Friday, June 24, 2022

Take Your Dog To Work Day
Health Benefits of Having a Dog



Pet Sitters International’s Take Your Dog To Work Day® was created to celebrate the great companion dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters, and breed rescue clubs. This annual event asks pet lovers to celebrate the humane-canine bond and promote pet adoption by encouraging employers to support “Take Your Dog to Work Day”.

Businesses, animal shelters, and pet-care professionals from around the world will work together to better the lives of shelter dogs everywhere. Pet Sitters International invites your business to participate in this fun and worthwhile event.


For nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They boost our immunity. "Studies have shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home," says Lynette Hart, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.


Health Benefits of a Dog

Studies have found that:

• Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
• People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets.
• Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
• Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than those without pets.
• Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.
• Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.

Caring for a pet can help 
with those healthy lifestyle changes by:
• Increasing exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to involve boring repetition at a gym. Taking a dog for a walk, riding a horse, or simply chasing a kitten around are fun ways to fit healthy daily exercise into your schedule.
• Providing companionship. Isolation and loneliness can make disorders such as depression even worse. Caring for a living animal can help make you feel needed and wanted, and take the focus away from your problems. Most pet owners talk to their pets, some even use them to work through their troubles.
• Helping meet new people. Pets can be a great social lubricant for their owners. Dog owners frequently stop and talk to each other on walks or in a dog park. Pet owners also meet new people in pet stores, clubs, and training classes.
• Reducing anxiety. The companionship of a dog can offer comfort, help ease anxiety, and build self-confidence for people anxious about going out into the world.
• Adding structure and routine to your day. Many pets, especially dogs, require a regular feeding and exercise schedule. No matter your mood—depressed, anxious, or stressed—you’ll always have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care for your pet.
• Providing sensory stress relief. Touch and movement are two healthy ways to quickly manage stress. This could involve petting a cat or taking a dog for a walk.


Pets and older adults
The key to aging well is to effectively handle life’s major changes, such as retirement, the loss of loved ones, and the physical changes of aging. Pets can play an important role in healthy aging by:
• Helping you find meaning and joy in life. As you age, you’ll lose things that previously occupied your time and gave your life purpose. You may retire from your career or your children may move far away. Caring for a pet can bring pleasure and help boost your morale and optimism. Taking care of an animal can also provide a sense of self-worth.
• Staying connected. Maintaining a social network isn’t always easy as you grow older. Retirement, illness, death, and moves can take away close friends and family members. And making new friends can get harder. Dogs especially are a great way for seniors to spark up conversations and meet new people.
• Boosting vitality. You can overcome many of the physical challenges associated with aging by taking good care of yourself. Pets encourage playfulness, laughter, and exercise, which can help boost your immune system and increase your energy.



Resources and References
Facebook. Take your dog to work
5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health
Take Your Dog To Work Day
Pet Sitters International

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

MyPlate Dairy Group - Choose Low-Fat or Fat-Free Dairy

What foods are in the Dairy Group?


Nutrients and Variety from the Dairy Group



Comparing Dairy and Dairy-Free Alternatives 




Yogurt with Fruit Parfaits


Tuesday, June 14, 2022

June 15, National Lobster Day - Nutrition and Recipes



Suggestions on how to Eat Lobster to stay
Healthy and Avoid a Mess (or make a mess)

*No Butter and No Cream
*Ask for Lemon, Olive Oil, and Dijon Mustard
and
 Make Your Own Dressing.
*Wear A Bib


Lobster Facts
From Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s Association (AOLA)

The difference between a hard shell and soft shell lobster. 
Lobsters will periodically shed their shells as they grow. This can happen as many as 25 times before they are 6-7 years old; then males shed every year and mature, females every two years. When lobsters become very large molting is less frequent. After they shed they have a paper-thin shell, which can take up to two months to harden and are called soft-shell, new shell, or shedders. The debate goes on as to which is most tasty, though the soft-shell is definitely easier to crack!

Lobsters do not have vocal cords. They do not scream when being cooked.

The teeth of the lobster are in its stomach. The stomach is located a very short distance from the mouth, and the food is actually chewed in the stomach between three grinding surfaces that look like molar surfaces, called the "gastric mill".

Besides the greenish-brown colored lobsters, there are also rare blue, yellow, red and white ones. Except for the white ones, they all turn red when cooked.

A 2-pound female lobster usually carries approximately 8000 eggs. A 9-pound female may carry more than 100,000 eggs. The female carries the eggs inside for 9 to 12 months, and then for another 9 to 12 months externally attached to the swimmerets under her tail.

When the eggs hatch, the larvae will float near the surface for 4 to 6 weeks. The few that survive will settle to the bottom and continue to develop as baby lobsters. From every 50,000 eggs, only 2 lobsters are expected to survive to legal size. It takes 5 to 7 years for a lobster to grow to legal size in the ocean. A lobster at legal size will weigh approximately 1 pound.







