June 18, International Picnic Day

June 18 is International Picnic Day; an informal food holiday. The day is celebrated where food is brought from home or a market and eaten outdoors. 

The origin of picnic day dates back to the medieval times. After a successful hunt, people would gather outside for a picnic. It is possible International Picnic Day was developed and promoted to bring families together for outside activities, family reunions, exercise, relaxation, and an appreciation of nature.

Traditional foods serves on International Picnic Day include such dishes as salads, sandwiches, beverages, and desserts. If a grill is available, include cooked meats, fish, poultry, and vegetables. 

Food Safety is Important for a Successful Picnic

*Pack beverages in one cooler and perishable foods in another.
*Limit the number of times the cooler is opened so as to keep the contents cold longer.
*Be sure to keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood securely wrapped. This keeps their juices from contaminating prepared and cooked foods or foods that will be eaten raw, such as fruits and vegetables.
*Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water before packing them in the cooler.
*Keep food properly chilled in a cooler and don’t let food sit out for more than two hours (one hour if the temperature is 90º F or higher).

June 18, International Sushi Day Sushi Safety

Sushi is rich in omega-3s and healthy fatty acids. There are several different types of sushi: 

Nigiri Sushi. Mounds of sticky rice are wrapped or layered with seafood and other ingredients

Maki Sushi. Sticky rice and other ingredients are rolled into a cylinder, using thin sheets of dried seaweed.

Sashimi. Sliced raw fish, served with a variety of condiments.

Condiments for Sushi
Soy sauce. Many people blend some of the wasabi with soy sauce to make a tasty dipping sauce for their sushi.

Wasabi. Japanese horseradish, and it's HOT; comes as a powder that you make into a thick, bright green paste by adding liquid

Pickled Ginger. Used to help cleanse the palate and offer relief from the hot wasabi.

Sushi Safety

How safe is the raw fish in sushi? 

Commercial freezing for at least 72 hours at 4 degrees Fahrenheit kills the parasitic worms and their larvae. Note, home freezers usually cannot reach temperatures this low. 

Precautions: 

• Order sushi from reputable restaurants, where the restaurant and fish provider follow food safety standards. 
• Eating fish cooked completely is always the safest. 
• The FDA recommends pregnant or individuals with compromised immune systems (young children, the elderly, and persons with chronic illness) should not risk eating raw fish. 
• Never make your own sushi with raw fish unless you can freeze the fish for more than 72 hours at 4 degrees Fahrenheit. Instead, use cooked fish or vegetables. 

• Proper handling and preparation are crucial to ensure the safety of sushi made with raw fish. 
•  After purchasing raw seafood, fish, and sushi rice; refrigerate immediately below 41ºF until ready to serve. 
•  Preparing rice with vinegar lowers the pH and helps slow the rate of bacterial growth. 
•  Once sushi rolls and sashimi are prepared, refrigerate immediately until serving.  •  Cross-contamination is a concern since sushi is made with both raw and cooked fish. To prevent cross-contamination, raw and cooked fish must be physically separated during preparation. Use different utensils, cutting boards, and surfaces.

June 17, Eat Your Vegetables Day and June, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month

June 17, Eat Your Vegetables Day

Key Consumer Message:

Dietary Recommendations 

for Americans, 2010 

Fruits and Vegetables 

There are three reasons to eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables.

1. Most vegetables and fruits contribute a wide variety of nutrients, including folate, magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, C, and K. 

2. Consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.

3. Most fruits and vegetables have no cholesterol and are low in calories and fat. Eating more will help maintain a healthy weight.

From MyPlate.gov
What Foods Are in the Fruit and Vegetable Groups?

Fruits. Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the Fruit Group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.

In general, 1 cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or ½ cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the Fruit Group. The following link lists specific fruits and amounts that count as one cup of fruit (or in some cases equivalents for ½ cup are noted.) MyPlate Fruits. 

Vegetables. Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as a member of the Vegetable Group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed.  Vegetables are organized into 5 subgroups, based on their nutrient content. Dark-green vegetables; Red and orange vegetables; Beans and peas (legumes); Starchy vegetables; and Others. 

In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens is considered as 1 cup from the Vegetable Group. The following link lists specific vegetables and amounts that count as 1 cup of vegetables (or in some cases equivalents for ½ cup are noted).  MyPlate Vegetables. 

How many fruits and vegetables 

are needed daily?

Safety with Fruits and Vegetables

* Rinse and wash fruits and vegetables before preparing or eating them. Under clean, running water, rub fruits and vegetables briskly with your hands to remove dirt and surface microorganisms. Dry with a clean cloth towel or paper towel after rinsing.
* Keep fruits and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry and seafood while shopping, preparing and storing.

