International Day of Peace

International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") allows individuals, organizations, and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.

In 2002, the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to cooperate for this goal. During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:

"Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all people that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."

International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace,
observed each year on 21 September 

“Together, let us stand up against bigotry
and for human rights.
Together, let us build bridges. Together,
let us transform fear into hope.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

2024 Theme: Cultivating a Culture of Peace
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration on a Culture of Peace. The declaration reminds us that peace is more than the absence of conflict – it requires active participation, dialogue, and mutual understanding.

In today’s world of rising tensions, the values laid out in 1999 are more important than ever: respect for life, human rights, non-violence, and a commitment to dialogue over confrontation.

As UNESCO’s Constitution states, “wars begin in the minds of men,” and so must the defenses of peace. The International Day of Peace isn’t just about ceasefires – it’s about recognizing our shared humanity and cultivating peace through education and cooperation across generations and nations.

Our survival as a global community depends on it.

September is Better Breakfast Month

*Children who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight.

*Children who eat breakfast have more energy.

*Children who eat breakfast concentrate better.

*Children who eat breakfast have higher grades in school.

*Children who skip breakfast may have learning and behavioral problems.

*Children who skip breakfast may develop nutritional deficiencies.

*Children who eat breakfast are Alert, Energized and Ready for a Brand New Day.

Breakfast Ideas

The presentation encourages food exploration 

A Special Thank You to Raffi and the
Centre for Child Honouring for
providing permission to use
"Rise and Shine" to encourage a Healthy Breakfast.

"Raffi" (Raffi Cavoukian), C.M., O.B.C.

Founder and Chair, Centre for Child Honouring

He is known to millions as "Raffi", a beloved songwriter and performer, author, ecology advocate and founder of Centre for Child Honouring. Child Honouring is a vision for creating a humane and sustainable world by addressing the universal needs of children.

In his career, which spans three-decades, Raffi has refused all commercial endorsement offers, and Troubadour Music, his own company, has never directly advertised or marketed to children. He is a passionate advocate for a child’s right to live free of commercial exploitation.

"We invite you to be a part of the global movement that views honouring children as the best way to create sustainable, peace-making societies."  - Raffi

To learn more about the Centre for Child Honouring, please visit the Centre for Child Honouring and join "the compassion revolution."

National Cheeseburger Day - Healthy Homemade Cheeseburger

Healthy Homemade Cheeseburger 

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
3/4 lb extra-lean ground beef
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
2 tbsp chili sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard
4 slices (3/4 oz each) reduced-fat cheddar
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns
Lettuce and tomato slices

Preparation
1. Mix first 4 ingredients.
2. Form mixture into four 1-inch-thick patties.
3. Broil 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium to well-done burgers.
4. Top each burger with a cheese slice right before removing from the oven.
5. Transfer burgers onto buns, top with lettuce and tomato and serve.

Reference:

Epiccurious, Healthy Homemade Cheeseburger

September 13, National Celiac Disease Awareness Day

Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. The disease affects about one in 100 people in Europe and North America.

The Awareness Campaign provides current, comprehensive, science-based information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

The key to understanding the Gluten-Free diet is to become a good ingredient label reader. The following ingredients should not be consumed. They come from prohibited grains: barley, rye, triticale, wheat (durum, graham, kamut, semolina, spelt), malt, malt flavoring, and malt vinegar (generally made from barley—verify the source).

Celiac Disease Foundation 

Public Service Announcement

Riceworks Sponsors Interview With 

Celiac Disease Expert Shelley Case

Resources

1. Celiac Disease Foundation
2. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Celiac Disease
3. Shelley Case, RD

National Nutrition Week in India - The Indian Cuisine

National Nutrition Week in India

Vision
To achieve optimal nutrition of vulnerable segments of the population such as women of reproductive age, children, adolescent girls, and the elderly.

Mission
To enable food and nutrition security conducive to good health, growth & development and increase productivity through dedicated research, so as to achieve the national nutrition goals set by the government of India in the national nutrition policy.

National Nutrition Week (India)
Dietary Guidelines of Indians 

Indian cuisine encompasses a wide variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to India. Given the range of diversity in soil type, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and occupations, these cuisines vary substantially from each other and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits.  

Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious, in particular, Hindu and cultural choices and traditions. Also, Middle Eastern and Central Asian influences have occurred on North Indian cuisine from the years of Mughal rule. Indian cuisine is still evolving, as a result of the nation's cultural interactions with other societies.

Indian Chicken Curry with Rice, #EatingWell   

Historical incidents such as foreign invasions, trade relations, and colonialism have played a role in introducing certain foods to the country. For instance, potato, a staple of the diet in some regions of India, was brought to India by the Portuguese, who also introduced chilies and breadfruit. 

Indian cuisine has shaped the history of international relations; the spice trade between India and Europe was the primary catalyst for Europe's Age of Discovery. Spices were bought from India and traded around Europe and Asia. Indian cuisine has influenced other cuisines across the world, especially those from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, the British Isles, Fiji, and the Caribbean.

