LONG ISLAND CARES -
THE HARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK
AGENCY NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2004
Previous
Issues
Agency Orientation Dates
Mark your calendar now for the next Orientation Training dates:
• Friday, February 27, 2004 at 9:45 AM
• Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 9:45 AM
• Friday, April 30, 2004 at 9:45 AM
Orientation Training Sessions are for new agencies, new staff and volunteers at long standing agencies. These training sessions are open to anyone interested learning more about food grant programs, grant deadlines, ordering how to’s, monthly report info, any an opportunity to ask all of YOUR questions.
Please call Nancy G. at 631/582-FOOD (3663) ext. 118 to make a reservation for the Orientation Session you plan to attend.
FEBRUARY Celebrations…
Lincoln’s Birthday – February
12, 2004
Presidents’ Day – February 16, 2004
Washington’s Birthday – February 22, 2004
And …Valentines Day –
February 14, 2004
Chocolate Trivia - The Swiss consume more chocolate per capita than any other nation on earth. That's 22 pounds each compared to 11 pounds per person in the United States.
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
Prevent Blindness America
(800) 331-2020
http://www.preventblindness.org
American Heart Month
American Heart Association at (800) AHA-USA1 -or-
AHA National Headquarters
(800) 242-8721
National Children's Dental Health Month
American Dental Association
(312) 440-2500
Wise Health Consumer Month
American Institute for Preventive Medicine
(800) 345-2476
February 4
National Girls & Women in Sports Day
Women's Sports Foundation
(800) 227-3988
http://www.womenssportfoundation.org
February 8-14
National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Public and Consumer Affairs
(202) 366-9550
February 9-13
National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week
American Assoc. of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab.
(312) 321-5146
February 9-15 (also observed in November)
Random Acts of Kindness Week
Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
(800) 660-2811
February 22-29
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
National Eating Disorders Association
(206) 382-3587
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Did you know…While Americans should eat more whole grains and less refined wheat, no refined wheat whatsoever may not be the best bet. Refined wheat, unlike whole, is fortified with the B vitamin folate, which is in short supply in many diets. (Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter, January 2004)
Chocolate Trivia - Rumor has it that Napoleon carried chocolate with him on all his military campaigns for a quick energy snack.
Winter Squash Packs a Punch
By
Dana John, JSY Nutritionist
Acorn, butternut, hubbard, and spaghetti are all different varieties of winter squash. Winter squash is one of the easiest vegetables to prepare-just cut in half, remove seeds, and bake cut-side down on baking dish in a 325° F oven for 20 minutes. There are many people who are not familiar with the spaghetti squash variety. After baking, scoop out the spaghetti-like strings and serve just like you would regular spaghetti! Other ways winter squash can be used in your diet includes adding squash to soups and stews and cutting squash into small cubes to be used in casseroles.
Winter squash is also a nice vegetable to have on hand because of the fact that it stores well. To keep fresh, store in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
Convenient, tasty, and healthy too! Winter squash is loaded with vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. Just one half cup provides about 48% of a healthy adult’s daily need for vitamin A and about 23% of a healthy adult’s daily need for fiber.
Try this easy recipe for stuffed squash:
Stuffed Squash
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup cheese, shredded
1 medium squash, any type, washed, halved, and seeded
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a skillet, cook onions, garlic and celery in oil
3. Add breadcrumbs
4. Cook over low heat for 5-10 min.
5. Remove from heat and add cheese
6. Pack mixture into squash
7. Bake for 40-50 mins.
8. For added flavor, add seasonings like sage or thyme to the stuffing!
9. Refrigerate leftovers.
Makes 4 servings
If you are interested in the program and a Free JSY Handbook, call 516-520-4530.
JSY is a New York State Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program supported through matching funds from the United States Department of Agriculture and the NYS Department of Health.
Healthy Heart Month
Heart disease is New York’s number one killer, accounting for nearly one in three of all deaths in the state. During Healthy Heart Month in February the Heart Association reminds you that the tragically high toll of heart disease can be reduced by taking steps for a healthier heart.
The risk of heart disease is higher for those with a family history of the disease and increases for everyone as they get older. However, everyone -- men and women, young and old -- have an increased risk of heart disease due to physical inactivity, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and being overweight. It’s important for women to remember that heart disease is not just a ‘man’s disease.’ Heart disease takes the lives of more women than breast cancer. You can greatly reduce the risk and severity of heart disease by making such simple lifestyle choices as engaging in physical activity, eating foods low in fat, avoiding tobacco and getting a regular check-up.