Teaching Kids to Eat Their
Fruits and Vegetables


Healthy Kids PSA: Color of Life

Presented by Fruits and Veggies, More Matters

Bring color to your life, and your plate, with nutritious, delicious vegetables.
Visit Fruits and Veggies, More Matters for healthy recipes, menus,
fruit and vegetable nutrition information, tips on healthy
meal planning and how to get your kids involved in healthy cooking!



Fruits and Vegetables Song

Resources

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010

Fruits and Veggies, More Matters

MyPlate.gov

A Special Father's Day Gift to Show You Care

A Gift from the Heart
for the Heart

A Special Father's Day Gift to Show You Care
"Health is the Greatest Gift and Happiness the Greatest Wealth"
1. Print the card and cut along the grey outer border.
2. Fold the card in half. It's about the size of a business card.
3. Place wallet size photos on the blank side of the card.
4. Optional Gifts to place inside:
    Lottery Ticket, Dinner at his Favorite Restaurant, a Day at the Beach,
    Voucher to Wash His Car, Family Picnic, Tickets to a Sporting Event,
    Time Together

Your father will carry around photos of loved ones with health reminders.
A perfect gift for a Special Father.

Sample Outside

Checklist to Stay Healthy

June 15, National Lobster Day

Suggestions on how to Eat Lobster to stay
Healthy and Avoid a Mess (or make a mess)

*No Butter and No Cream
*Ask for Lemon, Olive Oil and Dijon Mustard 

and Make Your Own Dressing.

*Wear A Bib

Lobster Facts
From Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s Association (AOLA)

The difference between a hard shell and soft shell lobster.  Lobsters will periodically shed their shells as they grow. This can happen as many as 25 times before they are 6-7 years old; then males shed every year and mature, females every two years. When lobsters become very large molting is less frequent. After they shed they have a paper thin shell, which can take up to two months to harden, and are called soft-shell, new shell or shedders. The debate goes on as to which is most tasty, though the soft-shell are definitely easier to crack!

Lobsters do not have vocal chords. They do not scream when being cooked.

The teeth of the lobster are in its stomach. The stomach is located a very short distance from the mouth, and the food is actually chewed in the stomach between three grinding surfaces that look like molar surfaces, called the "gastric mill".

Besides the greenish-brown colored lobsters, there are also rare blue, yellow, red and white ones. Except for the white ones, they all turn red when cooked.

A 2-pound female lobster usually carries approximately 8000 eggs. A 9-pound female may carry more than 100,000 eggs. The female carries the eggs inside for 9 to 12 months, and then for another 9 to 12 months externally attached to the swimmerets under her tail.

When the eggs hatch, the larvae will float near the surface for 4 to 6 weeks. The few that survive will settle to the bottom and continue to develop as baby lobsters. From every 50,000 eggs only 2 lobsters are expected to survive to legal size. It takes 5 to 7 years for a lobster to grow to legal size in the ocean. A lobster at legal size will weigh approximately 1 pound.

Grilled Lobsters with
Southeast Asian Dipping Sauce
located at Epicurious. Click the title to go to the recipe.

Original Recipe
Nutrition Analysis per one serving:
Calories (kcal) 237; Fat (g) 2.6; Saturated Fat (g)  trace;
 Cholesterol (mg) 115; Sodium (mg) 1551

Lower Sodium Variation, This will save 898 mg of Sodium!

Substititue 1/3 cup Asian fish sauce with

1/4 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce and
Increase the lime juice to 1/2 cup.

Nutrition Analysis per one serving:
Calories (kcal) 241;  Fat (g) 2.6;  Saturated Fat (g)  trace;
Cholesterol (mg) 115; Sodium (mg) 653

Learn to Prepare, Cook and
Eat Lobster with LX.com's Shira Lazar.



The Lobster and the Beer,
A Story of Survival

June 14, Flag Day History and Snacks

Dessert Pizza with 

Brie, Blueberries and Strawberries

Yield: 3 servings
Serving Size: 1/3 crust

Ingredients
1 Pizza Crust, (7-inches)
1.5 oz Brie6 Strawberries
1/3 cup Blueberries

Nutrition Information

Blueberries, Watermelon,
and Part Skim Mozzarella

June 13, Kitchen Klutzes of America Day Create a Safe Kitchen

Kitchen safety is no laughing matter, though slap stick comedy can be an excellent teacher of what not to do - as seen here in a “Brady Bunch” segment.

The Brady Bunch - Klutz in the Kitchen

Kitchen safety involves avoiding and looking for potential hazards. Focus your attention on four main areas.

