nutrition

New Richmond Schools’ Traveling Lunch Bus

A “lunch bus” will deliver meals to children in Clermont County’s New Richmond Exempted Village School District this summer, officials said. It’s the first bus of its kind in the county.

New Richmond typically distributes 300 to 500 meals per week during the summer months, according to a news release from the district. Officials anticipate that number to increase with the Traveling Lions Lunch Bus.

The Clermont County school district serves more than 2,300 students in the village of New Richmond, the village of Moscow, Monroe Township, Ohio Township, Pierce Township, Tate Township and Washington Township, according to its website. About 40% of the district’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Read more about the New Richmond Schools’ Traveling Lunch Bus from Madeline Mitchell’s Cincinnati Enquirer article HERE.

Vegetables That are Healthier Cooked

Most people consume vegetables to reap the nutritional benefits.  While most vegetables are better raw, there are a few you should cook instead. Cooking releases nutrients that your body can more easily absorb.  Here are a few vegetables you may want to cook before you consume them.

  • Asparagus.  This springtime vegetable is full of cancer-fighting vitamins A, C and E.  Cooking asparagus  increases it levels of phenolic acid, which is associated with reduced risk of cancer.  Drizzle asparagus with olive oil and enjoy!
  • Carrots.  Our bodies seem to use more easily the beta carotene in cooked carrots than in raw ones.  Cut into rounds, steam, and serve with a little honey or cinnamon.
  • Mushrooms.  Microwaving or grilling can increase antioxidant activity.  After heating them up, slice and add to a salad or sauté and add to an omelet.
  • Tomatoes.  Lycopene is better absorbed when the food item is heated up. This may protect against cancer and heart disease.  Slow roasted in the oven at 200 degrees and added to a sandwich sounds delicious.
  • Spinach.  Oxalic acid may block the absorption of calcium and iron from raw spinach.  Heat is known to break it down.  Blanch spinach and served under grilled fish with salsa.

Healthy Snacks Demo for Teens

strawberry-smoothieTeens are invited for some tasty snacks at the Amelia Library. Learn how to make healthy snacks that taste good and are great for those after-school cravings. Everyone can try samples and will be given recipes to try at home. The discussion also will include nutrition tips. The demonstration includes how to make smoothies and wraps.

This is a great way for members taking food & nutrition projects to meet their leadership requirement.

The Teen Café program is set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Amelia Library, 58 Maple St. Teens age 12 and up are welcome. Call the Library at 752-5580 to register and more information or visit clermontlibrary.org.

Start Your Own Seeds for a Heart Healthy 2020 Harvest

Seed starting is an important tool in the toolbox of every backyard grower, community gardener and urban farmer. If you start your own seeds you get to grow anything in the seed catalog in any season you wish. Check out this seed starting video below to learn the basics of starting your own seeds at home.

 

How to video: STARTING SEEDS FOR A HEART HEALTHY GARDEN

 

CLICK HERE for more information about maintaining a healthy heart by increasing red fruit and vegetable intake.

 

 

Dining with Diabetes

Changing your diet can be a real challenge, especially when Diabetes is involved. We can help you meet this challenge!

Making smart meal choices is important for diabetes management but healthy eating can be challenging. Dining with Diabetes is a four-part cooking school program that teaches healthy (and tasty!) food preparation techniques to help individuals control their diabetes. The program includes healthy meal demonstrations, taste-testing, resources to take home and discussions about carbohydrates, fats and vitamins.

Classes are held at the Clermont Extension Office, located at the Clermont County Fairgrounds’ 4-H Hall and Jungle Jim’s International Market. The program is presented by Clermont Extension in partnership with The Pill Box Pharmacy of Amelia and Jungle Jim’s International Market.

Registration Form – Spring 2019

 

Great Opportunity for 4-H Training (Youth & Adult)

Mark your calendars for a Multi-County 4-H Training on Thursday, February 28.  Great way for 4-H Volunteers to get their mandatory Policy 1.50 Training (two sessions offered) and youth to get their Quality Assurance Training.

Register today at: go.osu.edu/2019multicountytraining.

Topics include:

  • Policy 1.50 – Two sessions offered.  Come early for the 6:30 class.
  • Livestock Updates and Quality Assurance – from Lizz Share, State Extension Specialist, 4-H/Youth Development Livestock and Food Animal Programs
  • Cloverbud Volunteer Resources
  • Poultry
  • Cake Decorating & Creative Arts
  • Teen Trips & Opportunities
  • Growing Great Qualities in Kids
  • How to Complete Your 4-H Project

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity for youth and adult volunteers!

Pizza, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Oh My!

We’re Still Collecting Peanut Butter & Jelly!

Help us reach our goal of filling 700 weekend food packs with peanut butter and jelly to benefit Empower Youth!  Donations can be dropped off at the Clermont County Extension Office through 4:00pm on Wednesday, October 31.    PB&J Drive Flyer

 

4-H Committee has agreed to sponsor a pizza party for the club with the most donations!

Thank you to the clubs that have donated so far…

  • Buckles and Boots
  • Creative Minds
  • Goshen Boosters
  • Heritage Builders
  • Ruff ‘n Stuff 4-H’ers
  • Select 4-H’ers

Select 4-H’ers are currently in the lead!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive Extended through October 31!

Clermont County 4-H PB&J Drive
4-H Clubs, families, community members and businesses are challenged to collect donations of any brand or type of peanut butter or nut butter alternative, jelly and jam for the peanut butter & jelly food drive to benefit Empower Youth.  Empower Youth provides food packs to more than 700  local youth each week!  The packs are meant to be an encouragement to families who may find themselves needing a little extra to stretch their groceries for the week.  Donations can be dropped off at the Clermont County Extension Office through 4:00pm on Wednesday, October 31.

Help us reach our goal of filling all 700 weekend food packs with peanut butter and jelly!

PB&J Drive Flyer

Nutrition at New Richmond

We’ve enjoyed visiting New Richmond Middle School over the past three weeks for nutrition programming including: My Plate, How to Hack Your Snack, Getting Enough Water, Are You Sugar Savvy and Portion Distortion.