The Stroke Belt region of the United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It shouldn’t be a surprise that the different regions of the U.S. have different dietary patterns and different regional flavors and foods.  But can the place you live drive the food you eat and seriously impact your health?  A research team funded by the National Institutes of Health and General Mills set out to answer that question with the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Difference in Stroke (REGARDS) study.

There is a portion of the U.S. called the stroke belt or stroke alley. This area, located in the Southeastern U.S., is comprised of the 11 states listed below:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia

For some reason, this region has an abnormally high rate of stroke and some other forms of cardiovascular disease.  The cluster was first recognized in 1962 by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  To date, despite investigating several possible links, there is no definitive answer as to the root cause of the higher incidence of strokes in this region.

The REGARDS program is designed to look at look at why there are differences in stroke rates that follow racial and regional lines.  As part of that program, a group of researchers led by Dr. Suzanne Judd from the University of Alabama-Birmingham studied the dietary patterns of people from around the country to see if any patterns emerged that offered insight into the stroke belt phenomenon.  The results of that study were presented earlier this year at the Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism Scientific Sessions.

The research team found that across the 20,000+ participants, there were 5 consistent dietary patterns that emerged.

1. The Southern Pattern which features a significant amount of fried food, processed meat, and sugar sweetened beverages is most commonly eaten by men, African-Americans, people who make less than $35,000/year, and people without a college degree.
2. The Traditional Pattern which features foods generally categorized as ethnic like Chinese, Mexican, pasta, pizza, and soup is most common amongst people between the ages of 45 and 54.
3. The Healthy Pattern which is made up of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
4. The Sweets Pattern which features excessive sweet snacks and desserts.
5. The Alcohol Pattern which is comprised of protein, coffee, salad, and alcohol and only occurs in people making more than $75,000/year.

The team didn’t go into the dietary pattern research with any real assumptions or hypothesis.  Instead, they gathered the data and let it tell its own story.  The emergence of such consistent clear patterns shows the importance of understanding how region can impact diet and the role diet plays in overall health.  In future research efforts, the team will dig deeper into how region of birth and where you are raised influences your diet.

Here in Arizona, we can fill our plates with healthy choices from local farmers. Check out any of our local farmer’s markets for locally grown fruits and vegetables. Also, check out our local cattle farmers to find your choice of organically raised beef.

Related articles

• 5 Dietary Patterns Most Americans Fit Into (webmd.com)
• The ‘Stroke Belt’: Why Is Stroke Risk Higher in the Southeast? (everydayhealth.com)

One of the many great things about living in Arizona is the abundant access to locally grown produce almost all year round.  As we move into May, the farmer’s markets and grocery store bins are full of some of the best that Arizona has to offer.

Here is a look at what’s in season right now and what you can do to make the most of these fresh, fantastic seasonal foods.

Apricots

• Apricot Appetizers
• Jeweled Rice with Medjool Dates

Arugula 

• Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad
• Quinoa, Beet, and Arugula Salad

Beets

• Beets with Onions and Cumin
• Golden Beet, Fennel, and Avocado Salad

Blackberries

• Crunchy Berry Parfait
• Zesty Fruit Salad

Carrots

• Carrot Bread
• Isabell Rousseau’s Carrot Salad

Cucumbers

• Cucumber Sandwiches
• Melon Cucumber Salad

Garlic

• Calabacitas
• Lentils and Smoked Turkey

Leeks

• Chilled Potato, Leek, and Beet Soup
• Penne with Swiss Chard and Leeks in Cream Sauce

Lettuce

• Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Crunchy Apple Salad

Nectarines

• Nectarine Upside Down Cake
• BBQ Pork Salad with Summer Fruits and Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Onions

