James Van Der Beek on Voices of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis AwarenessTalk about busy! James Van Der Beek recently became a dad and, despite his hectic acting schedule, has taken the leap into charity spokesperson, raising awareness for Voices of Ulcerative Colitis (UC). SheKnows.com jumped at the chance to speak with Van Der Beek about ulcerative colitis and other projects he’s working on.Voices of Ulcerative ColitisSheKnows.com: We heard you are working on a new disease awareness program.

Van Der Beek: Yes, I'm working with a program called Voices of UC to raise awareness about UC. UC is a chronic condition of the digestive system that affects more than 500,000 Americans. It can be very painful, but because the symptoms are not ones people like to talk about -- it can make those who have it wary of venturing too far from the nearest bathroom -- there is a lot of misdiagnosis.

SheKnows.com: Why is raising awareness of ulcerative colitis so important?

Van Der Beek: As part of the program, a survey was conducted with 1,000 people living with UC and 100 doctors who treat it. Some of the results blew me away -- they showed that a third of people with UC are first misdiagnosed with another condition and that it typically takes a year and a half, and three different doctors, for patients to be correctly diagnosed.

The study also showed a disparity between what patients were experiencing and what they were communicating to their doctors. Half of the patients in the study reported experiencing at least three or more UC flare-ups per year. But when doctors who treat UC were polled, they said only a quarter of their patients experienced that many.

Our goal is to bring awareness that this disease is out there and to emphasize to patients how important it is to be completely honest with their doctor about what they're going through.

Ulcerative colitis is nothing to be embarrassed aboutSheKnows.com: Why did you decide to get involved with the cause?

Van Der Beek: My mother suffered in silence with UC for years. She kept her condition a secret from most of our family -- even me -- because it wasn't something she felt comfortable discussing. It took her five different doctors to get a treatment plan that worked for her.

What I'm hoping to help do through my involvement with this program is reach out to people like my mom and let them know there's nothing to be embarrassed about and that people around them might be a lot more understanding than they might think. After I got involved in this program, my mom opened up to her close friends and family and found an unflinchingly solid support system.

I'm happy to report that she has figured out a treatment plan that seems to be working for her and is doing much better.

Get involved in raising awareness for ulcerative colitisSheKnows.com: What can people do to get involved with the cause?

Van Der Beek: People can go to www.LivingwithUC.com for more survey findings, personal stories and tips that may help them overcome some of the challenges of living with UC.

James Van Der Beek on becoming a dadSheKnows.com: You recently became a dad. Congrats! How has that affected you and changed your perspective on life?

Van Der Beek: Talk about a game changer! Making a positive impact on the world used to feel like something I should do -- now I feel like it's the only thing to do. It's amazing the changes you make in your life once that child arrives -- not because of some obligation, but because something deep inside you has shifted. There really aren't words. It's just the most fun thing that's ever happened to me.

New movies starring James Van Der BeekSheKnows.com: What can your fans expect to see from you in the next little while?

Van Der Beek: I've been in dad mode the last few months, but before that I shot a movie called The Big Bang with Antonio Banderas (which should be out early next year). I just recently filmed a guest spot on the new TNT show Franklin & Bash, which debuts this summer. And I've got a few projects I've been developing and producing on my own, which I'm very excited about. I look forward to telling you more about those soon!

More on Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis: Kelly's Story

Learn about Kelly's diagnosis with ulcerative colitis and her treatment at Cleveland Clinic.

More on digestive health10 tips for digestive healthQUIZ: Test your digestive healthEarly signs of digestive problems in women

SheKnows Parenting Awards Best fitness essentials

Kick It Up A Notch And Vote!SheKnows Parenting Awards are here! Vote for the best of everything related to pregnancy and parenting! We want to know what you think are the best products and services for families. Cast your vote in the SheKnows Parenting Awards! Here are the nominees in the Fitness category.

SheKnows Parent's Choice Awards are a direct reflection of our readers' opinion on specific products. Our goal is to give our readers all the information they need to make the best informed decisions in their everyday lives. All products or companies in nomination are reviewed by our team and handpicked accordingly for each category. Each winners are determined via an organic voting process performed by YOU, our valuable SheKnows readers!

