Hello all,
This is a great video for adults and especially kids. Sometimes when we think of health we only focus on eating healthy and exercising, but health is such a bigger umbrella. Let's not forget about other things. Next month (July)is UV Safety Month...don't forget to take care of your skin.
Jun 8, 2011
Jun 6, 2011
June Vegetable of the Month!!!
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a fruit and vegetable each month. The chosen vegetable for June is:
Okra
Okra grows in an elongated, lantern shape vegetable. It is a fuzzy, green colored, and ribbed pod that is approximately 2-7 inches in length. This vegetable is more famously known by its rows of tiny seeds and slimy or sticky texture when cut open. Okra is also known as bamia, bindi, bhindi, lady's finger, and gumbo, is a member of the cotton (Mallow) family.
Okra is commonly associated in Southern, Creole, and Cajun cooking since it was initially introduced into the United States in its southern region. It grows well in the southern United States where there is little frost.
Okra is a powerhouse of valuable nutrients. It is a good source of vitamin C. It is low in calories and is fat-free. To learn more about okra go here.
Okra and Green Beans
Makes 6 servings
Source: University of Illinois Extension
Ingredients
1 lb okra, uncut
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 lb fresh green beans
2 large garlic cloves, crushed then chopped
1 cup water
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground pepper
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
Wash okra pods, trim stems, do not remove caps. Rinse well and drain. Wash beans and cut into 3 inch lengths. Combine water, tomato paste, olive oil, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in a sauce pan and mix well. Heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to boil. Add okra and beans and additional water if necessary to almost cover vegetables.
Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer gently until vegetables are crisp-tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve it warm or cold.
*This dish can also be oven-baked. Instead of simmering, lightly cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F.
Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories 106, Protein 5g, Fat 3g, Calories From Fat 19%, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrates 19g, Fiber 7g, Sodium 187mg.
Okra
Okra grows in an elongated, lantern shape vegetable. It is a fuzzy, green colored, and ribbed pod that is approximately 2-7 inches in length. This vegetable is more famously known by its rows of tiny seeds and slimy or sticky texture when cut open. Okra is also known as bamia, bindi, bhindi, lady's finger, and gumbo, is a member of the cotton (Mallow) family.
Okra is commonly associated in Southern, Creole, and Cajun cooking since it was initially introduced into the United States in its southern region. It grows well in the southern United States where there is little frost.
Okra is a powerhouse of valuable nutrients. It is a good source of vitamin C. It is low in calories and is fat-free. To learn more about okra go here.
Okra and Green Beans
Makes 6 servings
Source: University of Illinois Extension
Ingredients
1 lb okra, uncut
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 lb fresh green beans
2 large garlic cloves, crushed then chopped
1 cup water
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground pepper
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
Wash okra pods, trim stems, do not remove caps. Rinse well and drain. Wash beans and cut into 3 inch lengths. Combine water, tomato paste, olive oil, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in a sauce pan and mix well. Heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to boil. Add okra and beans and additional water if necessary to almost cover vegetables.
Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer gently until vegetables are crisp-tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve it warm or cold.
*This dish can also be oven-baked. Instead of simmering, lightly cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F.
Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories 106, Protein 5g, Fat 3g, Calories From Fat 19%, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrates 19g, Fiber 7g, Sodium 187mg.
June Fruit of the Month!!!
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a fruit and vegetable each month. The chosen fruit for June is:
Pluots and Apriums
Pluots are complex hybrid fruits that are part plum and part apricot in heritage. These fruits were originally invented in the late 20th century by Floyd Zaiger and are now grown in parts of Washington and California. Pluots have a majority of plum parentage and therefore, have smooth skin like plums. Some varieties of pluots are sometimes called interspecific plums, or dinosaur eggs. The pluot is often confused with the aprium which is another plum and apricot hybrid with mostly apricot heritage. Like apricots, apriums have slightly fuzzy skin. Pluots and apriums are known for their sweetness and flavor; the sugar content of these fruits is much higher than that of a plum or apricot alone. For more information about these fruits go here.
Confetti plum (pluot)-pasta salad
Makes 6 servings
Each serving equals 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetables
Source: Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Better Health Cookbook
Ingredients
8 ounces corkscrew pasta
½ medium red bell pepper, cut into strips
¾ cup peeled and diced jicama
½ cup chopped red onion
8 pluots, sliced
2 Tbsp diced pimento
1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
3 Tbsp rice or white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain. Rinse briefly under cold water and drain. In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, red and yellow bell peppers, jicama, onion, and pluots.
In a small bowl, whisk together all the basil, pimento, ginger, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper until blended. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss evenly until coated.
Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories 216, Protein 6g, Fat 3g, Calories From Fat 14%, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrates 42g, Fiber 4g, Sodium 43mg.
Pluots and Apriums
Pluots are complex hybrid fruits that are part plum and part apricot in heritage. These fruits were originally invented in the late 20th century by Floyd Zaiger and are now grown in parts of Washington and California. Pluots have a majority of plum parentage and therefore, have smooth skin like plums. Some varieties of pluots are sometimes called interspecific plums, or dinosaur eggs. The pluot is often confused with the aprium which is another plum and apricot hybrid with mostly apricot heritage. Like apricots, apriums have slightly fuzzy skin. Pluots and apriums are known for their sweetness and flavor; the sugar content of these fruits is much higher than that of a plum or apricot alone. For more information about these fruits go here.
Confetti plum (pluot)-pasta salad
Makes 6 servings
Each serving equals 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetables
Source: Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Better Health Cookbook
Ingredients
8 ounces corkscrew pasta
½ medium red bell pepper, cut into strips
¾ cup peeled and diced jicama
½ cup chopped red onion
8 pluots, sliced
2 Tbsp diced pimento
1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
3 Tbsp rice or white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain. Rinse briefly under cold water and drain. In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, red and yellow bell peppers, jicama, onion, and pluots.
In a small bowl, whisk together all the basil, pimento, ginger, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper until blended. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss evenly until coated.
Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories 216, Protein 6g, Fat 3g, Calories From Fat 14%, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrates 42g, Fiber 4g, Sodium 43mg.
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