• Black Bean and Goat Burger Chili
• Chicken Breasts with Cheese and Chilies

Peaches

• Peach Paradise
• Halibut with Zesty Peach Salsa

Peas

• My Mother’s Egg Foo Yung
• Garbanzos with Fennel

Potatoes

• Creamy Potatoes
• Frittata with Bacon and Potatoes

Radishes

• Join the Party Salad
• Braised Radishes

Spinach

• Chicken Picatta
• Lemon Spinach

Summer Squash

• Grilled Summer Squash
• Summer Squash Casserole

Tomatoes

• Armenian Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Greek Shrimp with Feta Cheese

Zucchini

• Classic Minestrone Soup
• Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Blossoms

• Crispy Zucchini Blossoms
• Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Related articles

• What’s In Season in April? (fillyourplate.org)
• Better Living Through Beets (fillyourplate.org)
• 4 Great Ideas for Easter Dinner (fillyourplate.org)

Salad dinner, again (Photo credit: freddy)

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month and organizations around the country will be working to raise awareness about the condition and how those who have it have learned to live with it.  Celiac disease causes damage to the lining of the small intestine by creating an abnormal immune system reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and anything made with or from those products.  The damage makes it difficult for people with this condition to absorb the food they need in order to be healthy.  People with celiac disease must generally adhere to a gluten-free diet, which can be much harder than it sounds.

Let’s take a look at a typical weeknight dinner and determine what would have to change in order for that meal to be gluten-free (g-free).

Dinner starts with a Green Salad that calls for you to pick your own dressing.  You may be thinking that with only veggies and salad dressing this starter is a g-free slam dunk.  You might be right, but you might also be wrong; it completely depends on the salad dressing you choose.  This highlights one of the things that can make adhering to a g-free diet so difficult; there is gluten hiding in places you would never suspect.  Check the ingredients of any salad dressing you are looking to put on your salad against the Unsafe G-Free Ingredient List at Celiac.com.

You could also skip the Salad Dressing all together and replace it with the Country Garden Salad instead, just be sure to make your dressing with g-free mayo.

For our main course, we are serving Beef Stroganoff.  This is a great example of how you may have to swap out an entire entrée to get to a g-free dinner.  Although the stroganoff can be served over pasta or potatoes, it doesn’t really matter since there is already gluten in the sauce.  Your best bet here is to swap to a new recipe like Hearty Hamburger Stew and avoid the issue entirely.  You can also purchase g-free flour specifically made to replace wheat flour in recipes and create a g-free Stroganoff

We definitely need some side dishes for this g-free meal and vegetables are always a good bet.  First, let’s have Creamy Potatoes which may be g-free from the get go, but you won’t know until you check the ingredients on the label of the cream of chicken soup.  If the soup is g-free, you have yourself a solid side dish.  If not, look for a replacement or use additional sour cream or plain yogurt to enhance the creaminess without introducing gluten.   Our second side dish is Garlic Roasted Summer Squash and doesn’t need a single change to make it on tonight’s g-free menu.

For dessert, most cookies, cakes, and pies are out of the question unless they are specific created using g-free ingredients, but this doesn’t mean you can’t have any dessert.  Serve up a scrumptious dish of Sauteed Apples and your family can finish off their g-free meal in style.

Related articles

• 8 Tricks to Going Gluten Free for the Holidays (fillyourplate.org)
• The Battle Over Veggies: 4 Creative Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat More (fillyourplate.org)
• Obesity Epidemic: Supermarkets are Making It Easier to Eat Healthy (fillyourplate.org)

By Peggy Jo Goodfellow, Arizona Farm Bureau

The Arizona Agriculturalist Speakers’ Bureau is a non-profit program aimed at educating you and me about safe, affordable and locally grown food.

These farmers and ranchers are ready to share their story and their passion for agriculture:

• Enjoy a face-to-face presentation from a farmer or rancher from your area.
• Learn about agriculture and dispel any concerns you may have about food safety.
• Our speakers work in some form of agriculture everyday so they have first hand knowledge of their topics.

And it’s free!  We ask the groups to reimburse speakers’ travel expenses only.

