Helpful Hints for Halting Holiday Heft

Happy Holidays!

Although the holiday festivities are wonderful, but they are also largely responsible for the average American weight gain of 2 pounds per year. The problem is that most folks put on more pounds in December than they take off in January. That is why, when it comes to holiday eating, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of fat!

Now I don’t want to be a Humbug by suggesting you should forego your favorite holiday treats and traditions, so here are three extremely painless ways to prevent extra pounds this season:

1. Have Heroically Healthy Breakfasts: Compensate for your extra holiday treats by making your breakfast extra healthy this month. I suggest egg white omelets packed with veggies and salsa. By eating a filling, nutritious and low-calorie meal, you’ll be saving room for the less healthful calories that will inevitably come along.

2. Be Great in Groups: Studies show that the more diners there are at the table, the more each one tends to eat. Just watch next time the extended family is dining together. To prevent “Group-Binge”, try to be the slowest eater at the table and don’t eat while talking. If it won’t offend the hostess, put your napkin across your plate or push your plate away once you are full to prevent mindless nibbling.

3. Create a “Splurge Plan”: Try this strategy to help you hold out for the Good Stuff: Look at your holiday calendar and carefully decide where and when you want to eat more decadently. Take a red magic marker and circle the dates where you’ll let yourself splurge a bit. Will it be your mom’s famous apple pie and a New Year’s Eve bottle of wine? You choose. Having this “Splurge Plan” will make it easier to resist all the lesser temptations you are offered in the meantime.


Good luck!

-Jill




Jill Brook, M.A.
Diet for Health
1047 Foothill Blvd.
(818) 952-0668
www.DietforHealth.com

Skype us! The Farm is ready

Hey there - a wonderful friend of the Farm donated a set of Skype headphones - we didn't have any so we couldn't use it! You can skype us at: FarmosaFarms

Give us a call!

Farm to School Workshop

From Cafeterias to Capitol Hill:
Growing Healthy Kids, Farms and Communities
March 16-19, 2007


Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland

Join hundreds of farm to cafeteria and food policy enthusiasts to share
experiences, and get the latest, up-to-date info on institutional purchasing
on both the organizing and policy perspectives. A major focus of the
conference will be issues related to the Farm Bill, including farm to
cafeteria and beyond. On Monday, attendees will have the opportunity to
visit with their elected representatives on Capitol Hill.

More conference information will soon be available at www.foodsecurity.org
. We look
forward to seeing you there!

Sustainable Agriculture - Learn something new!

The Fall 2006 (Vol. 18, No. 3) issue of Sustainable Agriculture is now available online at http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/newsltr/newsletters.htm. To view a PDF of the newsletter, click the PDF symbol.

IN THIS ISSUE:

+ Farm-to-school programs in the Western Region
+ International scholar with farm roots to head UC sustainable ag programs
+ From the Director: Goodnight, good luck & keep eating your vegetables
+ UC SAREP funds Placer harvest calendar
+ UC researchers' study shows regional "branding" helps farmers survive
+ 10 years: Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission's Biologically Integrated Farming System Program
+ Making a precarious perch more secure: Central Valley farm ponds for native fish conservation
+ New UC cover crop, nitrogen fertilizer publications aimed at walnut growers
+ Former SAREP associate director joins Sacramento CE
+ SARE Updates
+ Calendar

The newsletter is produced by the statewide University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP). If you have suggestions or comments, please contact us at sarep@ucdavis.edu.

Nutritional Home is Launched!

We just launched our beta of http://nutritionalhome.com! Check it out when you have time. It will carry the same blog as the Farm for now. This website will focus on the commercial aspect of nutrition education. All proceeds will be donated to the Farm for operational expenses. So, shop away! Every little cent helps. And, more importantly, learn something about holistic health and nutrition. What's in your milk?

Food Pod Casts you Can't Miss!

Check out these great podcasts about food from EatFeed.com -

The food podcast network that takes you
back in time, across the country, around the world, and back to your own table
Find your favorite food shows produced by the Eat Feed Network

CLICK HERE and subscribe now!

