2013 Nutrition Calendars Available

With its 2013 Healthy & Homemade calendar, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the NE Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative are working alongside Governor Branstad's new Healthiest State Initiative to help Iowans live healthier.

Each month features an easy-to-prepare recipe plus menu ideas and an activity tip. The calendar supports MyPlate messages from USDA about balancing calories and avoiding oversized portions and also includes preparation and storage tips. Each month, an illustration shows a complete menu and gives the MyPlate breakdown of proportions.

"The recipes in the calendar feature vegetables and fruits, whole grains or legumes and dairy products – all very important factors of a healthy and whole diet," says Cindy Baumgartner, ISU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist in northeast Iowa.   "We know activity is important for total health, which is why it is emphasized so greatly in the calendar along with healthy meals."

The calendar has many other key features, including space for goals, daily activity tracking and appointments, as well as menu photos.

Each menu also includes a nutrition analysis that looks just like a package label. The back pages of the calendar provide tips for increasing family meals and conversation starters for children of different ages.

The Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative (FFI) is proud to be a sponsor of the 2013 Nutrition Calendar in Allamakee, Clayton, Chickasaw, Howard, Fayette and Winneshiek counties.  Contact the county Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office in those counties for your free copy.