Earth Hour at 8:30 PM local time

Earth Hour

Earth Hour in an uncertain time. Given the unprecedented circumstances, WWF advises participants to join Earth Hour at home or online following CDC guidelines.

People can participate in Earth Hour by turning off their lights for one hour to show solidarity and support for protecting our natural environments.

In the past, millions of people and places have participated. During these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that we take a collective pause and use this time to reflect, evolve and strengthen our relationship with ourselves, with each other, and with nature.

Here are some ideas you might enjoy while reflecting on your personal commitments to fighting climate change and protecting our forests, rivers, oceans, and wildlife. WWF designed these with current social distancing policies in mind.

Things to do in the dark

• Go ‘green’ in your living space with some indoor gardening projects.
• Host a virtual in-the-dark dinner party for you and your friends.
• Play some games.
• Work up a sweat. Exercise the body and mind by candlelight.
• Pamper yourself. Self-care is key.
• Take a collective pause and reflect.

Our connection to Earth and nature is undeniable: Our planet's gain is everyone’s gain.
Biodiversity – the rich variety of life on Earth – continues to decline year on year. We must urgently prioritize our planet’s biodiversity and nature. Earth Hour was created to organize efforts, allowing us to shed light on topics impacting our planet’s well-being.

Get involved by starting conversations, sharing your thoughts, and spreading the word about our connection to this place we call home. 
Around the globe, food production, distribution, management, and waste threaten wildlife, wild places, and the planet itself.

Today, over 8 billion people consume 1.6 times what the earth’s natural resources can supply. By 2050, the world’s population will reach 9 billion and the demand for food will double.

Food production is sufficient to provide for all, but it doesn’t reach everyone who needs it. About 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted each year—four times the amount needed to feed the more than 800+ million people who are malnourished.

By improving efficiency and productivity while reducing waste and shifting consumption patterns, we can produce enough food for everyone by 2050 on roughly the same amount of land we use now. Feeding all sustainably and protecting our natural resources.

WWF works to secure a living planet that will sustain a more affluent population. From refining production and distribution to combating waste and environmental impacts, we want to improve how the world grows, transports, and consumes this precious fuel.

Official Earth Hour 2023 Video

Within hours, people in a record 134 countries and territories across the globe will switch off their lights for an hour in a unified show of support for action toward a sustainable future for our planet.

Healthy Diet for a Healthy Planet

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a global initiative in partnership with WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Individuals, businesses, governments, and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour to show their support for environmentally sustainable action. In 2010, Earth Hour created history as the largest voluntary action ever witnessed with participation across 128 countries and territories and every continent, including the world’s most recognized man-made marvels and natural wonders in a landmark environmental action.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

The event will cross the globe over 24 hours, from the first lights being dimmed in Fiji and New Zealand to lights being turned on again in Samoa. The transition will last longest in Russia, where 11 time zones are covered.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has pledged his support for Earth Hour saying: “Let us join together to celebrate this shared quest to protect the planet and ensure human well-being. Let us use 60 minutes of darkness to help the world see the light.”

Resources.
How You Can Help

To learn more about how you can be involved
visit Earth Hour

National California Strawberry Day

National California Strawberry Day   Strawberry is a delicious fruit rich in vitamin C, fiber and low in calories.

Strawberries and Brie on
Sandwich Thin with Strawberry Rose

Serves 1

Ingredients.
1 Sandwich Thin
1 Tbsp Brie
1/2 cup Strawberries
1 tsp Fruit Spread
Garnish: Strawberry Rose

Directions.
1. Using a mold cut shapes in the top half of the sandwich thin.
2. On the bottom, half spread the Brie and layer the strawberries. Add the fruit spread and cover with the top half of the bread.
3. Broil until the cheese melts. Cool slightly and serve.

March 21, World Down Syndrome Day Healthy Eating Habits

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), 21 March, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.

The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome International encourages people all over the World to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.

People with Down syndrome, on an equal basis with other people, must be able to enjoy full and equal rights, both as children and adults with ‘opportunities’ and ‘choices’.

People with Down syndrome face many challenges as children and adults which may prevent them from enjoying their basic human rights. Many people often fail to understand that people with Down syndrome are people first, who may require additional support, but should be recognized by society on an equal basis with others, without discrimination on the basis of disability. 

