Fast foods do not have a monopoly on supersize. The plate industry has had its own growth spurt during the past 50 years. In the 1960s dinner plates were about 8.5 to 9-inches in diameter and held about 800 calories; by 2009 plate size had grown to 12-inches with the capacity to hold about 1900 calories. The calorie differences are illustrated in the graphic below. (Calorie amounts will vary depending on the foods you choose.)
On May 8, 1999 Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture of the United States of America proclaimed the month of July as "National Blueberry Month".
Spotlight on Blueberries
Blueberry Facts. Blueberries are a native North American fruit produced in 35 States.
Fresh blueberries are available for about eight months of the year from producers across the United States and Canada. North America is the world's leading blueberry producer. The North American harvest runs from mid-April through early October, with peak harvest in mid-May through August.
Blueberries can be found in the market all year round, along with frozen, canned and dried blueberries.
Blueberries are low in calories and sodium and are a good source of fiber.
Blueberries rank high in antioxidants that help protect against cancer, heart disease and other age-related diseases.
Researchers have found compounds in blueberries that may help prevent urinary tract infection.
Purchasing Blueberries When purchasing fresh blueberries, look for firm, plump, dry berries with smooth skins and a silvery sheen. Check the color - reddish berries aren’t ripe, but can be used in cooking. Avoid soft or shriveled fruit, or any signs of mold. Containers with juice stains indicate that the fruit may be bruised.
Storing Blueberries Refrigerate fresh blueberries as soon as you get them home, in their original plastic pack or in a covered bowl or storage container. Wash berries just before use. Use within 10 days of purchase.
Freezing Blueberries Freeze unwashed and completely dry. Discard berries that are bruised or shriveled. Blueberries can be frozen in their original plastic pack or in a resealable plastic or frozen bag or transfered to freezer container. Remember to rinse them before using.
Serving Suggestions *Add blueberries to your favorite muffin or pancake recipe. *Combine blueberries with yogurt and granola cereal. *Sprinkle blueberries over mixed greens. *Serve blueberries with sour cream, yogurt or cottage cheese.
Blueberry Smoothie Makes 3 Servings.
1 small, ripe Banana 1 cup Frozen Blueberries 8 ounces low-fat Yogurt (Vanilla or Fruit Flavored) 3/4 cup low-fat (1%) Milk
1. Peel banana, cut into 1-inch chunks. Place the banana chunks into the blender. 2. Put the frozen blueberries, yogurt and milk into the blender with the bananas. 3. Cover and blenderize on high speed for about 1 minute or until the mixture is smooth. 4. Pour smoothie into cups. Nutrition Analysis per one serving: Calories (kcal) 124; Dietary Fiber (g) 2.2; Fat (g) 2; Calcium (mg) 177; Sodium (mg) 75
Celebrating Blueberries During the month of July, we enjoyed the sweet flavor of blueberries in various recipes. Below are some of the photographs taken to capture their versatility and beauty.
Recipe. Frozen Blueberry Yogurt (low fat) with Fresh Blueberries
Recipe. Blueberry Ices with Kiwi and Blueberries
Recipe. Orange Sections and Fresh Blueberries
Recipe. Blueberries with Vanilla Ice Cream (light),
Blueberry Ices and Frozen Blueberry Yogurt (low fat)
Recipe. Blueberry Crumb Ice Cream
with Fresh Blueberries
Recipe. Fruit Garden with Blueberries, Watermelon,
Pineapples, Grapes, and Kiwi
Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of a mustard plant (white or yellow mustard; brown or Indian mustard; or black mustard). The whole, ground, cracked, or bruised mustard seeds are mixed with water, salt, lemon juice or other liquids, and sometimes other flavorings and spices, to create a mustard ranging in color from bright yellow to dark brown. Mustard often has a sharp, pungent flavor.
There are many varieties of mustard, which come in a wide range of strengths and flavors. The basic taste and heat of the mustard is largely determined by seed type, preparation and ingredients. Black seeded mustard is usually the hottest type. Preparation also plays a key role in the outcome.
TheNational Mustard Museum, located in Middleton, Wisconsin was founded by Barry Levenson in 1986. The Museum has a collection of more than 5,300 mustards and hundreds of mustard memorabilia.
