National Fruit Cocktail Day Definitions. 1. A mixture of sliced or diced fruits. 2. A mixture of chopped fruit served as an appetizer, often chilled; tends to be less sweet than a fruit salad. 3. A mixture of fresh or preserved fruits cut into pieces and served as an appetizer or dessert; also called a fruit cup. 4. Canned fruit cocktail and canned fruit salad are similar, but fruit salad contains larger fruit while fruit cocktail is diced.
Canned Fruit Cocktail can be purchased in the following packing mediums:
Extra heavy Heavy Light Fruit Juice and Water Fruit Juice Artificially Sweetened The USDA product sheets1 state canned "Fruit cocktail" must contain pears, grapes, cherries, peaches, and pineapples, otherwise it cannot be called fruit cocktail. It should contain fruits in not less nor more than the following percentages: 30% to 50% diced peaches, any yellow variety 25% to 45% diced pears, any variety 6% to 16% diced pineapple, any variety 6% to 20% whole grapes, any seedless variety 2% to 6% cherry halves, any light sweet or artificial red variety
A simple fruit salad or fruit kabob makes a healthy dish and easy to prepare.
Mothers are special. You can create a gift she will cherish forever without spending a lot of money or very little. Some of my favorite gifts have been handmade.
Gift Ideas for Mom with Zero Calories
Photos or Homemade Cards
Nutrition Consult with a Registered Dietitian
Perfume
Spa Day or Massage
Online Video
Flowers and/or Balloons Handprints
Gift Baskets
Makeover Vouchers for: 1. Go food shopping for a month. 2. Wash mom's car. 3. Clean the kitchen for a week. 4. Treat mom to a movie.
Favorite Mother's Day Videos
Anne Geddes pictures to Celine Dions song 'A mothers Prayer'
On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the National Association of Letter Carriers will do its part to Stamp Out Hunger across America. Now in its 32nd year, the Stamp Out Hunger effort is the nation's largest single-day food drive collecting more than one billion pounds of food since its inception in 1993. In 2012, Americans donated more than 70 million pounds of food, which marked the ninth consecutive year at least 70 million pounds were collected.
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive provides food to local food banks and pantries that rely on donations. With more than 50 million Americans living at risk of hunger, food banks nationwide continue to experience record demand for emergency food assistance.
Donate items, such as canned meats, fish, soup, bottled juice, vegetables, pasta, cereal, and rice that do not require refrigeration. Please do not include expired items or glass containers.
Stamp Out Hunger
Help out
Place non-perishable food products in a bag and leave them on your mailbox. Your Letter Carrier will deliver the food to local food banks.
I always considered myself an organized person, but sometime in the 1980s, I started saving everything from – old lesson plans; grocery receipts (from recipe testing); scrap papers with numbers (no names); clothes (from size 2 to 24); my son’s artwork; Journals; textbooks, VHS; cassettes; broken phones; wires.. the list is too long to include everything here.
I started to go through my collection of “stuff” to see what I had and what I no longer needed. I knew this would be a massive undertaking; this was over 30 years of my life collecting dust in boxes, files, drawers, cupboards, closets, the garage, and the attic. In just 3 months, I had thrown out over 15 large garbage bags of junk and still did not feel I had made a dent.
This week, I decided to focus only on one part of the house. I chose my office, which is connected to my bedroom. I would not be going through my clothes yet, but it was on the to-do list. I gathered all the boxes from my office, bedroom, under-the-bed, cupboards, shelves, drawers, filing cabinets, and the hidden closet. I placed everything in my den to use as my staging area. This was also the only place in my home that still had a record player. I thought while I’m going through this massive amount of paper, I would listen to some of my old favorites before I donated (or threw out) my albums. I have to check to see if they are recyclable.
Who Is NAPO? The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is a group of about 4,200 professional organizers dedicated to helping individuals and businesses bring order and efficiency to their lives. Their vision is to have the world recognize the value of organizing and turn to NAPO as the leading organizing authority. Their mission is to develop, lead, and promote professional organizers and the organizing industry. In addition to serving professional organizers, they aim to help consumers and those interested in becoming professional organizers.
Get Rid of Clutter
Benefits of Organization Organization improves one’s work, life, financial situation and frees up time and space.
