Wednesday, August 30, 2023

August is Kids Eat Right Month - Share the Message

Kids Eat Right is a joint initiative from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. The goal of Kids Eat Right is to educate families, communities, and policymakers about the importance of good nutrition.

August is Kids Eat Right Month, a nutrition education, information sharing, and action campaign created by Kids Eat Right, an initiative of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its Foundation.

Kids Eat Right Month spotlights healthy nutrition and active lifestyles for children and families, offering simple steps to help families cook healthy, eat right, and shop smart.





The Kids Eat Right website centers around the theme "Shop-Cook-Eat." The goal is to bring families together each day for nutritious meals by providing simple and easy-to-follow tasks.



 Share the Monday Message Campaign involves Academy member volunteers who distribute weekly advice through social media channels (such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.). The Kids Eat Right campaign provides resources to help Academy members become recognized leaders in childhood obesity prevention. Volunteers then educate the community on shopping ideas, cooking tips, eating right, and recipes.



Consumers, Caregivers, Educators, Journalists, Policy Makers 
To learn more about Kids Eat Right, visit Kids Eat Right

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
To become a volunteer, visit About Kids Eat Right 


   


Wednesday, August 23, 2023

National Water Quality Month - How much do kids Need?





When the water in our rivers, lakes, and oceans becomes polluted, the effects can be far-reaching. It can endanger wildlife, make our drinking water unsafe, and threaten the waters where we swim and fish.


The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the federal law that protects public drinking water supplies throughout the nation. Under the SDWA, the 
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for drinking water quality and with its partners implements various technical and financial programs to ensure drinking water safety.




The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. EPA's purpose is to ensure that: all Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work; national efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information; federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively; environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy; all parts of society - communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments - have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks; environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable and economically productive; and the United States plays a leadership role in working with other nations to protect the global environment. So what happened in Flint, Michigan and are other communities are at risk?



Drinking Water in your Home
Many people choose to filter or test the drinking water that comes out of their tap or from their private well for a variety of reasons. And whether at home, at work, or while traveling, many Americans drink bottled water.

Resource
World Water Week, Stockholm International Water Institute.




Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Kiwi Raspberry Parfait




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.






Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Stuffed Pepper with Cauliflower Rice and Avocado

 



Stuffed Pepper with
Cauliflower Rice and Avocado


Serves One

Ingredients
1 cup Cauliflower, Rice with shredded carrots and peas
1 large Bell pepper
1/2 Avocado, small
1 Tbsp Blue Cheese


Directions.

1. Cook cauliflower rice. Measure one cup and refrigerate until it is chilled, about 1-2 hours.
2. Wash bell pepper. Cut the top off and remove the seeds. Cut a small piece from the bottom to make the pepper stand up.
3. Peel and dice 1/2 avocado. Add to cauliflower rice. Mix well.
4. Add cauliflower rice mixture to the bell pepper.
5. Top with blue cheese and serve.

Optional. Add protein source to make a meal.


Nutrition Facts.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

August 9, International Day of the
World's Indigenous People




"On this International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, I call on Governments everywhere to draw on the guidance of this international framework to improve access to education for indigenous peoples and to reflect their experiences and culture in places of learning. Let us commit to ensuring indigenous peoples are not left behind as we pursue the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals.” - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on International Day of the World's Indigenous People.


            Indigenous Peoples can feed the world



UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

On 13 September 2007, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a major milestone with respect to the cooperation and solidarity between indigenous peoples and Member States.

The Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It embodies global consensus on the rights of indigenous peoples and establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for their survival, dignity, and well-being. It elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms, as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.

Over the last decade, the implementation of the Declaration has achieved some major successes at the national, regional and international levels. Despite the achievements, there continues to be a gap between the formal recognition of indigenous peoples and the implementation of policies on the ground.


Article 42 of the Declaration explicitly refers to the role of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in promoting respect for and full appreciation of the provisions of the Declaration. 

Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations.

In spite of these instruments, the right to education has not been fully realized for most indigenous peoples, and a critical education gap exists between indigenous peoples and the general population.

Where data exist, they show consistent and persistent disparities between the indigenous and the non-indigenous population in terms of educational access, retention, and achievement, in all regions of the world.

The education sector not only mirrors the historical abuses, discrimination, and marginalization suffered by indigenous peoples but also reflects their continued struggle for equality and respect for their rights as peoples and as individuals.

It is also a reminder of the responsibility of individuals as consumers, to understand that there is a story and a personal experience behind every food, piece of cloth, textile or artwork from an indigenous individual or community.


Eat Traditional Foods, Fight Diabetes



The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (Rome 2009) prepared a documentary, called the Food Systems of Indigenous Peoples.

This book seeks to define and describe the diversity in food systems, nutrition, and health in 12 rural case studies of Indigenous Peoples in different parts of the world as a window to global Indigenous Peoples’ circumstances.

