Quincy Vidrine, Thornton, Amy, Seay, Brittney, Russell, Markaye H., Stevens, Cecilia
In this article:
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February is American Heart Month |
Food Safety: It's Especially Important for You with Diabetes |
Information |
Local Food Finds |
New Recipe Card |
Upcoming Events |
“A time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health" (adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
by Brittney Newsome
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing one in four deaths each year. Uncontrolled high blood pressure raises this risk and unfortunately, the many people who have the condition are unaware that they have it. This Heart Month, the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention is expanding the reach of the Million Hearts and CDC Foundation’s “Live to the Beat” Campaign. Taking small steps to learn how to control your blood pressure by moving more, eating healthier, stressing less, among many other manageable factors is a sure way to prioritize focusing on your cardiovascular health. Let’s explore 4 heart health topics that will help you implement those small steps with ease.
Control Your Blood Pressure
your blood pressure regularly, no matter how you may be feeling. High blood pressure is often called “silent killer”.
and reading the nutrition facts label prior to purchasing foods items. Remember, salt tends to hide in products that may not taste very salty.
get or stay within a healthy range. A small change can have a big impact on your health!
Stress Less
stroke.
Eat Healthy
Flavor your food with herbs and spices in order to reduce your sodium intake.
milk, cheese, yogurt, and lean meats such as skinless chicken or turkey.
sugar intake. Added sugars tend to add a lot of calories to your diet which can contribute to weight gain and your risk for developing heart disease and even type 2 diabetes.
by Markaye Russell
As a person with diabetes, you must be extra careful when it comes to food safety. Diabetes can affect various organs and systems of your body, causing them not to function properly, and making you more susceptible to infection. Your immune system, when functioning properly, readily fights off harmful bacteria and other pathogens that cause infection. With diabetes, your immune system may not readily recognize harmful bacteria or other pathogens. This delay in the body’s natural response to foreign invasion places a person with diabetes at increased risk for infection. Some foods are riskier for you than others. In general, the foods that are most likely to contain harmful bacteria or viruses fall into two categories: Uncooked and some animal products. Uncooked could be your fresh fruits and vegetables. Animal products are your unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses made with raw milk, raw or undercooked eggs, raw meat, raw poultry, raw fish, raw shellfish and their juices, and some deli-typed salads prepared on-site in a deli-type establishment. Interestingly, the risk these foods may pose depends on the origin or source of the food and how the food is processed, stored, and prepared. Always follow your four basic steps to food safety. Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.
Catahoula/Concordia Parishes Ana Gouge, LSU AgCenter (318)414-6055 | CDC Food Systems Coordinator Cecilia Stevens, LSU AgCenter (318)435-2908 |
East Carroll/West Carroll Parishes Carolyn Robinson, Southern University (318)559-1459 | Franklin Parish/Caldwell Parishes/FCS Regional Coordinator Quincy Vidrine, LSU AgCenter (318)435-2903 |
East Carroll/Morehouse Parishes Jocinda Jackson, LSU AgCenter (318)559-1459 | Madison/Tensas Parishes Joy Simms, LSU AgCenter (318)574-2465 |
Ouachita/Morehouse Parishes Kimberly Butcher, LSU AgCenter (318)323-2251 | Morehouse/Union Parishes Marianna Langston, Southern University (318)368-9935 |
Ouachita Parish Cathy Agan, LSU AgCenter (318)323-2251 | Ouachita/Union Parish Markaye Russell, LSU AgCenter (318)323-2251 |
Richland/West Carroll Parishes Brittney Newsome, LSU AgCenter (318)281-5741 | Northeast Region Social Media Liaison Camryn Price, LSU AgCenter (318)435-2157 |
by Cecilia Stevens
February brings a hint of spring to the air and fresh garden produce to our tables. Home gardeners are harvesting second plantings of cool-season greens while farmers markets are teeming with specialty spring items. Check out these local food finds.
Strawberries are the leading fruit crop produced in Louisiana. Local retailers and farmers markets are now beginning to promote Louisiana strawberries, and area 4-H Clubs will have their March strawberry sales soon. Look for labels that indicate that the strawberries are Louisiana grown for the freshest and tastiest produce.
Cruciferous vegetables, also called cole crops, thrive in Louisiana’s mild winters. Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts are now being featured at many farmers markets. Select a healthy cooking method for your fresh winter vegetables to get the greatest benefit. Recipes are available at Farm to Table Recipes (lsuagcenter.com) and at Recipes (lsuagcenter.com).
Turnip & Pork Fricassee
Provided by Quincy Vidrine
Ingredients:
Franklin Parish
Richland Parish
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Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, LSU College of Agriculture. The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need an ADA accommodation for your participation, please contact Quincy Vidrine, (318) 435-2903, at least two weeks prior to the event.
The LSU AgCenter provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture