Food, Nutrition and Health Information

Local News

Healthy & Homemade Cookbook
(Posted on 5/23/2012)
Containing over 70 recipes from Main Dishes, Appetizers, and Desserts to Soups, Salads, Sides, and even Snacks. This 82-page cookbook will have you preparing healthy meals and smartly spending your dollars, too. Makes a great gift as well!

Parents Turn to the Science of Parenting Online Resource for Latest Research
(Posted on 5/21/2012)
Parents with inquiring minds want to know more than just buzz words about cyberbullying, video gaming and other hot topics related to raising kids and teens. Now they can get the latest research from the Science of Parenting, a new online resource from Iowa State University Extension.

Words on Wellness Newsletter
(Posted on 5/11/2012)
“Words on Wellness" is a monthly newsletter that promotes a healthy lifestyle for Iowans. In each issue, you’ll gain reliable, research-based information about nutrition, exercise, and food safety, and explore the power of incorporating healthy practices into daily living for you and your family.

News from Iowa State University Extension

Learn the Basics of Composting with the June Eco Family Conference
(Posted on 5/22/2012)
Feeding the soil through composting so it can feed food sources is the focus of the Virtual Eco Family Conference, “Compost 101: Food for the Food,” on June 7. The virtual workshop concentrates on composting basics for indoors and outdoors.

Preserve the Taste of Summer Program Receives a Boost
(Posted on 5/17/2012)
Preserve the Taste of Summer (PTTS) was launched last July as a pilot program to help adults learn how to safely preserve foods. This year, the basic structure of the program will remain the same, but some new elements are being added as a result of public demand.

Nutrition Education Is Part of Immersion in Wellness Camp Experience
(Posted on 5/15/2012)
Each summer, campers from all over the state visit the Iowa 4-H Center for a week of camp fun. This year, youth enrolled in two camps, Everything Camp and Counselors in Training Camp, will have the opportunity to participate in a research study conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach targeted toward lowering childhood obesity in the state.

Registration Open for Youth Cooking Challenge at 2012 Iowa State Fair
(Posted on 5/4/2012)
Teams of fifth through 12th grade youth can register now for the third annual Cook This! 4-H Culinary Challenge at the 2012 Iowa State Fair. During the challenge, youth have the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity in food preparation and knowledge of kitchen equipment, menu preparation and identification of various food Items.

Mini-grants to Create Collaborations between 11 County Master Gardener and 4-H Programs
(Posted on 4/30/2012)
The National 4-H Council and the Walmart Foundation are supporting 4-H Healthy Living programs across the country through Walmart Foundation Healthy Living Youth Voice, Youth Choice grants. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has received one of the 15 state grants and is using a portion of the money to provide mini-grants to Master Gardeners and 4-H youth to develop partnerships at the county level.

Be a Role Model for Good Nutrition
(Posted on 4/18/2012)
A child’s diet is largely influenced by his or her parent or guardian. Sarah Francis, an ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist, offers tips on how to be a healthy nutrition role model.

Learn How to Integrate Regional Food Systems in Nutrition Education, Outreach
(Posted on 4/11/2012)
Current Issues in Nutrition, a two-part online conference from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, takes a closer look at why and how nutrition professionals can get involved with regional food systems.

Wellmark Foundation Grant Funds Awarded to Local Organizations to Promote Healthy Living
(Posted on 4/5/2012)
Today the Wellmark Foundation presented over $400,000 to three grant recipients in Central Iowa. The organizations were chosen out of 111 applicants to receive funding to implement initiatives encouraging healthy lifestyles through programs that will teach healthy behaviors to children and school and community gardens.

Bridging the Gap Program Wraps Up First Year, Plans for Second Year
(Posted on 4/3/2012)
In May 2011, Iowa farm women began sharing their experiences in central Africa, where 80 percent of the farming is done by women. The collaboration was developed by a farmer-to-farmer project through Iowa State University’s Value Added Agriculture program with cooperation from a Ugandan nonprofit organization, Volunteer Efforts for Developing Concerns (VEDCO).

Consumers Control Certain Food Safety Points
(Posted on 4/2/2012)
Consumers have an important role to play in keeping food safe. Being smart shoppers and following good practices during purchasing, preparing, serving and eating will keep everyone healthy and lead to better food experiences.

Staff

Holly VanHeel - Nutrition & Health Program Specialist
Phone: 515-576-2119
Fax: 515-576-6447
Email: vanheel@iastate.edu