For more information, contact Peggy Jo Goodfellow at 480.635.3609 or 480-390-6708

Related articles

• A Picture of Arizona Agriculture (fillyourplate.org)
• Arizona Farmers Reach Out to Consumers during Food Check-Out Week (fillyourplate.org)
• Farmers, Ranchers Contribute to Needy Families Across America (fillyourplate.org)

Food types likely to cause allergic reactions in adults in Sweden: drupe, cheese, nuts, wine, apples, and shellfish. Svenska: Födoämnen som ofta utlöser överkänslighetssymtom hos vuxna i Sverige: stenfrukter, ost, nötter, vin, äpplen och skaldjur. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

More so than at any other time in our collective memory, food allergies are a topic of conversation from the national news channels to the elementary school cafeteria.  Peanut butter, that staple of brown bag lunches for the last two generations of American children is all but banned from schools now because of the danger to other students with peanut allergies.

This isn’t just because we are suddenly taking food allergies, like those to peanuts, more seriously.  It’s because there are so many more people that are developing food allergies.   If we look at peanut allergies as an example, research shows that the incidence of peanut allergies in children tripled between 1997 and 2008.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the incidence of food allergies during that same time frame increased by 18%.

The week spanning from May 8-14 is Food Allergy Awareness Week and the organizers hope to help raise awareness about these potentially fatal conditions.   By increasing awareness, we can increase the number of people who know how to identify the signs of an allergic reaction and how to respond if it happens.  This knowledge can literally save someone’s life and is just as important as knowing CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.  Awareness also helps those without food allergies remember how important it can be to let others know if food you are serving contains common allergens.

There are 8 foods that account for 90% of all food allergies.  Allergies to milk, eggs, soy, and wheat often resolve during childhood although the rate of disappearance seems to be decreasing.  Allergies to fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and peanuts are generally lifelong allergies.   A food allergy is basically a faulty response by the body’s immune system which results in an attack on a protein in the food.  Allergic reactions to food can range from itchy and hives to trouble breathing and anaphylactic shock.

The only way to avoid an allergic reaction to a certain type of food is to completely avoid that food.  This is why it is so important to post the ingredients of anything you take to a pot luck or buffet dinner or that you plan to sell at a bake sale.  If you work in a school or day care setting where you interact with children that have food allergies, get trained on the use of an Epinephrine or Epi Pen so you can respond quickly in the event of an emergency.   Always remember that allergic reactions can be fatal and regardless of treatment given or the proximity to the hospital, you should always call 911 and have emergency responders come to the person having the allergic reaction.

One way you can show your support for Food Allergy Awareness Week during that week and after that week is to decide you will only provide food for sharing that is free of the 8 most common foods that cause allergies.  To help you, here are a few recipes that do not include any of these foods.

• Cucumber Delight
• Balsamic London Broil
• Black Bean and Goat Burger Chili
• Citrus Marinated Grilled Turkey
• Lemon Rosemary Lambchops
• Molasses Marinated Beef Tenderloin
• Garlic Sautéed Swiss Chard
• Oven Fried Sweet Potatoes
• Arizona Melon Dessert
• Medjool No Bake Date Roll (just keep the whip cream on the side)

Related articles

• Do allergies actually benefit your health? (fox13now.com)
• How to Get Your Kids to Eat More Vegetables (fillyourplate.org)
• 54+ Apps for the Foodie on the Go (fillyourplate.org)

Although Cinco de Mayo festivities occur in many parts of the U.S. and are treated as celebrations of Mexican heritage and culture, Cinco de Mayo isn’t as is commonly believed, Mexican Independence Day.  Here in Arizona, people everywhere are ramping up for a celebration that is too big to be contained in a single day.  There are lots of things to do around the state and lots of great food and drinks to sample.  Here are some of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations happening around the state.

