The Winter season can be a fun and exciting time but it’s also a period of distraction from working toward our best selves. With the holidays ending, it can be challenging to get back into our healthy routines and tend to lose the motivation to stay active and head outdoors. Binge-watching your favorite show along with a warm bowl of yummy chowder can seem much more enticing than braving the cold and getting some physical activity. Well, I don’t blame you! As the temperatures continue to drop and the risks of catching the common cold and flu increase, we want to make sure our bodies are properly nourished to fight off the nasty germs.

​Written by Napa State Dietetic Intern, Mallori Rahimnejad

​Here we are again with the holiday season upon us!  As the weather begins to change to that crispy coolness, the smell of pumpkin spice and cinnamon is beginning to fill the air.   It’s such a wonderful time of the year filled with fun, family, fiestas, and of course, food! While enjoying all that this time of year has to offer, it can be a challenge to balance indulgence for the season with healthy habits and self-care.  Here I’ll be sharing some simple things you can do to make it through the holiday season with vibrancy and good health! 

​Katie Zaboy, Eastern Michigan University Dietetic Intern 2019

​Let’s face it; eating out is a part of life. It has become a convenient way to catch up with friends and family, and eat a wonderful meal while not having to think about any dirty dishes. What’s not to love? With many mouth-watering restaurants all over Solano County, it’s pretty easy to find a restaurant you enjoy that doesn’t even have to break the bank. Unfortunately, our taste buds can sometimes override our judgment to make healthy choices as soon as we sit down in that comfy booth with fun music playing and the smell of potato skins and garlic fries passing every two minutes.

​If you pay any attention at all to eating advice, you know that getting more fruits and vegetables is a sure way to work on a path to better health. In fact, the USDA recently revised its ideal “plate,” giving more space to produce and less to grains and protein. 

But eating the same-old stuff every day can quickly get boring—so there’s another way to get creative with your greens. Backyard plants may not be the stuff that you want to dig out and toss, but dig out and eat. Loads of plants that are probably growing outside, nestled in your other “desirable” plants and amidst the grass, may be edible. 

Learning their characteristics and how to use them, as well as how to distinguish them from other poisonous plants, isn’t hard, and this graphic can help.

Learn more here!

Research has consistently demonstrated that young children truly thrive in a hands-on learning environment where they are provided with the opportunity to touch, smell, and taste. In turn, these interested students are more motivated and successful.  During this critical time of growth, forming a positive experience with fresh and healthy foods is critical primarily because these foods are the foundational building blocks for good nutrition and overall healthy development. ​

​Written By: Kristina Todini,  Fork in the Road

Gardening is a fast-growing trend in the United States as people are leaning towards a more sustainable lifestyle. There are many reasons gardening is a personal health benefit as well as an environmental benefit. Some people turn to gardening as simply a means of nourishment, while others depend on their gardens to help them unwind from their fast-paced lives. 

The California Food Policy Council Grows, Linking Nearly 500 Organizations

 Vallejo, CA – A report released this week by the California Food Policy Council (CAFPC) and Roots of Change reveals the 2015 food and farm policy votes of California’s 120 elected state legislators. The 2015 CAFPC Report on Legislation Related to Food and Farming (also found under the resources tab) illustrates how despite some progress on food and agriculture issues, the Legislature and Governor continue to miss most opportunities to pass bills that will actually have the greatest impact on the people most harmed by the challenges connected to California’s food and farming system. Wages remain low for food and farm workers, healthy fresh produce is more expensive, sugary beverages are overly consumed and the impacts of climate change are least addressed for those most at risk from heat, water shortages and poor water quality.