Twas the Day After Christmas, a Dietitian's Version

Modified for the Registered Dietitian
by Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LDN

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house

Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd eaten, the eggnog I'd taste

The holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scale there arose such a number!

The scale must be broken, I said with a thunder.

I'd remember the wonderful meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rare,

The wine and the pastries, the bread and the cheese

And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

Nothing would fit me, I felt so depressed.

I knew it was time to start a new quest.

I picked up the phone, to call a dietitian,

Knowing this path was just the right mission.

I won’t feel guilty, I’ll try moderation,

Fad diets have failed and even starvation.

I’ll follow the plan, set up solely for me,

More Fruits and Veggies are part of the key.

I’ll eat more fiber and exercise I’ll start,

And limit the fat that is bad for my heart.

Yes, I’ll call a dietitian to provide inspiration and

Learn new ways to avoid temptation.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to you.
Remember to eat right and exercise too.

The Edible Christmas Tree

A fun and healthy project for the family to enjoy.

Supplies
Styrofoam Cones, assorted sizes (Can purchase at a craft shop
Toothpicks (Young children should be assisted by an adult)
Assortment of Fruits and Vegetables, such as Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Grapes, Watermelon, Mushroom, Arugula, Broccoli, Kiwi, Mango, Carrots, Tomatoes, Figs, Blueberries, Strawberries, Peppers, Squash, Carambola, Pomegranate Seeds, Cheddar Cheese, and Goat Cheese

1. Wash your hands.
2. Wash the fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Wash your hands again.

4. Cut fruits and vegetables into a variety of shapes. Make sure the pieces are large enough to fit onto a toothpick.

5. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Use the largest fruits and vegetables first.
6. Be creative

7. Top your Christmas tree with Carambola (Starfruit).
8. Sprinkle Goat Cheese over the tree.
9. Serve with a low fat vanilla yogurt.

Twas the Day After Christmas (A Dietitian Version)

Modified for the Registered Dietitian
by Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LDN

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house

Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd eaten, the eggnog I'd taste

The holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scale there arose such a number!

The scale must be broken, I said with a thunder.

I'd remember the wonderful meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rare,

The wine and the pastries, the bread and the cheese

And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

Nothing would fit me, I felt so depressed.

I knew it was time to start a new quest.

I picked up the phone, to call a RD,

Knowing this path was just right for me.

I won’t feel guilty, I’ll try moderation,

Fad diets have failed and even starvation.

I’ll follow the plan, set up solely for me,

More fruits and Veggies are part of the key.

I’ll eat more fiber and exercise I’ll start,

And limit the fat that is bad for my heart.

Yes, I’ll call a RD to provide inspiration and

Learn new ways to avoid temptation.

Happy New Year to All and a Healthy one too
Remember to eat right and exercise for you.

December 2010 Wellness News

Current  News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment,
Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for
Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals.

Wellness News

Monthly Events Highlights

World Aids Month

In 1988 the World Health Organization of the UN declared Dec 1 as World AIDS Day, an international day of awareness and education about AIDS. The WHO is the leader in global direction and coordination of AIDS prevention, control, research and education. A program called UN-AIDS was created to bring together the skills and expertise of the World Bank, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the WHO to strengthen and expand national capacities to respond to the pandemic. Light for Rights events are being held all over the world on World AIDS Day 2010. The events encourage 100 cities to dim the lights on public landmarks to remember the devastating affect AIDS has had, and then to turn the lights back on - to illuminate the fundamental human rights shared by all - but often denied people living with HIV.

National Fruit Cake Month

National Egg Nog Month

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.

Every day, 36 people in the United States die, and approximately 700 more are injured, in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This December, during National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, consider what you and your community can do to make injuries and deaths from impaired driving less of a threat.

Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Universal Human Rights Month

December Weekly Observances

1-7 Cookie Cutter Week.
1-8 Recipe Greetings for the Holidays Week

2-9 Chanukah (Hanukkah), sundown 12/1.

Feast of Lights. Festival lasting eight days commemorates victory of Maccabees over Syrians (165 bc) and rededication of Temple of Jerusalem. Begins on December 1st at sundown.

5-11National Handwashing Awareness Week 

Will Sawyer, MD is the creator of the Henry the Hand Foundation and Henry the Hand Champion Handwasher. The goal of the foundation is to improve health by making us more aware of the role our hands play in the spread of disease.

10-17 Human Rights Week. Presidential Proclamation issued since 1958 for the week of December 10–17, except in 1986. See also: “Human Rights Day” (Dec 10) and “Bill of Rights Day” (Dec 15).

19-25 Gluten free Baking Week

25-31 It's About Time Week

26-1/1 Kwanzaa

December Daily Observances

1 Special Kids Day

A day to honor children who are developmentally delayed or physically challenged with a community-wide party. Established in 1990, this event builds on UN Resolution #47/3, which sets aside a day to promote integrating the disabled into society. This free, all-volunteer party features a family photo session with Santa, food and gifts for all special-needs children and their siblings.

2 Special Education Day
Celebrate the anniversary of the first US special education law—Dec 2, 1975. A time to reflect and move forward. Where were we when President Ford signed the groundbreaking legislation? Where are we now? And where do we need to be tomorrow? A day to honor progress, dialogue about challenges we face, and consider reforms for the future of educating all children.

3 UN Intl Day of Persons with Disabilities
On Oct 14, 1992 (Res 47/3), at the end of the Decade of Disabled Persons, the General Assembly proclaimed Dec 3 to be an annual observance to promote the continuation of integrating the disabled into general society.

4 Coats and Toys for Kids Day 

5 UN International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development

The United Nations (UN) annually observes the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development on December 5. The day, gives volunteers a chance to work together on projects and campaigns promoting their contributions to economic and social development at local, national and international levels.

6 National Gazpacho Day

7 Islamic New Year, sundown on 12/6

10 Human Rights Day; Nobel Prize Day

 

15 Bill of Rights Day

20 UN International Human Solidarity Day
The United Nations' (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is annually held on December 20 to celebrate unity in diversity. It also aims to remind people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating poverty.

21 Winter Solstice; Kiwi Fruit Day (California)  

24 Christmas Eve

25 Christmas

30 National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
31 New Years Eve; Universal Hour of Peace Day