10 Benefits of Getting Organized 1. Stress levels will go down, and there will be less chaos and a more relaxed life. 2. Efficiency gets projects done quicker with less time wasted on looking for things and being able to make quicker decisions. 3. An organized person is able to fit in time for friends, family members, and helping out in the community. 4. Getting organized helps you feel better about your environment, and you are more likely to invite people into your environment without embarrassment. 5. You'll be a better role model for your children. 6. Get organized, and you'll have more than enough time to exercise and cook healthy meals for yourself and your family. 7. An organized environment also tends to be a much cleaner environment. 8. An organized person gives a much better business impression than someone who can't find a phone number, has an office piled with cardboard boxes, or is always late for appointments. 9. When you're organized, you'll always know what you have before you buy more. 10. Organized people find ways to eliminate tasks that aren't necessary and to streamline those that are taking too much time. This leaves plenty of time to work on achieving your goals. “Organization brings a level of peace and tranquility to your life,” says Jennifer Snyder of Neat as a Pin! Organizing Experts. Snyder also advises people not to keep things around “just in case.” “Clutter makes noise; it makes energetic noise. It sucks your energy from you.” Clutter also attracts dust and pests. “Clutter is basically sending a message there’s something in your life that you need to get at. Snyder organizes for no more than four hours at a time to give her clients time to adjust to the improvements. “It didn’t get that way overnight. It’s a lifestyle change. You’re changing the way you think about things and becoming more emotionally healthy,” she said. What to do with castoffs. Once space is organized, there will be bags of items to discard. An itemized list of donations to receive tax deductions and discard things properly, such as erasing computer hard drives before dropping them off at a donation center.
Being better organized can provide energy, time and happiness.
I read that one should take a photo of one's child's artwork, and then the boxes of schoolwork can be thrown away. I had one problem—my son. As I was admiring the years of his efforts, he came by to see how I was doing. With a look of shock and horror, Jake told me how I could throw away his work. "I made it for you, Mom." So here is the photo. I ended up keeping his cherished work. I guess I'm not ready to get rid of everything yet.
Thousands of communities take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education.
“After you turn into an adult with cerebral palsy, there is little medical support. Most of the studies, surgeries, and what have you are done with children with cerebral palsy. I walk into a doctor’s office and say I have cerebral palsy and get “that look” from the doctor. The look most adults with CP have seen numerous times in their life, the look of “Oh crap, I am going to have to Google this when I get home.” - Mary Catherine
People with disabilities encounter a range of barriers when they attempt to access health care including the following.
Prohibitive costs
Affordability of health services and transportation are two main reasons why people with disabilities do not receive needed health care in low-income countries - 32-33% of non-disabled people are unable to afford health care compared to 51-53% of people with disabilities.
Limited availability of services The lack of appropriate services for people with disabilities is a significant barrier to health care. For example, research in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states of India found that after the cost, the lack of services in the area was the second most significant barrier to using health facilities. Physical barriers
Uneven access to buildings (hospitals, health centers), inaccessible medical equipment, poor signage, narrow doorways, internal steps, inadequate bathroom facilities, and inaccessible parking areas create barriers to health care facilities. For example, women with mobility difficulties are often unable to access breast and cervical cancer screening because examination tables are not height-adjustable and mammography equipment only accommodates women who are able to stand.
Inadequate skills and knowledge of health workers
People with disabilities were more than twice as likely to report finding health care provider skills inadequate to meet their needs, four times more likely to report being treated badly and nearly three times more likely to report being denied care.
Addressing barriers to health care
Governments can improve health outcomes for people with disabilities by improving access to quality, affordable health care services, which make the best use of available resources. As several factors interact to inhibit access to health care, reforms in all the interacting components of the health care system are required.
Policy and legislation
Assess existing policies and services, identify priorities to reduce health inequalities, and plan improvements for access and inclusion. Establish health care standards related to the care of persons with disabilities with enforcement mechanisms.
Service delivery
Provide a broad range of modifications and adjustments (reasonable accommodation) to facilitate access to health care services. For example, changing the physical layout of clinics to provide access for people with mobility difficulties or communicating health information in accessible formats such as Braille. Empower people with disabilities to maximize their health by providing information, training, and peer support. Promote community-based rehabilitation (CBR) to facilitate access for disabled people to existing services. Identify groups that require alternative service delivery models, for example, targeted services or care coordination to improve access to health care.
Human resources
Integrate disability education into undergraduate and continuing education for all healthcare professionals. Train community workers so that they can play a role in preventive health care services. Provide evidence-based guidelines for assessment and treatment.