Tomatoes ARE good for you!

~~~ Tomatoes for a Healthier You

You don't have to wait for summer to reap the benefits tomatoes provide! Red tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, an antioxidant similar to beta carotene. Studies have indicated that lycopene lowers your risk for many cancers; and canned tomatoes are just as good as fresh -- meaning no lycopene is lost. In fact, canned tomatoes match up nicely against fresh:

1/2 cup of canned tomatoes has 11.8 mg of lycopene, while 1 fresh, uncooked tomato has just 3.7 mg. CLICK HERE FOR MORE!

It's the heat processing that releases the lycopene. Red tomatoes have more lycopene, and cooking in a bit of olive oil helps to release the lycopene, and in turn the olive oil helps your body absorb the lycopene. The use of tomatoes in sauces is a tasty way to include tomatoes in your weekly menu; and Italian cuisine is famous for its many tomato sauces.

In our full story learn about the different tomato sauces from Italy:

-> Marinara
-> Amatriciana
-> Arrabbiata
-> Puttanesca
-> Vodka sauce
a small video for kids aged from 9 to 13

An interesting look at a video found on YouTube.

St. Paul Minnesota having great Agricultural Festival

The Acres U.S.A. Conference — it's about . . .



. . . some of the top farmers, researchers and consultants in the world.

Our consulting halls give you the opportunity to ask your specific questions. who's speaking



. . . seminars and workshops that will change the way you farm, the way you live.

The information passed along in just one seminar can pay for your entire journey. agenda



. . . the most complete trade show in North America.

Visit almost 100 suppliers of organic/sustainable farming inputs, natural veterinary products, and more. trade show



. . . a community joined by learning.

Meet people from around the world and take part in the hundreds of hallway conversations and mini-conferences. information



. . . two weeks away, but there's still time to make your plans!

Register by Nov. 30 and save $25. Walk-ins welcome too! register



Come see why people come
from around the world
to the Acres U.S.A. Conference.


CLICK HERE TO see who is speaking!
Healing from the Ground Up!

Check out this quick quip on Bauman College and Nutrition Education. This is where Farmgirl studied. There are lots of ways to learn more about nutrition. Check out the Farm for new stuff!

Get Clean Now

Remove toxins and start living healthier! We created some easy to use PDFs on easy ways to make a change with your nutritional health. Click Here to see what we have done so far.

Buy Local Challenge

Hey guys -

I just took the "Buy Local" Challenge to pledge my support for local food. I made this commitment to buy food from local farmers to help reduce fossil fuels in shipping and for the freshness. Purchasing food from local farmers also strengthens our local economy, supports endangered family farms, safeguards my family's health, and protects the environment.

To make your own customized pledge to local food and farmers, just go to http://www.foodroutes.org/buy-local-challenge.jsp.

Buy Local - Economic Reasons

A recent study in Maine shows that shifting just 1% of consumer expenditures to direct purchasing of local food products would increase farmers' income by 5%. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) estimates that by encouraging Maine residents to spend just $10/week on local food, $100,000,000 will be invested back into farmers' pockets and the Maine economy each growing season.

Buy Local

How can you help support your local farmer?

Find out about the FoodRoutes' "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" Toolbox and take the Buy Local Challenge. CLICK HERE

Anti-inflammatory Nutrition

Hello!

Diet-related inflammation is a hot topic these days because it affects both health and beauty--It causes tissue to become red and puffy, which isn't healthy OR attractive!

Inflammation most commonly contributes to joint pain, cardiovascular damage and a ruddy complexion. Here's how food works in:

Inflammatory Foods (Avoid these)
-white flour
-sugar
-salt
-anything highly processed (even bread and breakfast cereal)
-high-fat beef
-high-fat dairy
-alcohol


Anti-Inflammatory Foods (Eat these)
-nuts (especially walnuts)
-seeds (especially flax)
-green, white or red tea
-berries (any kind)
-olive oil
-salmon, tuna, other fatty fish
-all colorful vegetables

This is a healthy way to eat, so long as you don't overdo the healthy fats (remember--a serving of nuts or seeds is only 1/4 cup and 200 calories!) If you have arthritis, rosacea, heart disease or just want radiant skin, give this a try and see if you look and feel better.

