WASHINGTON, September 14, 2012 - TODAY at 11:45 a.m. EDT, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Janey Thornton will host a media conference call to announce new grants to support schools as they strive to serve healthy food, provide nutrition education, and create an environment focused on healthy eating and physical activity.

 

Funded in support of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the training grants will assist schools in meeting the new school meal requirements, encourage HealthierUS School Challenge participation, support students' nutritious choices by structuring the cafeteria environment in a way that encourages the selection of healthy foods, and promote healthier environments to align with the Local Wellness Policy requirements established in the Act.

 

USDA is awarding grants to 18 States and one territory including Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

This school year, 32 million students across the country are benefiting from new meal standards for the National School Lunch Program for the first time in more than fifteen years. The healthier school meals are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the First Lady as part of her Let's Move! campaign and signed into law by President Obama.

The Davenport Public Library is pleased to announce a new café opening at its Eastern Avenue Branch (6000 Eastern Avenue) and Fairmount Branch (3000 N. Fairmount Street) libraries. Bayside Café is the new café at the library and will have a special celebration on Monday, September 17 at the Eastern Avenue Branch & Tuesday, September 18 at the Fairmount Branch, both at 11:30 a.m.

The special celebrations will include Davenport Public Library's official mascot, Libby Librarydog; Rascal from the Quad Cities River Bandits; a bounce house; book signings by local authors, Jill Esbaum and Linda Smith Kortmeyer; the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors; and elected officials.  Bayside Café brings patrons and residents of Davenport the unique flavors of Bayside's food and wonderful smoothies.

Bayside Café is owned by LaTisha Howlett of Bayside Smoothies and More, located at 2730 West Locust Street and is a concessionaire at the Quad Cities River Bandits.  The shop will open daily, Monday through Saturday, 30 minutes before the library opens and will close 15 minutes before the library closes.  For a list of library hours, visit www.davenportlibrary.com.

For more information, please contact LaWanda Roudebush at 563-326-7832.

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Did you know linguine means "little tongues"? What about the fact that linguine, one of America's favorite pasta shapes, has a whole day devoted to it - this Saturday, September 15th! From linguine with clam sauce to linguine with marinara and meatballs, everyone loves the versatility and taste of a pasta meal made with linguine.

If you're looking for another reason to celebrate your love for linguine, The National Pasta Association (NPA) has a few new recipes which are unique, taste great, and fit into your lifestyle! Below, please find the recipes for Linguine with Exotic Mushrooms, Linguine With Bloody Mary Sauce, and Linguine and Spinach Pesto recipes. Hi-res images are available upon request.

For more about pasta including nutritional information, recipes, and fun activities to do with pasta visit www.pastafits.org or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pastafits.

Thank you,

Alana Sorrentino (For the National Pasta Association)

212.297.2146

asorrentino@kellencompany.com

 

Linguine with Exotic Mushrooms

The National Pasta Association - www.ilovepasta.org

Serves 2

Ingredients

6 oz. Linguine, uncooked

4 oz. button mushrooms

4 oz. wild mushrooms (shiitake, cremini or oyster)

1 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup low-fat sour cream

1/4 cup skim milk

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions: Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, wipe all the mushrooms clean with a paper towel. Trim the stem end from the mushrooms. (Remove all of the stems if you are using shiitakes.) Slice mushrooms 1/4-inch thick.

Melt the butter over low heat in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Add mushrooms and parsley, cover skillet and let mushrooms cook until they are completely tender and have released their liquid, about 15 minutes. Check the mushrooms once or twice during cooking to make sure they are not browning.

Whisk the sour cream and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Just before draining the pasta, mix 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water into the sour cream mixture.

Drain the pasta and transfer it to the skillet. Add the sour cream mixture and heat to boiling. Add salt and pepper to taste. Boil together one minute, tossing pasta to coat with sauce and to evenly distribute mushrooms. Divide pasta between two plates, spooning extra sauce on top. Serve immediately.

