National Clam Chowder Day

Many regional variations of Clam Chowder exist. The two most common are New England or "white" clam chowder and Manhattan or "red" clam chowder. Manhattan versus New England Clam Chowder.

Recipes

1. Manhattan Clam Chowder, MyPlate
2. New England Clam Chowder, EatingWell

Pamper Your Pup with Homemade Treats Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

Recipe

Whip up some delightful homemade treats for your dog with just three easy-to-find, pet-safe ingredients. These simple-to-make cookies can be shaped into adorable doggy designs like bones for fun or quickly formed into small, flattened balls if time is tight. Ensure your peanut butter is free from added sugars, oils, and particularly Xylitol, which is harmful to dogs.

Banana Bliss Biscuits for Barkers

Easy 3-Ingredient Dog Treats Yields: 20-24 biscuits. Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (check for no Xylitol!)
• 1 large ripe banana (or 2 mediums), mashed

How to Make Them:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Pulse the rolled oats in a blender until they resemble fine flour, or use pre-made oat flour. Set this aside.
• In a big bowl, combine the peanut butter and mashed banana thoroughly. Mix in the oat flour until you achieve a thick, cohesive dough. If it's too dry, mix in 2-4 tablespoons of peanut butter until the dough is sticky yet workable.
• Flatten the dough to about a 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a doggie-themed cookie cutter. For a quicker option, shape the dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and press them down to form simple round cookies.
• Bake for about 15 minutes or until the bottoms are slightly golden. Let them cool for 10-15 minutes – if you can wait – before treating your dog.
• Store these tasty treats in a sealed container; they'll keep fresh for up to two weeks.

Treat your four-legged friend to these healthy, homemade snacks and watch their tail wag joyfully!

National Pizza Day - Garden Pizza

Yields: 2 Servings

Serving Size: 1/2 pizza

Ingredients

1 Pizza Crust, 7-inch

8 Asparagus

2 Tbsp Red Onions

6 Grape Tomatoes

1 sl Squash

1/3 Red Pepper

1/4 cup Mixed Greens

1/3 cup Part-Skim Mozzarella, shredded

Nutrition Information

Go Red for Women Life's Simple 7

The Nutrition and Dietetic Professionals want you to
Tell 5 and Save Lives.

Keep your "Heart- Healthy." 

A message from the American Heart Association.

Go Red For Women

 In 2004, the American Heart Association (AHA) faced a challenge. Cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year, yet women were not paying attention. In fact, many even dismissed it as an “older man’s disease.” To dispel myths and raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women – a passionate, emotional, social initiative to empower women to take charge of their heart health.

 Go Red For Women raises awareness of the issue of heart disease among women and drives action to save more lives. The movement harnesses women's energy, commitment, and power to unite and eliminate heart disease. It challenges them to understand their risk of heart disease and take action to reduce it. It also gives them the tools they need to lead a heart-healthy life.

In 2010, the American Heart Association set a strategic goal of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease and strokes by 20% while improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% by 2020.

Go Red For Women targets women because only 55 percent of women realize heart disease is their No. 1 killer, and less than half know what are considered healthy levels for cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. The Go Red For Women movement works to make sure women know they are at risk so they can take action to protect their health.
 

Tell 5 and Save Lives

Tell five family members and friends how they can get heart-healthy. Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, taking the life of 1 in 3 women each year. This means women like you - mothers, sisters, friends - are dying at the rate of one per minute because they don't know what you know: heart disease kills.

Just think: You could save lives by bringing your network to our network. And if your five tell five, your mission can eventually impact hundreds and thousands of women.

Life's Simple Seven

Get Active

Finding time in our busy lives for exercise is challenging for all Americans. But the benefits far outweigh the sacrifices it takes to create time. The facts are clear: By exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk of heart disease. Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength and ability to function well. Physical activity = living a longer, healthier life.

Regular Physical Activity helps: Lower blood pressure, increase HDL “good” cholesterol in your blood, control blood sugar by improving how your body uses insulin, reduce stress, control body weight, and make you feel good about yourself.