• Fire and Electrical Hazards
• Food Preparation
• Food Safety and Cleanliness
• Create a Child Friendly Kitchen

Fire and Electrical Hazards

 1. Use a 3-prong grounded connection on all appliances.
 2. Do not use extension cords.
 3. Discard any broken or damaged appliances.
 4. Turn off burners immediately when not in use.
 5. Keep dish towels, pot holders, and paper towels away from the stove or other hot areas where they can catch fire.
 6. Do not leave candles burning unattended. Place in flame proof containers.
 7. Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, but away from the stove or other hot areas.
 8. Keep lighters and matches away from the reach of children.

Kitchen Safety - Fire Hazards

Food Preparation

 1. Turn the handles of cooling pots and pans away from the front of the  stove.
 2. Be careful when removing the lid from hot foods. The heat can burn you.

 3. Never leave cooking foods unattended!!
 4. Close cabinet doors and draws when not in use.

 5. Make sure appliances with sharp areas are unplugged before touching them.
 6. Use proper lifting techniques when carrying heavy items.

 7. Knives - Always cut away from the body when using a knife. Cut using a proper cutting surface. Keep knives clean. Do not leave knives soaking in water. When cleaning the blade, keep the sharp edge away from hands.

Kitchen Safety: Knife Safety

Food Safety and Cleanliness

There are ways to avoid food poisoning and accidents by proper handling of foods and keeping yourself and your work area clean.

 1. Clean up spills immediately.
 2. Always wash your hands before working in the kitchen. Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after handling food.
 3. Wash kitchen surfaces often, and wash platters before refilling them with fresh food. 

 4. Keep uncooked and ready-to-eat foods separate. Juices from raw meat may cross-contaminate other food if they contain harmful bacteria.

 5. Use one cutting board for raw meat and poultry and another one for vegetables. If you use only one cutting board, wash it with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.
 6. Use a food thermometer to be sure foods are cooked safely. Steaks should be cooked to 145 °F, ground beef cooked to 160 °F, and all poultry cooked to 165 °F.
 7. Never hold hot or cold foods for more than two hours at room temperature, or between 40 °F and 140 °F. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly.
 8. When in doubt, throw it out; do not eat it.

Food Safety

June is Home Safety Month and the
 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has prepared tips to

Cooking and spending time in the kitchen is fun for kids, and also provides parents with an opportunity to teach children about healthy nutrition. Here are tips to create a kid-friendly kitchen:

From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Kids Eat Right program.

June 11, Corn on the Cob Day

Corn on the Cob with Tomato Salsa

How do farmers make
the decision to sell corn
as food and not as ethanol?

How to Grow Corn

"Crazy About Corn" 
Entertaining song, try it without the butter and salt.

Corn - Immigrant Song with Credits

National Men's Health Week June 10 - 16, 2013

Men's Health Week.com  is maintained by Men's Health Network. Men's Health Network (MHN), is a non-profit educational organization focused on improving the health and wellbeing of men, boys and their families through a broad spectrum of national screening, educational campaigns, advocacy opportunities and patient navigation.

MHN can be found in every state and over 25 foreign countries. The advisory board consists of over 800 physicians, researchers, public health workers and community leaders specializing in men's and family health.

Preventative Care

When you get a preventive medical test, you’re not just doing it for yourself. You’re doing it for your family and loved ones:

• Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
• Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
• Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
• Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.

The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.

Source: Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data

Men's Health Week

The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

The Goals of Men’s Health Network

1. Save men's lives by reducing premature mortality of men and boys.

2. Foster health care education and services that encourage men of all ages to implement positive lifestyles for themselves and their families.

3. Increase the physical and mental health of men so that they can live fuller and happier lives.

4. Energize government involvement in men's health activities so that existing government health networks can be utilized to increase the health and well-being of men and boys.

Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age Your Checklist for Health (pdf file)
The information in this fact sheet is based on research findings from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF is the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care. The Task Force, which is supported by AHRQ, conducts rigorous, impartial assessments of the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of a broad range of clinical preventive services, including screening, counseling, and preventive medications. Its recommendations are considered the gold standard for clinical preventive services.

 Tips for men to get/stay healthy.

To help men of all ages understand the fundamentals of a healthful eating plan and how it can help them prevent and manage disease, the Academy has developed numerous resources, including:

A thirty-second public serviceannouncement from registered dietitian and Academy President Ethan Bergman, offering easy tips to eat right for life.

An infographic (pdf) illustrating how food and nutrition affects a man’s body

Online resources at www.eatright.org/MensHealth offering cooking, fitness and behavior tips and much more.

Additional Resources
US Department of Health and Human Services: Men's Health
Men's Health Network (MHN)
Get it Checked (pdf)
International Men's Health Week