eating styles.
Support healthy eating for everyone.
Eating healthy is a journey shaped by many factors, including our stage of life, situations, preferences, access to food, culture, traditions, and the personal decisions we make over time. All your food and beverage choices count. MyPlate offers ideas and tips to help you create a healthier eating style that meets your individual needs and improves your health. MyPlate was launched on June 2, 2011.
About seventy percent of the cherries produced in the United States come from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. There are two main types of cherries: sweet and sour. Sour cherries are lower in calories and higher in vitamin C and beta-carotene than sweet cherries.
From Tree to Table
Selection Select firm, red cherries with stems attached. Avoid soft, shriveled, or blemished cherries. Good cherries should be large (one inch or more in diameter), glossy, plump, hard, and dark-colored for their variety. Avoid fruit that is bruised or has cuts on the dark surface.
How to Store Refrigerate cherries for up to 10 days.
Nutrition Benefits Fat-free; saturated fat-free; sodium free; cholesterol free; good source of vitamin C; good source of potassium.
Health Benefits
Cancer Sweet cherries have several cancer-preventive components including fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The potential role of sweet cherries in cancer prevention lies mostly in the anthocyanin content, especially in cyanidin. Sweet cherries are a good source of cyanidins, which appear to act as an antioxidant and may reduce cancer risk.
Cardiovascular Disease Sweet cherries have been shown to have significant levels of anthocyanins as well as other pigments in perhaps smaller concentrations that together provide synergistic effects thought to be protective to heart and related vascular tissue
Diabetes Researchers are interested in the role of anthocyanins in reducing insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. The lower glycemic response shown in relation to cherry consumption may be the result of glucose-lowering effects of cherry phytochemicals in combination with the fiber content of cherries.
Potassium Sweet cherries are considered a good source of dietary potassium, with approximately 260 mg potassium for every cup of fresh cherries consumed. Adequate potassium intake has shown to reduce the risk for hypertension and stroke.
Quercetin Sweet cherries also contain a small amount of quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant which may play a beneficial role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer.
Melatonin Cherries are one plant food source of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that plays a role in promoting healthy sleep patterns.
Ease muscle soreness Researchers believe tart cherries’ antioxidants protect against exercise-induced free radicals, which can lead to painful inflammation.
Gout Cherries may help reduce the swelling, inflammation, and tenderness associated with gout. Research reveals eating about 2 cups fresh sweet Bing cherries daily lowered uric acid levels by 15%.
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is
pleased to announce the Biodiversity Day 2024:
Be part of the Plan
Although every Biodiversity Day has its own special significance, this year’s global celebrations bring a renewed sense of hope.
Around the world, governments and people are showing what they are doing to Build Back Biodiversity.
Biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable
development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues,
food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the
foundation upon which we can build back better.
“From individual species through entire ecosystems, biological diversity is vital for human health and well-being. The quality of the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe all depend on keeping the natural world in good health.”
- António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
Part of the International Day for Biological Diversity focuses on biodiversity as the foundation for our food and health and as a key catalyst for transforming food systems and improving human well-being. Join the conversation, take action, and be a catalyst for change! Below is a list of things that you can do to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity for your well-being:
*Reduce your meat consumption
*Eat and purchase seasonal foods
*Buy local foods
*Reduce your food waste
*Compost your food scraps
*Reduce food packaging by using reusable bags or reusing
glass jars or containers
*Avoid single-use plastics like plastic straws, coffee cups,
plastic cutlery, take out containers or plastic water bottles
*Promote local and indigenous biodiversity for food and
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.
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.
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 worldwide.
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. Some women are so busy caring for their families that they 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:
Why is it important for women to participate in National Women's Checkup Day?
Women need regular checkups because screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap tests, can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Some women need specific 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: Contact 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/
Carrots The carrot is a root vegetable, usually orange in color, though purple, red, white, and yellow varieties are available. It has a crisp texture when fresh. Carrots add sweetness and color to stews, soups, stir-fries, slaws, and cakes, plus an excellent source of Vitamin A and a good source of fiber.
Nutritional Information
Carrots are known for their rich supply of the antioxidant, beta-carotene. Research has focused on the health benefits in the areas of vision, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Recipe: Carrot Ginger Bisque
Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: about 1 cup
Ingredients 2 cup Vegetable Broth, low sodium 1.5 cup Carrots, diced 1/4 cup Cranberries, dried, sweetened 1 box (17.6 oz) Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque, Pacific Natural Foods 3/4 cup White Beans, unsalted, drained
Directions Heat the vegetable broth. Add diced carrots and dried cranberries. Simmer until carrots and cranberries are tender. Using a strainer separate the carrots and cranberries from the broth. Reserve carrots and cranberries.
Combine the broth and "Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque". Heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Add the white beans and reserved carrots and cranberries. Mix and reheat to serving temperature.
Notes. I used a low sodium vegetable broth to lower the sodium content of the Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque. To increase the fiber content, I garnished the recipe with white beans, diced carrots, and dried cranberries.
Nutrition Information
Growing Carrots: Red, Yellow, Purple & Orange
Selection. Carrots should be firm, smooth, crisp, fresh, deep in color, and free of cuts.
Storage. Remove tops of carrots. Store in the refrigerator up to two weeks in a plastic bag.
Serving Ideas. 1. Add shredded raw carrots to salads. 2. Add carrots to soup or puree carrots to make a carrot soup. 3. Combine cooked carrots with dried fruit 4. Snack with a low-fat dip or plain. Resources 1. Fruits & Veggies More Matters: Carrots 2. The World's Healthiest Foods: Carrots 3. WebMD: 5 Healthy Facts About Carrots
Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 35 years experience. A great service for the Recipe Blogger, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian. Contact: Dietitians-Online.com; Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND at recipenews@gmail.com
Cherry Clafoutis
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Cherry clafoutis is a classic French dessert that pairs fresh fruit with a
light custard-like batter that’s baked until puffy and golden. My version
is lig...
Cous Cous and Lentil Salad
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I thought I would share a salad I made the other day. A simple cous cous
and lentil salad
To make - cook the cous cous and let it cool, add tomatoes, cuc...