Have a good week!
:)
Jill
Jill Brook, M.A.
Diet for Health
1047 Foothill Blvd.
(818) 952-0668
www.DietforHealth.com

Farmgirl Ventures into Peanuts

Check out this great site - you probably already know of it but it's packed full of information on foods:

Click Here for The World's Healthiest Foods


and click here for specific information on peanuts...I know the World Series is over but we still need out nutrients!

cool websites to check out

http://stopglobalwarming.com
http://treehugger.com
http://ecofabulous.com

Garden at Tortelis Camp, Amboseli, Kenya


tortelis gardener
Originally uploaded by farmgirl.
Here is one of the Maasai workers in the organic farm at Tortelis Camp, Kenya. We had organic farms or gardens at all of our accomodations including Elephant Pepper Tree in Maasai Mara, Kingongoni Lodge in Tanzania, Ngoro Ngoro Farmhouse in Tanzania and here at Tortelis. All of the food was incredible!

Organic farming tries to take root in Kenya

Organic farming tries to take root in Kenya
Kenyan farmers want to tap into the premium world market of organics, but they face regulatory obstacles.
By Mike Crawley | Special to The ChristianScience Monitor
KERUGOYA, KENYA - Here in the heavily farmed foot...CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

"While organic farming techniques generally yield about 30 percent less food per acre in developed countries, studieshave shown the reverse in the Third World. Overworked land benefits when organic techniques help return nutrients to the soil."

Link: http://farmosafarms.org

Jill's Tips!

Hello!

Are you slouching right now? Well, stop it!

Sitting up nice and straight will not only make you look ten pounds thinner, but will also burn extra calories by engaging your abdominal and back muscles.

Think of sitting up straighter every time you hear a phone ring or stop at a red light. These constant reminders will help you turn good posture into a habit, so that you'll have it all day long.

...and if I don't already sound enough like your mother, "eat your vegetables!"

:)
Have a good weekend,
Jill

Jill's Tips!

Hello!

Have you heard the news? The world and humankind have entered a new era! There are now more overweight people in the world than underweight people.

First of all, that means you can no longer justify cleaning your plate because there are so many starving people in the world. Second, it means we ought to examine and learn from the minority of folks who are at a healthy weight.

Here are some of the healthiest groups of people worldwide:

Okinawans

This Japanese island is home to the longest living folks on earth. Their diet is special in that it emphasizes veggies and contains small amounts of animal protein. They also avoid stuffing themselves and tend to stop eating when they are only 80% full.

The Amish

Because they don’t use cars or machines, these folks walk an average of 50,000 steps per day. The rest of us walk only about 10% that much. Researchers believe that with so much daily activity you can eat all you like. It also helps that they eat mostly homemade foods.


The French

The French get away with eating all kinds of rich foods because they have mastered portion control. By eating slowly and truly savoring each bite, French folks tend to get satisfied after eating very small quantities. In fact, one study found that although the average French family spends 3 times as long eating dinner, they only consume half the calories of an average American family.


Americans who…

1. Eat breakfast

2. Exercise for 40+ minutes almost daily

3. Eat lots of fruits and veggies

4. Weigh themselves often

5. Get enough sleep

6. Read food labels

7. Work hard constantly at watching their weight



Next month I’m taking a trip to Amish country. If I don’t come back, you’ll know why!



Have a good week,

Jill



Jill Brook, M.A.
Diet for Health
1047 Foothill Blvd.
(818) 952-0668
www.DietforHealth.com

Healthiest Foods

What are the healthiest foods for us? Check out this site: http://whfoods.org/

Organic Gardens a result of Consumer Demand

Consumer demand is changing the way we do business. Karen Kelly, Chef at Houston's Restaurants on Beverly Drive, Los Angeles, is making a difference with organic gardens providing the finest basil, arugula and mint. Quality is in demand. And there's the stewardship as the workers and guests are amazed by an artichoke plant while sipping wine in a garden. The cost benefit? It's immeasurable.