Fitness websites

Find out more about these nominees and cast your vote now!

Post pregnancy workout DVD

Find out more about these nominees and cast your vote now!

Best pregnancy workout DVD

Find out more about these nominees and cast your vote now!

Best workout accessories

Find out more about these nominees and cast your vote now!

Hypothyroidism Dieting can damage your thyroid

Hypothyroidism
Weight Loss TipsDespite your best dieting and exercise efforts, you’re not losing weight and finding it even harder to keep weight off. Worse, you’re exhausted and can’t seem to pull yourself out of the dumps. There’s a good chance you’ve got hypothyroidism and your weight loss efforts are the root cause. We talked with Dr. Elizabeth Lyster from the Holtorf Medical Group in Foster City, California, about the impact of dieting on the thyroid.

Types of hypothyroidism

Dr. Lyster, who specializes in weight management associated with thyroid conditions, says that an underactive thyroid can be related to the thyroid's inability to function properly, hormonal imbalances, and stress.

Primary hypothyroidism

According to Dr. Lyster, primary hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland itself is not functioning well, either due to one's own antibodies attacking it (autoimmune or Hashimoto's thyroiditis), lack of iodine (a mineral needed to make thyroid hormones) or other problems with the thyroid gland.

Secondary hypothyroidism

Another type of hypothyroidism is related to the pituitary gland. "Secondary hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland is not being adequately stimulated by brain-releasing hormones from the pituitary gland," says the medical specialist.

Stress-related hypothyroidism

Who knew stress to the body could cause hypothyroidism? Dr. Lyster says stress caused by disease and even calorie restriction, as in dieting, can cause an upset in thelevels of thyroid hormones. She explains that when the inactive form of thyroid hormone (thyroxine or T4) is not converting to the active form of the hormone (triiodithyronine or T3), and instead converts to reverse T3, it blocks the T3 receptors as well as blocking the proper T4 to T3 conversion, causing hypothyroidism.

What you need to know about hypothyroidism >>

Thyroid conditions are often misdiagnosed

Whenever you have changes in your health, you should see a doctor, and get a second opinion if your doctor's diagnosis and course of treatment doesn't seem to help your condition. Hypothyroidism ranks high on the list of commonly misdiagnosed health issues for women, making it important for you to rule it out or get a proper diagnosis when your health goes awry.

"Thyroid dysfunction is mistaken for all sorts of conditions in women, the most common of which include depression and other mental disorders, metabolic syndrome when they can't lose weight, and fatigue," explains Dr. Lyster.

Infertility: Is your thyroid to blame? >>

Don't let your dieting damage your thyroid

Though you may need to lose a few (or many) pounds, keep in mind that restrictive dieting or dropping entire food groups from your diet can actually hinder your weight loss efforts by impairing your thyroid function. "Prolonged calorie restriction should be avoided," says Dr. Lyster. "And the best type of exercise program is one that is enjoyable, not excessive, and can be sustainable for the long run." The doctor adds that, in general, any kind of stress to the body should be managed as well as possible before it affects thyroid function.

How dieting to the extreme can hurt your health >>

Up next: Weight loss tips for women with hypothyroidism >>

Continue »12

Gluten-free Goodie of the Week Citrus-sugar cookies recipe

Like A Bite
Of Sunshine!These gluten-free cookies are sure to brighten your day! Citrus-sugar cookies are a sweet treat with a good dose of lemon.

Note: Gluten can be found in many different foods and products, from ketchup to soy sauce to candy and seasonings. While SheKnows.com tries to ensure these recipes are gluten-free, carefully read the ingredient labels of all food and food products you use for these recipes to ensure they are also gluten free.

Picture a bowl of lemons on a table and you're sure to smile. Imagine the cheer the flavor of lemons can bring to sugar cookies! This Gluten-free Goodie of the Week recipe for citrus-sugar cookies includes both lemon juice and zest to add to the brightness and flavor of these sweet treats!

