Saturday, March 8, 2025

International Women's Day



"Each year, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark women's economic, political, and social achievements. Organizations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations, and the media celebrate the day. Many groups worldwide choose different themes each year that are relevant to global and local gender issues.

2025 Theme: 
“For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”

This year’s theme calls for action to unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation—youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls—as catalysts for lasting change.



Imagine a gender-equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together, we can forge women's equality.
Collectively, we can all #BreakTheBias.
Celebrate women's achievements. Raise awareness against bias. 


Friday, March 7, 2025

Every Spoonful Tells a Story: Dive into the World of Cereal

Every Spoonful Tells a Story


Looking for ways to sweeten your cereal?
Try nature's sweetness - Fruit
.



  


Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Mardi Gras - Sausage Gumbo with Okra and Corn

Mardi Gras is a celebration that includes masks, costumes, parades, and rich foods. Its origins can be traced to medieval Europe.


Feast of Fat Tuesday: A Mardi Gras Culinary Parade
Dive into the heart of Mardi Gras celebrations!




Sausage Gumbo with Added Okra and Corn.


The light version of  Per serving: 168 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 25 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 11 g protein; 3 g fiber; 631 mg sodium; 448 mg potassium.

Ingredients

12 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage links, remove casings
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups chopped tomatoes
4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 ½ cups frozen chopped okra
¾ cup instant brown rice

Directions

1. Cook sausage in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl lined with paper towels.

2. Return the pan to medium-high heat and add oil.

3. Add onion and cook, often stirring, for about 2 minutes. Add garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring often, about 30 seconds.

4. Add flour and cook, stirring to coat the vegetables, until the flour browns, about 1 minute.

5. Add tomatoes and cook, occasionally stirring, for about 2 minutes. Stir in broth, cover, increase heat to high, and boil.

6. Return the sausage to the pan, along with okra and rice; reduce the heat to a simmer.

7. Cook until the okra is heated through and the rice is tender for about 10 minutes.


Resource

1. Sausage Gumbo, Eatingwell







Sunday, March 2, 2025

Time Magazine First Published on March 3, 1923
A look at Food and Nutrition through the
Pages of Time

TIME was first published on March 3, 1923, as a news magazine that summarized and organized the news. Here are some articles and cover stories from Time Magazine focusing on Food and Nutrition. 



Monday, Oct. 08, 1923, Medicine: Vitamin X.  Discovered by Dr. Herbert M. Evans and Dr. Katharine S. Bishop, of the University of California.* They call it "; Vitamin X." "Vitamins," now so popular, were unknown ten years ago. They cannot be seen or weighed. They came to light only when it was found diets are not providing proper nourishment, and in some cases, deficiencies would occur, such as scurvy, beriberi, and pellagra.

Monday, Mar. 31, 1924, Medicine: Vitamin D.  Dr. Walter H. Eddy, Professor of Physiological Chemistry in Teachers' College, Columbia University showed a group of his colleagues four test tubes containing 70 milligrams of a crystalline substance, Vitamine D. Their work may lay a basis for future synthetic foods to form a scientific diet, though the authentic vitamin scientists have nothing but condemnation for the various commercial tablets, cakes, etc., now on the market. The best diet can still be secured from natural foods.

Monday, Jun. 09, 1941, Medicine: The Nation's Food.  Nine hundred doctors, dietitians, chemists, and industrialists met in Washington last week to tackle an immense problem: the U.S. diet. As a whole, the U.S. today is better fed than any other nation, but at least 45,000,000 people in the U.S. are undernourished. Another 50,000,000 people drag along on four cylinders but cut a good five years off their work life by not eating the right foods. Of the 35,000,000 remainings, quite a few suffer from overeating.

Monday, Aug. 06, 1956, Medicine: Crazy About Reducing
U.S. experts on diets and reducing are in a tizzy. For years they had been preaching the gospel that the only way to reduce is to cut down the amount of fuel (expressed as the number of calories) stoked into the body.



Friday, Nov. 25, 1966, Food: Everyone's in the Kitchen.
Julia Child, 54, is the 6-ft.-2-in.-tall star of the Emmy-winning half-hour program, The French Chef. Her viewers on 104 educational TV stations across the U.S. watch her every move, forgive her every gaffe, and, in a word, adore her.



