From Garden to Table: The Journey of Zucchini

From Garden to Table: The Journey of Zucchini

Due to the overzealous planting of zucchini, people are asked to drop off baskets of squash on neighbors’ doorsteps.
Annually, August 8.

Hot weather brings an abundance of summer squash. Yellow crookneck, straight neck, zucchini, pattypan, and Mediterranean are some of the popular varieties.

Fruits and Veggies More Matters has a list of 10 ways to enjoy zucchini.

The Produce Lady in the following video provides
preparation ideas, cooking tips and recipes for squash.

Sesame Street: Veg Side Story
Sesame Street introduces the zucchini to children
everywhere through music and a delightful story.

August, National Sandwich Month - Use Your Creativity

August is National Sandwich Month. The sandwich was named after John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. During the 1700s, it is said John Montagu created the sandwich because he wanted to eat his meal with one hand.

Resource: Build a Better Sandwich, @Healthyfamprj

 

Greatest Movie Sandwiches

National Root Beer Float Day

A root beer float, also known as a "black cow" is traditionally made with vanilla ice cream and root beer.

From the traditional root beer float to an ice cream treat made with vanilla ice cream and frozen root beer soda, National Root Beer Float Day was a big hit in our home.

We chose a diet root beer soda to avoid excess sugar and limit the calories. The amount of diet root beer is not limited because it has "zero" calories.

Beverage. Make sure you carefully combine the soda and ice cream. The reaction causes bubbles to form and a rapid rise in foam, which is part of the fun and can get messy.  Use 1/4 cup light vanilla ice cream. Add a straw and a spoon and enjoy.

Ices.  Add 1/4 cup light vanilla ice cream to a 4-ounce cup. Slowly pour diet root beer soda on top. Add an ice pop stick (optional). Leave in the freezer overnight.  Serve as an ice pop or with a spoon.

Ice Cubes. Freeze root beer soda in an ice cube tray. Leave in the freezer overnight. Add ice cubes to water, milk, or explore the possibilities.

August 3, National Watermelon Day - Food Safety, Nutrition, and Recipes

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

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 

National Mustard Day - All About Mustard

Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of a mustard plant (white or yellow mustard; brown or Indian mustard; or black mustard). Whole, ground, cracked, or bruised mustard seeds are mixed with water, salt, lemon juice or other liquids, and sometimes other flavorings and spices to create mustard ranging in color from bright yellow to dark brown. Mustard often has a sharp, pungent flavor.

There are many varieties of mustard, which come in a wide range of strengths and flavors. The basic taste and heat of the mustard are largely determined by seed type, preparation, and ingredients. Black-seed mustard is usually the hottest type. Preparation also plays a key role in the outcome.

The National Mustard Museum, located in Middleton, Wisconsin was founded by Barry Levenson in 1986. The Museum has a collection of more than 5,300 mustards and hundreds of mustard memorabilia.

The Mustard Museum hosts the Annual National Mustard Day festival in Middleton, Wisconsin. The festival is considered the "world's largest condiment party." There will be mustard tastings, mustard-themed games, kid's activities, live music, and special treats. Last year, some 6,000 people turned out and the festival raised more than $3,500 for charity.

World Famous Mustard Museum

The world's foremost collection of mustards and mustard memorabilia
with curator Barry Levenson in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin.

Culinary Uses

Mustard is often used at the table as a condiment. It is also used as an ingredient in mayonnaise, vinaigrette, marinades, barbecue sauce, and salad dressing. Mustard is popular with hot dogs, pretzels, and sausages. Mustard is also an emulsifier which can stabilize a mixture of two or more unblendable liquids such as oil and water.

Weight Control Tip. Mustard is low in calories and depending on the brand contains a moderate amount of sodium (see table below). Instead of mayonnaise, tartar sauce or other high fat-high caloric dressings try mustard. Use prepared mustard with fish, instead of tartar sauce to create a wonderful flavor that saves 50 calories per tablespoon.

Mustard Nutrition Information

A strong mustard can cause the eyes to water and inflame the nasal passages and throat. Mustard can also cause allergic reactions: since 2005, products in the European Union must be labeled as potential allergens if they contain mustard.

How Mustard is Made
Discovery Channel

Resources:
National Mustard Museum
Mustard (condiment), Wikipedia

National Avocado Day - Celebrate Avocados

Avocados offer nearly 20 vitamins and minerals in every serving, including potassium (which helps control blood pressure), lutein (which is good for your eyes), and folate (which is crucial for cell repair and during pregnancy).

Avocados are a good source of B vitamins, which help you fight off disease and infection. They also give you vitamins C and E, plus natural plant chemicals that may help prevent cancer.