Kudos to the Hillstone Restaurant Group for they have the foresight to see beyond the monetary costs. Inspired by the restaurant trend of serving organic food such as at the famed Alice Waters and Ches Panisse in Northern California, the Hillstone Restaurant Group (Houston's Restaurant) has the foresite to see the demand for organic food and they are doing something about it! It's all an education process.

Let's all keep up the good work!

Organic farming tries to take root in Kenya

Organic farming tries to take root in Kenya
Kenyan farmers want to tap into the premium world market of organics, but they face regulatory obstacles.
By Mike Crawley | Special to The ChristianScience Monitor
KERUGOYA, KENYA - Here in the heavily farmed foot...CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

"While organic farming techniques generally yield about 30 percent less food per acre in developed countries, studieshave shown the reverse in the Third World. Overworked land benefits when organic techniques help return nutrients to the soil."

Jill's Tips!

Hello!

This week's tip is in honor of JOYCE'S 78th BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOYCE!

If you know my mentor (and founder of Diet for Health), you know that Joyce is a fantastically energetic, fit Superwoman who does more activities each week than I do in a month. Her vitality is such that she thinks nothing of flying to Tahiti for New Year's Eve swimming with sharks, walking 18 holes of golf when it's 110 degrees outside and raising thousands of dollars for local charities.

Although people usually comment on her figure, it's her youthful brain that inspires me most. Is it just luck that she is smarter, wittier and sharper than her juniors? NO! The following healthy habits can make a brain IMPROVE with age:

1. Eat your fruits and veggies. They are the fountain of youth for every cell!
2. Avoid doing low-carb diets for very long. Your brain prefers it's fuel in the form of carbs...about 450 calories-worth per day! That's a hungry organ!
3. Eat a bit of healthy fat--like nuts, seeds and fish--most days.
4. Have a little caffeine. Only a little is necessary, but it enhances neural connections.
5. Nurture relationships. People with more friends and family have less cognitive decline as they age.
6. Exercise. Your brain thrives on the extra oxygen it receives during a workout.
7. Embrace a little adversity. Chronic uncontrollable stress ages your brain, but regular challenges are healthy and stimulating.
8. Keep a healthy heart. Research is showing that heart health and brain health are very closely related.
9. Do something novel every week. Even blowing your nose with your non-dominant hand creates new neural connections!

Joyce is living proof that if you care for your brain, it will make you smarter, funnier, wiser and more valuable to society with every year.

THANKS FOR INSPIRING US, JOYCE!

Have a good week,
Jill

Grandpa and G-Bob


IMG_6426
Originally uploaded by farmgirl.
4th of July - getting into the swing of things...

Jill's Tips!

Hello!
Summer is officially here, so eat these super-foods while they are in season:
--Gazpacho soup (keep it handy as an anytime snack)
--mango slices (with cinnamon, perhaps)
--Corn on the cob (if you consider it a grain instead of a veggie, it's super nutritious!)
--Berries & cherries (the fountain of youth and cherries fight pain)
--Grape tomatoes
--Button mushrooms (you can buy them pre-washed and ready-to-eat)
--Red, yellow, orange, green peppers (they travel well as snacks. Slice them ahead of time, or just bring the entire pepper plus a paring knife)
--Papaya with lime
--Portobello mushrooms (grill them like hamburgers)
--Watermelon (sprinkle cocoa powder and splenda on top and it tastes like fudge cake. No foolin'.)
--Anything else you find at the farmer's market
...well...ALMOST anything you find at the farmers market. When it comes to Kettle Korn, candied nuts, etc., enjoy your free sample and don't even THINK of buying any!
If you have other summer snack ideas to add to my list, please let me know!
Have a good week!
Jill

Meet Jill Brook, Nutritionist

Farmgirl here, just back from my first week with my nutritionist, Jill Brook. You can learn more about Jill at: http://dietforhealth.com. She rocks. And she's getting Farmgirl in even better nutritional shape. It's necessary for me to reduce my inflammation inside. This is caused by my multiple sclerosis. And it's what gets me down and staying in bed when I should be out working, playing and living!