 

Linguine with Bloody Mary Sauce

The National Pasta Association  - www.ilovepasta.org

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 pound Spaghetti, Linguine or any other long pasta shape,

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tbsp. chopped parsley

6-oz. tomato juice

2 tbsp. vodka

1/2 tsp. prepared horseradish

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions: Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and parsley, cook until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato juice, vodka, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Heat to boiling and boil 30 seconds. Stir pasta into sauce until coated. Serve hot.

Linguine and Spinach Pesto

The National Pasta Association - www.pastafits.org

Serves 8


 

Ingredients
1 lb. Spaghetti, Linguine (or your favorite pasta shape), uncooked*
1 (10 oz.) package frozen spinach, thawed, well drained
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried basil
2 tbsp. margarine (or butter)
1/3 cup water
4 oz. crumbled feta cheese

Directions: In a blender (or food processor), combine spinach, oil, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt and basil. Mix at medium speed until finely chopped. Melt margarine in water. With blender or processor running, gradually pour in melted margarine mixture until blended. Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Toss pesto with pasta. Sprinkle feta on top and serve.

*Whole-grain, multi-grain or whole-wheat pasta varieties may be substituted.

Makes 8 servings. Per serving: 325 calories, 11g total fat, 3 g saturated fat, 45 g carbohydrate, 12 g protein, 1 g dietary fiber, 420 mg sodium

Recently we told you about Hardee's Bacon Bacon Biscuit, but the restaurant chain just added another sandwich to their line of meat-on-meat items with the Memphis BBQ Burger.

The Memphis BBQ Burger combines saucy pulled pork and a classic charbroiled beef patty in BBQ bliss, topped with crispy onion strings, melting American cheese and Memphis-style BBQ sauce atop a sesame seed bun. The Memphis BBQ Burger starts at $3.79 and can also be ordered as a combo meal with fries and a drink. More information is available at http://bit.ly/MMN5gn.

Later this week, check out the ad campaign for the new menu item on Hardee's YouTube channel. The :30 spot features the Twitter hashtag #meatembrace, highlighting the meat-on-meat deliciousness. To participate in the conversation, "tweeple" are encouraged to use #meatembrace along with the @Hardees brand Twitter handle.
DES MOINES, IA (08/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Daryl Witt of Warren County was crowned Cookout Champion in the 49th annual Farm Bureau Cookout Contest judged Tuesday at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results below:

Beef

1) William Hoffman, Jr., Tama County

2) Bruce Campbell, Hardin County

Pork

1) Daryl Witt, Warren County

2) Andy Wilson, Lee County

Poultry

1) Tracy Christensen, Audubon County

2) Jason Cronk, Tama County

Combo/Specialty

1) Nate Miller, Scott County

2) Mike Vroom, Marion County

Youth

1) Lance Henrichs, Clarke County

2) Amber Westemeier, Linn County

Team Award

1) Alvin Westmeier and Jason Kula, Linn County

Showmanship

1) Phil Cummings, Benton County

"Nothing Compares" Iowa State Fair. The 2012 Fair ended August 19. The 2013 Iowa State Fair is set August 8-18. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

* * *

DES MOINES, IA (08/17/2012)(readMedia)-- Cooks celebrated a classic kitchen ingredient in the Kraft Kreations with Velveeta competition judged Wednesday at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

Norita Solt of Bettendorf won First Place Overall and a $100 Fareway gift card, while Sue Olson of Des Moines took Second Place Overall and a $75 gift card. Third Place Overall and a $50 gift card went to Jamie Buelt of Polk City.

Competitors were challenged to use the cheese in an award-winning entrée, soup or side dish. Entries were judged on taste, best use of Velveeta, appearance and originality.