Citrus-sugar cookie recipe

Yields about 40 cookies

Ingredients:2 cups gluten-free, all-purpose flour (or try this SheKnows gluten-free baking flour blend recipe) 3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon xanthan gum1 egg1/2 cup shortening3 tablespoons lemon juice2 tablespoons lemon zest, dividedParchment paperDirections:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of lemon zest with the 1/3 cup sugar and set aside.In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, salt, baking powder and xanthan gum and set aside.In a large bowl use a mixer to blend the 3/4 cup sugar and shortening together until incorporated. Add the egg and mix well.Gradually add the sugar mixture to the flour mixture. Add the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough mixture.Pinch off a small amount of dough to roll into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in the sugar-zest mixture to coat them. Place them on the baking sheet and use your fingers to gently press them down until they're about 1/4-inch thick.Bake for about 10 minutes or until the bottoms begin to turn lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy these sunny, gluten-free cookies!

More Gluten-free Goodie recipes

Chocolate truffle cakes
Individual mixed berry and pecan crisps
Oatmeal-apple cookies

King cake-inspired boozy milkshake

The Perfect Shake
For Mardi Gras!Put down that hurricane and step away from the margarita. We've just replaced those with a new, more delicious Mardi Gras libation. Grab a big jar of this king cake boozy milkshake for a luscious dessert and cocktail all in one!

Each sip tastes like your favorite king cake, just without all the work it takes to make one. They may taste innocent, but these shakes are strong. If you wake up on Bourbon Street with a ton of beads and a brain freeze, we can't be to blame.

King cake-inspired boozy milkshake recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients:2 cups cake batter ice cream2 tablespoons cream cheese3/4 cup milkAbout 3 tablespoons to 1/4 cup whipped cream vodka (or vanilla vodka)1/2 cup crumbled king cake pieces (or regular vanilla cake)Green, purple and yellow sprinklesDirections: 

Place the ice cream, cream cheese, milk and whipped cream vodka in a blender. Blend on low until mixture is smooth. Add additional vodka or ice cream to taste.Stir in the cake pieces with a spoon. Pour mixture into a Mason jar. Garnish with whipped cream and Mardi Gras sprinkles.

More Mardi Gras recipes

3 Strong Mardi Gras cocktail recipes
Delicious king cake recipe
Mardi Gras recipes for Fat Tuesday

Sexual health Natural ways to keep the fire kindled

Many women in their 20s and 30s are watching their parents scurry to see Hope Springs. This is the new movie starring Meryl Streep, who plays a 60-year-old wife desperate to rekindle physical intimacy with her husband, played by Tommy Lee Jones.

Keep your sex life thriving -- naturally

I'm sure these young women are proclaiming to themselves and each other, "This will never happen to me." Optimism is always a good sentiment to have, but intention is not always enough. In my practice, I've found that health decisions women make in their 20s truly affect the rest of their lives.

Here are a few tips for young women to keep their now-satisfying sexual lives going well into the post-50 years.

Take omega-3s regularly

Essential fatty acids are essential for moist and supple skin. That applies to the skin on the face and body, as well as to the vaginal and vulvar areas and the mucosa. Walnuts and certain seeds -- chia, hemp, flax and pumpkin -- are loaded with these good fats. Make them part of your regular diet.

Foods to boost your libido >>Kegel up

These exercises help strengthen a weak pelvic floor, a condition that can occur even without going through childbirth. A stronger pelvic floor can help increase sensitivity and lead to more intense orgasms. Kegel exercises can be done while going about your daily business -- no one will know your agenda.

Fitness for new moms and babies >> Detoxify

Fatigue sets in when the body isn't able to eliminate toxins and balance hormones. As one gets older and the body becomes more toxic, a general feeling of malaise can become the typical state of unwellness. That's why it's important to help the liver -- the body's detox site -- do its job. One of the best ways is by eating liver-friendly foods, which include leafy greens, especially dandelions.

Drink wisely

Green juices are refreshing and healing, as long as they're not full of sweeteners. According to Chinese medicine, too much sugar will create a damp heat in the vulvar area, which can lead to yeast infections. Sipping on lemon water during the day also assists in the cleansing process.

Daily detox: Foods and herbs that cleanse >>More sexual health tips for women

Midlife sexual health tips
Embarrassing sexual health issues
Treatments for painful sex during menopause

MERS-CoV virus spreading globally

Middle East Virus
Affects WorldThe SARS-like Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, known as MERS-CoV, is spreading across the globe.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the novel coronavirus (NCoV) that has been in the headlines recently was renamed the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). But that doesn’t mean it’s limited to people in the region.