Our first goal is to reduce inflammation by altering my lean mass to fat mass ratio. I'm not overweight, just undermuscled. This is a relatively new problem for me - the last year or so. I've already got a handle on it and am looking forward to learning more about doing this right. After a walk with Ellie Hounddog and a trip to the gym, I went to the market and splurged on organic cottage cheese, fresh, organic fruit and other nutritional goodies. Heck, I deserve it!

Farmgirl uses Nutritonist to get healthier

Today's visit to Diet for Health included an Electrolipogram, which basically tells you things like percentage body fat, pounds of fat-free mass, BMR and more. Farmgirl and Diet for Health will be working together to help spread the word about nutrition and healthy eating to local schools, girl scout troups, sports teams and the such. We'll keep you posted on our activities. Our first activity is to get Farmgirl into optimum nutritional health!

Cows with Guns

Film

Cows with Guns Here is a pretty funny take on, well, cows with guns


The Meatrix (parental guidance suggested for the wee ones) - great animation about healthy farming.

Store Wars Get in touch with the organic rebellion!

Burgerman - the Video Game - Download Burgerman Now

SuperSize Me a Film of Epic Proportions is now available in special grades 6-12 edition

Vineyards in Nutrition Education



Originally uploaded by farmgirl.


Several reports in 2000 confirmed the glad tidings that wine -- in moderation, of course -- reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. In the September issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, for instance,


Nutritional Summary for Alcoholic beverage, wine, table, red


Hand-harvest work in wine grape vineyards is physically demanding and exposes workers to a variety of ergonomics risk factors. Analysis of these exposures together with data on reported work-related injuries points to the risk of back injury as a prevention priority, in particular the lifting and carrying of tubs of cut grapes (weighing up to 80 pounds) during harvest. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention — the use of...


Learn More!

Fast Food Nation - Nutrition Education on the Rise

Did you catch the article in the WSJ today (5/18/06) about the flak with Fast Food Nation Film premiering at Cannes? Right on! Let's get these corporate food companies chomping at the bit to make some changes. Sure, it's not their fault entirely, but they can do something major about our national obesity crisis and lack of nutrition education in our society. Click here to read more...

"You are what you eat. But do you really know what you’re eating?

Britain eats more fast food than any other country in Europe. Rates of obesity and food poisoning spiral upwards, but it seems we just can’t get enough of those tasty burgers and fries..."


NY Times take on Fast Food Nation
No Accounting for Mouthfeel Fast food is an inescapable part of the modern world, and the author thinks that's a very bad thing.

SKYPE hits the Farm

Farmgirl just downloaded Skype (a little behind the times). Now it's time to learn how easy this is to use and let's get chatting with folks interested in nutrion education around the world!

You can reach Farmgirl at farmgirl66. Skype in kids!

Wal-Mart's Organics Could Shake Up Retail

Hey check this out -

Wal-Mart's Organics Could Shake Up Retail
By MARCUS KABEL, Associated Press Writer
9:54 PM PST, March 24, 2006

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is throwing its weight behind organic products, a move that experts say could have the same lasting effect on environmental practices that Wal-Mart has had on prices by forcing suppliers and competitors to keep up. CLICK HERE for more.

Grants to Combat Obesity available in Pennsylvania

Highmark to Award Grants to Combat Obesity and Inactivity in Pennsylvania School Districts
Up to $12,000 will be awarded to schools in Highmark's 49-county Pennsylvania service region to implement evidence-based nutrition and physical activity programs....
Deadline: April 3, 2006
Posted: February 5, 2006

Anti-inflammatory Nutrition

The Top 12 Superfood Herbs and Spices
More Healthy Staples Solutions


By Annie B. Bond, Executive Producer of Care2’s Healthy Living Content.

Many herbs and spices fall within the category of powerful anti-inflammatory superfoods because they are rich in phytochemicals. Researchers from Michigan University have found, for example, that holy basil has anti-inflammatory activity compared to ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. Why are anti-inflammatory foods important for good health? Because inflammation is suspected to play a key role in heart disease, cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, allergies, and more. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Alternative fuel boosts agricultural economy