Additional results below:

Entrée

1) Sue Olson, Des Moines

2) Jessica Cain, Des Moines

3) Kenzie Piper, Waukee

Soup

1) Norita Solt, Bettendorf

2) Dianna Caron-Smith, Winterset

3) Ginger Hartman, Des Moines

Side Dish

1) Jamie Buelt, Polk City

2) Sue Olsen, Des Moines

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

* * *

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Aug. 14, 2012- Daryl Witt of Warren County was crowned the 2012 Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest winner with his 'Slap Yo' Daddy' Ribs recipe. Witt beat out 45 other grillers, representing counties from around the state, to win the 49th annual competition.

The annual Iowa Farm Bureau-sponsored contest featured outdoor chefs using their best grilling, roasting and smoking techniques.  "Every year, we are amazed at the creativity of Iowa's grillers. Each recipe has been tested and tasted and each one brings out the different traits of each type of meat," said Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill.  "Our livestock farmers are so proud to raise healthy livestock that provide important sources of protein and inspiration for cooks like the ones at our annual contest."

Cookout champion Witt won first place in the pork category before being selected by the judges as the overall winner.  He received $200 and a permanent trophy as the cookout champion.

Other first place winners and their categories were William Hoffman, Jr., of Tama County, beef;  Michelle Bruce of Benton County, lamb/goat; Jason Cronk of Tama County, poultry; and Nate Miller of Scott County, combo/specialty.  All winners received $75.

Second place winners and their categories were Bruce Campbell of Hardin County, beef; Mike Vroom of Marion County, combo/specialty; Andy Wilson of Lee County, pork; and Tracy Christensen of Audubon County, poultry.  All second place winners received $50.

Winners in special categories were youth first place - Lance Henrichs of Clarke County and youth second place - Amber Westemeier of Linn County; showmanship - Phil Cummings of Benton County; and team - Jason Kula and Alvin Westemeier of Linn County.  The youth winner received a gas grill and $75 and second place received $50 from the Iowa Propane Association.  The showmanship winner received $100.  The team winners received $150.

Prize sponsors for the Cookout Contest include the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Bureau Financial Services, GROWMARK, Inc., Iowa Propane Gas Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Iowa Beef Industry Council, the Iowa Turkey Federation and the Iowa Poultry Association.  The Iowa Sheep and Wool Promotion Board is also a sponsor of the contest.

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Tips to Jumpstart an Affair Your Jeans Will Remember

A lot has changed for 21st-century women, but one thing hasn't: Moms still juggle insanely busy lives and their needs usually fall last on the list, says Columbia University-certified health coach Beth Aldrich.

That includes eating - as in, really loving what you eat. Because you didn't really love that bag of chips you downed while watching "An Affair to Remember" for the 200th time, did you?

"How could you?" asks Aldrich, author of the award-winning new book, Real Moms Love to Eat (www.RealMomsLoveToEat.com). "Who could possibly be aware of chips with Cary Grant on the screen?"

It's wonderful to take pleasure in food, she says. It's even OK to eat the things we shouldn't every once in awhile - just be sure to savor every bite. "Eating in front of the TV is not savoring," Aldrich says..

"There are also plenty of great healthy ingredients that you can turn into new foods to love, even healthier versions of those favorite comfort foods from childhood. You'll finish meals feeling energized, emotionally satisfied and best of all, not guilty. And, oh yeah! You'll look great in your skinny jeans!"

Aldrich offers ways to kick off the romance:

• Make it all about YOU: Get back to the basics, remembering the pleasure inherent in the food experiences of your childhood. Think of the simple joy you had crunching into a sweet apple. How does that compare with the high-fructose corn syrup-drenched, refined wheat-flour products that leave you bloated and craving more? Whole foods - those eaten in their natural, unprocessed state, such as a baked potato versus French fries -- give you a fuller eating experience, increase energy and help you look great!

• Get naked with raw foods: Our earliest ancestors were hunter-gatherers who foraged for and consumed a wide variety of caloric intake, mostly consisting of raw veggies. Your body will thank you not long after you include more raw food into your diet, but you don't have to go the full Monty right away. Add fresh berries to your breakfast yogurt, include fresh nuts with your lunch, or replace coleslaw from the supermarket deli with a fresh recipe made from scratch.

