Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

If you think back to about this time in February 2011, we were having lots of snow and extremely cold weather in Northwest Arkansas. I'm thankful for the beautiful warm winter days this year and knowing that even though we will still  have plenty of cold weather, we're closer to spring everyday!

Fuel Up to Play 60 Beats Childhood Obesity

I didn't make any bets on which team would win or lose the Superbowl game, but I am investing my dairy farmer money with other American dairy farmers  to fight the battle against childhood obesity with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.   Since 2009, dairy farmers have provided  money for  the Fuel Up to Play 60 program designed to fight childhood obesity. Empowering students to "fuel-up" with nutrient rich foods and "get up and play" for at least 60 minutes each day will  work to fight obesity and  lead to life long sustainable health habits.

The Fuel Up to Play 60 program provides tools and resources that are chosen by the students and teachers of participating schools to meet the wellness goals of each school. Key program elements (http://www.midwestdairy.com/) include:

• Free Fuel Up to Play 60 Quick Start Resources
• Interactive online Playbook with easy-to-do healthy eating and physical activity "Plays"-a collection of strategies that help students fuel-up with nutrient rich foods and get up and play for at least 60 minutes each day.
• Fuel Up to Play 60 challenges are provided through out the school year to keep youth excited and engaged in the program.
• FuelUpToPlay60.com provides program resources and serves as an online portal to share successes and learn from other participants.
• Incentives to motivate students,schools and Program Advisors to meet program and milestone goals and funds to help schools make lasting improvements in nutrition and physical activity.
• Rewards to recognize those who take action and encourage continuous program participation.

For more information about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program or learn if schools in your area are participating go to http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/. 

 I love  supporting the team that makes the pledge to --"Eat Healthy,Get Active and Make a Difference"!

Cheese Lovers Fast Facts

If you're looking for a delicious,nutritious snack for your Superbowl party, cheese is the perfect choice.  There are over 300 different cheeses in the United States and 2000 in the world that can be classified into eight categories.  Midwest Dairy provides these cheese facts:

• It takes 10 pounds of milk to make 1 pound of cheese.
• The dairy food group is the top source of dietary calcium in the American diet.
• Cheese is the No.2 source of dietary calcium for Americans.
• Cheese is more than just calcium; it also provides high-quality protein needed to help stay healthy.
• Cheese accounts for only 9 percent of the total fat and 16 percent of the saturated fat in the U.S. diet.
• Natural cheeses such as Cheddar,Colby,Monterey Jack,mozzarella, and Swiss contain minimal amounts of lactose. 
• Most dairy foods are gluten free. Natural cheeses are gluten-free and in the case of cheeses that have added flavors or are processed, check the food label's ingredient list to make sure ingredients sourced from wheat,barley,or rye aren't added.

Information about cheese varieties,nutrition information, and recipes can be found at http://www.midwestdairy.com/ or http://www.ilovecheese.com/. Regardless of which team wins the game, we can all enjoy our favorite cheese!!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Just as I returned to the house this morning after feeding baby  calves, I noticed this  small young woodpecker in the middle of the wood pile where the boys had been splitting wood for the fireplace.  I'm thankful for the lessons we learn from all of God's creatures in nature and on the farm.

February Sweethearts: I Love Pie

February started yesterday when I came home with my bag of candy conversation hearts for the candy dish. Those cute pastel hearts (Sweethearts)with the whimsical phrases remind me of my childhood days with school Valentine parties, trading valentine cards with classmates and of course, eating those candy hearts!

I do enjoy the month of February for the opportunities to share a little love with family and friends with sweet treats from the kitchen.  One of our family favorites is chocolate cream pie from my old well used Better Homes and Garden Cook Book.

Chocolate Cream Pie
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa plus 1 tablespoon butter
2 cups milk
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon butter
1 teapoon vanilla
1 9-inch baked pastry shell
    Meringue(3egg whites) or Whipped Cream

In saucepan, combine sugar,cornstarch,cocoa and butter;gradually stir in milk.   Cook and stir over medium heat till bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Stir small amount hot mixture into yolks; immediately return to hot mixture; cook 2 minutes,stirring constantly.Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. Pour into cooled baked pastry shell. Spread meringue atop pie and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Cool.
 Or, omit meringue and serve with whipped cream.

Meringue
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons sugar
Beat egg whites,vanilla, and cream of tartar till soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until glossy peaks form and all sugar is dissolved. Spread meringue over hot filling,sealing to edge of pastry. Bake as directed above.

                                                                Happy February!!

Healthy Resolution Review

I'm almost sad to see January end since we've had such nice weather!  Today was a beautiful  light jacket day on the dairy farm.  On my short,brisk walk to the dairy barn after we fed baby calves this afternoon, I was enjoying the late afternoon sunshine as much as this group of calves that were watching me as I passed by.  While walking home, I was thinking about two of the resolutions I made for the New Year to improve my diet and exercise more.

One of my healthy choices for improving my diet is to drink low fat milk, also known as 1% milk.  When comparing low fat and whole milk, low fat milk has:

• same calcium
• same protein
• same minerals and vitamins
• less fat
• fewer calories

If you're considering changing to low fat milk, here are steps suggested by the National Dairy Council:

1. Switch between whole and 2%
2. Stick with 2% if you like it, or switch between 2% and 1%.
3. Stick with 1% if you like it, or switch between 1% and fat free.

You can find ways to use milk and low fat milk and great recipes at http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/ or http://www.midwestdairy.com/.  By the end of January many people have given up on their resolutions.  I'm not a complete failure but I have plenty of work to do for the next eleven months!  How about you?

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                   I'm not sure who has the most fun  learning about dairy--me,the students or their teacher! 
Agriculture in the Classroom activities teach children where their food comes from in a factual fun  way.  I'm thankful for teachers who have a heart for children, share enthusiasm for learning  and value teaching students about agriculture.