March 2011

March 1, 2011 in 2011 by Joyce Bunderson

March: In this Issue

Special Days and Monthly Celebrations

Grandma really enjoys celebrations and special days; so each month she will share a few ideas that she thinks are interesting. Read more…

Good Health Can Be Yummy

Recipes and thoughts on making food taste good and build healthy bodies.

March Happenings

Special Days and Monthly Celebrations

Even if you aren’t into basketball, “March Madness” seems to capture the spirit of shaking off the winter and beginning to experience the magic of spring.

National Nutrition Month

The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month is “Eat Right with Color.” How appropriate to remind us of the many phytonutrients (also known as phytochemicals) in colorful fruits and vegetables. It is impossible to approve upon nature when it comes to nutrient packaging. No “enriched” product or vitamin tablet can came close to providing the nutrients in fruits and vegetables. With spring around the corner, take time to plan how you will take advantage of fresh produce – whether it is planting your own garden, visiting farmers markets or fruit stands, or selecting from a greater variety of fresh vegetables at your local grocery store.

National Frozen Food Month

With harvest still months away, frozen foods are a quick way to enjoy nutritious fruits and vegetables. Frozen foods have a high concentration of nutrients and they are convenient. Choose packages marked with a USDA “U.S. Fancy” shield, which designates produce of the best size, shape and color; vegetables of this standard also tend to be more nutrient-rich than the lower grades. Remember to eat them soon after your purchase them, because even in frozen foods, the nutrients degrade.

Bell Pepper and Broccoli Month

Doesn’t Bell Pepper and Broccoli Month sound yummy and nutritious? Try some of Dr. Grandma’s recipes that incorporate these healthy vegetables.

Brain Awareness Week March 14 – 20

Over the last two decades there have been incredible discoveries that change how scientist now view the human brain. For centuries scientists believed that once a person’s brain was formed during childhood, it was set for the rest of life. Research findings reveal that the human brain can grow new neurons, create new neural pathways and essentially learn new tricks until death.

The keys to brain health and facilitating learning in the brain are: aerobic exercise, good nutrition, focused attention and something stimulating to learn. Like the rest of your body, the brain is use it or lose it. It is never too late to improve your brain capacity. Start today!

Other March Celebrations Include:

Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, March 1st

Did you know that by law, peanut butter contains a minimum of 90% peanuts and has no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives? Some brands add natural sweeteners, salt and a stabilizer to keep the oil from separating. A new category called peanut butter spreads are required to have only 60% peanuts and usually contain more sugar and salt but less fat. You can buy reduced fat peanut butter that is still 90% peanuts. As with other foods, it is well worth your time to read the label.

Working Women’s Day, March 8th

Our hat is off to the working women of the world. As of January 2011, women made up 47% of the work force. It is particularly difficult to work and have children, but in the US most women (77%) with school age children work. Nutritious, easy to prepare meals are even more important for working women. Organization and planning are keys to success. Check out Dr. Grandma’s website for the latest nutritional research information. Dr. Grandma’s can also help with quick, nutritious recipes and easy to make pancake and muffin mixes.

Registered Dietitian Day, March 9th

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are committed to helping people enjoy healthy lives by providing information about food and nutrition. With so many sources of inaccurate or misleading information, RDs provide an invaluable service by translating the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. In addition to providing general information, RDs can use their nutritional expertise to customize positive lifestyle changes for individuals.

Daylight Savings Time Begins, March 13th

Clocks move forward one hour on the second Sunday in March. Oh my goodness, we are just beginning to have some daylight in the morning and now we have to turn our clocks back! It is nice to have more daylight in the evening, but as a morning person, I like sunshine early.

First Day of Spring, March 20th

Although the signs of spring may still be a ways off for some of us, celebrating the vernal equinox and knowing that spring is around the corner is comforting. It has been a dreadfully cold and hard winter for so much of the country, I will all be happy to have an end to the winter of 2010-2011. The spring, filled with new life, budding trees, and blossoming flowers brings the joy of working in the garden again. I’m looking forward to the fresh, nutritious, tasty produce.

Good Health Can Be Yummy

Recipes and thoughts on making food taste good and build healthy bodies.

Did you miss any of these articles? These were some of the most popular blog posts and the most fun to write:

  • Singing ‘Get Off Your SoFAS’ in this February 2nd post, Dr. Grandma reviews the highlights of the new Dietary Guidelines. In addition, she shares a recipe for Lively Colorful Fruits, Vegetables and Wheat Berries.
  • This is NEAT in this February 9th post, Mary Ireland discusses NEAT ways to burn calories and up your metabolism without exercising. She also shares a recipe for Delightful Flourless Orange Cake.
  • Don’t Sell Our Kids Short — Avoid Number Two in this February 16th post, Dr. Grandma discusses foods that are advertised for kids. In addition, she shares a recipe for Lemony Tarragon Chicken Vegetable Soup.
  • Feet, Forks, Fat — Protecting Our Children in this February 23rd post, Dr. Grandma discusses why we need to replace calorie dense food with foods close to nature to help our children out of the childhood obesity epidemic.
  • Deceitful, Despicable and Disgusting in this February 25th post, Mary Ireland considers the state of the fast food industry and its subsidy and lack of regulation by the American government as deceitful, despicable and disgusting.

Other links of interest: