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When planning meals, think frozen

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(Family Features) Research from the Journal of Nutrition found that nearly 80 percent of Americans do not consume the recommended amounts of fruit, and nearly 90 percent do not eat the recommended amount of vegetables. While a variety of factors may contribute to this low consumption, including cost and convenience, a recent study revealed one easy solution: frozen fruits and vegetables.

 

Fresh versus frozen

The University of California-Davis (UC Davis), in partnership with the Frozen Food Foundation, conducted an in-depth study to evaluate the nutrient content of eight commonly-purchased frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables: blueberries, strawberries, carrots, corn, broccoli, green beans, green peas and spinach. The research was designed to eliminate discrepancies in the harvesting, handling and storage of fruits and vegetables used in the analysis. Like produce found in farmers’ markets, the fruits and vegetables used in the study were locally grown, harvested and stored by the UC Davis research team.

 

“The study was designed to mimic the quality of produce found at farmers’ markets or grown in consumers’ backyards,” said UC Davis Lead Researcher Dr. Diane Barrett. “The study revealed that frozen produce is nutritionally equivalent, and often superior, to its fresh-stored counterpart. In particular, the vitamin C content of frozen corn, green beans and blueberries was significantly higher than their fresh-stored counterparts.”

 

Tips to boost nutrient intake

For those looking to reap the nutritional benefits found in frozen foods, the Frozen Food Foundation offers these tips:

 

  • Blend easy treats. Perfect for a quick, on-the-go breakfast or a sweet anytime treat, just add frozen fruit and your other favorite ingredients in the blender for a yummy smoothie.

 

  • Prepare quick sides. Add color and flavor to lunch and dinner entrees by stocking your freezer with frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables come peeled, pre-cut and ready to cook or eat. No washing or cutting is required, which saves time and reduces waste.

 

  • Make the sensible choice. The portion-controlled packaging of many frozen entrées and sides make them the all-around clear choice for consumers seeking well-balanced nutritious meals for themselves and their families.

 

Freezing is simply nature’s pause button. Frozen fruits and vegetables are picked and frozen at their peak ripeness, locking in the nutrient value at the point of freezing. Today’s families don’t need to sacrifice health to have a quick meal with quality ingredients. For more tips and tricks to enhance your family’s diet, visit www.frozenfoodfacts.org.

Birders talley encounters with winged friends this holiday

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Photo Credit: Brendan Lally

If you have an interest in birds and some spare time this winter, consider participating in a count

PRATT — You don’t have to be a seasoned birder, or even own an expensive pair of binoculars to participate in a Christmas bird count. In fact, an identification book and a bit of free time will do the trick. Birders of all skill levels will spend the next few weeks during organized bird counts recording sightings of resident and migratory birds in an effort to compile as much data as possible about Kansas’ winged species. If you have an interest in birds and don’t mind weathering the elements, consider participating in a Christmas bird count this season. It’s fun and a great way to learn more about birds in Kansas.

There are many count compilers in Kansas who send data to the Kansas Ornithological Society (KOS), and there is no charge to participate. The KOS will accept data collected on counts conducted from Dec. 13 through Jan. 11, 2015. The official Audubon Christmas Bird Count period is Dec. 14 to Jan. 5 and participation is also free of charge.

Christmas bird counts have been conducted for more than 100 years, and more than 2,000 counts are held across the nation each year. Each winter, about 50 individual count events occur in Kansas. More than 40 are scheduled so far this year with others to be announced. Count locations are scheduled in all corners of the state and points in between. Christmas bird counts are typically conducted in traditional circular census areas, each with a 7.5-mile radius. This consistency ensures data collected is comparable for population trends over time.

Count events are easy to prepare for; the best tools are a pair of binoculars, a good field guide, and appropriate clothing and footwear for possible extreme weather. For those counting in an area with a lake, a spotting scope may be necessary to identify birds at long distances. It’s also a good idea to study up on species expected in your location.

Information about Kansas Christmas bird counts can be found at the KOS website, www.ksbirds.org. For details, just click “2014/15 Kansas Christmas Bird Counts.”

For more information about Audubon Christmas Bird Counts in Kansas, go to birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.

Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

New sweet corn variety for organic farmers hits marketplace

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Organic Seed Alliance and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have announced the release of a new open-pollinated sweet corn variety. ‘Who Gets Kissed?’ is the first in a series of organic sweet corn releases developed through participatory plant breeding. ‘Who Gets Kissed?’ has yellow and white kernels, yields well, tolerates cool soils, and is resistant to common rust and corn smut. It also demonstrates superior flavor and sweetness.

Source: Weekly Harvest

USDA announces farm to school grants

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usda

USDA has announced more than $5 million in grants for 82 projects through its Farm to School Program. The program helps schools purchase more food from local farmers and ranchers, expanding access to healthy local food and supporting local economies. A complete list of FY15 Farm to School grant recipients is available online.

Source:Weekly Harvest

December 15 buy your 2015 licenses and permits

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colorado hunting
credit - Zach Dischner

Get a head start on the 2015 seasons buy buying your licenses, permits early

PRATT – It’s a new year, you’ve got your tackle bag in order, your reels all have new line, and your buddy just called saying he found a school of fish and he’s catching them faster than he can reel them in. You hightail it to the lake and begin to unload your gear only to realize you forgot to buy your 2015 fishing license. So much for hitting that honey hole. Most annual licenses and permits expire Dec. 31, but you can avoid missing out on another fishing hot spot by buying early. Licenses and permits for the 2015 hunting, fishing seasons, as well as park permits, go on sale Dec. 15, 2014 and are valid through end of 2014 and all of 2015.

Licenses and permits can be purchased online at ksoutdoors.com, at any Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) state park or regional office, and at any license vendor.

Still have a few people on your Christmas list to buy for, but are stumped on what to get them? Consider giving the gift of a permit or license. It’s a gift that will last all year long, and make memories that will last even longer.

Licenses and permits that will go on sale Dec. 15 include:

-Hunting licenses and annual permits

-Fishing licenses and annual permits

-Furharvesting licenses

-State park vehicle, camping, and trail permits

For more gift ideas, including magazine subscriptions to Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine, visit the KDWPT Outdoor Store online at ksoutdoors.com/outdoor-store. And, the state’s premier travel magazine, Kansas!, is available at www.travelks.com/ks-mag

To purchase a license or permit online, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Licenses/Permits.”

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