July, National Ice Cream Month Join Our Ice Cream Social

It’s fun, cold, delicious, comes in many flavors. Which one to choose? What meets your taste? Test the Brands, Read the portion size, check the calories and fat. An educated consumer has the knowledge to make the right decision. 

The third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day. Enjoy

Our Ice Cream Social

Toppings

Ice Creams

Berries, Light Vanilla Ice Cream,

Caramel Sauce and Whipped Cream

Nutrition Information. 212 Calories; 4 g Protein; 30 g Carbohydrates;

1 g Dietary Fiber; 9 g Fat; 50 mg Cholesterol; 71 mg Sodium

Blueberries with 

Blueberry Crumble Ice Cream

Nutrition Information. 151 Calories; 3 g Protein; 17 g Carbohydrates;
1 g Dietary Fiber; 9 g Fat; 46 mg Cholesterol; 26 mg Sodium

Raspberries with 

Red Velvet Ice Cream and Vanilla Wafer

Nutrition Information. 157 Calories; 3 g Protein; 18 g Carbohydrates;
1 g Dietary Fiber; 9 g Fat; 49 mg Cholesterol; 59 mg Sodium

Kiwi, Blueberries, and Strawberries with 

Caramel Delight Ice Cream, Light 

Nutrition Information. 131 Calories; 4 g Protein; 23 g Carbohydrates;

1 g Dietary Fiber; 4 g Fat; 30 mg Cholesterol; 46 mg Sodium

Nutrition Information

Scoop Size Matters

Heidi Diller, Registered Dietitian, 

has tips to help pick a delicious ice cream 

without busting your diet!

Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, CSSD describes 
"How to choose healthier ice cream"

From the table below you can see ice cream has a variety of calories and amounts of fat. I have never been a fan of no sugar-added ice cream. However, the flavor of some of the light brands I found to match those of the regular and premium brands. Try some of the light brands and see what you think?

Resources

Ben and Jerry’s
Nutrition Information - Click Ice Cream

Blue Bell Creameries
Nutrition Information - Click Ice Cream Links

Breyers
Nutrition Information-Click product for info

Häagen-Dazs
Nutrition Information-Click Product for Info

National French Fry Day

Nutrition Information was obtained from the following resources.

McDonald’s Nutrition Information
Burger King Nutrition
Wendy’s Nutrition

Baked Oven Parsley Fries

Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

3 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch strips

cooking spray

1 teaspoon dried thyme

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

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.

National Onion Day - From the Farm to the Table

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.

Recipe: RoastedOnions

Onions are pungent when chopped and contain certain chemical substances which irritate the eyes.

Onions are toxic to dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and many other animals.

Tips on how to add onions to your diet:

*Add sliced or diced white, yellow, green, or red onions to your favorite salad.

*Add caramelized onions to savory baked goods.

*Combine cooked onions with other vegetables for a healthy side dish.

*Add cooked onions to egg dishes, such as omelets, frittatas, or quiches.

*Top meat, chicken, or tofu with sautéed onions.

*Use onion and garlic as a base for stocks and soups.

*Make a homemade salsa with onions, tomatoes, and fresh cilantro.

*All onions to soup, chili, or stir-fry

*Blend raw onions with fresh herbs, vinegar, and olive oil for a tasty homemade salad dressing.

Resources 

1. Onion, @Fruits_Veggies 
2. Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Onions, Old Farmer’s Almanac
3. Health Benefits of Onions, Healthline, by Jillian Kubala, MS, RDN

National Iced Tea Day - Iced Green Tea with Mint and Lemon

Iced Green Tea with Mint and Lemon


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 refer to this as "sun tea." Additionally, it is sometimes left to stand overnight in the refrigerator.  From Wikipedia

  

June 2, MyPlate Birthday

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.

National Employee Health and Fitness Month

Employees’ Health And Fitness Programs

Workplace Wellness Programs enhance the
overall health and productivity of your organization.

Benefits For Employers

Increase employee productivity

Improve health care costs

Less illness and injuries

Reduce employee absenteeism

Benefits For Employees

Less stress

Improve physical fitness

Better eating habits or weight control

Increase physical and mental health 

Global Employee Health and Fitness Month™ is administered annually by the National Association for Health and Fitness. NEHF is a national health observance created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their worksite health promotion activities. Founded in 1989, National Employee Health and Fitness Month has enlisted tens of thousands of participants from employers worldwide.

