November Wellness News

Current News, Resources, and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety, and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers, and Health Professionals. 

Celebrate November Produce! @produceforkids 

Monthly Events

American Diabetes Month

Diabetic Eye Disease Month

Epilepsy Awareness Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

National Healthy Skin Month

National Family Caregivers Month

National Hospice Palliative Care Month

National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Prematurity Awareness Month

Family Stories Month

Native American Heritage Month

Adopt a Senior Pet Month

National Pet Diabetes Month

Military Family Appreciation Month

Vegan Month

National Roasting Month

Banana Pudding Lovers Month

Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month

National Fun with Fondue Month

National Georgia Pecan Month

Greens and Plantains Month

National Pepper Month

National Pomegranate Month

Peanut Butter Lovers Month

Raisin Bread Month

Spinach and Squash Month

Sweet Potato Awareness Month
Teff and Millet Month
PTA Healthy Lifestyle Month  

Weekly Events

1-7           National Fig Week
7-13         Dear Santa Letter Week 
8-14         National Split Pea Soup Week
9-13         National Young Readers Week
14-20       World Antibiotic Awareness Week
15-21       National Hunger & Homeless Awareness
15-21       International Fraud Awareness Week
20-26       National Farm City Week
22-28        GERD Awareness Week
22-28       National Family Week

Daily Events

1 World Vegan Day;  National Cook for your Pets Day; National Calzone Day; National Cinnamon Day; National Vinegar Day; Daylight Saving Time Ends  

2 Job Action Day, North Dakota, 39th State; South Dakota, 40th State

3 Election Day, Sandwich Day

4 National Candy Day, National Stress Awareness Day

5 Medical Cannabis Day; Men Make Dinner Day

6   National Nachos Day

7 Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day, Sausage and Kraut Day, National Bison Day, World Chili Day

8  Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day; Montana, 41st State; National Cappuccino Day 

9  National Scrapple Day; World Freedom Day; National Greek Yogurt Day

10 Sesame Street Premiere; National Vanilla Cupcake Day, National Young Readers Day

11  National Sundae Day;  Washington, 42nd State; Veterans Day

12 National Pizza with the Works Day, except anchovies; Chicken Soup for the Soul Day; National French Dip Day; World Pneumonia Day, NutritionDay

13  National Indian Pudding Day; World Kindness Day

14  International Girls Day; National Pickle Day; National Spicy Guacamole Day; UN World Diabetes Day

15  America Recycles Day; Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day; National Bundt Day;  National Raisin Bran Cereal Day; National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day

16  National Fast Food Day;  Oklahoma, 46th State;  

17  National Baklava Day; Homemade Bread Day; National Take a Hike Day;  National Butter Day

18  National Vichyssoise Day, Mickey Mouse Birthday; National Apple Cider Day, Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day, World COPD Day

19  American Made Matters Day, International Men's Day, Pressure Ulcer Awareness Day, Use Less Stuff Day 

20  National Peanut Butter Fudge Day; UN Universal Children's Day, Family Volunteer Day 

21  National Gingerbread Cookie Day; National Stuffing Day

22  National Cranberry Relish Day

23 National Cashew Day; National Espresso Day; National Eat a Cranberry Day

24   National Sardines Day

25   National Parfait Day

26 National Cake Day; National Olive Tree Day, Thanksgiving Day, Turkey-free Thanksgiving  

27 National Bavarian Cream Pie Day, Black Friday, Flossing Day; Maize Day, National Leftover Day,  National Native American Heritage Day 

28  National French Toast Day

29   Electronic Greetings Day

30  National Mousse Day; National Mason Jar Day: Joy of Cooking Published, 1931

	Months
	January	July
	February	August
	March	September
	April	October
	May	November
	June	December

 

November 2011 Wellness News

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is up-dated daily. To view the entire Newsletter online click here or subscribe to Wellness News by adding your email address to the link on the left.

November 2011

November Highlights

American Diabetes Month Military Family Appreciation Month Diabetic Eye Disease Month Epilepsy Awareness Month Lung Cancer Awareness Month and COPD Awareness Month National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month National Healthy Skin Month National Long term Care Awareness National Marrow Awareness Month National Family Caregivers Month National Hospice Palliative Care National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Prematurity Awareness Month National Adoption Month Family Stories Month World Vegan Month National Roasting Month Banana Pudding Lovers Month Gluten Free Diet Awareness Month National Fun with Fondue Month National Georgia Pecan Month National Pepper Month National Pomegranate Month Peanut Butter Lovers Month Raisin Bread Month Sweet Potato Awareness Month National Pet Cancer Awareness PTA Healthy Lifestyle Month MADD's Tie One On For Safety Holiday (11/16-12/31) Native American Heritage Month

Students' Willingness to Purchase Vegan Menu Items in the National School Lunch Program

by Jill Eckart, BA, Kathryn A. Strong, MS, RD, Darlene K. Moppert, MS, RD, Neal D. Barnard, MD

From the Florida Public Health Review, 2010; 7, 64-69.
The significance of the study in determining if offering plant-based options as part of a comprehensive school wellness policy may encourage healthful eating patterns, and can complement the benefits of nutrition education and physical activity. Whereas more research is needed to assess the long-term effects of offering plant-based options in schools, providing these items appears to be feasible and beneficial in the short term.

Abstract
Offering plant-based options in school lunches may help schools meet U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrient standards by providing students with options that are low in fat and cholesterol-free. Research indicates that well planned vegetarian and vegan diets are appropriate for all ages and have certain health benefits; however, it is not clear whether students are willing to incorporate vegetarian foods into their diets. We assessed students’ willingness to purchase vegan menu items in school lunches and evaluate the nutrient profiles of vegan and nonvegan menu items offered. Vegan items were offered once per week for four weeks in elementary and middle school cafeterias located in a demographically diverse school district. Researchers tracked menu items sold, nutrients of menu items offered, and ease of vegan item preparation. Vegan options accounted for more than half of the average number of meals sold at each school on study days. Vegan menu items were lower in total fat, saturated fat, and energy and provided more dietary fiber compared with the competing foods. Food service managers indicated that vegan menu items were easy to prepare. Students are willing to purchase vegan options offered in the school lunch line. Offering vegan school lunches on a regular basis may help food service directors meet nutrient standards and improve child nutrition.

To view the full study click the following link: Vegan Menu Items in the National School Lunch Program.