NATIONAL COOK A SWEET POTATO DAY

Happy National Cook a Sweet Potato Day!

celebrated across the United States each year on February 22nd.  

The sweet potato is the spud-tastic potato that is eaten and loved by millions of people across the nation. Central America or South America is thought to be the center of origin and domestication of sweet potatoes.  It is known that in Central America, sweet potatoes were domesticated at least 5000 years ago.  Peruvian sweet potato remnants dating as far back as 8,000 BC have been found in South America.

The sweet potato is an excellent source of vitamin A, which supports good vision, the immune system and bone growth.  Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin B-6, magnesium and vitamin C.  It’s also great for the complexion. High in fiber and low in fat and calories, this root vegetable is a healthful alternative to snack foods when prepared without added butter, sugar or salt.

Unlike other potatoes, sweet potatoes like long, hot growing seasons. This might explain why it is the state vegetable of North Carolina.  

Celebrate today with Dr. Velonda (if you are in Atlanta, Ga):

Thursday, February 22nd 6pm - 8pm

Book signing & recipe sampling

Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore

5531 Roswell Rd NE

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https://www.facebook.com/events/253758721830894/

Follow Dr. Velonda on social media: Twitter: @drvelonda & @sweetpotatodelights  Instagram: sweetpotatodelights

National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Put Your Best Fork Forward." , The theme reminds us that the start of spring is the perfect time to overall your eating habits and make a few improvements. The fact of the matter is that we all have the tools to make healthier food choices.

Top 3 tips for putting your best fork forward

• Make time for breakfast
• Smack smart 
• Drink More Water

For more helpful tips visit  www.eatright.org/nutritiontipsheets.

Follow Dr. Velonda on social media: Blog: www.drvelonda.net  Twitter: @drvelonda & @sweetpotatodelights  Instagram: sweetpotatodelights

National Peanut Butter Day

Peanuts, an American staple for generations, reportedly originated in South America around 3,500 years ago. They grow underground like potatoes. Contrary to popular belief, this legume is not a nut. Nuts grow on trees. Nutritionally speaking, peanut butter is a good source of vitamin E, B6, niacin, calcium, potassium, iron and is rich in healthy monounsaturated fat. According to The Peanut Institute, this popular snack is packed with 8 grams of protein per ounce, more than any other nut.

In addition to being high in necessary nutrients such as magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, when paired with other nutrient-rich foods, studies have shown that peanuts helps us absorb nutrients better.

Inventions and processes started late in the 19^th century helped bring us here…….

Ø  1884, Marcus Gilmore Edson of Canada developed a process to make peanut paste from milling roasted peanuts between two heated plates.

Ø  1895, Kellogg, the famous cereal maker patented a process with raw peanuts.

Ø  1903, Dr. Ambrose Straub of St. Louis, Missouri is responsible for patenting a peanut butter making machine

Ø  1904, C.H. Sumner’s introduced peanut butter to audiences at his concession stand in the St Louis Universal Exposition.

Ø  1916, George Washington Carver published his research “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption”. His research resulted in many non-food uses for this amazing goober; including shaving cream, plastics, cosmetics and coffee.

Ø  1922 Joseph Rosefield brought us the creamy, smooth peanut butter we enjoy today. Through homogenization, Rosefield was able to keep peanut oil from separating from the peanut solids. He later sold the patent to a company that began making Peter Pan peanut butter and later went into business for himself selling Skippy peanut butter through Rosefield Packing.

In the U.S., peanuts and peanut butter are the most popular nut choice and comprise 67% of all nut consumption. (SOURCE: http://www.peanut-institute.org/peanut-facts/)

Yours in health - Dr. Velonda      TWITTER: #drvelonda     FACEBOOK: Be-fit, Inc.

14 days to FALL - Seasonal Eating for your Health

Seasons form the natural backdrop for eating because eating a fruit or vegetable in its season is when you get the most flavor and nutritional value and when it is the most affordable. 

Counting down to the first day of the fall season! 

Making your menu a seasonal one looks different in different regions of the country and even in different parts of the world. However, for the most part, in fall, turn toward the more warming, autumn harvest foods, spices and seasoning, including carrot, sweet potato, onions, garlic, ginger, peppercorns and mustard seeds.

To learn more on what’s in season in the fall visit http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/whats-in-season-fall

 References:

Haas EM. Staying healthy with the seasons. Celestial Arts, Berkeley, CA. 1981.

The George Mateljan Foundation (n.d.). Healthy Eating With the Seasons. Retrieved from http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=28

 Yours in health,

www.drvelonda.com      www.sweetpotatodelights.com       

TWITTER: #drvelonda      877-888-3546