The papaya is also known as papaw or pawpaw. The papaya is a melon-like fruit with yellow-orange flesh. The skin varies in color from green to orange. Papayas are a good source of vitamins A and C and dietary fiber.
Papaya Power: Sweet, Nutritious, and Versatile
The ripe papaya fruit is usually eaten raw, with or without skin or seeds, while the unripe green papaya can be cooked.
Recipe
Papaya Salad with Tomatoes, Onions,
Peppers, Brown Rice, Black Beans
In the Disney film, The Jungle Book (1967),
Baloo sings the song "The Bare Necessities."
Can you locate the Pawpaw in the song?
The macadamia nut is the seed of the macadamia tree. It is native to Australia and is also known as the Australian Nut. Macadamia nuts are commercially grown in Hawaii and, to a much smaller degree, in California and Florida. Roasted macadamia nuts are a popular snack.
Macadamia Nuts: From Farm to Table
Health Benefits and Nutrition
Macadamia nuts are a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), such as oleic acid and palmitoleic acids. Studies suggest eating macadamia nuts as part of a healthy meal plan seems to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and to raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Compared to other common edible seeds such as almonds and cashews, macadamias are high in fat and low in protein. Macadamia nuts have sweet taste. One ounce of nuts provide about 200 calories/1 ounce.
They contain numerous nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health and wellness.
One ounce (28.3 g) of macadamia provides 2 g or 8% of daily-recommended levels of dietary fiber. Additionally, they are a very good source of phytosterols such as β-sitosterol. Macadamia nuts contain no cholesterol.
Macadamia nuts are free from gluten, it is a popular ingredient in the preparation of gluten-free foods. This provides a healthy alternative in people with wheat gluten allergy and celiac disease.
Macadamia Nut Side Effects & Safety Macadamia nuts are safe as food. They can cause an allergic reaction, but this is unusual.
Special Precautions & Warnings
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs.
We visited a local market in Tamarac, Florida, to celebrate National Farmer's Market Week. The group is known as the Community Farmers Markets of South Florida. "As a food photographer, my visual senses came alive; as an explorer of foods, the smells and flavors were enticing; and as a dietitian, my mind raced with the food combinations, satisfying the senses and nutritional needs." Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LN, FAND
Farmer's markets are worldwide and reflect an area's culture and economy. They often feature locally grown produce, meats raised humanely, handmade farmstead cheeses, eggs and poultry from free-range fowl, and heirloom produce.
"Farmers grow the food, talk about how they grew the food, and learn from the shoppers who, in turn, prepare the food for family dinners. The farmers market is where food is both fuel and culture and thus where we grow healthy communities." - Richard McCarthy, founding President of the Farmers Market Coalition and Executive Director.
The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmer's markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities.
Twelve Reasons to Visit a Farmers' Market
Alice Henneman, RD
Food Safety and the Farmers Market
With the number of farmer's markets increasing throughout the country, food safety inspectors are working harder to ensure consumers get safe products when they shop.
Abbey Harding is a food safety inspector for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Part of her job is to inspect farmer's markets, like the one in Grand Rapids, to ensure vendors comply with current regulations.
An inspector looks at the labeling. Vendors need to specify where their products are grown. Typically, packaged goods vendors must list weights, ingredients, and whether the product requires refrigeration.
"If it's coming from a licensed source, we'd check with license control," Abbey Harding said. Michigan vendors need to be licensed, and if they process food, they may be subjected to inspection at their facility.
This week encourages parents and guardians to exercise with their children as part of a healthier lifestyle. Exercise enables children to improve their overall well-being, to maintain a healthier weight, and to reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day, but it doesn't have to be all at once.
As a parent, you can help shape your child's attitudes and behaviors toward physical activity. Throughout their lives, encourage young people to be physically active for one hour or more each day, with activities ranging from informal, active play to organized sports. Here are some ways you can do this: •Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle. •Make physical activity part of your family's daily routine by taking family walks or participating in active games together.
•Give your children equipment that encourages physical activity.
•Take young people to places where they can be active, such as parks and community centers.
•Be positive about physical activities in which your child participates and encourages them to be interested in new activities.
•Make physical activity fun, such as individual sports, and recreational activities including walking, running, skating, bicycling, swimming, and playground activities (check with your local health department regarding the safety of team sports).
•Instead of watching television, encourage your child to find fun activities such as walking, playing chase or riding bikes.
•Be safe! Always provide protective equipment such as helmets, wrist pads or knee pads and ensure that activity is age-appropriate.
Sid the Science Kid-Work Your Body
More and more children programs are encouraging physical activities.
Exercise and the Physically Challenged Physical activity is important for all children.
Get advice from a professional with experience in physical activity and disability. They can tell you more about the amounts and types of physical activity that are appropriate for your child's abilities.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F° (200° degrees C). Use a non-stick baking sheet or spray lightly with cooking spray.
Arrange potato strips in a single layer on the baking sheet, skin sides down. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with thyme and salt and pepper to taste.
Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.
Watermelon Wonderland: Fun Creations for all ages.