• Tame your cravings dragon: One of the swiftest paths to an unhealthy snacking binge is ready-made, highly-processed sweets and baked goods. The craving-attack occurs when moms are busy and haven't planned their meals for the day and it leads to a spike in blood sugar, a crash and then - another monster-sized craving. Have healthy options ready to go. Nutrient-dense whole grains such as quinoa, whole-grain toast with sesame butter, and oatmeal will turn that dragon of yours into a pussycat in no time.

• Hungry for more lovin'?: Think you could force yourself to eat an ounce of dark chocolate every day? High-quality dark chocolate - the kind that doesn't have all the fillers - actually has lots of benefits, not the least of which is ... it's chocolate! Dark chocolate contains natural chemicals that serve as mood boosters and elevate serotonin levels, which enhance our sense of well-being. Health benefits range from keeping blood vessels elastic to increasing antioxidant levels.

"The wrong way to look at the whole-food diet is as an obligation," Aldrich says. "You are doing your body and your taste buds a favor by excluding unnecessary sugar, salt and processed fats from your diet in favor of a variety of spices, fuller textures and a sexier figure."

About Beth Aldrich

Beth Aldrich is the founder of RealMomsLoveToEat.com and a certified health coach through Columbia University and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Her new book, "Real Moms Love to Eat: How to Conduct a Love Affair with Food, Lose Weight and Feel Fabulous" won a 2012 National Indie Excellence Book Award. Beth is also a lifestyle green-living expert, writer and public speaker. She is the founder of For Her Information Media, LLC, with productions such as the PBS TV series For Her Information, the radio show A Balanced Life with Beth Aldrich, and her blog, RealMomsLovetoEat.com. She lives in Chicago's North Shore with her husband and three sons.

Fremont, OH August 7, 2012: "We're looking for Iowa faces for our labels and kicking it off at the Lisbon Sauerkraut Days (August 9-11), then following it up at the Blairstown Sauerkraut Days (September 4-6) ," proclaims Katie Smith of the Fremont Company, makers of Frank's Sauerkraut, suppliers of all the sauerkraut for the event. Katie will be joining fellow sauerkraut lovers this weekend during the annual Lisbon Sauerkraut Days, a celebration of all things Kraut: August 9-11, Lisbon, IA. http://sauerkrautdays.com. She'll be at the Blairstown Festival over Labor Day weekend http://www.facebook.com/btownkrautdays.

The Fremont Company has been actively searching for faces of sauerkraut lovers who are making life sweet with Frank's to put on their labels. The national program has placed photos of individuals, families and groups from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota on sauerkraut labels; and now the search has come to Iowa.

The annual event features carnival rides, a 5K kraut run/walk, silent auction, cabbage head car show, slow pitch softball tournament, bathtub races, parade, plenty of music and food and the big event: the crowning of the sauerkraut king and queen.

Iowans can submit their photos for Frank's Search for Sweetness label program now, through the Frank's Facebook page or www.myfrankskraut.com.

You don't have to attend the Lisbon Sauerkraut Days to submit your photo! Frank's is encouraging Iowans to demonstrate how they "make life sweet" using Frank's Traditional and Sweet Sauerkraut. Frank's is interested in favorite sauerkraut recipes, stories, and anecdotes; photos should illustrate how individuals, families or groups actually utilize Frank's products. It's easy to submit: just send a photo of yourself, family or group using Frank's Sauerkraut to www.myfrankskraut.com.

About The Fremont Company
The Fremont Company is a 107-year-old consumer food products company, headquartered in Fremont, OH. The Fremont Company manufactures, markets and distributes food products to customers worldwide: Frank's and SnowFloss Sauerkraut and Mississippi BBQ Sauce. http://www.fremontcompany.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FranksKraut

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