For More Information on how to Improve Employee Health and Fitness, visit the following links:
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month

National Employee Health and Fitness Day Campaign

NCPAD The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability

National High Blood Pressure Education Month and World Hypertension Day

The World Hypertension League (WHL) is a division of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Every year, 17 May is dedicated to World Hypertension Day (WHD). World Hypertension Day was established to highlight preventable stroke, heart, and kidney diseases caused by high blood pressure and to communicate to the public information on prevention, detection, and treatment.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body.


Know Your Blood Pressure Number
The first number, systolic blood pressure, measures the maximum pressure exerted as the heart contracts. A measurement over 90 and under 140 is generally considered normal for an adult.

The lower number indicates diastolic pressure is a measurement taken between beats when the heart is at rest. A measurement over 60 and under 90 is generally considered normal for an adult.

High Blood Pressure is a Global Epidemic. Over 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure (or hypertension).

Lower Your Sodium

Prevention and Control of High Blood Pressure

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

2. Eat More Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

3. Cut Back on Salt Intake
4. Exercise
5. Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly
6. If you are on medication, take the medication as prescribed.

Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). National High Blood Pressure Education Program

The World Hypertension League (WHL).  The World Hypertension League's (WHL) objectives are to promote the detection, control, and prevention of arterial hypertension in populations.

National Women’s Checkup Day, a part of National Women's Health Week

National Women’s Health Week is organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH). The goal is to empower women to make their health a top priority. 

Some women are so busy caring for their families that they neglect to care for themselves. During National Women’s Health Week, remind your wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and/or girlfriend to take steps to improve their health and prevent disease.

The annual National Women’s Health Week kicks off on Mother’s Day. Dedicate this day to visit or make an appointment with your healthcare professional. Schedule a check-up. Prevention and early detection are crucial to one’s health. To learn more about National Women's Health Week, visit the following links:

National Women's Health Week 

National Women's Checkup Day

Why is it important for women to participate in National Women's Checkup Day?

Women need regular checkups because screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap tests, can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Some women need specific screening tests earlier, or more often than others. Screenings and routine care can help women lower their risks of many health conditions, including heart disease.

How can women participate in this important event?
Women can participate in National Women’s Checkup Day by:
Contact their current health care professional to schedule a checkup and get important screenings on National Women’s Checkup Day.

Discussing with their health care professionals which screenings and tests are right for them, when they should have them, and how often.

For information about participating in National Women’s Checkup Day and other National Women’s Health Week activities, visit the National Women’s Health Week website at https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw/ 

Women's Health Month

The information provided here is from the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC). 

Celebrating Mr. Potato Head: 70+ Years of Creativity & Inclusion

Potato Head is a beloved American toy. He has undergone many changes, but over the last few years, he has become increasingly involved in physical fitness and healthy eating. In this birthday video, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head discuss reducing their intake of salt, butter, and sour cream, as well as increasing their physical activity.

Mr. Potato Head Celebrates his Birthday

History

Mr. Potato Head was invented by George Lerner in 1949 and first manufactured and distributed by Hasbro in 1952. Mr. Potato Head made his debut on April 30, 1952, as the first toy advertised directly to children on television. Before this, all toy advertising was directed to parents. This commercial revolutionized marketing. Over one million kits were sold in the first year.

In 1952, the original Mr. Potato Head kit provided separate plastic parts to be stuck into a real potato or other vegetables. By 1964, due to government regulations, Hasbro was forced to include a plastic potato "body" in its kits. This change was made due to choking hazards and the presence of sharp pieces.

          Special Appearances
                 and Awards

1987. Mr. Potato Head gives up his pipe to Surgeon General C. Everett Koop in Washington, D.C. and became the "Spokesspud" for the American Cancer Society's annual "Great American Smokeout" campaign. 

May 1, 1992. Mr. Potato Head turns 40 years old and receives the President's Council for Physical Fitness award at the third annual Great American Workout.

1995. Mr. Potato Head made his Hollywood debut with a leading role in the Disney/Pixar movie, Toy Story.

1996. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head joined the League of Women Voters and their "Get out the Vote" campaign.

1997 Mr. Potato Head became the "spokesspud" for Burger King’s new French fries campaign.

1999. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head starred in Toy Story 2.

March 24, 2000. Mr. Potato Head is inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame.