Control Cholesterol 

Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance in the bloodstream and all your body's cells. It's normal to have cholesterol. Cholesterol is important to a healthy body because it produces cell membranes and some hormones and serves other needed bodily functions. But too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke.

Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. Your liver and other cells make up about 75% of your blood cholesterol. The other 25% comes from the foods you eat.

LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol. Too much of it circulates in the blood and can clog arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes that cause them to make too much. Eating saturated fat, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol also increases how much you have.

American Heart Association Recommendations:  Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. It's the number you receive as test results. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher puts you in a high-risk category and is cause to take action.


Eat Better

A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. You may be eating plenty of food, but your body may not get the nutrients needed to be healthy. Nutrient-rich foods have vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients but are lower in calories. To get the nutrients you need, choose foods like vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products most often. The American Heart Association recommends eating a wide variety of nutritious foods daily from each basic food group.

Recommended Food Choice Guidelines: Vegetables and fruits are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber; and lower in calories. Eating various fruits and vegetables may help you control your weight and blood pressure. Unrefined whole-grain foods contain fiber that can help lower your blood cholesterol and help you feel full. Eat fish at least twice a week. Recent research shows that eating oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, trout, and herring) may help lower your risk of death from coronary artery disease. Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat. Select fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products. Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat. Aim to eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day. Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 1500 milligrams of sodium per day.

Heart Healthy Red Foods

 
Manage Blood Pressure

Hypertension (also known as High Blood Pressure) is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you. It's sometimes called "the silent killer" because it has no symptoms. One in three adults has high blood pressure, yet, about 21% don’t even know they have it. Of those with high blood pressure, 69% are receiving treatment, yet, only 45% have their blood pressure controlled.

By keeping your blood pressure in the healthy range, you are:
* Reducing your risk of your vascular walls becoming overstretched and injured,
* Reducing your risk of your heart having to pump harder to compensate for blockages,
* Protecting your entire body so that your tissue receives regular supplies of blood that is rich in the oxygen it needs.

American Heart Association Guidelines: High blood pressure is manageable. These changes may reduce your blood pressure without the use of prescription medications: eating a heart-healthy diet, which may include reducing salt; enjoying regular physical activity; maintaining a healthy weight; managing stress; limiting alcohol; avoiding tobacco smoke.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Among Americans age 20 and older, 145 million are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 and higher). That’s 76.9 million men and 68.1 million women. Obesity is now recognized as a major, independent risk factor for heart disease. If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is at your waist - you are at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.

If you're overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off. When coming up with a fitness and nutrition plan to lose weight, it’s crucial to understand your recommended calorie intake. And then the amount of food calories you’re consuming verses the energy calories you’re burning off with different levels of physical activity. It’s balancing healthy eating (caloric energy) with the (molecular) energy that leaves your body through a healthy level of exercise.

Manage Blood Sugar

The American Heart Association considers diabetes one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes. Diabetes is treatable, but even when glucose levels are under control, it greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people with diabetes die of heart or blood vessel disease.

Pre-diabetes and subsequent type 2 diabetes usually result from insulin resistance. When insulin resistance or diabetes occurs with other CVD risk factors (such as obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and high triglycerides), the risk of heart disease and stroke rises even more. Controlling glucose can slow the progression of long-term complications. Often, many small changes add up to surprising improvements in diabetes control, including less need for medication.

American Heart Association Guidelines:  When diabetes is detected, a doctor may prescribe changes in eating habits, weight control, exercise programs, and medication to keep it in check. It's critical for people with diabetes to have regular check-ups. Work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes and control any other risk factors. For example, blood pressure for people with diabetes should be lower than 130/80 mm Hg.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries - which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack (myocardial infarction), and stroke. Smoking by itself increases the risk of coronary heart disease. When it acts with the other factors, it greatly increases your risk from those factors, too. Smoking decreases your tolerance for physical activity and increases blood clot tendencies. It decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. Your risks increase greatly if you smoke and have a family history of heart disease. Smoking also creates a higher risk for peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysms. It also increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness: Eating Challenges, Adaptive Tools, and Food Tolerance Tips

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects far more than joints—it often affects how, when, and what a person can eat. Pain, stiffness, fatigue, medication side effects, and digestive sensitivity can make everyday meals exhausting. During Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness, it’s important to talk honestly about these challenges—and the practical solutions that help people keep eating well.