Families have a deep personal interest in the well-being of their members with Down syndrome. Empowering families to promote the equal status of their members in society and development is crucial so that they can provide support, advocate for opportunities and choices and empower people with Down syndrome to express their own views and make their own decisions, as well as advocate for themselves.

Joan Guthrie Medlen, M.Ed, RD 

Down Syndrome Nutrition: Top Tips

Joan E. Guthrie Medlen, a mother of a child with Down syndrome, a registered dietitian, and the author of “The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles,” encourages parents to start teaching healthy habits early but stresses that it's never too late to start, no matter what age.

Joan became involved in issues related to people with Down syndrome after the birth of her son. “As we all know, parents of kids with disabilities are involved in the big picture immediately – like it or not! I chose to work in the field of nutrition/health promotion for people with Down syndrome over 16 years ago. It’s a choice I've not regretted.”

Introducing Cooking By Color: 
Recipes for Independence
by Joan E. Guthrie Medlen, RD

Nutrition Notes. 

Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Eat Independently, Kaiser 

Down syndrome often affects the muscles in the mouth, causing the tongue to stick out. This may interfere with feeding, including breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and eating solid food. Most children overcome these types of problems, although they will likely master eating skills at a later age than other children.

Healthy Eating Habits in Children with Down Syndrome, National Down Syndrome Society

The following are some specific strategies you might want to try:

• Explore new foods together. Go to the store and find something new in the produce section, or try a new pasta shape.
• Once a month, choose a new recipe with your child and prepare it together. Plan for a mess, and enjoy the time you spend together learning new things and developing new skills.
• Always build in choices. When your child is young, for example, the development of “healthy habits” centers on learning to communicate and choose. So be sure to provide visual representations of food, such as photos and wrappers, or teach sign language for various foods.
• Involve your child in menu planning at an early age. Even if you don’t plan more than 30 minutes in advance, be sure to give your child the opportunity to choose one item on the menu or between different snack options.

HAPPY World Down Syndrome Day, Pharrell Williams

Meet a family who shares their

the amazing story of love and living.

 

Visit the following link to learn more about
World Down Syndrome Day.

Explore Eat Right with Colors - Taste the Rainbow

"Eat Right with Colors"  explores the health benefits associated with eating foods of many colors. "Eating a rainbow" includes color diversity in your meals and food choices, so as to enhance your intake of a wide range of nutrients. 

Recipe: Rainbow Veggie Flatbread Pizza
@gimmesomeoven 
Nutrition Profile by @DietitianOnline

Red and Pink Foods

Apples, Beets, Cayenne, Cherries, Cranberries, Guava, Kidney Beans, Papaya, Pink Beans, Pink/Red Grapefruit, Pomegranates, Radicchio, Radishes, Raspberries, Red Bell Peppers, Red Cabbages, Red Chili Peppers, Red Corn, Red Currants, Red Grapes, Red Onions, Red Pears, Red Peppers, Red Plums, Red Potatoes, Red Tomatoes, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelons

Green Foods

Alfalfa, Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Avocado, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccoli rabe, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Chives, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Edamame, Endive, Fennel, Green apples, Green Beans, Green Cabbage, Green Grapes, Green Olives, Green Onion, Green Pears, Green Peas, Green Pepper, Green Tomatoes, Honeydew, Kale, Kiwi, Leeks, Lettuce, Limes, Mint, Okra, Oregano, Parsley, Pistachios, Snow Peas, Spinach, Sugar snap peas, Swiss Chard, Tarragon, Tomatillo, Wasabi, Watercress, Zucchini

Blue and Purple Foods

Blue Grapes, Blue and Purple Potatoes, Blueberries, Dried Plums, Plums, Eggplant, Pomegranates, Elderberries, Juniper Berries, Kelp (Seaweed), Purple Belgian Endive, Purple Cabbage, Purple Figs

Yellow and Orange Foods

Apricots, Bananas, Butternut Squash, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cheddar Cheese, Citrus Fruits, Clementines, Corn, Creamsicle, Garbanzo Beans, Golden Apples, Golden Flax Seed, Golden Raisins, Grapefruit, Honey, Lemon, Lemongrass, Mandarin Oranges, Mangoes, Nectarines, Orange Jello, Orange Peppers, Orange Tomatoes, Oranges, Papaya, Parsnips, Peaches, Pears, Persimmons, Pineapple, Pumpkin, Rutabagas, Saffron, Salmon, Spaghetti Squash, Squash Blossoms, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Tangerines, Whole Grains, Yams, Yellow Apples, Yellow Beans, Yellow Peppers, Yellow Summer Squash, Yellow Wax Beans

