September is Whole Grain Month

What can you do for Whole Grains Month?

 

Whole Grains Month is a great time for everyone to get on the whole grains bandwagon. Eating better is not an all-or-nothing choice; every little improvement you make in your food helps – in every month.

How Much is Enough?

Adults: Eat at least half their grains as whole grains – that's at least 3 to 5 servings of whole grains.

Children: Need 2 to 3 servings or more.

 

Post this list of "baby-steps" on your fridge, and try as many as possible this month:

• Buy three different loaves of whole-grain bread and taste all of them to see which one you like best.
• Serve bulgur or brown rice instead of potatoes with dinner one night this month.
• Look for the Whole Grain Stamp every time you shop.
• Try a new breakfast cereal with at least 16 grams of whole grain per serving.
• Buy some whole-wheat pasta and try it.
• Visit the health food store or a major grocery and look at all the different grains in bins.
• Make your favorite whole grain recipe for a friend.
• On the weekend, try cooking a pot of steel-cut oatmeal.
• Make pizza for the kids with whole wheat pita as the crust.
• Make your favorite cookies with whole wheat flour next time instead of white.
• Serve hamburgers with whole wheat buns this week.

 

 



World Breastfeeding Week/Breastfeeding Month

Welcome to World Breastfeeding Week 2012,

August 1st - 7th

It's Time To Act After 10 Years Global Strategy And 20 Years WBW!

20 years ago, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) launched its first World BreastfeedingWeek (WBW) campaign with the theme: "Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative". So much has happened in these 20 years, it is time to celebrate, but also to look back, understand what has happened and why. Then plan what more can be done to support all women to be able to optimally feed and care for of their infants and young children.

August is National Breastfeeding Month

This month, and every month, focus not just on the reasons why it's important to breastfeed, but on how to make breastfeeding work for you and your baby.

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Research shows that babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, and may be less likely to develop childhood obesity.

Arm yourself with information now, and you'll thank yourself later for giving your baby the best possible start in life.



June is National Dairy Month

Happy National Dairy Month!

This month, try incorporating just one more serving of low-fat or fat-free dairy into your diet each day.

Milk contains 9 essential nutrients, making it one of the most nutrient-dense beverages you an enjoy.
Milk Nutrients: Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Protein, Vitamin A, D, B12, Riboflavin and Niacin.

All Milk Has:
Calcium and Vitamin D for strong teeth and bones
Protein for muscle growth
Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium for healthy blood pressure

Low Fat Milk Has:
Same calcium

Same protein

Same minerals and vitamins
Less fat
Fewer calories

Great Tasting Ways to Use Milk and Cheese:

Start at Breakfast:
Add low fat milk to whole grain cereal with fresh fruit
Use low fat milk in place of water when making oatmeal
Make scrambled eggs with low fat milk and top with mozzarella cheese

Snack Smart:

Prepare instant pudding mix with low fat or fat free milk and spoon over vanilla wafer cookies and
sliced bananas
Mix low fat milk or yogurt with fruit in a blender to make a fruit smoothie
Enjoy a cup of steaming hot chocolate – mix fat free milk with chocolate syrup



Healthier Meals:

Make soups and casseroles more flavorful by adding low fat milk
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of broccoli, beans, whole grain rice or other family favorites
Make soups and casseroles more flavorful by adding low fat milk
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of broccoli, beans, whole grain rice or other family favorites

Moving to lower fat milk?

- Take Your Time -

Step one: Switch between whole and 2%
Step two: Stick with 2% if you like it, or switch between 2% and 1%
Step three: Stick with 1% if you like it, or switch between 1% and fat free

Sensitive to lactose?

Try low fat and fat free lactose free milk!

Recipe, enjoy!

Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Shake
Get a boost of protein and a dose of calcium all in one delicious power-packed drink.

Ingredients:

1 cup fat-free or 1% low-fat chocolate milk
½ cup frozen banana slices
1 tablespoon peanut butter
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth and creamy. Serve in tall glass or on-the-go drink container.

 

 

 



Screen-Free Week

April 30 – May 6 is Screen-Free Week, the annual celebration where children, families, schools, and communities turn off screens and turn on life. Feel free to visit http://www.screenfree.org/to download free a Screen-Free Week Organizer's Kit. The kit is packed with fact sheets, great suggestions for screen-free activities, pledge cards, and more!

Fresh Tomato Day - April 6

• Did you know the best place to store tomatoes is at room temperature (above 55 F) until they've fully ripened.
• A ripe tomato is red or reddish orange, depending on variety and yields to slight pressure.
• Store them stem end up as the "shoulders" are the softest part and bruise most easily.
• Keep them out of direct sunlight. If you must store them a longer time, place them (after they've ripened fully) in the refrigerator.

Tomato Basil Bruschetta

Makes approximately 12 pieces of bruschetta

Enjoy fresh and flavorful tomatoes in this quick and easy version of a tomato bruschetta recipe! It's great as a snack or an appetizer and is loaded with nutrients.

This recipe makes approximately 12 pieces of bruschetta, depending on whether you add the topping to the bread or people serve themselves.

Ingredients:
• 8 ripe Roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 red onion, Spanish onion or sweet onion, chopped

• 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 loaf Italian- or French-style bread, cut into 1/2 inch diagonal slices

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Combine tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil and olive oil in a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Set aside.

3. Arrange bread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake about 5 to 7 minutes until it begins to brown slightly.

4. Remove bread from oven and transfer to a serving platter.

5. Serve the tomato mixture in a bowl with a serving spoon and let everyone help themselves. Or place

some on each slice of bread before serving. If adding the tomato mixture yourself, add it at the last

minute or the bread may become soggy. Enjoy!

NEW PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE

The Bureau of Genetics and Healthy Childhood (GHC) previously announced the release of the “It All Counts” Facebook page made available through the Department of Health and Human Services’ First Time Motherhood grant. The page provides information on the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle to promote preconception health, healthy pregnancies, healthy birth out-comes, and health in general throughout the lifespan. The page provides tips on health-related issues including topics of exercise, nutrition, folic acid, and much more and gives “friends” the opportunity to ask questions or comment and get answers. GHC now has “scroll pens” available for local public health agencies and other healthcare/social services providers to use at health fairs or in their agencies for women of childbearing age to promote the Facebook page and provide a health factoid. For information on obtaining a supply of these pens for your event, contact Karen Schenk or Leslie Seifert at 573‑751‑6266.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Children need to have regular dental cleanings and exams, the same as adults. But for many resons, not all children are able to recieve regular dental care. This may prevent minor problems form being corrected, and may result in small problems becoming larger ones. No one wants this to happen, but it frequently does. In February, attention is drawn to this situation to remind parents to do something about it.

Start your kids on the path to proper dental hygiene, and this month is as good a time as any. Help them achieve good oral health, and you'll be helping them ward off diseases and conditions.