Where Do I Get It? Nutrition - June 2016

Cynthia Clifton

In this article:
Contact Us
Healthy Recipe
Low-fat dairy has many benefits – SNAP-Ed
Nutrition Blog
Show Me Nutrition Classes at Homer Joseph Community Center
Upcoming Nutrition Classes in St. John the Baptist Parish
Where Do I Get It? Nutrition

Contact Us

If you would like to participate in any of these nutrition workshops, please call Cynthia Clifton at 985-497-3261.

The LSU AgCenter is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Healthy Recipe

Creole Tomato Salsa

Ingredients:

2 large Creole tomatoes, chopped

½ large white onion, peeled and minced

¼ teaspoon minced raw garlic

1 habanero or jalapeno pepper, stemmed, seeded and minced

¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.
Place in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes
Stir and serve with chips or as a topping

Low-fat dairy has many benefits – SNAP-Ed

Low-fat dairy has many benefits – SNAP-EdStart the summer with healthy dairy foods by celebrating National Dairy Month in June. From calcium to potassium, dairy products like mile contain nine important nutrients which may help to reduce your risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Switching from whole milk to lower-fat (and lower-calorie) milk products can help you to better manage your weight. For a refreshing summer treat filled with protein, make smoothies with low-fat yogurt and fresh fruit. For more information, contact your LSU AgCenter SNAP-Ed agent, Cynthia Clifton at 985-497-3261.

What does SNAP-Ed offer?

Interesting lessons taught by trained educators from the LSU AgCenter
Instruction for small or large groups
Cooking demonstrations and tastings

Who can participate?

Anyone who is receiving SNAP benefits or who is eligible for SNAP benefits can attend free SNAP-Ed classes. We offer lessons for youth, from Headstart through school ages, and adults.

Benefits of SNAP-Ed

After attending SNAP-Ed classes, you may choose to make some healthful changes, such as:

Eating foods/drinking drinks with less sodium, fat and added sugars
Making half your plate fruits and vegetables
Making half your grains whole
Switching to fat-free and low-fat (1% fat or less) milk
Cooking meals that help your family develop healthy eating habits
Being physically active “your way”

Nutrition Blog

The Importance of Family Meals – Family Nutrition

Why do you think it is important to eat family meals together?

Well, eating family meals together is important for the children and it lets them know that:

Better choices are made when families eat together
Children are more likely to eat something that they have not tried before
Bonding time for parents and children

Family Planning Meals Tips

Here are some family planning meals tips that could help in the family eating together:

Simple. The meal does not have to be complicated or expensive. Cook something that the family normally eats, sit together and enjoy the company.
Involve children. Let them pick the vegetable for dinner tonight. Let them set the table and even stir the pot once or twice.
Interruptions. Interruptions are always a part of everything. Make this a time where you let your phone go to voice mail or answering machine. I am sure that an hour or two spending with the family is worth it. Instead of watching TV, do a family movie or family games. Tell stories of events that have happened in your lives.
Time. Savor your food. Don’t rush, enjoy the moment with the family.
Expectations. Everyone has expectations of what could happen, well relax and enjoy the moment, if something happens, it happens. This is the time when manners could be explained to your child, maybe tasting new foods for the first time, experiencing the shock of eating something that you have never tasted before, laughing about the moment.
Creative. Be very creative. Set the table to look like a picnic, change up meals such as eating breakfast foods for dinner and dinner foods for breakfast, let everyone pick what they want to eat and them switch up and try what someone else is eating. Take a risk.
Be happy. Make mealtime happy for everyone. This should be the time when everyone is relaxed and having fun with the family.

Conversation Starters

Here are a couple of questions to start a conversation at the dinner table if you are lost for words:

Tell us how you helped someone today by being kind?
Tell us about your day?
If you could name a kind person, who would it be?
If you were asked to make three wishes, what would you wish for and why would you wish for that?

Show Me Nutrition Classes at Homer Joseph Community Center

Cynthia Clifton with the LSU AgCenter is sponsoring 7 classes of “Show Me Nutrition” at the Homer Joseph Community Center in Reserve. The classes are “FREE” to the public. This program is promoting nutrition for the whole family in an easy and affordable manner. If you are interested in learning more about nutrition and your health, learning more about your families’ health, then I invite you to join us and learn how to live long and healthy. The classes are on Wednesdays from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. on the following dates: May 4, 18, June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2016. The classes feed off each other so it would be great if you can attend all classes, but if you can’t I welcome you to attend as many as you can. The topics included: Orientation, the importance of family meals, the MyPlate Wheel, physical activity needed for the family, ways to add more activity to your day, how to get motivated and balancing calories in and out. There will also be recipes given and prepared for tasting. If you are interested, call Cynthia Clifton at 985-497-3261 to register or for more information.

Upcoming Nutrition Classes in St. John the Baptist Parish

Reserve Senior Center – 6/01/16 - 10:00 a.m. – Brown Pasta w/vegetables & cheese
LaPlace Library – 6/6/16 – 10:00 a.m. – Walking the Beat
Reserve Library – 6/8/16 – 11:00 a.m. – Walking the Beat
LaPlace Library – 6/20/16 – 10:00 a.m. – Walking the Beat
LaPlace Library – 7/18/16 – 10:00 a.m. – Exercising Your Mind
Reserve Library – 7/20/16 – 11:00 a.m. – Exercising Your Mind
LaPlace Library – 7/27/16 – 11:00 a.m. – Healthy Stir-Fry Vegetables