On August 6th the Mustard Museum will host the 20th Annual National Mustard Day festival in Middleton, Wisconsin. The festival is considered the "world's largest condiment party." There will be mustard tastings, mustard-themed games, kids activities, live music and special treats. Last year, some 6,000 people turned out and the festival raised more than $3,500 for charity.
The world's foremost collection of mustards and mustard memorabilia
with curator Barry Levenson in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin.
Culinary Uses
Mustard is often used at the table as a condiment. It is also used as an ingredient in mayonnaise, vinaigrette, marinades, barbecue sauce, and salad dressing. Mustard is popular with hot dogs, pretzels, and sausages. Mustard is also an emulsifier which can stabilize a mixture of two or more unblendable liquids such as oil and water.
Weight Control Tip. Mustard is low in calories and depending on the brand contains a moderate amount of sodium (see table below). Instead of mayonnaise, tartar sauce or other high fat-high caloric dressings try mustard. Use prepared mustard with fish, instead of tartar sauce to create a wonderful flavor that saves 50 calories per tablespoon.
Mustard Nutrition Information
A strong mustard can cause the eyes to water and inflame the nasal passages and throat. Mustard can also cause allergic reactions: since 2005, products in the European Union must be labeled as potential allergens if they contain mustard.
As a Registered Dietitian, I was curious about how many calories, fat and sodium were in their order. Per person, if everything was consumed, the total intake would be:
Calories: 3,549; Fat: 179 g; Sodium: 7782 mg
The calorie intake is excessive (by about 1000-2000 calories); Fat about 3 times the normal range; and sodium is off the chart (recommendation - less than 1500 to 2300 mg/day). However, the song is funny and I look forward to hearing more from Rhett and Link.
Drive-Thru Rap: Healthy Version
Rhett and Link are concerned about people's health and created the Healthy Version of the Drive-Thru Rap.
Rhett and Link are a North Carolina-based comedy duo consisting of life-long best friends, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal. They are best known for their Internet videos. In addition to their web presence, Rhett and Link are also musicians and filmmakers, and have worked in network television as hosts. They own and operate a video production company, Rhett and Link, Inc. To learn more about the talented duo visit http://rhettandlink.com/.
National Hot Dog and Sausage Council How It's Made - Hot Dogs U.S. Laws Regulating Hot Dogs Food Safety Hot Dogs and Nutrition Hot Dogs and Sodium Nitrate Choking risk Commercials Then and Now
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce designated July as National Hot Dog Month in 1957. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (http://www.hot-dog.org) is an organization created in 1994 by the American Meat Institute and is funded by contributions from hot dog and sausage manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, ingredients and services. The Council conducts scientific research and provides information to consumers and media on questions related to quality, safety, nutrition and preparation of hot dogs and sausages.
What's In A Hot Dog by Joy Bauer
How It's Made - Hot Dogs
U.S. Laws Regulating Hot Dogs (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/hot_dogs/index.asp)
A hot dog, frankfurter or wiener is a cooked sausage. They are made from beef, pork, veal, turkey, chicken, or a combination and the label must state the type of meat and other foods used. Federal Standards of Identity.
1. Hot dogs may not contain more than 30% fat or no more than 10% water.
2. Beef or all-beef: Contains only beef with no soybean protein or dry milk solid fillers added.
3. Kosher: All-beef, usually heavily seasoned.
4. Frankfurter may contain up to 3.5 percent fillers and made from a combination of meats.
5. Turkey or Chicken Franks can contain turkey or chicken and turkey or chicken skin and fat in proportion to a turkey or chicken carcass.
6. If variety meats, cereal or soy fillers are used, the product name must be changed to "links" or the presence must be declared on the label. Hot dogs can be 15% byproducts; heart, kidney, liver or other organs. But it must be labeled.
7. Up to 3.5% non-meat binders and extenders (such as nonfat dry milk, cereal, or dried whole milk) or 2% isolated soy protein may be used, but must be shown in the ingredients statement on the product's label by its common name.
8. If a hot dog has a casing, or a thin skin and it is different than the meat used in the hot dog, the label must say so. For example, if a chicken hot dog has a pork casing, the label must list the pork casing on the ingredients list. If the casing is artificially colored, the label must indicate this
9. All ingredients in the product must be listed in the ingredients statement in order of predominance, from highest to lowest amounts.