Dec 18, 1972, The Perils of Eating, American Style
Whether they are simply trying to get thin, or whether they are pursuing health or even salvation through diet, Americans are perhaps more preoccupied than any other nation with what to eat, what not to eat, how to eat, and even when.



Monday, Sep. 17, 1973, FOOD: The Burger That Conquered the Country
The destiny of nations depends on the manner in which they nourish themselves. - The Physiology of Taste, Jean Brillat-Savarin (1826).  If so, America's destiny manifestly depends to no small degree on the hamburgers, French fries, and milkshakes served beneath the golden arches of McDonald's. Last year the chain of drive-ins and restaurants rang up sales of $1.03 billion, passing the U.S. Army (1972 food volume: $909 million) as the nation's biggest dispenser of meals.


Monday, Nov. 02, 1981, Diet and Exercise Dangers.  Regular exercise is good for heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and metabolism. Says Jim Barnard, research cardiologist at U.C.L.A.: "It's similar to tuning up your car's engine to make the car run more efficiently." The vigorous physical effort helps release tension too. But it can also do a lot of damage, especially if the athlete is a neophyte or weekend warrior, both of whom tend to try to do too much too soon.

Dieting poses a whole set of different hazards, especially the quickie weight-losing schemes that separate U.S. dieters from a few pounds each year. Among the current In diets are the Pritikin, the Atkins, and the Beverly Hills Diet. Nutrition experts insist that many fad diets are not really diets at all but bizarre and temporary ways of depriving the subject of adequate nutrition.

Mar 15, 1982, Salt: A New Villain?   KILLER SALT screams the book cover from a huge display of volumes with titles like Shake the Salt Habit!, Cooking Without a Grain of Salt and Halt! No Salt. These days they are selling in the hundreds of thousands.

Mar 26, 1984, Hold the Eggs and Butter.  Cholesterol is proved deadly, and our diet may never be the same This year began with the announcement by the Federal Government of the results of the broadest and most expensive research project in medical history. Its subject was cholesterol.

Dec 24, 1990, Health: Red Alert on Red Meat. The link between high-fat diets and colon cancer gets stronger.

Jul 15, 1991, The Fight over Food Labels. By launching a holy war against misleading claims, the government could clear up some of the confusion on supermarket shelves and help Americans become healthier consumers.

Apr 06, 1992, The New Scoop On Vitamins.  They may be much more important than doctors thought in warding off cancer, heart disease, and the ravages of aging, and, no, you may not be getting enough of these crucial nutrients in your diet.

Jan 08, 1996, HEALTH: ARE WE READY FOR FAT-FREE FAT?
The FDA is about to decide whether you can eat these chips. They are fried in a fake oil that can't make you fat. Dip, Anyone?

Nov 01, 1999, The Low-Carb Diet Craze. Fad diets come and go, but this one is exploding. Can you really lose weight by feasting on beef, eggs, and bacon? And should you?

Jan 21, 2002, 10 Foods That Pack A Wallop. Eat, drink, and be healthy! Scientists are rapidly identifying the natural chemicals that give a preventive punch to a rainbow of ordinary edibles.

Jul 15, 2002, Should We All Be Vegetarians? Would we be healthier? Would the planet? The risks and benefits of a meat-free life.

Jul 07, 2003, Cracking The Fat Riddle. Should you count calories or carbs? Is dietary fat your biggest enemy? The latest research may surprise you.

Oct 20, 2003, Health: How to Eat Smarter. In a world that is raining food, making healthy choices about what and how to eat is difficult. Here are some rules to live by.

Jun 07, 2004, America's Obesity Crisis: Activists: The Obesity Warriors  What will it take to end this epidemic? These experts are very glad you asked.

Jun 11, 2007, The Science of Appetite

Jul 18, 2011, The Future of Fish

Sep 12, 2011, What to eat now.