Physical activity is an easy and enjoyable way to reduce your risk of heart disease. Physical activity helps strengthen your heart, control weight, lower high blood pressure and reduce cholesterol, which can block arteries and control weight. At the same time, physical activity provides many other benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and stress reduction.
The New York State Department of Health recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity, such as brisk walking, on most days of the week. You can fit physical activity into a busy schedule by breaking it up into smaller portions. At work, a lunchtime walk will improve your health and help you feel more refreshed in the afternoon.
You can also reduce your risk of heart disease by following the recommendations of the State Health Department to eat five or more servings of vegetables and fruits every day. Choosing vegetables and fruits helps reduce cholesterol, control weight and reduce the risk of several types of cancer.
When packing a lunch, grab a box of raisins, a banana, a handful of grapes, cherry tomatoes or carrot sticks. At any time, a piece of fruit or crispy vegetable makes a healthier snack than chips or candy, which contains saturated fat. Drink one percent or fat-free milk, rather than whole milk, and 100 percent fruit juice, water or unsweetened ice tea, rather than soft drinks.
Smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack as nonsmokers. On the first day you stop smoking you begin to reduce your risk of heart disease, as carbon monoxide is removed from your blood and the oxygen level increases. Within one year, your risk of a heart attack is cut in half.
The State Health Department offers help to quit smoking through the toll-free Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NYQUITS (697-8487) or www.nysmokefree.com.
High blood pressure increases the heart’s workload, causing it to enlarge and weaken. Talk to your health care provider about the need for a blood pressure test. If you have high blood pressure, follow your health care provider’s advice to control it.
From: UDSA, FDA and NYS WIC
- Update on the Risks of Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
Advice For Women Who Are Pregnant, Or Who Might
Become Pregnant, and Nursing Mothers,
About Avoiding Harm To Your Baby Or Young Child From Mercury in Fish and
Shellfish.
To protect your baby follow these 3 rules:
1. Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury
2. Levels of mercury in other fish can vary. FDA continues to recommend a safe intake of up to 12 ounces (2 to 3 meals) of other purchased fish and shellfish a week. Mix up the types of fish and shellfish you eat and do not eat the same type of fish and shellfish more than once a week.
3. Check local health advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local rivers and streams. If there are no advisories, you can safely eat up to 6 ounces (one meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don’t consume any other fish during that week.
For Your Health
www.whymilk.com - - This is the “Got Milk” location and is aimed at young teens. It includes information on milk and nutrition and a free “milk mustache” screen saver.
www.9aday.cancer.gov - - Men lag behind women in eating vegetables and fruits. Only four percent eat the recommended nine servings a day. This National Cancer Institute Web site aimed at men discusses why vegetables and fruits are important and offers tips on how to increase consumption.
www.cspinet.org/schoofoods - - The Center for Science in the Public interest offers a newly developed School Foods Tool Kit on this Web site to help parents, health professionals, community groups and teachers improve the nutritional quality of the meals, snacks and drinks available to students. The Kit includes model policies, fact sheets, advice about how to influence school policy makers and sample letters, flyers and other model materials.
Did you know…Leeks have a fair amount of grit between their layers. Soak fanned-out leeks in a large bowl of water, then swish to dislodge dirt. Repeat as necessary.
Did you know…Three ounces of broiled boneless pork chop with all fat trimmed contain 140 calories and 1 gram of saturated fat – not bad.
(Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter, January 2004)
NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS
Today's Topic: Recipe for Obese Children
Overweight children are becoming more common and the health risks are high. Type 2 diabetes (previously called adult-onset) is being seen more and more among young children, especially African-Americans and Hispanics (but Caucasians are not immune).
A number of determinants of overweight in children have been identified. These include overweight parents, diets high in fat, watching many hours of television, and being from smaller or poor families. Interestingly, total food intake predicts overweight but total calorie intake is predictive of lower body weight. This apparent paradox could be the result of under-reporting or dieting among heavier children or because those physically active eat more calories. These results can be found at http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/Insights/ins13a.PDF.
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Because losing weight as an adult is extremely difficult, public health experts hope preventing excess weight gain in children will avert health problems later in life. We have no idea if this approach will work, but it seems worth a try.
Chocolate Trivia - Chocolate syrup was used for blood in the famous 45-second shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "Psycho" which actually took 7 days to shoot.
Please be sure to see our other newsletter handouts this month:
The Sweet Truth About Chocolate (Word)
20 Surprising Uses for Vinegar (Word)
Food Safety Workshops (Word)
HWC Food Stamp Flyer (English, Español, Word)