10. To protect consumers against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, mechanically separated beef is considered inedible and is prohibited for use as food. It is not permitted in hot dogs or any other processed product. (Mechanically separated meat is a process whereby meat is separated from the bone by scraping, shaving, or pressing the meat from the bone without crushing, breaking or grinding the bone.)
11. Mechanically separated pork is permitted and must be labeled as "mechanically separated pork" in the ingredients statement. Hot dogs can contain no more than 20% mechanically separated pork.
12. Hot dogs can contain any amount of mechanically separated chicken or turkey.
A vegetarian hot dog is a hot dog produced completely from non-meat products. Vegetarian hot dogs are usually from some sort of soy protein, but some contain egg whites (not acceptable to vegans). There are also vegetarian hot dogs made from tofu.
Food Safety 1. Hot dogs should be reheated until steaming hot before eating, due to the threat of listeriosis.
2. If there is no product date, hot dogs can be safely stored in the refrigerator in the unopened package for 2 weeks; once opened, only 1 week.
3. Frozen hot dogs maintain their quality for about 1 or 2 months.
4. Do not leave hot dogs at room temperature for more than 2 hours and no more than 1 hour when the temperature goes above 90 °F.
Hot Dogs and Nutrition The traditional hot dog is high in fat and salt, and contains very little or no fiber. Yet Americans typically consume 7 billion hot dogs during Hot Dog Season which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Below is a list of hot dogs, from beef, pork, turkey, low fat, no fat and vegetarian. Moderation, individual needs and preferences are key to planning your meals. If you are someone that eats hot dogs more than once a week, it might be wise to choose a lower-fat variety.
The analysis provided is based on 2 ounces cooked. It is important to read the label and check the portion size. Some of the hot dogs listed below were rounded up to 2 ounces in order to show a comparison of equal weight.
Hot Dogs and Sodium Nitrate/Nitrite
Many brands of hot dogs contain sodium nitrite and nitrate. It is used as a food preservative, flavor enhancer, prevents spoilage and helps prevent botulism. Sodium nitrite and nitrate occur naturally in some vegetables, fruits, grains, spices and water. In the 1970’s there were a number of studies that linked the consumption of nitrite with cancer in laboratory rats.
As a result, the FDA and the USDA commissioned a comprehensive review of sodium nitrite's role as a food additive. The results from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) stated that nitrite does not cause cancer, although exposure to high nitrite levels in certain populations may be associated with cancers. The NAS recommended people's exposure to both nitrates and nitrites be reduced as much as possible without endangering the protection against botulism.
The meat industry made substantial changes in the past 20 years to address the concerns about nitrite in cured meats. It reduced the use of nitrite in the processing of cured meats and now averages one-tenth of what the regulations allow.
In a Consumer Report analysis, it was found that the nitrates and nitrites in all the hot dogs tested were well below the maximum level for the additives established by the USDA. A hot dog labeled uncured cannot add nitrates or nitrites, but that does not necessarily mean the product is free of them. The three uncured hot dogs tested contained nitrites and nitrates because the compounds occur naturally in spices and other natural ingredients added during processing.
As I reviewed the literature, it was clear the controversy over nitrites causing cancer still exists today. The American Institute for Cancer Research report found that consuming one 50-gram serving of processed meat (about one hot dog) every day increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 20 percent. According to the AICR, the average risk of colorectal cancer is 5.8 percent, but 7 percent when a hot dog is consumed daily over years.
Hot dogs present a significant choking risk, especially for children under 14 years of age. Seventeen percent of all food-related asphyxiations are caused by hot dogs. It is suggested the size, shape and texture of hot dogs be modified to reduce the risk of choking. Pediatric emergency doctors note that a wedged hot dog is almost impossible to dislodge from a child's windpipe. To serve hot dogs safely for children, one should slice the hot dog into bite-size pieces. For adults it is recommended to slice hot dogs down the middle length-wise.
Commercials Then and Now
Hebrew National Hotdog Commercial
1978 commercial for Oscar Mayer Hot Dog Wieners. Hot diggity!
Lollipops are what we call "Empty Calories." A food labeled as empty calories provide little to no nutrients, except calories. The calories in the "Dum Dum Pop" comes from sugar and corn syrup.
National Doughnut (Donut) Day is on the first Friday of June each year. The event was created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. Many American doughnut stores offer free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day.
Mothers are special. You can create a gift she will cherish forever without spending any money or very little. Some of my favorite gifts have been hand made.
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'