Avocados are low in sugar. And they contain fiber, which helps you feel full longer. In one study, people who added a fresh avocado half to their lunch were less interested in eating during the next three hours.

Fat and Calories

Avocados are high in fat. But it's monounsaturated fat, which is a "good" fat that helps lower bad cholesterol, as long as you eat them in moderation. 

Avocados have a lot of calories. The recommended serving size is smaller than you’d expect: 1/5 of a medium avocado (or 1 ounce) is 50 calories.

Recipe: California Avocado Super Summer Wrap Recipe,
Fruits & Veggies— More Matters  

How to Prepare Avocados

Store avocados at room temperature, keeping in mind that they can take 4 to 5 days to ripen. To speed up the ripening process, put them in a paper bag along with an apple or banana. When the outside skins are black or dark purple and yield to gentle pressure, they’re ready to eat or refrigerate.

Wash them before cutting so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the pulp.

While guacamole is arguably the most popular way to eat avocado, you can also puree and toss with pasta, substitute for butter or oil in your favorite baked good recipes, or spread or slice onto sandwiches. Try adding avocado to salad, pizza, soup, salsa, eggs, and sandwiches.

When ordering at a restaurant, remember that not all avocado dishes are created equal. Some items -- like avocado fries and avocado egg rolls -- are coated in batter and fried, making them much higher in both calories and fat.

Top Ways to Enjoy Avocados

1. Skip the Mayo! Mash 1/3 an avocado and spread it on your sandwich instead of mayonnaise. Rich in monounsaturated fat, avocados are a healthy substitute for mayonnaise, cream cheese, butter, or sour cream.  

2. Avocado is a deliciously rich, healthy, and filling addition to salads. Just dice and toss!

3. Add some avocado slices to your sandwiches! This tasty fruit adds a delicious flavor but it also adds substance to an otherwise meager concoction. 

4. Enjoy avocado as part of a healthy stir-fry dish.

5. Grab a Spoon. Halve avocados, remove the pit and start spooning. Want a little kick? Add some low-sodium soy sauce in that little dip in the middle.

6. Avocados are perfect in fish and seafood sauces.

7. Halve avocados then use a small ice-cream scoop to fill the little dip in the middle with your favorite chicken, tuna, or ham salad recipe.

8. Mix together one mashed avocado, 1/2 cup of non-instant oatmeal, and one tablespoon of honey. Apply to your face, wait 15 minutes then rinse.

9. Prepare Guacamole 

Allergic to Latex?

If you have a latex allergy, talk to your doctor before adding avocado to your diet. People with a serious allergy to latex may also experience symptoms after eating an avocado.

Resources

Choose Healthy Fats,    #avocado #eatright
WebMD, Everything You Need to Know About Avocados  

Top 10 Ways To Enjoy Avocados, Fruits, and Veggies More Matters

Get Acquainted with Kiwifruit Month

Kiwifruit Month 

The Kiwifruit

History of the Kiwifruit.

Originally discovered in the Chang Kiang Valley of China, kiwifruit was considered a delicacy by the great Khans who enjoyed the emerald green color and wonderful flavor. By the mid-1800s, the fruit had found its way into other countries and was nicknamed the Chinese gooseberry. New Zealand growers started to export this exotic fruit to specialized markets around the world.

Then in 1962, a California produce dealer began importing New Zealand gooseberries. The dealer renamed the product "kiwifruit" because of its resemblance to the fuzzy brown kiwi — New Zealand's funny-looking national bird. By the late 1960s, California began producing its own kiwifruit in the Delano and Gridley areas.

How to Eat A Kiwi

There's no "right" or "wrong" way to eat California Kiwifruit. But since most people find that slicing and scooping is a good way to get the most from their kiwifruit, we coined the word "slooping" to describe it! Here's how to sloop your kiwi:

Using a sharp knife, slice the kiwifruit lengthwise to create two identical halves. Then use a spoon to scoop the sweet, delicious meat of the kiwifruit from each half. Looking for maximum fiber and nutrition? Don't throw that skin away! It's loaded with nutrients and fiber, so rinse it off and bite right in! 

The kiwifruit is a rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin K, and Fiber. It is low in calories, low in sodium, has no cholesterol, and only a small amount of fat. 


One Large Kiwifruit weighs about 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and provides the following nutrition.