Food is nourishment, but for people living with RA, it also requires adaptation, flexibility, and compassion.

---

Common Eating Challenges With Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Hand Pain, Weak Grip, and Limited Mobility

Inflammation in the hands, wrists, shoulders, and elbows can make it difficult to:

• Open jars or packages

• Hold utensils

• Cut food

• Lift pots or plates

On high-pain days, even simple meals can feel overwhelming.

---

2. Fatigue That Limits Meal Preparation

RA-related fatigue is not “just being tired.” It can make:

• Standing at the stove difficult

• Grocery shopping exhausting

• Cooking from scratch unrealistic

This often leads people to skip meals or rely on less nutritious convenience foods—not by choice, but by necessity.

---

3. Jaw, Neck, or TMJ Involvement

Some individuals with RA experience:

• Jaw stiffness or pain

• Difficulty chewing

• Pain with crunchy or tough foods

This can limit food variety and make eating uncomfortable.

---

4. Digestive Sensitivities & Medication Side Effects

RA medications may cause:

• Nausea

• Appetite loss

• Acid reflux

• Changes in taste

In addition, inflammation can affect digestion, making some foods harder to tolerate during flares.

---

Adaptive Tools That Make Eating Easier

Adaptive tools are not “giving up”—they are smart problem-solving tools that protect joints and preserve independence.

Helpful Kitchen & Eating Tools

• Built-up or foam-handled utensils (easier grip)

• Rocker knives (cut food with one hand)

• Lightweight cups with lids or straws

• Jar openers and electric can openers

• Non-slip mats to stabilize plates and cutting boards

• Food processors or mini choppers to reduce chopping

Small changes can dramatically reduce pain and fatigue at mealtime.

---

Eating Strategies for Better Food Tolerance

1. Choose Softer, Easier-to-Chew Foods

On flare days, prioritize:

• Soups and stews

• Yogurt, cottage cheese, and smoothies

• Scrambled eggs

• Oatmeal or soft whole grains

• Cooked vegetables instead of raw

Texture matters just as much as nutrition.

---

2. Use Gentle Cooking Methods

Steaming, slow-cooking, roasting, and braising help:

• Soften foods

• Improve digestibility

• Reduce chewing effort

Slow cookers and sheet-pan meals are joint-friendly and energy-saving.

---

3. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals

Large meals can worsen fatigue and nausea. Smaller meals:

• Support steady energy

• Improve tolerance during medication use

• Reduce digestive discomfort

---

4. Personalize Food Choices—There Is No Universal “RA Diet”

Food tolerance is highly individual. Some people notice symptom changes with:

• Excessively greasy foods

• Very spicy foods

• Large amounts of added sugars

• Alcohol

A simple food-and-symptom journal can help identify personal triggers—without unnecessary restriction.

---

5. Prioritize Anti-Inflammatory, Nutrient-Dense Foods

Even with limitations, aim for foods that support overall health:

• Fatty fish (or soft fish spreads)

• Beans, lentils, or hummus

• Cooked leafy greens

• Olive oil

• Soft fruits like berries or bananas

Nutrition should work with your body, not against it.

---

Emotional & Social Aspects of Eating With RA

Eating challenges can affect more than nutrition:

• Embarrassment eating in public

• Frustration needing help

• Grief over foods once enjoyed

Acknowledging these emotions matters. Adaptive tools and modified meals are not signs of weakness—they are tools for dignity and independence.

---

The Role of Professional Support

A Registered Dietitian can help:

• Adjust meals around medication schedules

• Prevent unintentional weight loss or gain

• Support bone and heart health

• Create flare-friendly meal plans

Organizations like the Arthritis Foundation also provide education and adaptive living resources for people with arthritis.

