Food, Recipe and Activity of the Week - April 13, 2008
This week's features include:
Food - Pineapple
Recipe - Pineapple slaw
Activity - Hiking
Pineapple, also known as Ananas, Nanas, and Pina, originated from southern Brazil and Paraguay before Columbus arrived to America in the 15 th century. The Indians spread the fruit from the South and Central America to the West Indies and was further spread to Spain by Columbus. Its primary use was to protect the sailors from scurvy, which was a common vitamin C deficiency. It is believed that the Spanish brought the pineapple to the Philippines and Hawaii in the 16 th Century. Today pineapples are commonly found in Hawaii, California, and Florida.
The fruit is grown in tropical areas, but can be resistant to 28° F and some degree of drought. The pineapple plant is a 2.5 to 5 feet high plant with a spread of 3-4 feet. Its leaves are waxy and straplike and can be 20-72 inches in length. The plant can carry up to two heads of pineapples each weighing around 1 to 10 pounds or more depending on the nitrogen content of the soil. Higher soil nitrogen makes a larger fruit. Pineapples are harvested when the fruit has a dull, solid sound when snapping a finger against its side. Exactly when this happens is difficult to tell and varies. Once harvested the fruit should be stored at 45° F (refrigerated or in a cool place) for no longer than 4 to 6 weeks.
Selecting a Pineapple
Pineapples are ready to eat once harvested. Keeping a pineapple on the counter will make the pineapple surface turn yellow, but the sugar content will not increase like it does with bananas, pears, and peaches.
When buying a fresh pineapple select a fruit with crisp looking leaves and a bright yellow colored fruit shell. Avoid discolored fruits that may have soft spots and fruits with dry leaves. Pineapples are more palatable during the summer months than during the winter season, due to increased sugar production.
Nutrition
Nutrition information per 1 cup serving of pineapple: calories: 76, carbohydrates: 19 g, proteins: 1 g, fat: 1 g, cholesterol: 0 mg, fiber: 2 g, sodium: 2 mg, water: 134 g, vitamin C: 24 mg
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 2-1/2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2-1/2 tbsp pineapple juice
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in large bowl.
- Toss and serve or put covered into refrigerator until serving.
Nutrition Information: 60 calories, 0 grams total fat, 14 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram protein, 2 grams fiber, 20 milligrams sodium, 0 milligrams cholesterol.
Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. For more recipes and access to the recipe’s full nutritional profile, visit www.cdc.gov.
Hiking is one of the most enjoyable activities because while you are getting exercise, you can enjoy the beauty of nature. Hiking is basically walking, except climbing a few more hills and perhaps carrying a backpack for food and water. The hills can increase the amount of calories you burn because unlike walking on a flat surface, walking uphill creates more gravity that your body has to work against. This gives your hamstring, quadricep and calf muscles a great workout. A 150 lb. person can burn up to 400 calories per hour of hiking.
Caution: It is always important to pack enough water to stay hydrated, particularly if you hike on a hot day. It is also important to pack some snacks (fruits, vegetables, granola bars) if you plan on a long hiking trip. Make sure you know the difficulty of the hiking trail before you take children or older adults with you, as they have a tendency to get tired and dehydrated faster. Older adults with heart or lung conditions, diabetes, arthritis, or back troubles should avoid hiking as it might be too strenuous of an activity.
To find a trail near you in the state of Iowa, visit
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/trailresources/trails-index-iowa.html