• Blues, Bruise, and BBQs Cinco de Mayo Celebration at the Arizona Soccer Complex in Phoenix – This all day event begins at 10 AM and features a 5K, a martial arts competition, live music, and fabulous food and drink.
• Cinco de Mayo and Chihuahua Races in Chandler – This annual celebration features the Chihuahua race, pageant, and the crowning of the King and Queen of Chihuahua.
• Dirty 6 Mud Run in Chandler – With 2 distances, tons of obstacles, and a free mini-run tailor made for kids, this is an active Cinco de Mayo activity for the whole family.
• Cinco de Mayo Chili Pepper Painting Party at The Art of Merlot in Scottsdale – This unique event starts at 2PM, come celebrate Cinco de Mayo with chips, salsa, and paint.
• Salty Seniorita’s Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in Old Town, Peoria, and Mesa – All three locations will host celebrations featuring great food, cold drinks, and live music.
• El Mexcellente Cinco de Mayo Block Party in Tempe – Near the ASU Tempe campus and hosted by Canteen Tequila Bar and Fat Tuesday, this block party kicks off with live music beginning at 11 AM.
• Cinco de Mayo Cultural Festival in Phoenix – This two day event boasted 150,000 attendees in previous years and is a great way to spend the weekend and celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Don’t feel like going out?  Host your own Cinco de Mayo Celebration at home.  Make sure you have a ton of Margarita mix and check out these great recipes from Fill Your Plate that feature great Mexican and Southwestern flavors.

• Avocado Appetizer – Featuring spicy chilies and Arizona avocados, this appetizer is sure to get everyone in the mood for to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
• Corn and Black Bean Salsa – This tasty salsa mixes fresh roma tomatoes, red onion, avocados, corn, and cilantro to create the perfect dip for any kind of tortilla chip.
• Gilda’s Smothered Burritos – These delicious burritos are filled with beans, beef, and topped with a spicy sauce.
• Tamale Pie – Filled with fantastic Southwest ingredients like Arizona beef, green chilies, corn, and beans, this pie will be a star at any party.
• Sonoran Hamburgers and Sonoran Hot Dogs – The perfect blend of American favorites and Mexican flavors.
• Tostados – Steak, cheese, and sour cream atop tasty fried tortillas make the perfect meal for Cinco de Mayo.

Related articles

• Top Mexican Restaurants to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo (fillyourplate.org)
• Wine Country May Be Closer Than You Think (fillyourplate.org)
• 8 Great Ways to Celebrate Tortilla Chip Day (fillyourplate.org)

Baby back ribs (a.k.a. loin ribs, back ribs, or Canadian back ribs) are taken from the top of the rib cage between the spine and the spare ribs, below the loin muscle. The designation "baby" indicates the cuts are from market weight hogs, rather than sows. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pork has undergone a makeover elevating it from its long time role as chicken’s understudy on the dinner plate to a starring role of its own.  The Arizona Pork Council wants you to be inspired by “The Other White Meat” and see why pork is just as capable of stealing the show as beef or chicken.  In order to inspire you with all the wonderful and delicious things pork can do, they have a new website packed with everything you need to be inspired.

A Cut for Every Meal

There are such a wide variety of flavorful cuts available, it is a shame that many people only make use of the most common cuts- ham, bacon, and pork chops.  Often that is because the less familiar cuts leave home cooks uncertain about how best to cook them, what recipes they are great in, and safe cooking times and temperatures.  To help increase your confidence and inspire you to create new and delicious pork dishes, here is a breakdown of the most common cuts and creative ways each cut can fill your plate.   These and many other favorite pork recipes can be found on Fill Your Plate.

Fresh Pork Leg/Fresh Ham

This cut comes from the hind leg of the hog and unlike other ham, is not cured.  Available with or without bones, fresh pork leg can be cut into a rump, shank, and center portion in addition to the whole leg.

• Grilled San Antonio Leg of Pork
• Ginger Pork & Melon

Ham

Cured ham, which generally comes fully cooked, is one of the most common cuts of pork and needs no introduction.

• Spicy Ham and Black Bean Soup
• Ham and Potato Casserole

Canadian Bacon

Although it sounds similar, this cut is less like bacon than it is like ham and often used during breakfast.  It is fully cooked like ham, smoked, and comes from the loin in the middle of the back.