Lobster Cooking and Eating




The Lobster and the Beer,
A Story of Survival





Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Global Running Day - Can Eating Beets Make You Run Faster?


Global Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. Wherever we are and whomever we’re with, we run—fast or slow, alone or with others, all over town or just around the block. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.



In the April 2012 issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, research published shows eating cooked beets "acutely improves running performance." The key, the study says, is nitrate.


The study showed after eating beets, the runners went an average of 3 percent faster and cut 41 seconds off their times. According to the research, 200 grams baked beetroot, or an equivalent nitrate dose from other vegetables, should be consumed 60 minutes before exercising. Nitrate is also found in vegetables such as cauliflower, spinach, collard greens, and broccoli.

Resource.
Performance Food: Want to be Fast on Your Feet? Eat Beets!, 
Fritz Lenneman, web editor for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Beets, Pineapple, Onions
and Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients. 
1/2c Beets, cooked, diced
1/3c Pineapple, crushed and drained
1/4c Onions, diced
1/2 oz Goat Cheese
Garnish with Basil and Chives

Directions. Use a cookie cutter at least 2-inches high. Layer each food and pack down with your fingers before adding the next ingredient. Garnish with Basil and Chives.


Nutrition Information.
122 Calories;  3.4 g Dietary Fiber; 3 g Fat; 2 g Saturated Fat;  7 mg Cholesterol; 87 mcg Folate; 108 mg Sodium



Tuesday, May 31, 2022

National Salad Month - How to Build a Healthy Salad



Salads are a great way to add Nutrition and Color into your day. Choose the right ingredients and keep them handy so you can create a healthy meal.

Salads can easily turn into an unhealthy meal if you are not careful with the toppings. Be mindful about what you add and the portions. Measure some of the more caloric items, such as cheese, nuts, and salad dressing.

Your options are endless. Load your plate up with colorful vegetables. Raw vegetables are great and add a pleasant crunch. To add variety, choose some cooked vegetables, such as grilled, roasted or streamed.
   
List of Ingredients to Create Endless Salad Possibilities

Start with Leafy Greens (1 1/2 – 2 cups)
·        Arugula
·        Beet Greens
·        Bok choy
·        Boston lettuce
·        Collard Greens
·        Endive
·        Escarole
·        Green leaf lettuce
·        Red leaf lettuce
·        Iceberg lettuce
·        Kale
·        Microgreens
·        Mixed greens
·        Napa cabbage
·        Radicchio
·        Romaine lettuce
·        Spinach
·        Swiss Chard
·        Turnip Greens
·        Watercress

Add Vegetables (Fresh, Canned or Cooked)
Vegetables (2 tablespoons)
·        Avocado
·        Asparagus, chopped
·        Artichoke hearts
·        Bean sprouts
·        Beets
·        Bell Pepper
·        Broccoli florets
·        Carrots, shredded
·        Celery, chopped
·        Corn
·        Cucumber slices
·        Green beans
·        Mushroom slices
·        Onion
·        Peas, boiled
·        1 Roasted Red Pepper, julienned
·        Radishes, slices
·        Squash, sliced or diced
·        Tomato slices

Add Meat, Meat Alternatives and/or Dairy for a Main Dish Salad
·        1 boiled Egg, sliced
·        2-3 oz Chicken: Grilled, Blackened, Curry
·        2-3 oz Turkey: Grilled, Blackened, Curry
·        2-3 oz Salmon: Grilled, Blackened, Curry
·        2-3 oz Shrimp: Grilled, Blackened, Curry
·        2 tablespoons crumbled Blue cheese
·        ¼ cup Cottage cheese
·        2 teaspoons crumbled Feta cheese
·        1 oz fresh Mozzarella cheese, sliced
·        2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
·        2-3 oz Sardines in water
·        2-3 oz Tuna, canned in water
·        ½ cup Tofu
·        2-3 oz Tempeh

Add Beans and/or Grains
Beans (1 tablespoon)
·        Black beans
·        Cannellini beans
·        Chickpeas
·        Kidney beans
·        Lentils
·        Pinto Beans

Grains (1/4 cup)
·        Couscous
·        Barley
·        Bulgur
·        Farro
·        Quinoa
·        Wild rice

Nuts and Seeds (1 tablespoon)
·        Almonds, raw
·        Cashews, raw
·        Pecans, raw
·        Walnuts
·        Poppy seeds
·        Pumpkin seeds
·        Sesame seeds
·        Sunflower seeds

Fruits (optional)
·        1/2 Apple, sliced
·        1/3 cup Blueberries
·        Cranberries, 1 Tablespoon
·        2-3 Dates or Figs
·        10 Grapes
·        6 Mandarin wedges
·        1/2 Pear, sliced
·        1/3 cup Pineapple, slices or diced
·        2 Tablespoons Raisins or Dried Cranberries·        2-3 Strawberries, sliced

Other (optional)
·        1 Anchovy
·        5 Olives, Black, Green or Kalamata
·        2 Tablespoons Whole Grain Croutons

The Finale and Salad Dressing
·        Dash of fresh Oregano, Parsley or Coriander
·        Choose from a variety of Spices and Herbs
·        2 Tablespoons Homemade Salad Dressing:
       Use Olive Oil, Vinegar, Citrus Juice, Salsa,
       Low-fat Yogurt and/or Mustard

A salad can be delicious, healthy, and inexpensive.


