dark chocolate — Blog — Jackson In Action

By Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RDN, CD, Jackson In Action Communications Director

National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created 50 years ago in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

This year's theme is "Fuel for the Future." Eating with sustainability in mind is a tasty way to nourish ourselves during every phase of life and protect the environment. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help you create healthy habits that are sustainable and celebrate your unique needs.
More at: https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023

Sweet Green Spinach Smoothie Photos: Katie Schmidt — **Sweet Green Spinach Smoothie** Photos: Katie Schmidt

Harvest of the Month is a Jackson County, Wisconsin initiative that highlights a different produce item every month. March features Spinach. Cooking demos on WEAU-TV 13, Eau Claire, Wisconsin are reguarly scheduled.

Harvest of the Month - JIA Hi Res 4.18.jpg

Spinach is versatile and healthy.

Toss into soups, stews or casseroles.

Enjoy as a crisp salad

Saute with garlic and tomatoes.

Spinach Tips & Nutrition

Spinach is very nutrient-rich. One cup of raw spinach contains only 7 calories and very little carbohydrate. It also contains calcium, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, potassium, vitamin A, iron and folate.

·Cooking spinach actually increases its health benefits! A half a cup of cooked spinach has three times as much nutrition as one cup of raw spinach. That’s because the body cannot completely break down the nutrients in raw spinach for its use

Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RDN, CD is Communications Director for Jackson In Action and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She develops Harvest of the Month recipes and videos, produces/hosts a segment on NBC-TV and is a member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. More at www.Lahmayer.com

RECIPE: Future Fuel Green Spinach Smoothie

Healthful spinach sneaks into this smoothie….A great way to to green in the kitchen. The result is delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

2 ripe medium bananas, peeled
2 apples, peeled and core removed
2 cups spinach leaves
½ cup orange juice
½ cup low fat milk
2 Tbsp. Ground Flax Seed
12 ice cubes
Directions: In a blender, place all ingredients. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Drink immediately or refrigerate and consume within a day. Makes 4 servings. Per Serv.: Approx. 140 Cal., 2g Fat, 30g Carb., 5g Fiber, 3g Protein
MORE RECIPES: www.JacksonInAction.org/recipes

VIEW THE LIVE appearance on WEAU-TV 13 from Thurs. April 18 at 4 p.m. (Avocados) — Ruth Chipps, MS, RDN is host of Harvest of the Month on NBC-TV

To view a video of the recipe and printable recipe, go to www.JacksonInAction.org/recipes

Wach the Recipe Video:

Splash from the past: View the Harvest of the Month Spinach Video!

More Recipes

Harvest of the Month is a partnership between Jackson County Department of Health and Human Services, Black River Memorial Hospital, Together for Jackson County Kids, Ho-Chunk Nation, UW Extension-Jackson County, Lunda Community Center, Boys and Girls Club, Hansen’s IGA, local school districts, The Library and the community.

More at: www.JacksonInAction.org

By Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RDN, CD, Jackson In Action Communications Director

Avocado Peanut Chocolate Truffles Photos: Katie Schmidt — **Avocado Peanut Chocolate Truffles** Photos: Katie Schmidt

Harvest of the Month is a Jackson County, Wisconsin initiative that highlights a different produce item every month. September features cooking demos on WEAU-TV 13, Eau Claire, Wisconsin and a taste-testing event at Black River Memorial Hospital. A video of each Harvest of the Month recipe is also available at www.brmh.net/recipes.

Turn Out for These Avocado Events:

Watch WEAU-TV-13 Thurs April 18, 4 p.m. Newscast. “Avocados” live cooking demo with Black River Memorial Hospital Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RDN,CD

BRMH Hospital - Harvest of the Month Avocado Event –April 24, 11:30am – 12:30 pm. Black River Memorial Hospital Café, Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

Avocado Tips & Nutrition

-An avocado has more potassium than a banana. A 1-ounce serving contains 150 mg or 4% of the daily recommended value of potassium.

- Avocados make a great butter substitute in baked goods when used in the right quantities.

- An avocado has more potassium than a banana. A one ounce serving contains 150 mg or 4% of the daily recommended value of potassium.

More Avocado information here.

Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RDN, CD is Communications Director for Jackson In Action and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Black River Memorial Hospital. She develops B-WELLthy Harvest of the Month recipes and videos and is a member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.

More Recipes

RECIPE: Avocado Peanut Chocolate Truffles

Healthful fats (avocado) versus heavy cream

PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE

PREP TIME: 15 MINS
COOK TIME: 0 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 15 MINS

Makes 18 Truffles

INGREDIENTS:

1 ripe avocado
5 oz. dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter (or shredded coconut)
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
¼ t. vanilla extract
⅛ t. salt
2½ Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (separated)

METHOD: Cut avocado, remove pit and mash the flesh with a fork until completely smooth and lump free.

Add to melted chocolate (Melt slowly either the microwave or on the stove; careful not to burn). Stir in peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and half of the cocoa powder. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes. Scoop into rounds or form balls with your hands. Roll in the remaining 1 ¼ Tbsp of cocoa powder. DEVOUR! Variations: Substitute 2 Tbsp. fine minced almonds or other nuts for the peanut butter. The word “truffle” originates from the Latin word meaning lump. They resemble gourmet wild mushrooms (truffles).

MORE RECIPES: www.JacksonInAction.org/recipes