Dec 3, 2012, What to eat now. The anti-food-snob diet by Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Nov 11, 2013, Want to Stay Healthy? Don’t Rely on Vitamins

Nov 20, 2013, Eat Nuts, Live Longer

Nov 22, 2013, Dieters Subsist on Cotton Balls in Horrible New Weight-Loss Trend

Dec 05, 2013, Eating Healthy Is Cheaper Than You Think

Dec 10, 2013, Sugar Crush: Why Diet Soda Sales Have Crashed

Dec 16, 2013, The Triple Whopper Environmental Impact of Global Meat Production

Jan 06, 2014, How the Mediterranean Diet Alone Can Fight Diabetes

Jan 07, 2014, Feds Crack Down On Deceiving Weight Loss Products

Jan 08, 2014, Is Olive Garden Healthier Than McDonald’s? Maybe Not

Jan 09, 2014, These 4 Shady Weight Loss Companies Were Forced to Issue Huge Refunds

Jan 16, 2014, Good News! We’re Eating Healthier (at Least at Home)

Jan 20, 2014 Chocolate, Tea, and Berries: How to Fight Diabetes With Food

Jan 24, 2014, FDA Revising Food Nutrition Labels

Jan 28, 2014, New Worry for College Students: Food Insecurity

Feb 06, 2014, What Happens When Your Body Loses Half Its Weight?

Feb 10, 2014, The FDA's Label Lift

Feb 20, 2014, 4 Diet Secrets of the U.S. Olympics Women’s Hockey Team

Feb 24, 2014, The Pizza Stimulus

Feb 25, 2014, White House Sets New Limits on Junk Food Ads in Schools

Feb 26, 2014,
The 10 Most Filling Foods for Weight Loss


Apr 15, 2015, Baby Food Recalled for Containing Glass

Apr 23, 2015, The Trouble With Foods Kids See Advertised on TV

Oct 14, 2015, You Asked: Should I Count Calories?

Jan 04, 2016, Healthier School Lunch Rules Are Working, Study Finds

Jan 07, 2016, 92% of Restaurant Meals Have Too Many Calories: Study.

Jan 08, 2016 Experts Say Lobbying Skewed the U.S. Dietary Guidelines

Jan 26, 2016, Our Official Dietary Guidelines Are Useless

Feb 02, 2016, What Your Low-Fiber Diet Does to Your Health

Feb 03, 2016, 20 Everyday Habits That Sabotage Weight Loss Goals

Feb 12, 2016, This Is What Vegan Means

Feb 23, 2016, This Is Why Vegetarianism Didn’t Catch on Until Recently


June 29, 2016 Butter is Not Linked to Heart Disease, Death, and Diabetes. 

Mar 01, 2016, Cheaper Healthy Food Would Save Millions of Lives

Feb 28, 2017, 12 Healthy Eating Hacks Nutritionists Use Every Day

Jun 5, 2017, 
The Weight Loss Trap: Why Your Diet Isn’t Working


Nov 01, 2017, Happy World Vegan Day! Here Are 5 Health Benefits of Going Vegan

Nov 17, 2017
About 90% of Americans Don't Eat Enough Fruits and Vegetables.

Nov 22, 2017, 3 Reasons Why Coffee Is So Good for You

Feb 26, 2018
The Surprising Secrets to Living Longer — And Better


Mar 1, 2018, 5 Dietitians on the One Nutrition Tweak You Should Make

Mar 15, 2018, There’s No Such Thing as a Single 'Best' Diet 

Aug 16, 2018, Eating This Many Carbs Is Linked to a Longer Life 

Oct 3, 2018, Almost 40% of Americans Eat Fast Food on Any Given Day, Report Says 

Oct 18, 2018, These Are the Best High-Fiber Foods, According to Experts 

Dec 4, 2018, Here's One Simple Way You Can Start Eating Healthier 

Dec 5, 2018, Are Eggs Healthy? Here’s What Experts Say 

Dec 19, 2018, Diet and Exercise Might Reverse Aging in the Brain 

Jan 2, 2019, These Are the 5 Best Diets for 2019, According to Experts 

Feb 23, 2019, Why Food Could Be the Best Medicine of All 

Feb 26, 2019, Confused By Expiration Dates? You’re Not Alone. Here’s What They Really Mean

April 3, 2019 Diets Are Linked to 20% of Deaths Worldwide

April 8, 2019
Vitamins and Supplements Can't Replace a Balanced Diet, Study Says


May 15, 2019, 
Are Onions and Garlic Healthy? Here's What Experts Say


Sept 30, 2019,
 Should You Stop Eating Red Meat? 