Kiwi Raspberry Parfail

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients

2 cookies crumbled
4 oz yogurt, low fat

2  kiwifruit, peeled, dice
1/2c raspberries

 2-3 fresh mint leaves

Directions
Layer the ingredients in the following order:

• Cookie crumbles
• Raspberries
• Yogurt, low fat
• Kiwi
• Garnish. Raspberry and Mint leaves
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

July 26, National Coffee Milkshake Day

National Coffee Milkshake Day

July 26, National Bagelfest Day Bagel Terminology and Nutrition Information

General Bagel Rules

*1 ounce of a bagel equals 80 calories (most bagels weigh about 3 ounces).
*Scooped, when the inside of the bagel is removed (Saves about 40 to 80 calories). 
*Smear equals about one to two tablespoons of cream cheese.

Joy Bauer, RD takes us through the bagel's history from its start in the royal palace of Poland, to the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side to the plates of millions of Americans. Find out what's in a bagel and how you can enjoy the bagel without the guilt.

Meal Planning

Culinarians Day A Tribute to the Culinary Arts Profession

Culinary education is available from a wide number of institutions offering diploma, associate, and bachelor degree programs in culinary arts. Depending on the level of education, this can take one to four years. An internship is often part of the curriculum. Most professional kitchens follow the apprenticeship system.

These are some of the most well-known culinary schools in the food-service industry and culinary arts.

The Culinary Institute of America

Johnson and Wales University

New England Culinary Institute

Le Cordon Bleu International

Health and Nutrition

About twenty years ago, a dear friend who was a chef told me, “If it is not made from real butter and real cream, it is not real food.” Sadly, he passed away from heart disease.

Nutrition and food safety is now a part of all culinary school curriculums. Some dietitians have certification in the culinary arts and are creating healthy cuisines that have grown in popularity.

More chefs are teaming up with dietitians to meet the community's needs. Even Elmo and White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass talk about the importance of healthy and delicious school meals.

The videos below give you a history of the profession during the 20th and 21st centuries. As we move towards the present, you will notice how health and nutrition play an important role in the development of new cuisines and the modification of traditional favorites.

American Culinary Federation

The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), a professional organization for chefs and cooks, was founded in 1929 in New York City by three chefs’ organizations: the Société Culinaire Philanthropique, the Vatel Club and the Chefs de Cuisine Association of America. They are an organization based on promoting the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.

In 1976, ACF forever changed the culinary industry by elevating the position of the executive chef from service status to the professional category in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Official Titles. Since this change, the culinary industry has grown tremendously.

ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation designed to enhance professional growth for all current and future chefs and pastry chefs. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef and Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and combat childhood obesity.

The American Culinary Federation (ACF)
Culinary Team USA 2012

Seven chefs unite to take on the challenge of their careers. They will compete in a global event to test their skills like never before. They are ACF Culinary Team USA.

Elmo joins White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass in the White House kitchen to talk about the importance of healthy and delicious school meals following President Obama's signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.  This legislation is an important step forward toward ensuring that no child goes to school hungry and that all children have access to healthy, nutritious foods at school.



Research Chefs Association (RCA)

Formed in 1996 by a group of food professionals with a common interest in the challenges facing the profession. RCA has become the premier source of culinary and technical information for the food industry, with a professionally diverse membership including chefs, food scientists, and other industry professionals who are shaping the future of food research and development.

What is Culinology®?
"It is the blending of culinary arts and food science, promoted by the Research Chefs Association. This fast-growing discipline is gaining popularity in the industry and popping up in degree programs at the college level because the food product development industry is demanding that their professionals have a combination of
culinary and food science skills."

  

National Tequila Day

Tequila is a regional distilled beverage and type of alcoholic drink made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila. Tequila is commonly served neat in Mexico and as a shot with salt and lime across the rest of the world.

Ingredients

Ice

1 ounces tequila (optional)

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 ounce grenadine syrup

Orange slice, for garnish

Maraschino cherry

Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice, and pour in the tequila (optional) and orange juice.
2. Slowly pour the grenadine into the glass over the back of a spoon or drizzle it down the side of the glass, allowing it to settle at the bottom.
3. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Nutrition Profile
Yield: 1 serving
Calories (kcal)                  201

Protein (g)                        1

Carbohydrates (g)            26

Total Dietary Fiber (g)       1

Total Sugars (g)                20

Added Sugar (g)               6

Fat (g)                             0

Cholesterol (mg)               0

Vitamin C (mg)                 57

Potassium (mg)                303

Sodium (mg)                    4

Alcohol (g)                       14

Nutrition Profile (without Alcohol)

Yield: 1 serving

Calories (kcal)                   136

Protein (g)                        1

Carbohydrates (g)             26

Total Dietary Fiber (g)       1

Total Sugars (g)                20

Added Sugar (g)               6

Fat (g)                             0

Cholesterol (mg)               0

Vitamin C (mg)                 57

Potassium (mg)                303

Sodium (mg)                    4

Alcohol (g)                       4

The Eagles - Tequila Sunrise