The SARS-like virus has infected 49 people globally, 27 of whom have died. The latest deaths occurred in Saudi Arabia and France.

On Monday, Dr. Margaret Chan, general director of the WHO, said the virus is “a threat to the entire world.”

The SARS-like virus has infected 49 people globally, 27 of whom have died.

The name change came about to better facilitate communication about the disease and provide uniformity.

The MERS-CoV is similar to a cold virus that goes after the respiratory system, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said. Symptoms can include fever and a cough, but are so severe they can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure.

Scientists aren’t quite sure how it spreads, which is making it hard to prevent.

More on cold and flu

How the flu can hurt your heart health
7 Flu shot facts
The holistic truth about colds and flu

New York City Marathon results Who won

NYC Marathon: 45,000 StrongParticipants in the 2010 NYC marathon made their way through 26 miles of New York City to complete their goals. Who won? We have your New York City marathon results here!

Forty-five thousand runners from all over the world laced up their sneakers and set out to tackle the NYC marathon (and the weather) on Nov. 7.

NYC marathon results

Ethiopian man Gebre Gebrmariam and Kenyan woman Edna Kiplagat each won the marathon for their genders. Gebramariam finished the course in 02:08:14, while Kiplagat clocked her finish at 02:28:20.

Not impressed by those times? You should be -- the NYC marathon course is 26 miles long, meaning that Gebramariam averaged less than five minutes per mile and Kiplagat less than six. We're lucky if we can run one mile in less than 12 minutes, let alone run 26 at that pace.

NYC marathon details

The NYC marathon attracts some 100,000 applicants from around the world each year, each hoping to tackle their own goals with the race.

The course runs through all five boroughs of New York City -- it starts in Staten Island, then makes its way through parts of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx before ending in Manhattan's Central Park.

Celebrity NYC marathon results

Among the marathon's 45,000 participants were several celebrities, including NBC Today Show weatherman Al Roker, Today Show anchor Meredith Vieira, chef Bobby Flay, actor Anthony Edwards, model Veronica Webb, former Survivor winner Ethan Zohn and Subway pitchman Jared Fogle. Most celebrities were running to support various causes, including Shoes4Africa (Edwards) and the Jared Foundation (Fogle.)

Congratulations to all the competitors, completing a marathon is quite a feat!

More on running

5 reasons you should be running
Best surfaces for running
8 running tips for race day

相关的主题文章:

• 六ケ所村が気仙沼のがれき最大１万トン　追加受け入れ意向
• 1 embryo works in IVF
• Strawberry soda recipe

Vegetarian Thanksgiving meal planning

A vegetarian feastHave a meatless holiday

Not everyone's going to be eating turkey on Thanksgiving. Still, it's Thanksgiving for those who have made the dietary decision not to eat meat, and they deserve to stuff themselves silly, too. Check out these meatless alternatives on the market for vegetarians and find out how to turn them into decadent holiday delights.

Thanksgiving is the national celebration of eating too much (as well as being thankful, our national history, etc. etc.). Still, the holiday has turned into a day when Americans across the country gather together and stuff themselves silly with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, rolls, pies and other dishes as well.

However, if you're vegetarian, it's pretty easy to feel left out of the fun on Turkey Day. For the most part, all of the traditional dishes are meat-based. Gravy has meat giblets, mashed potatoes are often made with broth and stuffing usually has some bits of meat in it. That doesn't even include the main part of the meal: the turkey.

The good news is that making Thanksgiving dinner vegetarian friendly is not difficult. Pretty much every traditional Thanksgiving side dish recipe can be made meatless using vegetable broth and omitting the meat. However, that still leaves one small problem: What to do about the turkey? Fortunately, there are several meat replacements you can proudly serve this Turkey Day that feature all of the flavor and none of the meat.

Here's a few of the different types of meat alternatives you might serve for Thanksgiving categorized by type. Of course, the makers of faux meats tend to keep some of the secrets of their products to themselves so there may be some overlap among the categories, but these tend to be the broad buckets into which most meat alternatives fall.

