Food, Recipe, and Activity of the Week - August 26, 2007
This week's features include:
Food - Honeydew melon
Recipe - Fruit salad
Activity - Yoga
History
Many melons originated in the Middle East, the first being cultivated more than 4,000 years ago. Melon seeds were brought to the United States by Columbus and then cultivated by Spanish explorers in California.
Facts
Melons are in the same gourd family as squashes and cucumbers. Yet, squashes are known as vegetables and melons are known as fruits. There are many different melon varieties. Honeydew melon is the third most popular melon, after the watermelon and cantaloupe. Honeydews have a smooth, white rind and do not have a musky odor like cantaloupe. When ripe, the flesh is pale green. Honeydews are the sweetest of all melons and average five to six pounds in weight.
When selecting honeydew melons, look for ones without cracks, soft spots, or dark bruises. They should have a clean, smooth break at the stem and when mature, most melons have a fruity fragrance. Cut-up honeydew melon can be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cut-up melons are aromatic and their smell will penetrate other foods so keeping them covered is important. Before cutting a honeydew melon, wash it in warm soapy water to remove any impurities on the rind that might be carried from the knife blade to the flesh. Cut the honeydew melon in half and scoop out the seeds. Then continue to cut into the desired shape.
Nutrition
Honeydew, like other melons, have high water content and are relatively low in calories. They are also cholesterol and fat free. Honeydew melons are a good source of Vitamin C and potassium.
Nutrition facts (per 1 cup diced): 61 calories, 1 g protein, 0 g fat, 15 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 31 mg sodium, 0 mg cholesterol, 388 mg potassium, 30 mg vitamin C
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix together honey, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. With peeler, remove skin from star fruit ribs. Cut fruit across in thin slices; toss with honey mixture. With melon-ball cutter, form small balls of melon and place in serving bowl. Halve grapes and add to melon balls. Slice bananas and add to melons and grapes. Add star fruit and juice to serving bowl and toss gently. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving): 148 calories, 1.5 g protein, 38.6 g carbohydrate, 0.4 g fat, 18.5 mg sodium, 512 mg potassium, 36 mg vitamin C, 3 g fiber
Recipe adapted from Uncommon Fruits and Vegetables: A Commonsense Guide by Elizabeth Schneider
If the hustle and bustle of work, home, or just life in general leaves you feeling tense and stressed out, try relaxing with yoga. Those who have tried yoga say it leaves them feeling calm and rejuvenated. Yoga is a type of exercise that incorporates different postures with deep breathing exercises and meditation. It was developed more than 5,000 years ago in India for those who wanted to experience spiritual uplifting. Today, thousands of people still find yoga to be uplifting. However, research has shown that yoga has additional health benefits. Yoga improves muscle strength and flexibility, reduces stress, decreases body fat, improves circulation, stimulates the immune system, and boosts concentration and creativity. Plus, it helps you burn calories. A 150 pound person can burn approximately 130 calories in 30 minutes of doing yoga.
With all the good that yoga does for you, why wouldn't you want to try it? If you are interested, check out your local library for a yoga tape or your local gym for yoga classes, as you will need proper instruction from professionals to avoid injury. If you have never tried yoga before, here are some tips:
- Start slow…it is better to go slow and take breaks when needed rather than wear yourself out too quickly. If you feel tired, take a timeout and drink some water.
- Remain focused on posture…this will help increase your yoga stamina. Try blocking out all distractions and focus on the good that you are doing for your body.
- If you are taking a yoga class, always ask for extra guidance from the instructor when needed.
Remember to consult with your physician before trying any new exercise.