Resources
1. Fat-Free Vinaigrette Recipes are easy to prepare and can be used as a marinade, salad dressing, or sauce.  
2. 
21 Lunch and Dinner Salads That Are Seriously Filling, Cooking Light
3. 
Great Summer Salads, Cooking Light
4. 
How to Mason Jar Salads, The Country Chic Cottage









May, National Vinegar Month - Uses and Recipes


Vinegar has been around for more than 10,000 years. The Babylonians used it as a preservative and as a condiment and it was they who began flavoring it with herbs. Romans used it as a beverage. Hippocrates proclaimed its medicinal qualities and, indeed, it was probably one of our earliest remedies. The Bible references show how it was used for its soothing and healing properties. As recently as World War I, vinegar was being used to treat wounds. And today, it is being researched as a means to lower the glycemic index of foods and decrease the appetite.

Vinegar is defined as an acidic liquid produced from the fermentation of ethanol in a process that yields acetic acid (ethanoic acid). It also may come in a diluted form. The acetic acid concentration usually ranges from 4% to 8% by volume for table vinegar and up to 18% for pickling. 



Vinegar, as defined by the FDA
CPG Sec. 525.825 Vinegar, Definitions

No standards of identity for vinegar have been established under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, however FDA has established "Compliance Policy Guides" that the Agency follows regarding labeling of vinegars, such as cider, wine, malt, sugar, spirit and vinegar blends. In other countries, they have regional standards for vinegar produced or sold in that part of the world.

POLICY:
Historically, definitions have been developed for different types or combinations of vinegars. The United States FDA requires that any product called "vinegar" contain at least 4% acidity. This requirement ensures the minimum strength of vinegar sold at the retail level.

FDA considers the following to be satisfactory guidelines for the labeling of vinegars: Natural vinegars as they come from the generators normally contain in excess of 4 grams of acetic acid per 100 mL. When vinegar is diluted with water, the label must bear a statement such as diluted with water to _______ percent acid strength", with the blank filled with the actual percent of acetic acid - in no case should it be less than 4 percent. Each of the varieties of vinegar listed below should contain 4 grams of acetic acid per 100 mL.

VINEGARS:

VINEGAR, CIDER VINEGAR, APPLE VINEGAR. The product made by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations of the juice of apples.

WINE VINEGAR, GRAPE VINEGAR. The product made by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations of the juice of grapes.

MALT VINEGAR. The product made by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations, without distillation, of an infusion of barley malt or cereals whose starch has been converted by malt.

SUGAR VINEGAR. The product made by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations of sugar sirup, molasses, or refiner's sirup.

GLUCOSE VINEGAR. The product made by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations of a solution of glucose. It is dextrorotatory.

SPIRIT VINEGAR, DISTILLED VINEGAR, GRAIN VINEGAR. The product made by the acetous fermentation of dilute distilled alcohol.

VINEGAR, MADE FROM A MIXTURE OF SPIRIT VINEGAR AND CIDER VINEGAR. The product should be labeled as a blend of the products with the product names in order of predominance. This labeling is applicable to a similar product made by acetous fermentation of a mixture of alcohol and cider stock.

VINEGAR MADE FROM DRIED APPLES, APPLE CORES OR APPLE PEELS. Vinegar made from dried apples, apple cores or apple peels should be labeled as "vinegar made from ______," where the blank is filled in with the name of the apple product(s) used as the source of fermented material.

Cooking with Balsamic Vinegar

Some of the uses found on the Internet are listed below. Many have not been tested or researched, which makes recommendations difficult.

How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Work?

Food Preparation

 1. Soak fish in vinegar and water before cooking it. It will be sweeter, more tender and hold its shape better. When boiling or poaching fish, a tablespoon of vinegar added to the water will keep it from crumbling so easily.

 2. Use vinegar in pickling, vinaigrettes, marinades and as an ingredient in sauces such as mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise.  

 3. When boiling an egg and it's cracked, a little vinegar in the water will keep the white from running out. (Forget this one. If the egg is cracked, throw it out.)