Seitan

Seitan (pronounced SAY-tan, also called wheatmeat or Buddha food) is a meat alternative made by kneading protein-rich flour into a hard dough. The resulting mass has been prominently featured in several Halloween articles due to its sort of disgusting appearance, but when cooked it has a very meaty texture. It's, however, not suitable to those with gluten allergies.

Making seitan yourself is extremely easy, requiring nothing more than two cups of high-protein wheat flour along with one-and-one-half cups of water and whatever spices you like. Knead the mix for 10 to 15 minutes and you have seitan.

You can also find seitan turkey sold at vegetarian-friendly grocery stores either by itself or as part of different brands of faux meat. These include Tofurkey, which offers a complete Thanksgiving meal, and Field Roast, whose original roasts are delicious.

Mycoprotein

Mycoprotein was created in the 1960s in Britain by an enterprising lord who wanted to find a new source of protein. This search eventually lead to mycoprotein, which is a protein created by fermenting a certain type of fungus. Still, despite its origins, mycoprotein has been sold under the brand name "Quorn" and has a flavor and texture which is truly meatlike. It can be found in the freezer section of vegetarian-friendly grocery stores and is even a good gateway product for those who still eat meat.

TVP

TVP stands for textured vegetable protein and is a faux meat created by denaturing plant proteins (usually soy protein) and creating a protein-rich food product. TVP shows up in several different meat alternatives, sometimes by itself and sometimes mixed with other ingredients. One of the best-tasting products to utilize TVP is Match Meat. Based out of St. Louis, Missouri, Match offers an entire ready-to-cook stuffed chicken which is delicious and easy on the chef.

At this time, Match can be purchased online and shipped, unless you live near St. Louis, in which case, it is available at area grocery stores.

As a side note: What to do about gravy?

Even with a good meat replacer, gravy can still be the bane of the vegetarian Thanksgiving (especially for a mixed meat eater/non-meat eater holiday.)  However, making delicious meat-free gravy is simple.

Vegetarian gravy recipe

Yields about 3-3-1/2 cups of gravy

Ingredients:3 onions, quartered3 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces3 carrots, peeled, cut into 2-inch pieces1 yellow bell pepper, quartered3 twigs rosemary1/4 cup olive oilSalt and pepperGarlic powder to taste4 cups vegetable broth4 tablespoons butter*4 tablespoons flour *

* Replace with 2 tablespoons cornstarch to make this vegan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 F.Arrange the vegetables on a tray and coat with olive oil. Season liberally with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.Roast the vegetables for an hour to develop their flavors, then put them in a pot with the broth. Simmer the vegetables in the broth for at least 30 minutes so that they impart their flavor to the broth. (Longer is better.)Finally, if using the butter, in a separate pot, melt the butter and then add the flour. Stir to make a paste.Cook the paste for 30 seconds, then add the broth. Stir until it is thick.If using the cornstarch, just mix it with two tablespoons of water. Remove the vegetables from the broth and stir the cornstarch slurry into the broth. Cook until it thickens.

More vegetarian meals

Delicious meat-free Thanksgiving recipes
Vegetarian favorites
A diabetic friendly vegetarian Thanksgiving feast

相关的主题文章:

• 「ホテルおせち」予約好調　売り上げ、５年前の１０倍
• Sneaky yet simple tips for adding exercise to your holidays
• Do you have emotional anorexia

Bacterial vs. viral meningitis

Know The DifferencesMeningitis occurs when the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord become infected and inflamed. Both the viral and bacterial forms of the debilitating disease exhibit similar signs and symptoms at first -- but bacterial meningitis is generally much more severe. Figuring out whether the meningitis is bacterial or viral immediately is crucial, because the treatment and risks for each type are very different.

Viral meningitis

The viral form of meningitis is more common and is sometimes referred to as "aseptic meningitis." Viral meningitis is caused by a number of different viral infections including mumps, herpes, Epstein-Barr, varicella zoster (the virus that causes chickenpox), measles and influenza.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose viral meningitis by collecting spinal fluid through a spinal tap and having it analyzed in a lab. If no bacteria are detected in the fluid but the patient is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of meningitis, the patient is thought to have viral meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that symptoms for viral meningitis either appear quickly or manifest over several days -- usually following a cold, runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting or other signs of infection. Illness from viral meningitis generally lasts seven to 10 days, and the patient typically sees a full recovery.