---

Awareness Means Access and Understanding

Rheumatoid arthritis changes how people eat—but with the right tools, strategies, and support, nourishing meals remain possible. Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness is not only about the disease—it’s about ensuring people have access to adaptive tools, realistic nutrition guidance, and the dignity to eat comfortably.

Croissant from Dough to Joy

Croissant from Dough to Joy

Tabouli, Tomatoes, and Feta Cheese on
Mini Croissant
#NationalCroissantDay 

Croissant Sandwich with Tabouli,
Tomatoes, and Feta Cheese

Serves One

Ingredients
1 Croissant (1 ounce)
1 Tbsp Tabouli Salad
2 slices Tomatoes
1/2 oz Feta Cheese

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, FAND recipenews@gmail.com
954-294-6300

Oats: The Versatile Grain

Introduction

Oats, a humble grain, have long been a staple in many diets around the world. Renowned for their health benefits and versatility, oats come in various forms, each with its unique texture, cooking time, and culinary uses.

Different Types of Oats and Serving Suggestions

Whole Oat Groats: These are the most unprocessed form of oats, resembling rice grains. They have a hard, chewy texture and require the longest cooking time. Use in salads or as a rice alternative.

Steel Cut/Irish Oats: These look like chopped-up grains, a bit like coarse breadcrumbs. They have a chewy, dense texture and provide a more rustic eating experience. Ideal for a hearty breakfast porridge.

Scottish Oats: They are more like a coarse meal, with a creamy and smooth texture when cooked. Perfect for a traditional, creamy oatmeal.

Rolled/Old-Fashioned Oats: These are flat and flaky, having been steamed and rolled. They're soft and cook quicker than steel-cut oats but retain a distinct texture. Versatile for baking, making granola, or as a breakfast cereal.

Quick Oats: These resemble rolled oats but are cut finer and rolled thinner, cooking even faster and offering a softer texture. Quick and convenient for a fast breakfast or for thickening soups and stews.

Instant Oats: The most processed, these oats are pre-cooked and dried, appearing as thin, soft flakes that cook in minutes. Best for an instant breakfast or as a quick thickener.

Oat Bran: This looks like fine, pale brown crumbs and is the outer husk of the oat grain, high in dietary fiber. This can be added to smoothies or yogurt or used in baking for added fiber.

Oat Flour: A fine, powdery flour that can be used in baking, offering a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Great for gluten-free baking, pancakes, and as a healthy flour substitute.

Benefits of Oats

Oats are highly regarded for their nutritional value and health benefits, making them a favored choice in many diets. Here are some of the key health benefits of oats:

1. Heart Health: Oats are known for their ability to lower cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (bad) cholesterol, without affecting HDL (good) cholesterol.

2. 
   

3. Blood Sugar Control: Oats have been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, making them particularly beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

4. 
   

5. Weight Management: The soluble fiber in oats can help in weight management. It increases the feeling of fullness, reduces hunger, and thereby may help in reducing overall calorie intake.

6. 
   

7. Digestive Health: Oats are high in soluble and insoluble fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health. This fiber helps regulate bowel movements and is known to prevent constipation.

8. 
   

9. Gluten-Free: While oats are naturally gluten-free, they are sometimes processed in facilities that handle gluten-containing grains. Pure, uncontaminated oats are a safe and nutritious option for those on a gluten-free diet.

10. 
    

11. Nutrition


Oats are a nutritional powerhouse. They are high in soluble fiber and a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. Their low glycemic index makes them beneficial for weight management and for those with diabetes.

Conclusion

Oats are not just a breakfast staple; their various forms lend themselves to a multitude of culinary uses. From a morning porridge to a baking ingredient, oats offer both health benefits and delicious possibilities, making them a valuable addition to any diet.

Resources and References
1. Different Types of Oats: Health Facts, Cooking Tips, and Recipes. Written by Lexi Cole, RD, CCMS. To Taste

2. Wikipedia: Oatmeal

 

Menu, Recipe, and 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, FAND
recipenews@gmail.com
954-294-6300