Dec 16, 2019, Why Your 2020 New Year's Health or Fitness Resolution Might Be Proven Outdated by 2030

Jan 2, 2020
Countless People Are Struggling With an Eating Disorder Doctors Can't Diagnose

Mar 18, 2020, How to Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy While COVID-19 Has You Stuck at Home

Apr 28, 2020, Our Diets Are Changing Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Is It for the Better?

Aug 26, 2020, How Growing Food Can Change Your Life, According to Gardener Ron Finley

Apr 28, 2022. Does Taking Vitamins and Supplements Make You Healthier? Vitamins, dietary supplements, and botanicals are increasingly popular, but scant evidence supports their use for most people.

Jun 16, 2022. The Truth About Fasting and Type 2 Diabetes - Most fad diets don't live up to the hype, let alone serious scientific scrutiny. But intermittent fasting is an exception.

Dec 28, 2022. What IBD Patients Want Their Doctors to Know. Doctors could help people with IBD by making it a point to better discuss issues like mental health and nutrition…

Jan 9, 2023. Why Ultra-Processed Foods Are So Bad for You. Growing research suggests that ultra-processed foods—the kind you find on grocery store shelves—may pose health risks. Here's what to avoid.

Jan 20, 2023. Time You Eat Doesn't Matter For Weight Loss, Study Finds. A new study finds that what time you eat meals doesn't matter for weight loss—what's important is the amount you eat.

February 28, 2023 Magnesium Supplements Are a Buzzy New Sleep and Anxiety Aid. Do They Work? Haley Weiss



  

Saturday, March 1, 2025

National Nutrition Month through the Cat in the Hat







Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good for You





National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day

The American Peanut Council proclaims peanut butter one of America’s favorite foods. Peanut butter is a good source of protein, niacin, and folate. It is enjoyed by many of all ages.


Below are a few ways to enjoy peanut butter - be creative.





The National Peanut Board has a fun website with recipes, classroom activities, and fun facts. Did you know...

*It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.

*One acre has enough peanuts to make 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches.

*By law, any product labeled "peanut butter" in the United States must be at least 90 percent peanuts.

*Peanut butter has been banned in some schools due to peanut butter allergies. Make sure to read the ingredient label.

A Journey through the Years
with Peanut Butter

Peter Pan Peanut Butter, 1957


1960's Skippy Peanut Butter



Kraft Peanut Butter, 1987




March Produce: Fresh, Local and Lucky!





 

March Produce, Fruits and Veggies in peak season. @Healthyfamprj https://www.produceforkids.com/whats-in-season-for-march/


National Frozen Food Day

Plan Meals in Advance





Freezing is an effective form of food preservation because pathogens causing food spoilage are killed or do not grow rapidly at reduced temperatures. However, freezing may only deactivate pathogens. Once the food starts to thaw, pathogens can become active and cause food poisoning. It is important to follow proper procedures for thawing and cooking frozen foods. USDA provides detailed instructions on how to thaw and cook foods properly.


Foods may be preserved for several months by freezing. Long-term frozen storage requires a constant temperature of -18 °C (0 °F) or less to maintain safety and quality. 



Grocery Store Tour - 
Fresh, Frozen or Canned
Tour Guide: Mary Wilson, RD 


Resources

1. Fruits and Veggies, More Matters. Fresh, Frozen, Canned, Dried, and 100% Juice
2. Food & Nutrition Magazine | Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics5 Reasons You Should Be Eating Frozen Foods








Friday, February 28, 2025

The Tooth Fairy's Mission
Nutrition and Your Child's Dental Health




Healthy teeth are important to your child's overall health. From the time your child is born, there are things you can do to promote healthy teeth and prevent cavities. For babies, you should clean teeth with a soft, clean cloth or baby's toothbrush. Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle and check teeth regularly for spots or stains.

For all children, you should
1. Start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when they are two years old. You might start sooner, if a dentist or doctor suggests it.
2. Provide healthy foods and limit sweet snacks and drinks
3. Schedule regular dental check-ups

Forming good habits at a young age can help your child have healthy teeth for life.