Prevention

Viral meningitis is contagious, so good hygiene is the best way to avoid being infected. Some vaccines, such as MMR and varicella-zoster, can protect children from the diseases that can lead to viral meningitis, so it's important to keep children up to date with the recommended childhood vaccination schedule.

Meningitis in children >>

Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is the result of a bacterial infection that attacks the body rapidly. Patients who contract bacterial meningitis exhibit the same flu-like signs and symptoms as the viral form of the disease, but their symptoms worsen within hours rather than days.

Diagnosis

As with viral meningitis, this form can be diagnosed only by collecting spinal fluid with a spinal tap. If the bacterium that causes the infection is detected, it can be treated with intense antibiotics that can reduce the risk of death. Lack of treatment or complications from bacterial meningitis include hearing loss, blindness, loss of speech and memory, brain damage, paralysis, kidney and adrenal gland failure, shock and death.

Prevention

Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious and usually spread through respiratory and throat secretions (oral contact and exposure to coughing or sneezing). Effective and safe vaccines, such as that for Hib, can protect individuals from some of the bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, get to an emergency room right away. Fast action saves lives.

More on meningitis

What is meningitis?
The symptoms of meningitis
Teens & meningitis

Tonight's Dinner Pork and chili stew recipe

Stew Doesn't Have To Take Hours To CookWhen the cold weather hits, nothing tastes better than a nice home-cooked stew. And while beef, potatoes and peas are the common choice, a delicious stew can just as easily be made with pork and chilies.

Stew is one of my favorite fall recipes. Although stew takes a while to make, there's nothing more comforting than a big bowl of hearty beef stew. But sometimes I just don't have the hours it takes to make a nice beef stew. So, when Food & Wine magazine had a stew that only took an hour, I jumped. It didn't take as long to make because there were so few ingredients. But just because the stew had fewer ingredients and took half the time to make, doesn't mean it lost any of that awesome stew flavor. It was still a big bowl of deliciousness, and one I will make again and again.

Pork and chili stew

Serves 6

Ingredients:1/4 cup olive oil2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubesSalt and pepper to taste2 tablespoons flour1 onion, halved and sliced2 Anaheim chilies, halved, cored and thinly sliced6 garlic cloves, sliced2 cups chicken broth1/4 cup cilantro, choppedDirections:

Place the pork, salt, pepper and flour into a resealable bag. Seal the bag and shake until the pork is covered with flour, salt and pepper.Pour the oil in a large pot and heat over medium-high heat. Place the pork in the pot and cook until browned, about five minutes. Add the onions, chilies and garlic and cook until the vegetables are tender, about five minutes.Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook, partially covered, until the pork is tender and the broth is reduced by half, about 20 minutes.Stir in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve with couscous and tortillas.

More Tonight's Dinner recipes >>Other stew recipes

4-Corner stew
Basque lamb stew
Coffee beef stew

Rachael Ray’s healthy school meals

Rachael Ray And
School NutritionDo you cringe at the thought of your child eating day after day of cafeteria food? Rachael Ray feels your pain and has partnered up with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to create healthy school food recipes and make them available to every school in the United States for free. Here’s more on the initiative and a healthy cafeteria recipe.

A healthy collaboration for school nutrition

In celebration of September's National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, television personality, author and founder of the Yum-o! organization, Rachael Ray and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (which is a non-profit founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation) have collaborated to create healthy school food recipes that will be available for free to every school in the country. The recipes were created specifically for easy preparation in a school setting, meet the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's school nutrition guidelines (which meet or exceed USDA guidelines) and were taste-tested and approved in real school kitchens with real kids.

"Getting students excited about the food they eat in school and giving them access to flavorful choices made with more fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains is so important when it comes to teaching them about making healthy food choices," says Ray. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and provide schools nationwide with nutritious recipes that kids will enjoy eating."

