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.
Sweet Green Spinach Smoothie Photos: Katie Schmidt
Spinach
Harvest of the Month
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.
Spinach is versatile and healthy.
Toss into soups, stews or casseroles.
Enjoy as a crisp salad
Saute with garlic and tomatoes.
Sweet Green Smoothie
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 and is a member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. She hosts Harvest of the Month on NBC-TV. 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
Ruth Chipps, MS, RDN is host of Harvest of the Month on NBC-TV
More tips and recipes: www.JacksonInAction.org/recipes
Wach the Recipe Video:
Splash from the past: View the Harvest of the Month Spinach Recipe Video!
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