Bourbon Beans - Celebrate Mardi Gras!

Check out Care2's delicious recipe for Bourbon Beans.

Celebrate Mardi Gras with bourbon-touched beans. CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE What better connection to the flavor of the event if you can't be on Bourbon Street to watch the parade? Citrus orange adds just the right zing for deep winter, making Orange and Bourbon Baked Beans fun for the Super Bowl too.

BREAK THE CHAINS OF TOXIC PESTICIDES AND CHILD SLAVERY ON VALENTINE'S DAY


BREAK THE CHAINS OF TOXIC PESTICIDES AND CHILD SLAVERY ON VALENTINE'S DAY


Tis that time of year when more than 20 million Americans are buying sweets and flowers for their loved ones on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, these tokens of love aren't as sweet or pure as they may appear. Over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Africa's Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization and US State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Meanwhile, commercial flowers, most of which are produced in countries such as Colombia, are the most toxic and heavily sprayed agricultural crops on Earth. In order for you to deliver your bouquet to your beauty, poorly paid workers in Third World countries put in up to 18 hour work days for poverty wages during peak flower buying times such as Valentine's Day. But don't let the bad news squelch your Valentine's plans. Show your love by choosing Fair Trade and organic flowers and chocolate for your Valentine's Day gifts. Check out OCA's Buying Guide, watch an entertaining flash movie and take action against the 5 major chocolate and flower corporations: http://www.organicconsumers.org/valentines/

NEW MYPYRAMID PODCAST:

NEW MYPYRAMID PODCAST:
THE REAL SUPER MODELS ARE ALL ABOUT A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2008 -- "Most super models are not posing for the camera or walking the fashion runways. The real super models are the moms and dads who are modeling lifestyles that will be reflected by their sons and daughters," according to Dr. Brian Wansink, Executive Director of USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP).

In the second of a series of MyPyramid PodCasts released today, Wansink suggests how parents can model a healthy lifestyle in and around the home by building physical activity into their routines. The podcast, Just Get Moving for Your Health and Theirs, provides simple tips on how families can increase their level of physical activity.

Wansink offers the following tips: Take the stairs instead of the elevator; walk the dog; go for a bike ride; park at the far end of the lot when shopping for groceries; or get off the bus or subway one stop early. But whatever you do, just get moving for your health and theirs.

According to Wansink, "Our analysis of the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data found that 2 out of 3 adults routinely watch 2 or more hours of television every day, yet only 1 in 4 adults ever walk or bicycle to work or to do errands over a month's time. To overcome the lure of cable and computers, we must watch our diet, but just as importantly, we must become more active."

For simple but often overlooked tips, go to www.mypyramid.gov, and choose MyPyramid PodCasts for the latest information.

#

USDA News
oc.news@usda.gov
202 720-4623

Natural Meat - What does it Mean?

ALERT OF THE WEEK:
PUT THE NATURAL BACK IN MEATS LABELED AS "NATURALLY RAISED"

Polls indicate that the average consumer believes meat labeled "Naturally Raised" comes from animals that have spent their drug-free lives freely roaming the pastures of a family farm, eating grass and hay, and being (at least somewhat) humanely slaughtered. A 2007 Consumer Reports survey found that 83% of consumers assume a "naturally raised" label means it came from an animal raised in a natural environment. In stark contrast, the USDA, bowing, as usual, to pressure from corporate agribusiness, has released a standard for "Naturally Raised" meats that is so weak and misleading it would apply to a cloned animal, weaned on pig or cow blood plasma, raised in the confines of a factory farm, and fed a steady diet of genetically engineered grains. The public comment period on this labeling standard only lasts until January 28, so take action now before yet another fraudulent label becomes as ubiquitous as corporate lobbyists on Capitol Hill. READ MORE
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9692.cfm

Afterschool Nutrition Programs - Check 'em out!

Afterschool Resource Center

Federal Funding For:
  • Afterschool Programs
  • Summer Programs
  • Breakfast Nutrition Programs


  • Also See:
  • General Information
  • The federal child nutrition programs provide crucial funding for meals and snacks in afterschool, summer, and before school programs. The federally-subsidized meals and snacks attract children to out of school time programs, which allow them to learn, and be active and safe while their parents are working. The food helps keep hunger at bay so that children are engaged and ready to learn. It also supports healthy eating, nutrition education, and physical activity. All are important parts of an afterschool program.

    Jill's Diet's Tips!

    Hello!

    With Superbowl season upon us, it's time to remind you that you
    shouldn't mix your salty and sweet snacks. Here's why:

    When you eat only 1 flavor at a time, your brain gets easily
    satisfied, which means you choose to stop eating before too long.
    When you eat 2 or more complimentary flavors together (sweet &
    salty, bitter & sweet) your brain NEVER GETS TIRED of eating! One
    flavor enhances the experience of the other and your brain is so
    happily overstimulated that you won't want to stop eating until
    you are ready to burst!

    Food producers and sellers know this and use this to boost sales.
    Ever wonder why all coffee houses sell sweets or why there are
    free salted peanuts at bars? Food companies even hide lots of
    unnecessary salt in sweet cereals, just to make your brain demand
    more. This all means that you can reduce your appetite and reach
    satiety sooner if you stick to one flavor at a time.

    Make sure to watch out for sweet beverages too because even diet
    drinks will keep you from ever getting tired of a salty or savory
    meal.

    Have a good week!

    Jill


    Jill Brook, M.A.
    Diet for Health
    818-952-0668
    www.DietforHealth.com

    Hello Farm to School Community-

    Here is a unique opportunity to consider as you plan for the 2008-09
    school year. Part of building the National Farm to School Network is an
    in depth evaluation on the impact of Farm to School programs. Four
    schools/school districts will be chosen in the country for evaluation
    services by the national evaluation team working from UNC. This could
    be you and a school you are working with. This free service could
    provide invaluable information to how your farm to school program is
    impacting students, farms, and your community. www.farmtoschool.org

    Below is a letter spelling out the opportunity and attached is a
    nomination form. There is a quickly approaching deadline on submitting
    your nomination. Please have forms returned to Michelle Markesteyn
    Ratcliffe by January 31st. www.farmtoschool.org

    You can submit your nomination form to michelle.markesteyn@gmail.com

    Read further for more details! Call or email me if you have any
    questions, or are concerned about meeting the deadline.

    Also, check out the new National Farm to School Website for great
    links to other programs in the region and up-to date information
    www.farmtoschool.org

    Michelle Markesteyn Ratlciffe, MSEL, PhD
    Farm-to-School Manager, Ecotrust
    Western Regional Lead for National Farm to School Network
    michelle.markesteyn@gmail.com
    503.476.6080
    www.farmtoschool.org

    Happy New Year! Health Tips from Jill

    Happy New Year!

    I hope you had a joyous holiday season and enjoyed every tasty
    morsel that you ate! Now it's time to get your diet back on
    track, so here's a quick review of ways to strengthen your will-
    power:

    1. Get enough sleep (7+ hours for most people)
    2. Minimize stress
    3. Prevent low blood sugar by eating small snacks every few hours
    4. Pamper yourself with non-edible treats, like bubblebaths,
    massage, etc.

    Research shows that these things make a big difference! Give it
    a try and remember that the *best* strategy is to minimize your
    dependence on will-power by getting all tempting treats out of
    your home ASAP!

    All my best for 2008!

    Jill

    Jill Brook, M.A.
    Diet for Health
    818-952-0668
    www.dietforhealth.com

    This email was sent to caroline@farmos