A procedure for documenting Indigenous Peoples’ food systems was developed by researchers working with the Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (CINE) at McGill University, Canada, and the FAO. The procedure was adapted and applied in case studies located in Canada, Japan, Peru, India, Nigeria, Colombia, Thailand, Kenya, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The collective intent of this documentation is to show the inherent strengths of the local traditional food systems, how people think about and use these foods, the influx of industrial and purchased food, and the circumstances of the nutrition transition in indigenous communities. This research was completed with both qualitative and quantitative methods by Indigenous Peoples and their academic partners in the context of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, and the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted in 2007 by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Resources:

Friday, July 28, 2023

August 1 - 7 World Breastfeeding Week: Nutrition, Food Security and Poverty Reduction

Coordinated by World Alliance for
Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
August 1 - 7



World Breastfeeding Week is coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), a global network of individuals and organizations concerned with the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide based on the Innocenti Declarations, the Ten Links for Nurturing the Future and the WHO/UNICEF Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding.

WABA’s core partners are the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), La Leche League International (LLLI), and Wellstart International. WABA is in consultative status with UNICEF and an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).

By linking breastfeeding to the SDGs, the breastfeeding movement will be able to connect with a variety of development issues by 2030 for maximum impact.

WBW materials cover the main links between breastfeeding and the SDGs along 5 broad themes:
(1) nutrition/food security
(2) health, well-being, and survival
(3) environment and climate change
(4) work productivity, empowerment, social protection
(5) sustainable partnerships and rule of law

Objectives of WABA World Breastfeeding

*To inform people about the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they relate to breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF).

*To firmly anchor breastfeeding as a key component of sustainable development.

*To galvanize a variety of actions at all levels on breastfeeding and IYCF in the new era of the SDGs.

* To engage and collaborate with a wider range of actors around promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding.


Breastfeeding Is Really Good For Babies,
But Millions Can't Do It




“By recognizing that breastfeeding is a key to sustainable development, we will value our wellbeing from the start of life, respect each other and care for the world we share.” 


Breastfeeding Benefits for Baby and Mom


Resources
1. Kids Eat Right, reference: Breastfeeding















July 29, National Lasagna Day
Featuring Spinach Tofu Lasagna



Spinach Tofu Lasagna
Makes six to eight servings. 
Adapted from Animals Deserve Absolute Protection Today and Tomorrow (ADAPTT.)  ADAPTT believes all animals have an inherent right to be free and live completely unfettered by human dominance. 




Ingredients
1/2 lb. lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
1 lb. soft tofu
1 lb. firm tofu
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. minced basil
4 cups vegan tomato sauce

Directions 
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside on a towel. Do not let them stick together. If this happens, run warm water over them to separate.

Preheat oven to 350áµ’ degrees F.

Squeeze the spinach as dry as possible and set aside. Place the tofu, soy milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, and basil in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of noodles (use about one-third). Follow with a layer of half of the tofu filling and half of the spinach. Continue in the same order using half of the remaining tomato sauce and noodles and all of the remaining tofu filling and spinach. End with the remaining noodles, covered by the remaining tomato sauce.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.






To encourage healthy eating, prepare and present
the foods with the same attention to detail,
as if you were a pastry chef.
- Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND



July 28, National Milk Chocolate Day


Resources

1. Drinking Chocolate Milk May Help Your Workout - WebMD

2. Health by Chocolate - WebMD
3. Dairy Alternatives for Kids Who Won't – or Can't – Drink Milk  #EatRight





Monday, July 17, 2023

July 18, Nelson Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela was a gift to Humanity and his
Teachings Will Forever Live




What Can I Do On Mandela Day?

The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”

Individuals and organizations are free to participate in Mandela Day as they wish. We do however urge everyone to adhere to the ethical framework of “service to one’s fellow human”.

Raffis' tribute to humanity's hero sprang from Mandela's' call to global leaders in 2000 to turn this world around, for the children. In 2001, Raffi sang this for
Nelson Mandela at Torontos Ryerson University.



Nelson Mandela Tribute from
George Stroumboulopoulos

A short biography of Nelson Mandela


Nelson Mandela Day:
If the legacy of Nelson Mandela’s life and work is to be dynamic, it must be “owned” by current and future generations. It must be accessible to everyone and applied in constantly changing contexts of time and place.


Monday, July 10, 2023

Rainier Cherry Mojito

How do you celebrate "National Mojito Day" and "National Rainier Cherry Day"?

We found the recipe: "Rainier Cherry Mojito" by Cookie and Kate @cookieandkate #NationalMojitoDay #NationalRainierCherryDay 


What is a Rainier Cherry? 
Rainier is a cultivar of cherry. It was developed in 1952 at Washington State University by Harold Fogle, and named after Mount Rainier. It is a cross between the 'Bing' and 'Van' cultivars. 'Rainiers' are considered a premium type of cherry. They are sweet with thin skin and thick creamy-yellow flesh.


What is Mojito? 
Mojito is considered a Cuban highball. Traditionally, a mojito is a cocktail that consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. Its combination of sweetness, citrus, and herbaceous mint flavors is intended to complement the rum and has made the mojito a popular summer drink.  

