4-H Healthy Living initiative helps kids and families

More private and public partnerships are cropping up to teach kids about healthy living. Molina health care – with a presence in 18 states – is teaming up with 4-H, the youth organization in every state – to provide money for their “healthy living initiative” teaching kids where their foods come from, healthy eating, physical fitness and more.

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM – Molina boosts 4-H Healthy Living initiative (1:30 mp3)

Easy beef summer recipes

Some easy to cook beef cuts this summer:  Two of the more than two-dozen lean cuts of beef are Flank and the Flat Iron. University of Missouri Chef instructor Jeff Guinn showed students of Show Me Beef University how to work with flank steak and flat iron steak. Both are good for grilling and stir-frying – but the flank is better for kabobs on the grill.

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM – Easy to cook lean beef cuts this summer (1:30)

Beef, it’s what’s for dinner recipes

Food allergies and food labeling

There are eight foods most likely to cause food allergies but did you know that any food can cause an allergic reaction?  This is Food Allergy Awareness week and those foods are Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Wheat Soy, Fish and Shellfish. Once an allergen is known, labeling information on foods becomes an extremely important tool.

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM – Food allergies and labeling (1:30 mp3)

Food Allergy.org

It’s more than whole wheat bread

By adding whole grains to our diets - we may find some added health benefits.  The most documented benefits show a reduced risk of stroke, a decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes, a lower risk of heart disease, and better weight maintenance. 

Sarah Jane Bedwell is a registered dietician in Nashville, TN.  She says finding whole grains in your local grocery store doesn’t have to be difficult.

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM: Whole Grains (1:30mp3) 

 

The incredible, edible egg

May is National Egg Month.  Ashley Richardson, Director of Industry communications with the American Egg Board says it’s a great time to highlight the all the nutrients available in a single serving of egg.  Eggs are an easy, affordable, high-quality protein that gives your body the fuel it needs to be productive.  She says recently the USDA lowered the amount of cholesterol found an a large egg – making the decision to add eggs to your day a no brainer.

HEALTHY LIVING Program: National Egg Month (1:30mp3)

Enjoy your comfort food

We all have a bad day every once in a while and sometimes nothing makes us feel better than our favorite comfort foods. While they may taste delicious – and make us feel better – they often times aren’t the healthiest options. Registered Dietician Sarah-Jane Bedwell says we don’t have to remove comfort foods from our diets completely.

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM – Keep your comfort foods (1:30 mp3)

Plan for safe canning later this season

Planning your garden with canning in mind for later?  Do your homework first.  Water bath and pressure canning are the gold standards for canning foods – and – canning expert Vera Massey with the University of Missouri Extension says other canning methods are too risky.  (Other methods of food preservation such as dehydration and freezing do not carry the same risks as canning.)

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM – Don’t fall for “new” canning methods (1:30 mp3)

National Center for Home Food Preservation

 

Canning involves pre-planning

If you’d like to preserve the foods grown in a home garden there are quite a few things to know. Let’s start with selection of produce to plant and grow and preserve later.  Vera Massey, University of Missouri Extension Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, has some suggestions for the best varieties to preserve.

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM – Canning food selection (1:30 mp3)

Steps to success in home canning

Tips for safe grilling

You most likely know the basics of food safety – but as we enter the height of grilling season a few reminders for safe grilling isn’t a bad idea.  Dave Zino, Executive Chef for National Cattleman’s Beef Association, has these tips for safe outdoor grilling – to help reduce the risk of food borne illness.  Following food safety guidelines when shopping, preparing and storing beef will help you cook with confidence at home.

HEALTHY LIVING: Safe Grilling Practices (1:30mp3)

Dairy foods pack a lot of punch for healthy bones

May is osteoporosis prevention month and Ellen Wheeler, nutrition educator with the St. Louis Dairy Council says three servings of dairy foods a day can help prevent the bone weakening condition.  They’re not the only source of calcium but, Wheeler says, they are among the best for many reasons.

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM – Dairy foods for bone health (1:30 mp3)