February 12, 2002. Mr. Potato Head rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

2002. On his 50th birthday, Mr. Potato Head is awarded his own official AARP card.

2002. The Rhode Island Legislature gave the approval to feature Mr. Potato Head on a state auto license plate in order to raise money for charity.

2005. Mr. Potato Head became the national “spokesspud” for the United States Potato Board.

2010. Mr. Potato Head appeared in Toy Story 3.

2011 Hasbro unveils a new, noticeably thinner Mr. Potato Head at the 2011 International Toy Fair convention in New York City.

Vintage Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head Commercial

 

Toy Story 2 Bloopers with

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

Resources.

Hasbro, Inc. is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of toys, games and other family entertainment. Hasbro is the manufacturer of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Hasbro has a long tradition of supporting children worldwide through a variety of philanthropic programs.  Their mission is to assist children in triumphing over their life obstacles and to bring the joy of play into their lives.  Visit Hasbro Community Relations to learn about the many programs Hasbro supports.

National Bugs Bunny Day and the Celebration of Carrots

Carrots
The carrot is a root vegetable, usually orange in color, though purple, red, white, and yellow varieties are available. It has a crisp texture when fresh. Carrots add sweetness and color to stews, soups, stir-fries, slaws, and cakes, plus an excellent source of Vitamin A and a good source of fiber.

Nutritional Information

Carrots are known for their rich supply of the antioxidant, beta-carotene. Research has focused on the health benefits in the areas of vision, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Recipe: Carrot Ginger Bisque

Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size: about 1 cup

Ingredients
2 cup Vegetable Broth, low sodium
1.5 cup Carrots, diced
1/4 cup Cranberries, dried, sweetened
1 box (17.6 oz) Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque, Pacific Natural Foods
3/4 cup White Beans, unsalted, drained

Directions
Heat the vegetable broth. Add diced carrots and dried cranberries. Simmer until carrots and cranberries are tender. Using a strainer separate the carrots and cranberries from the broth. Reserve carrots and cranberries.

Combine the broth and "Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque". Heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Add the white beans and reserved carrots and cranberries. Mix and reheat to serving temperature.

Notes. I used a low sodium vegetable broth to lower the sodium content of the Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque. To increase the fiber content, I garnished the recipe with white beans, diced carrots, and dried cranberries.

Nutrition Information

Growing Carrots: Red, Yellow, Purple & Orange

Selection.
Carrots should be firm, smooth, crisp, fresh, deep in color, and free of cuts.

Storage.
Remove tops of carrots. Store in the refrigerator up to two weeks in a plastic bag.

Serving Ideas.
1. Add shredded raw carrots to salads.
2. Add carrots to soup or puree carrots to make a carrot soup.
3. Combine cooked carrots with dried fruit
4. Snack with a low-fat dip or plain.

Resources
1. Fruits & Veggies More Matters: Carrots
2. The World's Healthiest Foods: Carrots
3. WebMD: 5 Healthy Facts About Carrots

Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 35 years experience. A great 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 

World Day for Safety and Health at Work Foodborne Disease Control and Prevention

"Worldwide, occupational diseases continue to be the leading cause of work-related deaths. According to ILO estimates, out of 2.34 million occupational fatalities every year, only 321,000 are due to accidents. The remaining 2.02 million deaths are caused by various types of work-related diseases, which correspond to a daily average of more than 5,500 deaths. This is an unacceptable Decent Work deficit.

The inadequate prevention of occupational diseases has profound negative effects not only on workers and their families but also on society at large due to the tremendous costs that it generates; particularly, in terms of loss of productivity and burdening of social security systems."

On Apr 28, 1970 (signed into law in 1971) was the founding of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Safety in Restaurants

Slips and Falls

Foodborne Disease OSHA Standards

Control and Prevention

Control of foodborne diseases is based on avoidance of contaminated food, destruction of contaminants, and prevention of further spread of contaminants. Prevention is dependent upon proper cooking and storing practices, and personal hygiene of food handlers.

The quality of food and controls used to prevent foodborne diseases are primarily regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local public health authorities. These diseases may be occupationally related if they affect the food processors (e.g., poultry processing workers), food preparers and servers (e.g., cooks, waiters), or workers who are provided food at the worksite.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".

Note
No, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA Act), also known as the General Duty Clause, has not been substantively changed since the Trump administration. However, the Trump administration did focus on rolling back existing regulations and slowing down the development of new ones, which could have indirectly affected the interpretation and enforcement of Section 5(a)(1). 

Resources

1. Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Healthcare Workers - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

National Office
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210