EFNEP Celebrates International School Meals Day
March 14th is the date of celebration of the seventh annual International School Meals Day (ISMD). ISMD was started in 2013 to raise awareness among people around the world about the importance of healthy eating and good nutrition. The day is celebrated globally using a food stories theme. The stories are used to communicate the culture of peoples and their desires for a healthier future.
In 2017, one North Carolina Elementary school celebrated ISMD using the media application Skype to communicate with a farmer in Malawi, Africa. The students learned about growing maize in Malawi and how the maize was used to make nsima, the staple food of Malawi. The lesson taught the class the importance of healthy eating and the various attitudes toward food in other countries. In 2018, ISMD in Scotland was used to demonstrate the importance of healthy meals. ISMD, as a part of a larger effort was used to collect and publish recipes for healthy eating from young people from several countries. ISMD is an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance in school meals. Without the breakfast and lunch served at many schools in the United States, students might not be able to eat healthy. Meals served at schools around the world are important in providing nutrition and a healthy diet to many students.
-James Wynne
EFNEP Intern
Mini Meatloaves
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken
1 ½ cup salsa
1 egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup dry bread crumbs
¼ cup finely chopped onion
Dash of black pepper
Non-stick cooking spray
Directions:
Heat oven to 350 F
Combine all ingredients, saving half of salsa for topping
Divide into 5 equal portions and shape into flattened loaves.
Spray baking dish with non-stick spray and place loaves in dish
Spoon half of the remaining salsa on top of loaves and bake for 20 minutes
Take out of oven and spoon remaining salsa over top and bake for another 10 minutes. Be sure ground beef meatloaf reaches 160 ̊F or 165 ̊F for ground turkey or ground chicken.
Nutrition Information Per Serving:
150 Calories, Total Fat 4.5g, Saturated Fat 1.5g, Protein 22g, Total Carbohydrate 7g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Sodium 170mg.
Excellent source of Vitamin C. Good source of iron.
Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
Ingredients:
2 cups sweet potato, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup fresh cranberries (can substitute dried cranberries)
½ tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp nut butter
2 tbsp honey
Directions:
Wash sweet potatoes and cube. Heat olive oil in
Recipe source: Plants for Human Health Institute
EFNEP Supports Healthy Hearts
Did you know heart health is important at all ages, not just for when we get older? February is American Heart Month, and this means that all of us, both men and women, should be concerned with keeping our hearts healthy. But how do you know if you are at risk of an unhealthy heart? The CDC has put together a list of risk factors to help you better understand.
The good news is there are many ways we can improve our overall health and keep our hearts strong. Here are a few below:
- Talk with your doctor. Here is a list of questions that can help you ask about your risks.
- Choose heart healthy foods, including those lower in saturated and trans fats and sodium. Make your plate mostly fruits and vegetables to get important nutrients.
- Stay Active! Choose fun ways to keep you and your family moving to meet recommended daily physical activity. Check here for ideas on how to Make Physical Activity a Part of Your Family’s Routine.
One thing to remember is that heart health is important for your lifetime. Making changes to how we eat and stay active can be challenging. However, together, we can support and encourage each other. For American Heart Month 2019, make a pact with others to be heart healthy. Share the ways that you’re being heart healthy throughout the month by using #OurHearts and tagging #EFNEPworks on social media.
-Emily
Tamale Pie Recipe
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, completely browned, crumbled and drained
(Can substitute ground turkey or chicken)
1 cup low-sodium whole kernel corn, drained
1 can low-sodium black beans, drained
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon chili pepper
1 cup salsa
½ cup low-fat cheddar cheese, grated
1 8.5 ounce box of Cornbread mix, cooked accordingly to package directions
Non-stick cooking spray
Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 375 ℉. Lightly spray or grease a 2-quart casserole dish or baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the cooked ground meat, corn, black beans, green pepper, chili powder, and salsa. Mix well.
3. Put in casserole pan and top with grate cheese
4. cornmeal mix according to the directions, pour over meat mixture.
5. Bake at 375 for 35-45 minutes.
Nutrition information per serving
323 calories, Total Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 5g, Protein 19g, Total Carbohydrate 3g, Dietary Fiber 5g, Sodium 455 mg.