White and Black Foods

White: Cauliflower, Coconut, Garlic, Ginger, Green Onions, Scallions, Horseradish, Jicama, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Millet, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Quinoa, Shallots, Soy Products, Sunflower Seeds, Tofu, Turnips, White Beans, White Corn, White Sesame Seeds

Black: Black Beans, Black Cherries, Black Currants, Black Mushrooms, Black Olives, Black Quinoa, Black Raspberry, Black Rice, Black Sesame Seeds, Black Soybeans, Blackberries, Boysenberries, Prunes, Raisins, Seaweeds, Tamari (Soy Sauce)

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). My staff started the project in September 2010. Over the next five months, we would take over 600 photographs of colorful foods in order to create the March presentation for NNM. Many of the photographs are available for purchase with the proceeds going to special need young adults. Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).

Prepared by
http://www.dietitians-online.com/
http://www.weighing-success.com/
Wellness News (www.weighing-success.com/WellnessNews.html)
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND
Jake Frank

March 20, Great American Meatout Day

About Meatout

Meatout is an international event exposing the public to the benefits of plant-based foods while promoting the availability and selection of alternatives to meat and dairy in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations. Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated yearly by FARM, a national nonprofit and public interest organization. FARM advocates plant-based (vegan) diets to save animals, protect the environment, and improve health.

Recipe: Hummus with Peppers and Cucumbers Wrap

Meatout TV Ad

Meatout has grown to become the world's “largest annual grassroots diet education campaign”. Participants are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Meatout Facts:
•Over 30 million Americans have explored a meat-free diet.
•One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "cool."
•National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.
•Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.
•Several national fast-food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

Meatout Mondays
Meatout Mondays were developed to keep the spirit of Meatout alive throughout the year. Those who sign up for Meatout Mondays pledge to eat compassionate plant-based foods every Monday. 

Paul McCartney sings the "Meat Free Monday Song."
Not one of his best, but a great message.

The Benefits of Meatout
"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality, and animal protection.

Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.

Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.

Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.

Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats.

Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.

Resources
1. To learn more, visit the Meatout website.
2. The Vegan R.D.
3. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group
4. The Vegetarian Resource Group Blog 

Yellow and Orange Foods, Brighten Your Plate

Yellow and Orange Foods

Yellow Foods: Apricots, Bananas, Corn, Garbanzo Beans, Golden Apples, Golden Flax Seed, Golden Raisins, Grapefruit, Honey, Lemon, Lemongrass, Pears, Pineapple, Saffron, Spaghetti Squash, Squash Blossoms, Sweet Corn, Yellow Beans, Yellow Lentils, Yellow Peppers, Yellow Summer Squash, Yellow Wax Beans

Orange Foods: Butternut Squash, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cheddar Cheese, Citrus Fruits, Clementine, Creamsicle, Mandarin Oranges, Mangoes, Nectarines, Orange Jello, Orange Peppers, Orange Tomatoes, Oranges, Papaya, Peaches, Pumpkin, Rutabagas, Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Tangerines, Whole Grains, Yams

Do you know any other Yellow or Orange foods?

About Yellow and Orange Foods

Most orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, such as vitamin C and the phytonutrients carotenoids and bioflavonoids. The foods are also rich in fiber and many vitamins and minerals.

Carotenoids give fruits and vegetables their color and are converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is needed for vision, new cell growth, healthy skin and tissues, and night vision. Carrots and sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene.

Citrus fruits, mangoes, nectarines, peaches, peppers, and sweet corn contain beta cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid that may help maintain the respiratory tract and reduce the risk of lung cancer. Hesperidin is a bioflavonoid found in citrus fruits and juices and may lower the risk of heart disease.

Vitamin C is in citrus fruits and helps maintain healthy teeth and gums; improves circulation; enhances iron absorption and helps resist infection.

Salmon is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids and may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Yellow lentils are high in fiber, folate, and other B vitamins. Fiber helps prevent constipation. Folate is important in producing healthy red blood cells, preventing birth defects, and reducing the risk of strokes, heart disease, and some cancers.