Ag Day News

National 2006 Ag Day Essay Winner Honored

Growing Our EnergyKANSAS CITY, Mo. — DuPont Crop Protection and the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) are pleased to announce the national 2006 Ag Day Essay Contest winner, Ashley Julka. CLICK HERE

Press Release for Farm to Cafeteria

Click here for the 411 on the Farm to Cafeteria program.

Farm to Cafeteria needs your help -

Write a letter to your senator to help bring farm fresh food to local schools. Click here for more!

Macaroni and Cheese gets more nutritional

Because so many parents cannot resist the convenience of boxed macaroni and cheese when it comes to feeding their kids... CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Lamb season in Oregon

It is Lambing season in Oregon - check out this pair:

National Agriculture Day - March 20, 2006

Celebrate agriculture this year - March 20 is National Ag Day. CLICK HERE to learn more!

March is National Nutrition Month

Check out these great Nutrition resources to make March the Greatest Nutrition month of all- Here is some info all about nutrition, agriculture, education and more.


Horizon Organics - Tasty treats to be had!


Getting through the first week of better eating habits



Ask a certified nutritionist and get the facts!


Celebrate Agriculture with a lesson plan - Click HERE

National Ag Day is March 20, 2006. Celebrate!

Farm to Cafeteria

Contact these guys to help support the Farm to Cafeteria program. This is way cool! The federal appropriations cycle is upon us, and the policy staff at the
Community Food Security Coalition is once again working to get funding for
the Farm to Cafeteria program (Section 122 of the 2004 Child Nutrition
Reauthorization Act). These one-time grants would cover the start-up costs...

--
Community Food Security Coalition
110 Maryland Ave. NE Suite 307
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202.543.8602
Email: Steph@foodsecurity.org
www.FoodSecurity.org

Vote "NO" on House Of Reprepresentatives BIll H.R. 4167

Vote "NO" on House Of Reprepresentatives BIll H.R. 4167 --
The House of Representatives will vote this week on a controversial "national food uniformity" labeling law that will take away local government and states' power to require food safety food labels such as those required in California and other states on foods or beverages that are likely to cause cancer, birth defects, allergic reactions, or mercury poisoning....
Click Here for MORE.

Restless leg syndrome associated with Pesticides?

Farmgirl was just diagnosed with RLS, probably as a result of her multiple sclerosis. There was interesting comments online about a possible correlation between pesticides and the exasperation of RLS. Have you heard of this? CLICK HERE for more info...

Fainting Goats

Often called "fainting goats", the Myotonic Goat is good for a laugh, in addition to being a nutritional source of protein! Click Here to see the video and a giggle or two.

Farm visitors


One of our many Farm visitors...Even squirrels need to watch what they eat. You can help them out by making nut balls and suets. CLICK HERE for the recipe...

Farm to School Workshop

Hello Farm to School Enthusiast,
The Riverside Unified School District and the Center for Food & Justice at Occidental College are hosting a Farm to School Workshop on February 15, 2006 from 9am-2pm in Riverside, CA. The workshop is an opportunity for school food service staff, teachers, parents, and community members to learn about farm to school and gather information and resources about how to implement a farm to school program in their own school or district. More information about the workshop can be found online: http://www.farmtoschool.org/ca/upcoming.htm

For additional questions or registration information please contact Moira Beery at the Center for Food & Justice, (323) 341-5099 or beery@oxy.edu
Please forward this message on to friends or colleagues who may be interested in the workshop.

Thank you,
-Moira Beery

CA Farm to School Program Coordinator
Center for Food & Justice
Urban & Environmental Policy Institute
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Happy New Year

Wow! This has been a busy year - from helping to promote National Agriculture Day to lobbying for Farm to School in California; from Blogs to newsletters, we have been growing. Thank you for all of your help and support. Your emails and ideas have been very much appreciated.

Thank you and Happy New Year! Keep the comments coming...

xo,
Farmgirl