Tuesday, January 26, 2010

FOOD BANK SAYS WEIGH TO GO!!!

A recent study conducted by the California Food Policy Advocates shows that more than 55% of adults in Yolo County are either overweight or obese. As part of its ongoing commitment to make Yolo County a healthier community, the Food Bank of Yolo County is partnering with Cross Court Athletic Club, Woodland Healthcare and Subway Restaurants to combat obesity through an 8-week fitness and weight loss competition.

Inspired by the success of NBC’s hit reality show “The Biggest Loser” and Feeding America’sPound for Pound Challenge,” the Food Bank’s “WEIGH TO GO! Fitness and Weight Loss Challenge” will challenge contestants to lose weight over an 8-week period, and will encourage them to recruit sponsors to pledge a $1 donation for every pound the participant loses. All monies raised will be donated to the Food Bank of Yolo County.

Beginning January 29, 2010 participants can register online at: www.foodbankyc.org and download registration packets, including the WTG Participant Card which entitles you to special offers from partnering organizations like Subway Restaurants, Davis Athletic Club and Cross Court Athletic Club. You can also register via phone by calling Teryl Warren, Social Media and Volunteers Coordinator at 530.668.0690 x 106 beginning January 29. Please join us in our effort to promote fitness and healthy living throughout Yolo County!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Healthy Cabbage Recipes

As promised, here are Ryan's healthy recipes for the veggie of the month: cauliflower!

Purple Soup
2 cans chicken broth
½ head of purple cabbage
10 baby carrots
1 cup broccoli
1 cup sliced greens (spinach or kale works best)
1 Tbls minced garlic
Pepper to taste
Preparation: Bring the chicken broth to a boil and then add the carrots (chopped) and cabbage (shredded) and reduce the heat to a simmer. If using kale then cut along the midrib (the fibrous part of the leaf that runs down its middle) and separate the thin leaf from the thicker part. Then take the broccoli and cut the stalk from the crown of the broccoli. Chop up the broccoli stalk and the kale stalk, and add after about 5 minutes along with the garlic. When tender (about 5 more minutes) wilt the kale/spinach on the top and add the pepper to taste. Enjoy this super healthy soup!


Super-easy stir fried cabbage
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound shredded cabbage
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine or cooking wine regularly.
* Add the rice and meat for a meal!
Directions
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, cook, and for a few
seconds until it begins to brown. Add the cabbage until it is coated in oil, cover the wok, and cook
1 minute. Pour the soy sauce, and cook and stir for another minute. Increase heat to high, and stir
in Chinese cooking wine. Cook and stir until cabbage is tender, about 2 minutes.


Cabbage Weight Loss Soup - used in hospitals for overweight patients to lose weight quickly for surgery
Ingredients
5 carrots, chopped
3 onions, chopped2 (16 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, with liquid
1 large cabbage, chopped
1 (1 ounce) dried onion soup mixture
1 (15 ounce) can cut green beans, drained
2 quarts tomato juice
2 green peppers diced
10 stalks celery, chopped
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
Preparation: Place carrots, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, green beans, peppers and celery in a large pot.
Add the onion soup mix, tomato juice, beef broth and enough water to cover vegetables. Simmer
until vegetables are tender. May be stored in the refrigerator for several days. It makes a lot of soup.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Help Us Name Our Store

We are pleased to announce that the Food Bank of Yolo County will be opening a retail store this year! It will be tailored to meet the needs of WIC customers but will be open to the public as well. We look forward to expanding our services to meet the needs of the community while enhancing access to nutrition.

While we work on laying the groundwork, we need your help in coming up with a name for our newest endeavor. We have a few guidelines listed below but otherwise we're open to your creativity!

  • We do not want to use the words "Food Bank" in the name because we want the name to reflect that there is no crossover in products (ie. we will NOT be selling donated food!)
  • While the store will cater to WIC clients, we are prohibited from using the word "WIC" in our name (not even as part of a word- wouldn't WICker Basket have been a fun name?)

Please submit ideas via any of our social media networks or email frances@foodbankyc.org.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

January Veggie of the Month: Cabbage!

The Moveable Market program's veggie of the month is cabbage! In its raw state, cabbage contains iron, calcium, and potassium. High marks are given for its vitamin C content, and its fiber. Cabbage is also high in vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3.

Different types of cabbage vary in their nutritional strengths, but lengthy cooking tends to lower the nutritional value considerably. Red cabbage is higher in fiber, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and potassium than its green cousin. Savoy and Napa cabbages can boast they contain 20% of the RDA for vitamin A, while red and green cabbages contain considerably less. Bok choy contains the most vitamin A, supplying 60% of the RDA, although it is equal to red and green cabbage in other nutrients. Pickling is an excellent way to preserve the vitamin C in cabbage. In fact, old sea boat captains fed their crews a daily ration of sauerkraut for good health. Save the cooking water if you do boil the cabbage, as lots of the nutrients leach into the water.

Stay tuned for more on the healthy recipes our nutritionist, Ryan, is preparing using cabbage. In the meantime, share with us your favorite way to cook or eat cabbage.