Food, Nutrition and Health Information

Local News

VDay Brownies

Valentine’s Day “From Scratch” Brownies
(Posted on 2/8/2012)
February is known for two holidays, Ground Hog Day and Valentine’s Day, but only one of these tempts our sweet tooth (and our pocketbooks). Valentine’s Day is known for its expensive indulgences: eating out, flowers, alcohol, and chocolate. For this Valentine’s Day, try some low-cost and healthier ways to celebrate like opting for a romantic homemade dinner rather than eating out or baking low-fat chocolate treats instead of buying expensive chocolate candy.

Just a Bite

Just a Bite – Managing Food Allergies in Childcare is March 1
(Posted on 2/8/2012)
Iowa State University Pocahontas County Extension and Outreach is offering training for child care providers that helps to identify signs and symptoms of food allergies and common food allergens for children. The incidence of food allergies is on the rise, increasing the chances that childcare providers will have a child with food allergies in their care.

vanheel

EXTENSION CONNECTION - "Tis the Season of Chocolate
(Posted on 2/8/2012)
Valentine’s Day and chocolate seem to go hand in hand. But can you be “Heart Healthy” and still have chocolate? The answer is a resounding “Yes”. Chocolate isn’t all BAD.

quilts

Barn Quilts of Pocahontas County
(Posted on 1/31/2012)
The Barn Quilts of Pocahontas County committee are proud to share their progress throughout Pocahontas County. Enjoy your driving tour!

MyPlate

Use MyPlate to Make a Better Pizza
(Posted on 1/31/2012)
One food with the potential to include all the food groups is pizza. But can this well-loved entree that is notoriously high in fat, sodium and carbohydrates fit on MyPlate? Yes it can, with a few modifications,says an ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist.

Money Talk

Pocahontas County to host Money Talk: A Financial Guide for Women
(Posted on 1/17/2012)
Plan today to participate in Money Talk: A Financial Guide for Women series at ISU Extension & Outreach, Pocahontas County Office!

Plan to Attend the Garden Extravaganza
(Posted on 1/17/2012)
The Pocahontas County Master Gardeners and ISU Extension & Outreach will sponsor a Garden Extravaganza April 14 at the Expo Center in Pocahontas.

Dare to Excel

"Dare to Excel" Newsletter Helps Parents Help Kids Become Better Learners
(Posted on 1/12/2012)
When weekends, school breaks and summer are added together, kids spend many hours outside of school walls. How this time is spent affects their growth and development, as well as their success at school.

Getting Organized

Financial Getting Organized
(Posted on 1/12/2012)
You know how good it feels when your house is clean? It feels just as good when your personal financial and business papers are well organized.

ServSafe

ServSafe
(Posted on 1/12/2012)
Did you know that there are estimated 76 million food borne illnesses each year and 225 to 300 million cases of acute gastroenteritis? That figures out to be once a year for each of us. How do you know the food you are being served has been handled and prepared with safety in mind? ServSafe is arguably the most recognized and renowned certification a food service manager can acquire to verify a complete knowledge of food safety practices. Research shows that training employees in safe food handling practices significantly improves food safety. Sign-up for a class today!

News from Iowa State University Extension

Use MyPlate to Make a Better Pizza
(Posted on 1/31/2012)
One food with the potential to include all the food groups is pizza. But can this well-loved entree that is notoriously high in fat, sodium and carbohydrates fit on MyPlate? Yes it can, with a few modifications,says an ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist.
Forget ‘Forbidden’ – Focus on Foods to Eat More Often
(Posted on 1/3/2012)
Many people make New Year’s resolutions to slim down. Their plans often involve rigid diet regimens that make them feel deprived. So instead of avoiding "forbidden" foods, focus on foods you can eat more often, says an ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist.
Healthy Choices Don’t Have to be on Hold during Holidays
(Posted on 12/19/2011)
Make smarter choices during food-filled holiday festivities, says Sarah Francis, an ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist. Control portion size, exercise and join the Live Healthy Iowa Challenge.
Poverty and Food Needs Profiles Offer County Data
(Posted on 12/16/2011)
Poverty statistics have climbed during the past decade, and food insecurity rates have increased across Iowa and the nation as a whole. Researchers from Iowa State University have assembled the latest data on these issues in a series of publications, now available online.
Eat Simpler, Healthier with New Healthy & Homemade Cookbook
(Posted on 12/6/2011)
Need a holiday gift or an addition to a personal cookbook collection? The Healthy & Homemade cookbook from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is a great resource for any family.
Videos Demonstrate Internet Supply/Demand Tool for Farmers, Markets and Consumers
(Posted on 11/30/2011)
Take a  tour of the MarketMaker website by viewing recently released videos highlighting everything MarketMaker has available. MarketMaker is an online tool connecting family shoppers with farmers and everyone in between – including restaurants and grocery stores.
Get Answers to Holiday Food, Stain Removal Questions from ISU Extension’s Answer Line
(Posted on 11/15/2011)
What’s the best way to thaw a frozen turkey? Is it safe to make pies and vegetable dishes a couple days before the big family gathering? And what’s the best way to deal with the leftovers? To get answers to these and other holiday food questions, call Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Answer Line, 800-262-3804.
Extension Food Safety Specialist to Conduct Seminar on New Federal Law
(Posted on 11/7/2011)
Angela Laury will work with Iowa producers and manufacturers to promote food safety as the new food safety specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. One of her first assignments is introducing food producers to the Food Safety Modernization Act, a new federal law designed to encourage food safety through preventive measures.
Third Group of Iowa Volunteers Visits Uganda
(Posted on 10/12/2011)
A third group of volunteers traveled to Uganda in August this year as part of the rural development program, Bridging the Gap: Increasing Competitiveness of Ugandan Women Farmers in the Marketplace. This farmer-to-farmer program pairs Iowa women farmers with eight groups of women farmers in the Kamuli District of Uganda.
Project Recovery Iowa to End Crisis Counseling Services Sept. 19
(Posted on 9/6/2011)
On Sept. 19 Project Recovery Iowa will end its crisis counseling and outreach services for Iowans impacted by the 2010 natural disasters. However, the Iowa Concern hotline, which answered calls for Project Recovery Iowa, will continue to operate at 800-447-1985.

Events


Nutrition: Choices for Health
More Nutrition: Choices for Health events

View the complete ISU Extension events Calendar

Staff

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

Lori Hayungs - Family Life Program Specialist
Phone: (712) 737-4230
Fax: (712) 737-3590
Email: lhayungs@iastate.edu

Resources from ISU Extension