• Bacon Stuffed Shell Salad
• Canadian Bacon Pizza

Loin Roast

This cut can be purchased bone-in or deboned and comes from the area between the shoulder and the leg on the pig.  This cut is more flavorful when cooked with the bone and is best barbecued or roasted.

• Apple Pecan Tenderloin Medallions
• Mustard Crusted Pork Roast

Pork Ribs/Rack of Pork

Cut from the rib area of the loin, this cut is like a rack of lamb and can make a gorgeous centerpiece for any dinner.  Make sure you “French” the rack before roasting or ask your butcher to do it when ordering.

• Coriander and Cumin Roasted Rack of Pork
• Honey and Sage Roasted Rack of Pork

Back Ribs

Made famous in a jingle, baby back ribs, as these are also known, these come from the center section of the pork loin and are great for barbecuing and grilling.

• Adobo Marinated Ribs
• Asian-Flavored Baby Back Ribs

Tenderloin

This cut is from the pork loin part of the pig and can be cooked a variety of ways.  It has a mild flavor and works really well with spices, marinades, and rubs.

• Pork Loin Cutlets and Goat Cheese Apricot Stuffing
• Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions with Garlic-Mustard Butter

Related articles

• Celebrate National Pig Day (fillyourplate.org)
• It’s National Pork Month: Go Hog Wild! (fillyourplate.org)
• Fun Hot Dog Trivia For National Hot Dog Month (fillyourplate.org)

Joes Real BBQ (Photo credit: PhoenixREGuy)

Community Invited to Bring Donations of New or Gently Used Books to Support Loving Through Literacy

Joe’s Real BBQ is planning on giving away over 5,000 free meals during their annual Customer Appreciation Day Wednesday, May 2^nd, 2012.

What:   Free Barbecue Day & Book Drive

Where:  Joe’s Real BBQ

301 N. Gilbert Road

Gilbert, Arizona, 85234

www.JoesRealBBQ.com

When:  Wednesday, May 2^nd, 2012  11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM (Closed between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM)

Free meal includes:  

• Choice of a pulled pork or chicken breast sandwich
• Fresh homemade coleslaw, BBQ Pit Beans, and a drink.
• There will be children’s sized sandwiches available for the little ones

Rules: 

• Only one meal per person
• Must be present to receive free meal
• No take out
• No other menu items will be offered

Book Drive: 

The public is invited to bring new or gently used books for adult readers to donate to Loving Through Literacy, a Gilbert nonprofit dedicated to getting books and reading instruction to areas of the world where there is no access to either.  Book donation is not required to receive free meal.  For more information about Loving Through Literacy go to: http://www.lovingthroughliteracy.com.

Follow Joe’s Real BBQ for live updates on Twitter on the day of the event.  Our Twitter handle is @joesrealbbq.  Search for the hashtag #freebbqday.  We are also on Facebook.

History of Free Barbecue Day:

Free Barbecue Day has been an annual tradition since the year 2000 when owners Joe Johnston, Tim and Tad Peelen decided they wanted to do something special to give back to the community.   They have given away nearly 50,000 free meals on customer appreciation days at the BBQ alone, in addition to the November customer appreciation days at sister restaurant Joe’s Farm Grill.

About Joe’s Real BBQ:

Established in 1998 inside an historic 1929 brick building in downtown Gilbert, Arizona; Joe’s Real BBQ serves mouth watering barbecue – quality meats cooked slowly over smoky sweet pecan wood. People travel from all over the country to visit the award-winning hometown restaurant that has received national attention.

Joe’s Real BBQ has been named “Best Barbecue Restaurant” by the East Valley Tribune and “Best Pulled Pork in Phoenix” by Readers of Phoenix New Times.  They have also been featured in numerous publications including: Chef Paul Kirk’s America’s Best BBQ: 100 Recipes from America’s Best Smokehouses, Pits, Shacks, Rib Joints, Roadhouses, and Restaurants; Sunset Magazine, and Arizona Highways Television.

For more information go to:  http://www.joesrealbbq.com or email info@joesrealbbq.com.

