Watermelon Day (August 3)

Watermelon is fat free and low in calories -- 2 cups of diced pieces (1/8 of a medium melon) provides only 80 calories.

Review the Watermelon Buying Guide from UNL's Nebraska Nutrition Education Program to help you select, store, and prepare a watermelon.

Check the National Watermelon Promotion Board Web site www.watermelon.org for recipes using watermelon and tips on choosing and storing watermelons.

Have you only ate watermelon slices or cubes? Mix it up and try one of the Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Watermelon from Fruits & Veggies--More Matters® website.

IMPORTANT: Wash the outside of the melon under clean running water before cutting into it, use a clean knife on a clean cutting surface and wash your own hands with soap and water before cutting the melon. Once melon is cut, it should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator. Don't leave cut melon at room temperature longer than 2 hours TOTAL time.

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Trail Mix Day (August 31)

Making your own trail mix is a quick and healthy on-the-go snack since it contains a variety of nutrients from multiple food groups and does not require refrigeration. Check out the following trail mix recipes:

• 5 Ways to Make a Healthier Trail Mix with Recipe (Source: Making HealthieRDecisions Blog)
• Trail Mix (Source: Cook It Quick!)
• Apple Cinnamon Snack Mix (Source: UNL Food: Youth/4-H)
• Cereal Snack Mix (Source: UNL Food: Youth/4-H)
• Chicken Feed ( Source: Kids a Cookin' by KSU Extension)
• Chocolate Snack Mix (Source: UNL Food: Youth/4-H)
• Pizza Snack Mix (Source: UNL Food: Youth/4-H)
• Cereal Snacks (Source: UNL Food: Youth/4-H)
• Make Your Own Snack Mix Fun (Source: UNL Food: Youth/4-H)

(Photo: ilovemypit at http://flic.kr/p/4jM8y6 Creative Commons Attribution License)

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Farmers Market Week (1st full week in August)*

Farmers markets are celebrated during National Farmers Market Week since they play an important role in local economies while providing fresh, healthy, and locally sourced products. Check out resources from the Farmers Market Coalition and these produce recipes & tips from:

• Cook It Quick Newsletter
• • July 2016
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
• Cook It Quick Blog
• • Cooking Local Foods - Week 1
  • Cooking Local Seasonal Foods - Week 2
  • Cooking Local Foods - Week 3
  • Cooking Local Foods - Week 4
  • Kale Banana Smoothie
  • Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
  • Mashed Cauliflower
  • Salad in a Jar
  • Tasty Microwave Potato Chunks
• Nutrition Know How Blog
• • Become a Produce Pro
  • Cantaloupe: Makes for a Sweet Treat
  • Farmers Markets
  • Fresh Produce Recipes - Toddler Friendly
  • Lettuce Celebrate
• Discover Seasonal Cooking
• Farm to School Resources (Source: USDA)
• Food Safety for Farmers' Markets (Source: NebGuide G1706)
• Fueling Your Walk with Foods from the Farmers Market (Source: Family Fun on the Run Newsletter)
• Good Nutrition at Farmers Markets (Source: NebGuide G2040)
• Why shop at a farmers market? (Source: USDA/Nutrition.gov)
• UNL Food: Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska

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Back to School Month

• Eat Right at School (Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)
• Healthy Food Choices in Schools (Source: eXtension)
• Environmental Changes in the School Cafeteria: How Parents Can Encourage Healthy Eating at Schools (Source: eXtension)
• Farm to School Resources (Source: USDA)
• Food Safety and Nutrition Reminders for Going Back to School (Source: IANR News)
• Health and Nutrition Information for Children over Five (Source: USDA ChooseMyPlate.gov)
• Healthy Packed Lunches for Back to School (Source: Healthy Bites Newsletter)
• Nutrition for the School-Aged Child (Source: NebGuide, G1086)
• Packed Lunch Pizzazz! (Source: Cook it Quick!)
• Recipe Central (Source: Food.unl.edu)
• What Can I Pack for a Healthy Lunch? (Source: eXtension's Families, Food and Fitness)

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Catfish Month

Including fish in meals twice a week is a recommendation of many health organizations. Check the Website of the National Fisheries Institute http://www.aboutseafood.com to help you prepare safe, delicious and nutritious meals with catfish and other types of fish and shellfish.
 

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Family Meals Month

• Food Fun for Young Kids Newsletter
• Eat Better, Eat Together (Source: Healthy Bites Newsletter)
• Meal Planning (Source: Food.unl.edu)
• Meal Planning and Shopping (Source: Nebraska's Nutrition Education Program)
• The Importance of Family Mealtime (Source: Nebraska's Nutrition Education Program)

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Get Acquainted with Kiwifruit Month

• Kiwifruit: Nutrition. Selection. Storage (Source: fruits & veggies more matters)
• Kiwifruit Recipes (Source: California Kiwifruit Commission)
• Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Kiwifruit (Source: fruits & veggies more matters)
• Turkey and Kiwifruit Pasta Salad (Source: fruits & veggies more matters)

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Kids Eat Right Month

Kids Eat Right Month helps improve the nutrition and health of children everywhere. It is a nutrition education, information sharing and action campaign created by Kids Eat Right, an initiative of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its Foundation. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles for children and families, featuring expert advice from registered dietitian nutritionists.

• Kids Eat Right Month Media Materials (Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)
• August: Kids Eat Right Month (Source: Healthy Bites Newsletter)
• Food Fun for Young Children (Source: UNL Extension)
• Family Fun on the Run (Source: UNL Extension)

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Peach Month

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables helps prevent many diet-related diseases and tastes good, too! Learn how to freeze extra peaches from the National Center for Home Food Preservation

• Peach Buying Guide (Source: UNL's Nutrition Education Program)
• Super Fruit Salad (Source: UNL's Nutrition Education Program)
• Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Peaches (Source: fruits & veggies more matters)
• Peach: Nutrition. Selection. Storage (Source: fruits & veggies more matters)
• Peach Cooler Recipe (Source: fruits & veggies more matters)
• Peach Recipes (Source: GA Peaches)
• Sweet Summertime Peaches (Source: fruits & veggies more matters)

Sandwich Month

• August: National Sandwich Month (Source: Healthy Bites Newsletter)
• Easy Egg Sandwich Meals (Source: Cook it Quick Newsletter)
• Freezing Sandwiches (Source: Cook it Quick Newsletter)
• Make Sandwiches a Meal: Garden Vegetable Sandwich (Source: Cook it Quick Newsletter)
• Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwich (Source: Cook it Quick Newsletter)
• Sandwiches Made with "Odds & Ends" of Cheese (Source: Cook it Quick Newsletter)