It's National Lima Bean Respect Day!!

Lima beans

Another often maligned vegetable is the lima bean.

Today is National Lima Bean Respect Day, so try to eat some lima beans today. Personally, I love them. They have quite the unique flavor and I'll eat them in anything or just plain.

The National Day Calendar website states "lima beans are a good source of protein, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Lima beans can increase energy levels by helping to restore more iron. 

"Most of us have grown up with the memory of not liking Lima beans as a child and do not give them a second chance as we become adults. They are delicious in soups, stews, salads, casseroles, by themselves or mixed with other vegetables."

Extension to Hold Winter Dairy Management Workshops on Milk Components March 18 and 20

Dairy farmers will be able to learn how to make more money on the milk they produce at the Winter Dairy Management workshops scheduled for March 18 in Carthage and March 20 in Malone.

The workshops will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will focus on how farmers can improve the production of milk components, such as butterfat and protein, that generate premium income. The agenda at each location includes the experience of a local dairy operator who increased farm profitability by raising milk components by applying nutrition and dairy environment practices that encourage quality milk production.

The workshop fee is $35 before March 8, $50 at the door; lunch and materials included.

To register for the Carthage workshop at the Carthage Elks Club, go online to https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Winter_Dairy_Management_2015_222 or contact Ron Kuck at CCE Jefferson County, 788-8450, rak76@cornell.edu or Terri Taraska, CCE Lewis County, 376-5270, tt394@cornell.edu.

To register for the Malone workshop at Mo’s Pub and Grill, go online to https://pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events.cfm or contact Kim Morrill, CCE St Lawrence County, 379-9192, kmm434@cornell.edu. 

Workshop presentations by Cornell University PRO-Dairy faculty will include how milk components impact milk check income, how managing income over feed costs impacts farm profitability and how feeding programs and dairy cow nutrition influence milk component production.

Presenters include Cornell PRO-Dairy Director and Animal Science Professor Tom Overton, dairy business management specialist Jason Karszes and Dairy Profit Discussion Groups Leader Kathy Barrett.
 

Why You Should Try Chocolate Milk After a Workout

Check out this Washington Post story at http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/why-you-should-try-chocolate-milk-after-a-workout/2015/02/02/efe27658-a708-11e4-a7c2-03d37af98440_story.html

In Search of Protein

Sure, there are lots of good sources of protein -- eggs, meat and dairy.

Check out this graphic from the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council.

June is Dairy Month -- Dairy Packs a Powerful Punch of Nutrition

Dietitians throughout the country, state and even locally believe dairy products are a good source of nutrition in a healthy diet.

But, local dietitian Linda Quinn, of Syracuse, said most favor eating lowfat versions of dairy, since many dairy products can be high in fat and calories.

She said people should opt for skim milk instead of whole milk, lowfat ice cream, ice milk or frozen yogurt instead of regular ice cream and lowfat yogurt and cheese.

Dairy products include lots of calcium, protein, potassium (especially yogurt and fluid milk) and Vitamin D. Quinn also said yogurt, which is all the rage today, also includes probiotics, bacteria that live in our guts and help keep our digestive tracts healthy and operating at peak efficiency.

Quinn also said most dietitians in the United States believe in the "3 Every Day" mantra of people eating at least three portion of dairy a day.

But people should watch their portions. According to choosemyplate.gov, a portion of cheese is only 2 ounces or one-third of a cup of shredded cheddar. An 8-ounce cup of milk or yogurt is one serving and one 8-ounce cup of frozen yogurt or a scoop of ice cream is one serving.

Quinn said while it's good to get those servings of dairy, the thing to remember is all in moderation -- don't go hog wild and eat too much dairy. 

Here is some more nutritional info from Michelle Barber, dietitian with the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council:

8 oz. cup of skim milk = 83 calories, 0 fat

8 oz. cup of whole milk = 149 calories, 8g fat

8 oz. cup of yogurt = (lowfat, fruit variety) = 238 calories, 3g fat; (nonfat, fruit variety) 233 calories, 0g fat

1 oz. lowfat cheese (Monterey, low fat) = 87 calories and 6 g fat

4 oz. ice cream (soft serve, chocolate)=191 calories, 11 g fat

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2012.