Recipe

Sunshine Salad with Yellow Squash, Orange and Tomato 

Ways to Increase Yellow and Orange Food Intake:
• Add apricot, bananas, oranges, peaches, and/or papaya to cereals or salads. They will bright up your morning.
• For snacks or food on the go, choose any of the rich yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, for example, apricots, bananas, golden apples, golden raisins, pears, pineapple, carrots, oranges, mangoes, nectarines, papaya, peaches and/or tangerines.
• Add carrots and/or diced peppers (yellow or orange) to salads or main courses.
• Use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes for a change in color
• Eat grilled salmon at least once a week.
• Prepare a butternut squash soup.

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). My staff started the project in September 2010. Over the next five months, we would take over 600 photographs of colorful foods in order to create the March presentation for NNM. Many of the photographs are available for purchase with the proceeds going to special needs young adults. Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).

Prepared by
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LDN, FAND
Jake Frank
Jonathan Cruz

Power Your Heart with Lean Protein

Power Your Heart with Lean Protein

What foods are in the Protein Food Group?

The following foods are considered part of the Protein Foods Group: meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, tofu, processed soy products, nuts, and seeds. Beans and peas are also part of the Vegetable Group. 

Select a variety of protein foods to improve nutrient intake and health benefits, including at least 8 ounces of cooked seafood per week. Young children need less, depending on their age and calorie needs. Meat and poultry choices should be lean or low-fat. The advice to consume seafood does not apply to vegetarians. Vegetarian options in the Protein Foods Group include beans and peas, processed soy products, and nuts and seeds.

How much food from the Protein Foods Group is needed daily?

The amount of food from the Protein Foods Group you need to eat depends on age, sex, and level of physical activity. Most Americans eat enough food from this group but need to make leaner and more varied selections of these foods. 

What counts as an ounce equivalent in the Protein Foods Group?

In general, 1 ounce of meat, poultry or fish, ¼ cup cooked beans, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, or ½ ounce of nuts or seeds can be considered as 1 ounce-equivalent from the Protein Foods Group.

Recipe: Spicy Garlic Soy Tofu, by Suganya Hariharan, relishthebite.com, FoodNetwork, Nutrition Profile by @DietitianOnline  

March 19, National Poultry Day Cooking, Safety and Nutrition

Poultry is an excellent source of protein and lowers in fats than red meat (especially if you remove the skin). There are about 3,200,000 poultry recipes on the Internet.

Calorie Facts about Poultry

Poultry 101 USDA Guidance on Cooking Poultry

Safety is important when handling poultry and meats. The USDA requires that safe handling instructions be posted on all packages of raw and not fully cooked meat and poultry.

For additional information on Poultry, visit the USDA


Chicken Kebabs with Oranges and Peppers Slices

Makes 6 main course serving
Ingredients
1/4 cup plain Greek-style whole-milk yogurt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 Orange sections
1/2 Green Peppers, sliced

Directions
1. Whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and turmeric in a large bowl.
2. Add chicken, orange sections and pepper slices - stirring to coat.
3. Marinate, cover, and chilled for at least 8 hours.
4. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. When charcoal turns grayish white and you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill rack for 3 to 4 seconds, grill is ready (medium-hot). If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-high.
5. While grilling, drain chicken, orange sections, and pepper slices and discard the marinade.
6. Thread chicken pieces, orange sections, and pepper slices onto skewers.
7. Lightly oil hot grill rack, then grill kebabs, covered only if using a gas grill, turning occasionally, until chicken is just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes.
Note. If you aren't able to grill outdoors, kebabs can be cooked in batches in a lightly oiled large (2-burner) ridged grill pan over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes. 

Nutrition Information

Nutritional Analysis Services
Ensure accurate and cost-effective nutritional analysis and food nutrition facts labels for your recipes and menus utilizing an extensive research database. A great service for the Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, Recipe Websites and Blogs. Your readers will enjoy and benefit from the Nutrition information. For more information, visit Dietitians-Online Nutritional Analysis Services contact: Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, LN, FAND recipenews@gmail.com 954-294-6300

National Agricultre Day

National Ag Day

Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies, and countless others across America join together to recognize agriculture's contributions. The Agriculture Council of America hosts the campaign on a national level.

Thank you to all our farmers.
Happy National Agriculture Day!

Ag Day is about recognizing - and celebrating - the contribution of agriculture to our everyday lives. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:

*Understand how food and fiber products are produced.

*Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
*Appreciate agriculture's role in providing a safe, abundant, affordable product.

Do you know where the food on your plate comes from?

Each American farmer feeds more than 144 people, dramatically increasing from 25 in the 1960s. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.

Resources:
National Ag Day Blog