Resources.
1. 
Mojito, Food Network

2. Rainier Cherries, Specialty Produce
















Tuesday, July 4, 2023

July 5, National Graham Cracker Day

The graham cracker was invented in 1829 in New Jersey, by Sylvester Graham. The original graham cracker was made with graham flour, a combination of finely-ground unbleached-wheat flour with the wheat bran and germ coarsely-ground and added back in providing nutrition and flavor. Graham crackers started out as bland food, unsweetened or mildly sweetened; today they are known as a sugar-sweetened baked good, similar to the English term biscuit.

Graham crackers are a common American snack for young children and older adults; often accompanied with fruit juice or milk.



How to Make Graham Crackers




Resource
Graham cracker, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia







Monday, June 26, 2023

Potty Training Awareness Month
Preventing Constipation


June is Potty Training Awareness Month. Constipation in children is a common problem when potty training. Constipation is often characterized by infrequent bowel movements or hard, dry stools.

Causes of Constipation in Children

Toilet Training and Withholding. Your child may ignore the urge to have a bowel movement because of fear of the toilet or they don’t want to take a play break. Some children withhold when they are away from home because they are embarrassed to use a public bathroom. Withholding bowel movements sometimes results in a large painful mass of stool in the rectum called fecal impaction. If it hurts to have a bowel movement, your child may try to avoid a repeat of the uncomfortable situation. If you begin toilet training too early, children may hold in their stools, which can quickly become an involuntary habit that's tough to break.

Dietary Changes. Lack of fruits and vegetables or fluid in your child's diet may cause constipation. For some children, too much milk and not enough water can lead to constipation.

Medication or Disease. Certain antacids, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and various other drugs can contribute to constipation. Changes in your child's appetite or diet due to illness may have the same effect.

Emotional Pressure to use the toilet or to give up diapers.

Symptoms of constipation in children
  • *Fewer bowel movements than usual.
  • *The child is fidgeting, clenching buttocks muscles, or other unusual dancelike behaviors.
  • *Experiencing Abdominal pain and cramping.
  • *Painful or difficult bowel movements.
  • *Hard, dry, or large stools.
  • *Feces in the child’s underwear.

Prevention of constipation in children
*Offer high-fiber foods. Include: Fruits and Vegetables; Beans and Lentils; Bran sprinkled on cereals or yogurt; Whole grain bread and cereal; Dried or soft fruit added to muffins or cereal; Fruit spread

If your child does not like vegetables, serve them hidden in casseroles, pasta, or puree in soups. Ask your child to help out when preparing meals. Children are more willing to eat their food if they play a role in making their own meals.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following amounts of fiber needed per age and gender. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 6th ed. Elk Grove Village (IL): American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009

            Age/Gender            Fiber (grams)
            2 - 3 years                       19
            4 – 8 years                       25
            9 – 11 years (female)       26
            9 – 11 years (male)          31

  • *Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Water is the best choice.
  • *Establish regular meal and snack times
  • *Promote physical activity. Regular physical activity helps stimulate normal bowel function.
  • *Create a toilet schedule. Set aside time after meals for your child to use the toilet.
  • *Remind your child to use the bathroom.
  • *Ask your doctor if your child is taking any medication that may cause constipation.

Treatment of Constipation in Children
  • *Follow the prevention instructions.
  • *Consult with the pediatrician or family doctor before using over-the-counter suppositories or laxatives.
  • *Contact the doctor if four or five days have passed without a bowel movement, or if constipation is accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever.
  • *Consult a dietitian who can help create an appropriate food plan high in fiber.

Resouces
Foods to Boost Your Child’s Fiber, Nourish Interactive (pdf)
American Academy of Pediatrics


This young child describes his
concerns about Potty Training
 

 Potty Training Tips from Parents TV - For Mom
 

Elmo and his Father show How
Potty Time Can Be Fun: Sesame Street
 
 


The information presented here does not constitute medical advice for any individual. Specific cases may vary. Dietitians-Online and Weighing-Success recommend readers consult a qualified health professional on an individual basis. All materials are provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.


Saturday, June 24, 2023

Strawberry Mango Parfait

Our mango harvest is complete and the fun part begins. Creating a wonderful diversity of recipes. Today's food celebration is a Strawberry Parfait. 


The combination of Strawberries and Mangoes
is a summer delight.


Add some low-fat vanilla yogurt and you have a 
Strawberry Mango Parfait.
A refreshing summer treat.



Ingredients per Serving.
1/3 cup Strawberries, sliced
1/3 cup Mango, fresh, diced
1/3 cup Low-fat Vanilla Yogurt

Layer the ingredients or combine and Enjoy!


Nutrition Facts
Analysis per Serving
Calories (kcal)           118
Protein (g)                   5
Carbohydrates (g)       23
Total Dietary Fiber (g)  2
Total Sugars (g)           21
Added Sugar (g)          6
Fat (g)                          1
Saturated Fat (g)         1
Cholesterol (mg)          4
Calcium (mg)              153
Sodium (mg)                55




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