Yum-O! for all

Ray first began to provide recipes to schools in a partnership with the New York City Department of Education in 2009. The success of that program led to Ray's desire to bring her healthy recipes to schools across the United States. The collaboration between Ray and her organization Yum-o! with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a natural fit, as the Alliance's Healthy Schools Program is one of the largest school-based childhood obesity programs in the country, supporting more than 12,000 schools in their efforts to create healthier places for students to learn and staff to work.

"We are always looking for fun and innovative ways to introduce healthier options to students," says Sal Valenza, food service director at a West New York, New Jersey school who piloted the recipes with his students. "The recipes Rachael Ray, Yum-o! and the Alliance created not only got rave reviews from the students, but they are created in a way that is easy and affordable to make from a school food service perspective."

Foundation of a healthy school meal

Ray's healthy school recipes provide a strong nutritional foundation for students, many of whom eat at least one cafeteria meal each school day. The recipes are based on increased lean protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat and fat-free dairy in addition to reduced total fat, saturated fat and sodium levels.

Recipes available for school food service professionals include Southwestern Turkey Cobb Salad, Silly Chili con Fusilli, Orange You Glad it's Glazed Chicken and Noodles, Turkey Tacos and Mexi-Mac and Cheese.

More than just recipes

Parents and school staff can access Rachael Ray's Yum-o! school meal recipes by visiting the Alliance's website at www.healthiergeneration.org. Additionally, Yum-o! has created "at-home" versions of these recipes, which will be available on the www.yum-o.org website, so kids and their families can recreate the meals in their own kitchens.

Along with the recipes, parents and school staff will get shopping lists and nutritional information for each recipe, best practices for preparing, introducing and serving these recipes to students.

School nutrition education is key

In an effort to educate school food service professionals about the availability of these recipes and a multitude of other free tools and resources for healthier school meals, the Alliance is announcing a new collaboration with the School Nutrition Association (SNA). The Alliance and SNA will work throughout the coming year to inform, educate and activate school food service professionals across the country through promotional campaigns, webinars, speaking engagements and educational materials – all with a goal of increasing the availability of healthier options to students in every school in the country.

"School nutrition professionals are constantly working to offer healthier choices to students, but we will always welcome a helping hand!" says Helen Phillips, SNS, president of the School Nutrition Association and senior director of School Nutrition for the Norfolk Public Schools (VA). "The programs and materials created by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, including these wonderful recipes from Rachael Ray, are great tools for SNA members working to improve school menus. We are excited to work with the Alliance on new national initiatives to support school food service professionals."

Mexi-Mac and Cheese

Here is an example of one of Ray's healthier school recipes. Take your mac and cheese south of the border! Students will love the flavors and kitchen staff will be surprised by the ease of preparation.

Serves 100

Ingredients:12 pounds whole grain rotini pastaWater6 pounds reduced-fat American cheese5 pounds reduced-fat cheddar cheese1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup vegetable oil1 gallon low-fat, low-sodium chicken stock1 gallon 1% milk1 #10 can low-sodium salsa5 pounds corn (frozen) or 2 #10 cans corn, drained1/4 cup chili powder1/8 cup nutmeg2 teaspoons black pepperTopping:6 cups reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese2 bunches fresh cilantro, cleaned thoroughlyDirections:

Cook pasta "al dente" (two minutes less than you would cook pasta for immediate serving) and cool following HAACP procedures one day prior to serving.On the stove in a medium sized sauce pot, make a roux* with the flour and oil. In a steam kettle on medium heat bring the milk to a simmer, add the roux and mix thoroughly.As the milk thickens, add the chicken stock. When this thickens to a medium consistency, add the cheese slowly mixing well to incorporate it into the milk.Add the salsa, corn, chili powder and nutmeg. Cook for 10 minutes. Add the pasta and mix well to coat in sauce. Season with black pepper to taste.Transfer to three 2-inch deep serving pans and top with 2 cups cheddar cheese each. Bake in oven at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes. Before serving, add cilantro to top of pan as garnish. Cover and hold according to HAACP Hot Food Holding Guidelines.

*To make a roux, cook equal parts flour and oil until they are blended to a paste-like consistency.

More on school lunches

What's wrong with school meals?
Home packed lunches banned at Chicago school
No peanut butter in your school? Understand the bans