American Farm Bureau Federation (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Labor Department on Thursday announced in a statement that it was withdrawing proposed rules that would have prevented many young people from working in agriculture.

Arizona Farm Bureau President Kevin Rogers is encouraged by the administration’s decision. “We applaud the administration’s decision to withdraw the rules so that our next generation can learn to farm,” says Rogers.

Arizona Farm Bureau, along with American Farm Bureau, will continue working on behalf of our members to ensure that the parental exemptions that remain important to agriculture will be protected, in addition to helping educate families about the importance of farm safety through its Safety Committee. This issue is of ongoing importance since more than 97% of America’s farms are family owned.

“We had members from across Arizona call their Washington delegation to ask for common sense in the Labor Department’s proposed rules,” says Rogers. “It’s heartening to see the process still can work and our farmers’ and ranchers’ voices were heard. The family unit will be able to function in business as many of our families do and family-owned businesses across the country traditionally do.”

Arizona Farm Bureau sent out an alert to its agriculture membership during the Labor Department’s rule making process asking members to let their voices be heard. “It’s a win for the youth in America too who maybe did not grow up on a farm but have an opportunity to participate in 4-H and FFA, two of our most valuable youth organizations. Yesterday’s decision was a win for family farms and a win for common sense.”

About Arizona Farm Bureau

The Arizona Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and improving the Arizona agriculture industry through member involvement in education, political activities, programs and services. As a member services organization, individuals can become a member by contacting the Farm Bureau. Go to www.azfb.org to learn more. For information on member benefits call (480) 635-3609.

The wine scene in Arizona is relatively new despite having a long history of regional winemaking that dates back to the Spanish missionaries in the 1700s, spanning only the last few decades.  As anyone knows, when it comes to wine, age is an important factor.  This is one reason many Arizona wines remain a well-kept secret; the industry hasn’t had time to establish the kind of status and notoriety that sends thousands and thousands of wine lovers to Napa Valley each year.  But that doesn’t mean you should discount the quality and variety of wine grown and aged at local vineyards across the state.

The Arizona Wine Growers Association says there are 45 licensed wineries in the state which only makes sense as parts of the state have ideal conditions for growing grapes. Several of those wine producers are on Fill Your Plate. There are currently three primary vineyard regions in the state, Verde Valley in the North, Sonoita and Elgin in the South, and the greater Wilcox area in the southeast.   The mixture of the dry hot climate of the desert and the cooler, more moderate temperatures at night found at the right elevation make for good grapes.

As we headed into April, we also headed into spring wine season where wineries and vineyards are rolling out the red carpet and welcoming wine lovers to festivals, open houses, and tastings.  For those who love wine, a trip to Arizona wine country can open your eyes to some of the fantastic wines made right here at home.   Check out some of these great events happening around the state in the next few weeks.

• The 34^th Blessing of the Sonoita Vineyard event will feature the blessing itself, winery tours, and wine tasting.  The event is planned for April 28^th in Elgin beginning at 10AM.
• The 11^th Annual Wine, WoMEN, & Jazz FUNdraiser is schedule to take place at the Arizona Culinary Institute in Scottsdale, April 28th from 4-6:30PM.   Join the fun and help raise money for the Arizona Women’s Partnership charities while partaking in delicious food, fine wine, and great music.
• The Prescott Fine Art and Wine Festival will celebrate its 26^th year on Mother’s Day, May 12-13 beginning at 9AM.  There is no cost to join the celebration which will feature wine, music, and shopping.

You can also enjoy a bottle of wonderful Arizona wine in the comfort of your own home.  Arizona Farm Bureau members Pillsbury Wine Company and Dos Cabezas Wineworks offer a selection of local wines that can be found in many retailers throughout the state.

Related Articles:

• 7 Things to Eat on a Stick (fillyourplate.org)
• 8 Great Ways to Celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day (fillyourplate.org)
• 2012 Food Trends to Fill Your Plate (fillyourplate.org)