Resources and References

1. National Nutrition Week (India) – Dietary Guidelines of Indians
2. Indian Cuisine, Wikipedia - Spices at a grocery shop in India   

3. Indian Chicken Curry with Rice, #EatingWell   

Preparing Safe Lunches

While children rely on teachers for daily lessons, making safe lunches falls squarely on caregivers. Unlike cafeteria workers who regularly take food safety training, most parents preparing lunch for their kids at home or taking it to school haven’t received any formal food safety instruction. Nutrition counts, too. The lunch you’re making satisfies the hunger pangs of busy kids and fuels their cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that proper nutrition improves students’ scores, memory capacities, motor skills, social skills, and language skills. Keep them well-fed and safe with the four steps to food safety – Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.

Clean: The best way to prevent many forms of illness, including foodborne illness, is with proper hand washing. Children should always clean their hands before eating, and parents should do so before and during lunch preparation. It’s easy to get preoccupied with busy schedules and rush through the five steps of washing hands; however, handwashing is vital to remove any germs that may be present. Hand washing should always include the following:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Rub your hands together with soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel.

Separate: Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw meat and poultry away from ready-to-eat foods. When preparing perishable foods that require cutting (for example, raw bacon and raw chicken you plan to cook for salad), separate these items from fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and other foods to avoid cross-contamination.

• Cut up and prepare your raw ingredients to avoid cross-contamination when handling your ready-to-eat items for salads or other sides.
• Different colored cutting boards are a great reminder to prevent cross-contamination (you can use a green cutting board for fresh produce and another color for meat and poultry).

Cook: Have a food thermometer easily accessible to ensure you’re cooking to recommended safe internal temperatures:

• Cook whole cuts of meat, including beef and pork, to 145 degrees Fahrenheit and allow them to rest for at least 3 minutes before carving.
• Cook ground meats, like burgers and sausages, to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cook all chicken and turkey to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chill: When preparing lunch ahead of time, remember that perishable foods should not be placed in the Danger Zone—temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit—where bacteria multiply quickly and can make food unsafe.

• Ensure all perishable items are refrigerated within two hours of coming out of the oven or refrigerator.
• Discard food left out for more than two hours to prevent foodborne illness.
• If your child needs to carry their lunch, never pack perishable foods in a brown paper bag because they will be unsafe by lunchtime. Use an insulated, soft-sided lunch bag and add a frozen gel pack and a frozen juice box or bottle of water with the lunch.

These four steps – Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill – give parents and caregivers steps they can use to protect their children from food poisoning. Now that we’ve covered all the basics, you’re ready for the big test – hungry students!

International Youth Day

The world’s young people – who make up the largest generation of youth in history – can lead a global drive to break the patterns of the past and set the world on course to a more sustainable future. Young people are directly affected by the tragic contradictions that prevail today: between abject poverty and ostentatious wealth, gnawing hunger and shameful food waste, rich natural resources, and polluting industries. Youth can deliver solutions to these issues, which lie at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.    - Ban Ki-moon

The theme of International Youth Day 2024 is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” This theme highlights the key connection between digitalization and accelerating the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the crucial contributions of young people in this transformative process.

Technologies like mobile devices, digital platforms, and emerging innovations like artificial intelligence are crucial in advancing the SDGs. Data generated from every digital interaction is fundamental to digital transformation, enabling evidence-based decision-making. It is estimated that digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70% of the 169 SDG targets, bringing about a profound impact across their economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

While challenges such as the digital divide persist, young people are often considered “digital natives” at the forefront of adopting and innovating with new technologies. They form the largest demographic of users and developers, shaping digital trends globally. As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, youth remain an essential demographic group in leveraging the transformative power of technologies to address global challenges.

Secretary-General Video Message: 

International Youth Day 2024

 

The Journey of the Passion Fruit from Farm to Table

The journey of passion fruit from farm to table involves several stages of cultivation, harvesting, processing, and distribution. Here's an overview of the process:

Cultivation and Farming: Passion fruit is typically grown in tropical and subtropical regions with warm climates. It requires well-drained soil, plenty of sunlight, and regular rainfall. Farming includes planting seeds or seedlings, supporting structures for vines to climb (such as trellises), and maintaining proper irrigation and nutrition.

Growing passion fruit from seed

 

Plant Care and Maintenance: Farmers need to monitor the health of the passion fruit plants, control pests and diseases, and provide necessary fertilization. Regular pruning helps improve fruit production and quality.

Flowering and Pollination: Passion fruit vines produce intricate and beautiful flowers. Proper pollination is essential for fruit development. In some regions, native pollinators like bees play a crucial role, while manual pollination might be necessary in others.

Fruit Development and Harvesting: As the flowers are pollinated, they develop into green fruits that gradually mature into distinctive purple or yellow passion fruits. The harvest timing depends on factors like fruit color, size, and desired sweetness. Overripe fruits may fall from the vine and become damaged.

The Nutrition of the Passion Fruit



Harvesting: Passion fruits are harvested by hand. Workers carefully pluck ripe fruits from the vines to avoid damaging them. It's important to handle the fruits gently to prevent bruising.

Post-Harvest Handling: After harvesting, the fruits are sorted to remove damaged or unripe ones. They are then washed and sometimes treated with a mild disinfectant. Proper handling and storage help maintain the quality and extend the shelf life of the fruits.