 4. A teaspoon of white distilled or cider vinegar added to the water in which you boil potatoes will keep them nice and white. You can keep peeled potatoes from turning dark by covering them with water and adding 2 teaspoons of vinegar. 

 5. Freshen up slightly wilted vegetables by soaking them in cold water and vinegar. 

 6. Fruits and vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to 1 pint water and use to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. This is supposed to help kill bacteria on fruits and vegetables. 

 7. Flavor Enhancer. Add your favorite specialty vinegar to soup, gravy or sauce to add flavor.

 8. Use as a meat tenderizer for tough meat or game.

 9. Simmer a small pot of vinegar and water solution to get rid of unwanted cooking smells.

10. Rice will be fluffier and less sticky if you add a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to the boiling water before adding the rice.

11. Remove fruit stains from your hands by cleaning them with vinegar.

12. Remove heavy stale smells from lunch boxes by dampening a piece of fresh bread with white distilled vinegar and leaving it in the lunch box overnight.


Cleaning

 1. White vinegar is often used as a household cleaning product. The acidity is said to dissolve mineral deposits from glass, coffee makers and other smooth surfaces. Dilution with water is recommended for safety and to avoid damaging the surfaces being cleaned.

 2. Vinegar can be used for polishing brass or bronze.

 3. Vinegar has been marketed as a green solution for some household cleaning problems, such as an eco-friendly urine cleaner for pets and as a weed killer.

Medical

 1. Experts advise against using vinegar preparations for treating wounds. 

 2. Acetic acid solutions were ineffective at inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli, group D Enterococcus, or Bacteroides fragilis bacteria, and only slightly effective at inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

 3. Experts caution against using vinegar as a household disinfectant against human pathogens because chemical disinfectants are more effective. 

 4. Undiluted vinegar may be used effectively for cleaning dentures, unlike bleach solutions, vinegar residues left on dentures were not associated with mucosal damage.

 5. Vinegar is commonly recommended for treating nail fungus, head lice, and warts, however scientific support for these treatment strategies are lacking.

 6. Vinegar may reduce hunger by reducing the meal-time glycemic load. 

 7. The use of vinegar in controlling blood sugar as an adjunct therapy for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes has yet to be determined.


Additional uses and tips can be found at the Vinegar Institute.


Fat Free Vinaigrette Recipes are easy to prepare and can be used as a marinade, salad dressing, or sauce.   

Oriental Vinaigrette, Yield: 1 cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
1 clove garlic, cut in several pieces
1 cup rice vinegar (unseasoned)
1 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1 slice fresh ginger, cut in several pieces
Combine all ingredients, stirring well to combine. Let stand for 45 minutes. Strain dressing. Discard ginger and garlic (or use in food preparation at a later time).


Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: 1 cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons capers
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1½ teaspoons dried basil
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Combine the ingredients. Adjust vinegar to taste. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.


Chili-Cilantro Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: ¾ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
1 small green chili, diced
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup water
¼ cup fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic
pinch, artificial sweetener
freshly ground pepper to taste
Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.


Citrus Herb Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: 1½ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
½ medium-sized red bell pepper,
2 medium tomatoes, diced
½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup fresh orange juice
½ cup loosely packed fresh parsley
¼ cup raspberry vinegar
1 Tablespoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons fresh tarragon
2 teaspoons fresh oregano
Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until pureed. Makes approximately 1½ cups


Indian Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: ¼ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
¼ cup orange juice
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon chopped cilantro
½ teaspoon prepared hot mustard
Put all ingredients in a small bowl, and stir. Let sit about 10 minutes.


Orange and Lemon Vinaigrette, Yield: 1 cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
½ cup wine vinegar
4 Tablespoons lemon juice
4 Tablespoons orange juice
grated rind of 1 lemon
½ teaspoon French mustard
pinch garlic
ground black pepper to taste
Place all ingredients in a bowl, and mix thoroughly. Keep in the fridge and use within 2 days.


Orange Thai Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: ½ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
5 Tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 Tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup rice vinegar
pinch of cayenne
Whisk together all ingredients with a fork.


Parsley-Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: ¾ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
¼ cup tomato juice (low sodium)
Pinch of cayenne pepper
¼ cup red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon oregano, fresh
1 Tablespoon onion, minced
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup parsley, chopped fresh
½ cup tomatoes, chopped, fresh
1 garlic clove, minced
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.


Red Pepper Vinaigrette, Yield: ½ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
¼ cup apple juice
¼ cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons white onion
1 cloves garlic, pressed
Pinches of rosemary and thyme
½ teaspoon dried whole oregano
½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ of a roasted red bell pepper
Mix in a blender. Blend thoroughly and chill overnight.


Tomato Vinaigrette, Yield: ½ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited
½ cup tomato, chopped
2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Mix in a blender. Blend thoroughly and chill overnight. Lasts about 2 days. Serve on salads.

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