Food, Recipe, and Activity of the Week - December 31, 2006
This week's features include:
Food - Grapefruit
Recipe - Ambrosia
Activity - Sledding
History
Compared to most other fruits, the discovery of the grapefruit has been relatively recent. Growing in the tropical Caribbean island of Barbados, discovery of the grapefruit did not occur until the 18th century. Botanists believe that the grapefruit is actually a cross between the orange and the pomelo, which is a citrus fruit that was brought to Barbados from Indonesia in the 17th century.
Jamaica was where the name “grapefruit” was coined. They called the fruit this because they look like bunches of grapes as they grow on trees.
The U.S. was first introduced to grapefruits in the early part of the 1800’s. Florida was the first state to grow grapefruit trees and has now become the leading producer of grapefruits in the country. Other states that grow grapefruits are California, Arizona, and Texas. Other countries that grow grapefruits are Israel, South Africa, and Brazil.
Grapefruit Facts
Grapefruits come in three categories according to the color of their flesh: white, pink, or ruby. Their size ranges from four to six inches, and they either come with or without seeds. They are known for their tangy flavor that gives your mouth a little kick!
Nutrition
Grapefruits are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to boost the immune system, particularly when fighting off colds. Several studies have shown that vitamin C may help reduce the severity of symptoms that can accompany a cold. Vitamin C also works as an antioxidant, preventing free radical damage that can cause inflammation. Therefore, vitamin C is associated with reductions in the incidence of heart attack, stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Grapefruit is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber. This form of fiber helps trap cholesterol in the blood and prepare it for excretion from the body. This action helps lower cholesterol levels, making grapefruit particularly good for the heart and blood vessels.
Adapted from: The World’s Healthiest Foods
Nutrient Analysis of 1/2 grapefruit: calories: 37, fat: <1g, cholesterol: 0mg, protein: 1g, carbohydrate: 9g, fiber: 2g, sodium: 0mg
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 oranges, peeled and sectioned
- 2 small grapefruits, peeled and sectioned
- 1/2 cup orange marmalade
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 8-ounce containers fat-free lemon yogurt
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
Directions:
1. Combine sectioned fruit in medium bowl. Add marmalade and vanilla and stir gently to coat all citrus sections.
2. Spoon equal amount into 4 glasses or fruit bowls. Spoon and spread 4 ounces of lemon yogurt on top of each portion and top with shredded coconut.
3. Chill for 20-30 minutes before serving
Nutritional Information (per serving): 314 calories, 1 gram total fat, 70 grams carbohydrate, 8 grams protein, 5 dietary fiber, 100 mg. sodium, 0 grams cholesterol
Recipe courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more recipes and other information about fruits and vegetables visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/5aday/index.htm
Sledding is a great recreational activity that the whole family can enjoy together during the winter months. Every year thousands of people take to the hills for a ride or two on a sled. If not careful, sledding activities can be dangerous and may lead to injury. Most sledding injuries are preventable though, so by becoming aware of the risks, you can keep you and your friends and family sledding safely.
Sledding injuries occur as a result of colliding with another sled or object, losing control of equipment, or falling of the equipment while sliding. Sledding injuries can happen to people of all ages. The majority of sledding injuries occur to children between the ages of 5 and 14 with boys being hurt more often than girls.
Sledding safety can be divided into four areas-site, behavior, equipment, and supervision.
Site
- Choose hills with a gentle slope and long run off area.
- Choose snowy hills and avoid icy surfaces.
- Stay away from roads, rivers, railways, parking lots, and barbed wire fences.
Behavior
- Go down the hill sitting up or kneeling on the sled. Never go head first.
- Be sure the path is clear of people and objects before beginning your descent.
- If you fall off your sled or stop unexpectedly, quickly move out of the way of other sledders.
- Walk back up the side of the hill away from other sledders.
- Rest when tired and go inside when you are cold.
Equipment
- Dress properly with hats, mittens or gloves, and warm, waterproof footwear.
- To prevent strangulation do not wear clothing with drawstrings that could get caught under the sled.
- Wear a properly fitted helmet (such as a bike or ski helmet) to reduce the risk of serious head injury.
- Choose sledding equipment that you can steer and stop.
Supervision
- Children under 12 should be supervised by a responsible adult.
- Children under 5 should have a responsible adult with them on the slide.
- Monitor children for wet clothes, chilling, frostbite, and fatigue.