Resources
1. WebMD. Nutrition and Your Child's Teeth
2. Canadian Dental Association, Nutrition for Children
3. National Institute of Health, Child DentalHealth



Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Pistachio Power: Unshell the Benefits

Pistachios were introduced in the United States in the 1930s. Today, California produces more than 400 million pounds of pistachios each year, making it a leading producer of pistachios worldwide. Each pistachio tree averages around 50 kg of seeds, or around 50,000, every two years.










Recipe
Fruit-Filled Breakfast Tacos with Pistachios
Amy Gorin MS, RDN @AmyGorin  


Pistachios Offer Multiple
Health Benefits

Pistachio nuts, eaten as part of a healthy diet, can increase the levels of antioxidants in the blood of adults with high cholesterol, according to Penny Kris-Etherton, Penn State professor of nutrition, along with an international team of nutritional scientists. Previous research has shown that pistachios also lower lipids and lipoproteins, which benefit heart health.




To learn more about the Pistachio, visit the following links:
Website. Pistachio Health



Monday, February 24, 2025

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









Sunday, February 23, 2025

Food Connects Us: Celebrating National Nutrition Month 2025

Food is more than just sustenance—it is a universal language, a bridge between cultures, communities, and generations. The 2025 theme for National Nutrition Month, "Food Connects Us," highlights the powerful role food plays in fostering relationships, preserving traditions, and promoting health and well-being.




The Cultural Connection

Every culture has its own unique culinary traditions, yet food unites us all in ways that transcend geographical and societal differences. Whether it’s gathering for a family meal, sharing a holiday feast, or learning about new cuisines, food creates opportunities for connection and understanding. Exploring diverse foods broadens our palates and deepens our appreciation for different backgrounds and traditions.

Food as a Social Bond

Food has the ability to bring people together, from intimate dinners to large celebrations. It fosters a sense of community, strengthens relationships, and creates memories. Sitting down to a shared meal encourages conversation and strengthens emotional bonds, whether with family, friends, or even strangers.

Nourishment and Well-being

Beyond emotional and cultural ties, food connects us through its impact on health. Good nutrition fuels our bodies, supports mental health, and helps prevent chronic diseases. By making mindful food choices, we can take charge of our well-being while also encouraging our loved ones to prioritize their health.

Sustainability and Global Impact

Food connects us to the environment and the broader global community. The choices we make about food production and consumption influence the sustainability of our planet. Supporting local farmers, reducing food waste, and making eco-conscious choices all contribute to a healthier world for future generations.

Celebrating National Nutrition Month

This National Nutrition Month, embrace the theme "Food Connects Us" by:

  • Trying new recipes from different cultures

  • Cooking and sharing meals with loved ones

  • Learning about the health benefits of various foods

  • Supporting sustainable food practices

Let’s use food as a tool to connect, nourish, and celebrate life together. After all, every bite tells a story, and every meal is an opportunity to bring people closer.

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!





Homemade Banana Mango Bread

 Homemade Banana Mango Bread

Yield. 1 loaf, about 10 slices
Pan size. 
8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan



Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 medium bananas, heavily speckled (about 1 1/2 cups mashed)
8 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ripe mango, sliced into chunks

Directions 
1. Center a rack in the oven and heat to 350 degrees F. Use a non-stick spray or margarine and flour a loaf pan.
2. Place on a baking sheet.
3. Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together, set aside. In the bottom of a medium bowl, mash bananas into a chunky paste. Whisk the oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla into the bananas until blended.
4. Switch to a large rubber spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl then add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, stirring gently until they disappear and the batter is smooth. 
5. Stir in mango.
6. Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake 55 to 75 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
7. After 30 minutes in the oven, check the bread for color. If it looks like it is browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
8. When the bread is done, transfer it, in the pan, to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Unmold the bread and place right side up on the rack. Cool completely.

Nutrition Profile
Analysis based on 1 slice
264 Calories (kcal) 
4 Protein (g)
36 Carbohydrates (g)
2 Total Dietary Fiber (g) 
18 Total Sugars (g) 
11 Added Sugar (g) 
12 Fat (g) 
1 Saturated Fat (g)  
37 Cholesterol (mg)  
169 Potassium (mg) 
200 Sodium (mg) 


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