WHO response
In order to improve access to health services for people with disabilities, promote strategies to ensure that people with disabilities are knowledgeable about their own health conditions and that healthcare personnel support and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
Stay hydrated with infused water! Dress up your water with fruit. Perfect for hot days or when you're active. Celebrate National #Beverage Day and Drinking #Water Week with a refreshing twist! #StayHydrated
Drink plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids. Our body needs water to keep cool. Persons who are on fluid restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Limit caffeinated beverages and do not drink alcoholic beverages.
Staying hydrated is important, especially when the temperature rises or during increased physical activity. Try these easy ways to increase your fluid intake:
1. Carry a reusable water bottle. Keep it full.
2. Add flavor to your water, such as slices of lemon, lime, cucumber or strawberries. Herbal iced teas can be a great way to increase fluids.
3. Eat Fruit or Popsicle. You can get fluids from the foods you eat. Watermelon and cantaloupe have high water content. A 100% fruit juice pop provides fluids and is refreshing on a hot day.
4. Plan ahead. If you are going to be outside at a picnic or ball game, make sure to pack plenty of fluids
International No Diet Day (INDD) is annually observed on May 6th. It is a celebration of body acceptance and body shape diversity. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of diets. A blue ribbon is used to symbolized INDD cause.
The INDD was created in 1992 by Mary Evans Young, a British woman who decided to fight the diet industry in order to raise awareness of the dangers of dieting, anorexia nervosa, and other eating disorders. The Goals of the INDD: 1. Doubt the idea of one "right" body shape. 2. Raise awareness of weight discrimination, size bias, and fatphobia. 3. Declare a free day from diets and obsessions to body weight. 4. Present the facts about the diet industry, emphasizing the inefficacy of commercial diets. 5. Show how diets perpetuate violence against women. 6. Honor the Victims of eating disorders and weight-loss surgeries.
Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It is often mistakenly thought to be Mexico's Independence Day, but that is actually celebrated on September 16. Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.
During Cinco de Mayo celebrations, food is integral, with many traditional Mexican dishes being served. Some popular foods typically enjoyed on Cinco de Mayo include:
1. Tacos - Perhaps the most universally loved Mexican dish, tacos on Cinco de Mayo can come in many varieties, from classic carne asada (grilled beef) to al pastor (marinated pork) and fish tacos.
2. Enchiladas are tortillas rolled around a filling (often meat) and covered with chili pepper sauce. They can be made with a variety of sauces and fillings.
3. Tamales are dough (made from masa) filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, or chilies, then wrapped in corn husks and steamed.
4. Guacamole and Chips. This dip is made from mashed avocados, onions, tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro and served with tortilla chips. It’s a staple at many festive gatherings.
5. Pozole Soup - This is a traditional soup or stew made from hominy, with meat (typically pork) and garnished with cabbage, chile peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa, or limes.
6. Churros is a sweet treat made from fried dough. They are often sprinkled with sugar and served with chocolate sauce for dipping.
These dishes are often accompanied by Mexican beverages such as margaritas, cerveza (beer), and horchata (a sweet drink made from rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon). Celebrations include not only food but also music, dancing, and decorations with vibrant colors, embodying the lively spirit of the day.
Cinco de Mayo
Nacho in a Cup with Plantain Chips
Hoagie Meets Cinco de Mayo
There are different stories about how the hoagie was discovered, but most of them originate from the Philadelphia area. The sandwich contains various meats, cheeses, and lettuce between two slices of bread or a loaf cut in half.
Ingredients
1.5 oz Whole Wheat Roll
20 g (3/4 oz) Salami 1/2 oz Monterey Jack Cheese 1/2 oz Turkey Bread Salsa Jalapeno Red Peppers Tomato Slice Shredded Lettuce
Orange juice is rich in Vitamin C. It helps maintain healthy teeth and gums; improves circulation; enhances iron absorption and helps resist infections. Orange juice contains Hesperidin, a bioflavonoid that may lower the risk of heart disease.
Bottled Sunshine...A Juicy Story (1968)
Part of the story of Florida citrus cultivation, processing and manufacturing. Produced by Hack Swain Productions; sponsored by Tropicana Products.
Tuna Creations, Sustainable Seas. From classic to stylish, each dish offers a taste of the ocean's bounty, sustainably sourced and beautifully served. #WorldTunaDay #tuna
Tuna is a saltwater fish belonging to the mackerel family (Scombridae). It is one of the only species of fish that can maintain a body temperature higher than that of the surrounding water.
