Chocolate Milk Official Drink of Halloween!

Bone Appetit!

Did you know that Chocolate Milk is the official drink of Halloween? Why, you may ask…because it is Nutrition in Disguise! I know you chuckle because it is a little cheesy, but it is very true. This is one treat that moms can feel good about giving their children on Halloween, or any day, plus kids love to drink it.

Healthy Halloween Tricks

Chocolate Milk The Official Beverage of Halloween

 

The words “healthy” and “Halloween” don’t appear to fit together in the same sentence. Isn’t Halloween the time when kids run house to house to see how much candy they can gather? Then they come home, dump out their bag of goodies on the floor, and overindulge until they turn green. Any hip ghoul or ghost would turn up their nose at a health bar or apple on Halloween night. Well, if you are the type of parent who is concerned that Halloween isn’t the most nutritionally healthy night for your children, here are some steps you can take to help minimize the “candy craze”. 

 

World Osteoporosis Day

"Stand Tall - Speak Out" and remember to consume at least 3 servings of dairy every day in honor of World Osteoporosis Day 2009.

Today, October 20, 2009, the American Dairy Association and the National Osteoporosis Foundation are joining bone organizations around the world to celebrate World Osteoporosis Day.  This day serves as a focal point to inform and educate the public about the importance of preventing osteoporosis.

Stand Tall-Speak out for your bones is the 2009 campaign theme of the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s World Osteoporosis Day.  Information about diet, exercise and/or medication is being publicized, and the importance of dairy products is being emphasized. Remember that milk and dairy products provide calcium, magnesium and phosphorus that help build strong bones.

Family Agritourism Destinations in Indiana

There are dairy farms across Indiana that would love to have you and your family as visitors this fall!

Under the leadership of Governor Daniels and Lt. Governor Skillman, in 2005 the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was created. Its vision is that Indiana agriculture will be a global leader in innovation and commercialization for food, fuel and fiber production. The mission of ISDA is to support growth in Indiana agriculture by devoting  ISDA staff and resources to three strategies: advocacy, economic opportunity and environmental stewardship.

Ah…fall in Indiana. Time to breathe in that crisp autumn air, throw on an extra sweatshirt, pack up the family, go jump in the car and explore Indiana’s many fall agritourism destinations! Not sure where to jump in the car and go to? Maybe you could visit a local dairy farm or cheese shop and learn where your food comes from. Your pick of corn mazes, apple orchards, farmers’ markets and other just plain GREAT STUFF for fall can be found in the 2009 Indiana Farmers’ Market, U-Pick and Agritourism Directory.

Bone & Joint Decade National Action Week

Doing 30 minutes of weigt bearing exercise, such as running, each day is a great way to help build strong bones.

Movement is restricted by musculoskeletal disorders, such as arthritis, back pain, fracture, osteoporosis, or sports trauma in nearly one in two Americans as well as in many children. Therefore, the United States celebrates Bone and Joint Decade National Action Week.

As part of the worldwide Bone and Joint Decade initiative, U.S. patient and physician healthcare organizations, government agencies, and healthcare industries have come together to improve bone and joint disorder prevention as well as the quality of life for those affected. This goal begins with increased awareness, solid information and increased research.  Much information can be found at the United States’ Bone and Joint Decade’s website.

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK is a SLAM DUNK

National School Lunch Week was established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy as an opportunity to highlight the important, positive role of school lunch in our nation and President Obama has given his endorsement to this nutrition initiative, too.  95% of US schools participate in this program with 28 million school kids benefitting daily from this program.  The ’09 program, with the help of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), hopes students will learn about the importance of eating healthy and being active.  The daily campaign, entitled,  ALL-STAR LUNCH,  features 5 “basketball teams”, each comprised of healthy school lunch menu items and coached by a current or former NBA/WNBA player.   

 

Why Drink Flavored Milk?

Kids are in a calcium crisis, so we need to find creative ways of helping them get at least 3 servings of dairy a day.

            Kids are in a calcium crisis with more than half of children ages 2 to 8 and three quarters of children ages 9 to 19 not getting the recommended daily servings of dairy or dairy products. Children need at least three glasses of milk or the equivalent of another dairy product a day to get the bone-building calcium and nutrients needed for growth and development. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that parents and schools offer low-fat white or flavored milk as a healthy alternative to soda and fruit drinks. Flavored milk is a nutritious option for children who might not drink white milk or simply prefer the taste.