Memorable Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer but for me, it's a time to pause and remember those who have given their all so that we might enjoy the freedoms that are often taken for granted in the daily routine of life.

 

 

In church this weekend, we'll be singing My Country,Tis of Thee. It's such a simple song that I've sung since childhood but the words still ring true:

 

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing:

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the Pilgrims'Pride,

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring.

 

With a grateful heart, I say thank-you.

                                                                   
                                                                 God Bless America !
                                                        

Bessie's Home Makeover

It's no wonder that Bessie is smiling--- her home at Dairy Makes Sense just got a new makeover!
Her new place has all kinds of interesting rooms filled with nutrition facts,health and fitness information, introductions to some of the Midwest dairy farmers, and all kinds of nutritious,delicious dairy recipes.

I'm celebrating Bessie's Home Makeover with   Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad (found at Dairy Makes Sense). Looks like a perfect fit for a holiday weekend or busy  summertime schedule!


Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups(10 ounces) low-fat lemon flavored yogurt
2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breasts
3/4 cup sliced celery (about 3 stalks)
1/2 cup green onions (about 6), thinly sliced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced (about 1/2 medium pepper)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and mayonnaise. Mix in blueberries (saving a few for garnish) chicken,celery, green onions and bell pepper. Mix gently. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate to let flavors blend for at least 30 minutes.

Serve over endive or other salad greens with reserved blueberries and lemon slices, if desired.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for the many men and women who have served our country to protect our freedoms. While Ryan's Dad was serving in Japan during World War II, Ryan's mother was home taking care of the farm.

 

 

 

 

I'm thankful for the sacrifices each of them made during their lifetime to protect and preserve our country and family farm heritage. 

 

Future of Food 2013

Just a few weeks ago, I spent a couple of mornings giving University of Arkansas students a tour of our dairy farm. I love sharing how we work every day (that's 24/7,holidays and weekends) to produce a safe and healthy product. Part of the tour includes explaining and showing how we work to protect the environment and utilize all our resources. It's science and technology that drive efficiency today and the future of our food production system.

                     

It's a fact that one of the greatest challenges of the next generation will be providing nutritious,affordable food to a global population expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050--while using fewer resources. Dairy foods are key to healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet.

Discussion of the Future of Food is vital to all of us--consumers and farmers. One of these discussions is being hosted by the National Dairy Council and Washington Post Live in Washington,D.C. tomorrow (May 22) beginning at 7:30 CST. You can join in the conversation using the twitter hashtag #ThinkFood or watch Future of Food online.

                                                                            
                                                                      #ThinkFood

May Days on the Dairy

 

On top of the daily chores of milking and caring for our dairy cattle, May is busy with harvesting spring crops, preparing to mow hay and plant silage crops. Busy May days often feel like what I call  tail chasing days on the dairy farm--which job should we tackle first because everything needs to be done at the same time!

 

 

 

As I walk from the house to the calf hutches, I'm calmed and refreshed as I enjoy the beauty of May.

 

 

 

Old fashioned flowers like these iris are a beauty to behold in the month of May!

 

 

 

There's nothing like May Days on the Dairy!

 

 

 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

Tuesday morning found me celebrating with students   from Arkansas,Missouri and Oklahoma for the difference they have made in their schools by participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. The day was filled with fun activities to reward their successful participation  to motivate other students to

 "Eat healthy,get active and make a difference.".

 

The morning started with a 'get moving' activity,

 

 

a test of nutrition knowledge with lunch tray relay,

 

 

 motivational talks  by NFL referee Walt Coleman and retired NFL player Steve Conley,

 

                                                and lots of smiles and pictures to take home.

                                                         As a dairy farmer,mom and nurse,
     I'm thankful for the difference that Fuel Up To Play 60 is making in the health of our children.

Fuel Up To Play 60 Fast Facts

Have you heard of Fuel Up to Play 60?  As a dairy farmer, I'm pretty pumped up about this in-school  program that encourages kids to choose nutrient-rich foods first and get out and play at least 60 minutes every day. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a direct response to dairy farmers' concerns that many U.S. children are overweight and undernourished.

Midwest Dairy Council states these top 10 fast facts:

Fuel Up To Play 60 Is...

1. An in-school program offered to all U.S. schools at no cost
2. Part of wellness efforts in more than 72,000 schools across the U.S.,including more than 10,000 in the Midwest
3. Founded by the National Dairy council and the NFL, in cooperation with the USDA.
4. Designed to empower students to choose nutrient-rich foods, such as low-fat dairy foods, fruits,vegetables and whole grains, and get out and play at least 60 minutes everyday
5. Led by students, and guided by adult school leaders
6. Motivated by research that says well-nourished and physically active students have stronger academic achievement
7. Customaizable through downloadable resources,tools and in-school promotional materials, plus fun incentives and rewards
8. Endorsed by Action for Healthy Kids,American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association,National Hispanic Medical Association,National Medical Association,School Nutrition Association,U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,and U.S. Department of Education
9. Aligned with First Lady Michelle Obama's childhood obesity platform, "Let's Move"
10. Complementary to other school wellness initiatives,including the USDA's Healthier U.S. School Challenge

You can find more information about the program and how your school  can become involved at Fuel Up to Play 60.