Mercury Concerns
Questions & Answers from the FDA/EPA Advice on What Pregnant Women and Parents Should Know about Eating Fish, FDA
Fish are a high-quality protein source, and lower mercury fish are a good choice for everyone. This advice is specifically for women who are pregnant, might become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, and for young children, but everyone can follow this advice.
Albacore has more omega-3 fat per ounce, but since it comes from a larger tuna species, it also has more mercury. On the other hand, chunk light comes from a smaller fish species and has less mercury and omega-3 fat.
The Food and Drug Administration and EPA recommend that women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing moms and young children eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) of lower-mercury fish and shellfish each week. Since albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than light tuna, when choosing your 2 fish, you can safely eat up to 6 ounces of albacore tuna each week (which is a healthy serving of tuna for one average meal).
Use the chart to help you choose which fish to eat each week. Eating a variety of fish is better for you and your child than eating the same type every time.
Canned Tuna Tuna is one of the easiest protein sources to keep on stock for a quick meal.
Choosing the Right Can Water and Oil-packed tuna can be used to create a healthy recipe. The most common water-packed varieties in the market are albacore and chunk light. Albacore has a milder flavor, while chunk light tends to have a stronger flavor. Three ounces of tuna canned in water has the following nutrition information:
Recipe
Tomato, Tuna & Tarragon Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients. 1/2 cup diced Red Onion 1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise Freshly Ground Pepper To Taste 6-ounce, 2 cans chunk light tuna in olive oil, water-packed 2 Celery, stalks, thinly sliced 1/4 cup Packed coarsely chopped fresh tarragon leaves 8 cups Torn lettuce, or mixed greens
Directions.
1. Place onion in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Drain.
2. Whisk mayonnaise and pepper in a medium bowl. Add tuna, celery, tarragon, and onion; stir to combine. Serve on top of the lettuce (or mixed greens) with tomato and lemon wedges.
May 2nd is Scurvy Awareness Day. Scurvy is a
disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C and is still prevalent in certain
populations around the world.
Symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, joint
pain, and swollen gums. Thankfully, scurvy is easy to prevent by incorporating
foods rich in vitamin C into your diet, such as citrus fruits, berries, kiwi,
peppers, and broccoli. Let's spread awareness about the importance of getting
enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy! #ScurvyAwareness #VitaminC #HealthyDiet
Ollie, the Orange Fights Scurvy
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived an orange named Ollie. Ollie was a sweet, juicy, and plump orange who lived in a sunny orchard with his friends. He loved nothing more than basking in the sun and growing big and strong.
One day, while enjoying a sunny day in the orchard, Ollie overheard a group of fruits talking about a scary disease called scurvy. They said that scurvy happened when someone did not eat enough vitamin C and that it could cause a person to become very sick.
Ollie was a curious orange, and he wanted to learn more about this scary disease. So, he decided to ask the wise lemon who lived in the orchard.
The wise lemon told Ollie that vitamin C was very important for keeping our bodies healthy and strong. She said that fruits and vegetables were the best sources of vitamin C and that people who did not get enough of this vitamin could get sick with scurvy.
Ollie was very worried about the people who might get sick with scurvy. He knew he had to do something to help. So, Ollie gathered all of his vitamin C-rich friends, and they decided to team up and spread the word about the importance of eating foods rich in vitamin C.
Together, the fruits and vegetables made posters and held a rally in the town square. They sang songs and handed out oranges to everyone they met. They even talked to the news, who promised to spread the word about vitamin C and scurvy to all the people in the world.
Thanks to Ollie and his vitamin C-rich friends, the people of their community learned about the importance of eating foods rich in vitamin C, like the ones on their signs. They started to eat more fruits and vegetables, and scurvy became a thing of the past. And Ollie the Orange became a hero in the land, known for his bravery, kindness, and juicy goodness.
Instead of salt, use herbs, spices, lemon juice, and/or vinegar to enhance the taste of your food. The health benefits are life-long.
Enhance the Flavor of Foods with Herbs
Wikipedia has provided an extensive list of culinary herbs and spices. The list does not contain salt (which is a mineral) or plants used primarily as herbal teas or medicinal herbs. Explore the different flavors and cultures.
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
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If you’re looking for a lighter side dish for the holidays, you’ll love
these creamy buttermilk mashed potatoes with fresh chives. Serve them with
Thanksgi...
Mumbai Sandwich
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On a recent trip to India, I enjoyed a wonderful Mumbai/Bombay sandwich at
a friend's house. It was tasty and a fun change from your regular sandwich.
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