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
Shrimp
Cocktail Watermelon
Watermelon Fruit Cup
Watermelon
Stuffed Sushi
Watermelon
Stuffed Chicken Salad with Crackers, Raspberries & Mango
Watermelon
Stuffed Tabouli with Goat Cheese
Watermelon
Stuffed Granola with Seasonal Fruit
Watermelon Circles with Feta Cheese and Lentil Salad
Variety of Fresh Fruits. 1 Tablespoon of each: Orange, Strawberries, Blueberries, Kiwi, Raspberries, & Mango
Nutrient Analysis Services Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 25 years experience. A valuable service for the Recipe Blogger, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian. Contact: Dietitians-Online.com; Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND at recipenews@gmail.com
Onions are bulb-shaped vegetables growing underground. Also
known as bulb onions or common onions, they are grown worldwide.
Onions are rich in plant compounds and antioxidants,
especially quercetin and sulfur-containing compounds. Colorful varieties, such
as yellow or red ones, have different antioxidants than white ones.
Nutrition Benefits
Fat-free; saturated fat-free; very low sodium; cholesterol free; good source of dietary fiber.
Selection
Choose onions that are firm and dry with bright, smooth outer skins.
Storage
*Store whole onions in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place; use within 4 weeks.
*Refrigerate cut onions in a tightly sealed container; use within 2-3 days.
How to Grow Onions from Seed
Culinary Uses
Onions are served cooked as a vegetable or part of a prepared savory dish and can also be eaten raw or used to make pickles or chutneys. For example, onions may also be used as a main ingredient in French onion soup, creamed onions, and onion chutney.
They are versatile and can be baked, boiled, braised, grilled, fried, roasted,
sautéed, or eaten raw in salads.
Relax and stay hydrated with some herbal iced tea.
All teas come from the Camellia sinensis tea plant - whether black, green, white or oolong tea. The difference is in the way the leaves are processed. The Camellia plants are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants. Research suggests regular tea drinkers (2 or more cups a day) have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and lower LDL cholesterol. Iced tea is a form of cold tea, usually served in a glass with ice. It may or may not be sweetened. Iced tea is also a popular packaged drink. It can be mixed with flavored syrup, with common flavors including lemon, peach, raspberry, lime, passion fruit, strawberry, and cherry. While most iced teas get their flavor from tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), herbal teas are also sometimes served cold and referred to as iced tea. Iced tea is sometimes made by particularly long steeping of tea leaves at a lower temperature (one hour in the sun versus 5 minutes at 180-210 °F / 80-100 °C). Some people call this "sun tea". In addition, sometimes it is also left to stand overnight in the refrigerator. From Wikipedia
MyPlate is a reminder to find your healthy eating style and build it throughout your lifetime. Everything you eat and drink matters. The right mix can help you be healthier now and in the future. This means:
Focus on variety, amount, and nutrition.
Choose foods and beverages with less saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
Start with small changes to build healthier eating styles.
Support healthy eating for everyone.
Eating healthy is a journey shaped by many factors, including our stage of life, situations, preferences, access to food, culture, traditions, and the personal decisions we make over time. All your food and beverage choices count. MyPlate offers ideas and tips to help you create a healthier eating style that meets your individual needs and improves your health. MyPlate was launched on June 2, 2011.
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 updated daily. To view the entire Newsletter online click here.
May Highlights
Women's Health Care Month
Older Americans Month
Arthritis Awareness Month Better Hearing & Speech Month Lupus Awareness Month Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month National Celiac Disease Awareness Month National Stroke Awareness Month Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month National Physical Fitness and Sports Month National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
National High Blood Pressure
Education Month National Family Month May Food Events
About seventy percent of the cherries produced in the United States come from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. There are two main types of cherries: sweet and sour. Sour cherries are lower in calories and higher in vitamin C and beta-carotene than sweet cherries.
From Tree to Table
Selection Select firm, red cherries with stems attached. Avoid soft, shriveled, or blemished cherries. Good cherries should be large (one inch or more in diameter), glossy, plump, hard, and dark-colored for their variety. Avoid fruit that is bruised or has cuts on the dark surface.
How to Store Refrigerate cherries for up to 10 days.
Nutrition Benefits Fat-free; saturated fat-free; sodium free; cholesterol free; good source of vitamin C; good source of potassium.
Health Benefits
Cancer Sweet cherries have several cancer-preventive components including fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The potential role of sweet cherries in cancer prevention lies mostly in the anthocyanin content, especially in cyanidin. Sweet cherries are a good source of cyanidins, which appear to act as an antioxidant and may reduce cancer risk.
Cardiovascular Disease Sweet cherries have been shown to have significant levels of anthocyanins as well as other pigments in perhaps smaller concentrations that together provide synergistic effects thought to be protective to heart and related vascular tissue
Diabetes Researchers are interested in the role of anthocyanins in reducing insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. The lower glycemic response shown in relation to cherry consumption may be the result of glucose-lowering effects of cherry phytochemicals in combination with the fiber content of cherries.
Potassium Sweet cherries are considered a good source of dietary potassium, with approximately 260 mg potassium for every cup of fresh cherries consumed. Adequate potassium intake has shown to reduce the risk for hypertension and stroke.
Quercetin Sweet cherries also contain a small amount of quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant which may play a beneficial role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer.
Melatonin Cherries are one plant food source of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that plays a role in promoting healthy sleep patterns.
Ease muscle soreness Researchers believe tart cherries’ antioxidants protect against exercise-induced free radicals, which can lead to painful inflammation.
Gout Cherries may help reduce the swelling, inflammation, and tenderness associated with gout. Research reveals eating about 2 cups fresh sweet Bing cherries daily lowered uric acid levels by 15%.
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This easy apple butter recipe simmers on the stove, made with apples,
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If you ever visit Krabi in Thailand a lovely coastal area and gateway to
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