Packaging and Transportation: Passion fruits are packed into crates or boxes, often lined with protective padding to prevent bruising during transit. Temperature control might be necessary to ensure the fruits arrive at their destination in good condition.

Distribution: Passion fruits are transported from the farm to distribution centers or wholesalers. From there, they are distributed to local markets and grocery stores and potentially even exported to other countries.

Retail and Consumption: Passion fruits are available for purchase in grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other retail outlets. Consumers can select ripe fruits based on appearance and aroma. The fruits can be eaten fresh, juiced, or used in various culinary applications, adding a tangy and tropical flavor to dishes and beverages.

Culinary Use: Passion fruits can be used in various ways, such as making juices, smoothies, desserts, sauces, and jams. The unique flavor profile of passion fruit adds a delightful and refreshing taste to a wide range of recipes.

Passion Fruit Mousse

The journey of passion fruit from the farm to your table involves the coordinated efforts of farmers, laborers, distributors, and retailers to ensure that the fruit reaches you in its freshest and most flavorful state.

Resources

1. Health Benefits of Passion Fruit. High levels of key vitamins and minerals and is rich in antioxidants.  Medical News.
2. Fresh Passion Fruit Recipes, Insanely Good

Get Acquainted with Kiwifruit Month

Kiwifruit Month 

The Kiwifruit

History of the Kiwifruit.

Originally discovered in the Chang Kiang Valley of China, kiwifruit was considered a delicacy by the great Khans who enjoyed the emerald green color and wonderful flavor. By the mid-1800s, the fruit had found its way into other countries and was nicknamed the Chinese gooseberry. New Zealand growers started to export this exotic fruit to specialized markets around the world.

Then in 1962, a California produce dealer began importing New Zealand gooseberries. The dealer renamed the product "kiwifruit" because of its resemblance to the fuzzy brown kiwi — New Zealand's funny-looking national bird. By the late 1960s, California began producing its own kiwifruit in the Delano and Gridley areas.

How to Eat A Kiwi

There's no "right" or "wrong" way to eat California Kiwifruit. But since most people find that slicing and scooping is a good way to get the most from their kiwifruit, we coined the word "slooping" to describe it! Here's how to sloop your kiwi:

Using a sharp knife, slice the kiwifruit lengthwise to create two identical halves. Then use a spoon to scoop the sweet, delicious meat of the kiwifruit from each half. Looking for maximum fiber and nutrition? Don't throw that skin away! It's loaded with nutrients and fiber, so rinse it off and bite right in! 

The kiwifruit is a rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin K, and Fiber. It is low in calories, low in sodium, has no cholesterol, and only a small amount of fat. 


One Large Kiwifruit weighs about 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and provides the following nutrition.

Kiwi Raspberry Parfail

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients

2 cookies crumbled
4 oz yogurt, low fat

2  kiwifruit, peeled, dice
1/2c raspberries

 2-3 fresh mint leaves

Directions
Layer the ingredients in the following order:

• Cookie crumbles
• Raspberries
• Yogurt, low fat
• Kiwi
• Garnish. Raspberry and Mint leaves
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

July 26, National Bagelfest Day Bagel Terminology and Nutrition Information

General Bagel Rules

*1 ounce of a bagel equals 80 calories (most bagels weigh about 3 ounces).
*Scooped, when the inside of the bagel is removed (Saves about 40 to 80 calories). 
*Smear equals about one to two tablespoons of cream cheese.

Joy Bauer, RD takes us through the bagel's history from its start in the royal palace of Poland, to the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side to the plates of millions of Americans. Find out what's in a bagel and how you can enjoy the bagel without the guilt.

Meal Planning

National Tequila Day

Tequila is a regional distilled beverage and type of alcoholic drink made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila. Tequila is commonly served neat in Mexico and as a shot with salt and lime across the rest of the world.

Ingredients

Ice

1 ounces tequila (optional)

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 ounce grenadine syrup

Orange slice, for garnish

Maraschino cherry

Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice, and pour in the tequila (optional) and orange juice.
2. Slowly pour the grenadine into the glass over the back of a spoon or drizzle it down the side of the glass, allowing it to settle at the bottom.
3. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Nutrition Profile
Yield: 1 serving
Calories (kcal)                  201

Protein (g)                        1

Carbohydrates (g)            26

Total Dietary Fiber (g)       1

Total Sugars (g)                20

Added Sugar (g)               6

Fat (g)                             0

Cholesterol (mg)               0

Vitamin C (mg)                 57

Potassium (mg)                303

Sodium (mg)                    4

Alcohol (g)                       14

Nutrition Profile (without Alcohol)

Yield: 1 serving

Calories (kcal)                   136

Protein (g)                        1

Carbohydrates (g)             26

Total Dietary Fiber (g)       1

Total Sugars (g)                20

Added Sugar (g)               6

Fat (g)                             0

Cholesterol (mg)               0

Vitamin C (mg)                 57

Potassium (mg)                303

Sodium (mg)                    4

Alcohol (g)                       4

The Eagles - Tequila Sunrise