Fruits & Vegetables and Health Care

Linda Paul

Mr. Southern and I are watching C-SPAN for the coverage on the Health Care bills- one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) political topics in the United States right now. While I'm not about to jump into the middle of the debate with my lovely readers, I wanted to share a fascinating program I discovered last Fall at one of my Produce conventions (attended for work).

Image via Daily Dose of Imagery

The program? Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). In short, the program uses funding to disseminate research results from the Department of Agriculture and to help low-income families and individuals learn how to purchase and prepare healthy dishes. EFNEP is available in all 50 states and 6 US territories.

via Boggy Creek Farm

What I find amazing is the great cost:benefit ratio this program has, when looking at the cost of the program versus and the benefit of reduced health care costs. In California, for example, $1 invested in nutrition education yielded between $3.67 and $8.34 in health care savings (research by Amy Block Joy, George Goldman, and Vijay Pradhan). See Research Studies of the EFNEP.

via UMassVegetable.org

95% of adults reached through the program reported improved diet, including the equivalent of one additional cup of fruits and vegetables. To learn more about the program, visit here.

While there were significant improvements in the consumption of fruits and veggies, most adults in the study remained below recommended levels. I would bet that many of our fruit and veggie intakes are below the recommended levels... and I'd also guess that it is not due to lack of access or economic hardship.

via Chloe'sBlog

Honestly, I have to stop and say, what the hell am I doing!? Yes, I'm still going to enjoy a few bad-for-me things (for example, I LOVE the improved chocolate:peanut butter ratio in the Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs--> less chocolate, more peanut butter). But I must do a better job of planning out meails to ensure that I enjoy more fresh produce. Because it's yummy and good for me! (Remember, in the study mentioned above, $1 spent in eductation about food yielded a roughly $4-$8 reduction in health care costs. I know what I need to eat.... what would happen if I actually did it all the time!?)

And because I care about y'all, I'd like to encourage you to up the number of fresh fruits and veggies you eat as well. Not because I'm so good at it, or on a soap box... just because it's good for you!

via Lost Forest After Dark

Have a great start to the week!

Emmie

The Twin Cities: Two Much of a Good Thing

So I mentioned I"m up in the Great White North as I jokingly call this place. I'm up in Minneapolis, Minnesota- a city I moved to after I graduated grad school. While I'm thrilled to be out of the cold (mostly) and back South, I have very fond memories of this place. First of all, it represented my first big move by myself and some sense of my claim for independence. (Of course, I then left my city and my job to move to Atlanta for Mr. Southern, so there goes my whole Independent Woman schpiel. But, I did make the choice and am happy I did.)

For those who have never ventured to Minneapolis or St. Paul, you may be recalling movies like Fargo (which was actually filmed, in part, in Minneapolis). Or perhaps Grumpy Old Men. While there's a nugget of truth in these films, the reality is a much more diverse- and engaging- cultured town. With so many large companies based in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, the Twin Cities are rather cosmopolitan. Great dining, great art (including theatre), and great shopping.

For example, when you think outdoor sculpture, do you envision the Spoon Bridge and Cherry? That's here in Minneapolis.

Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen at the Walker Art Museum (a fabulous museum, by the way).

Tonight, I took my team to the first Coal Fired Pizza joint in Minneapolis- Black Sheep Pizza- and got to walk through my old stomping grounds, The Warehouse District (aka North Loop). I, in fact, lived on the third floor of the building of The Black Sheep (side note: so glad they were not there when I lived in the building, or I would have gained 20 pounds, easily.)

With the cities' Midwest "sensibilties" you might be quick to assume much of the Design in this area is bungalow or craftsman style. And there is a good bit of that around town (and I LOVE it! Especially when envisioning a warm and cozy home in the cold cold winter. )

Bungalow Club

Minneapolis Real Estate

Minneapolis Real Estate

But there are some very sleek loft spaces here too. For example, Andrew Flesher's Minneapolis loft, featured in Loft Living and Apartment Therapy.

Others, like these:

They also have some "crazy" Modern updates too, similar to what we see in Atlanta (and I do not mean this in a pejorative way at all).

Midwest Home

So I can't say "Twin Cities" and omit St. Paul, though I don't know St. Paul as well. What I can tell you is that I would ADORE a house on Summit Avenue, reportedly a site of refuge for some of the Chicago gangsters of the early 1900s. Regardless, let's take a look.... (photos from real estate listings).

295 Summit

266 Summit

476 Summit

251 Summit

807 Summit

955 Summit

For more great homes, and the source of the photos from Jennifer Kirby, please visit Minneapolis- St. Paul Luxury Real Estate.

And I have to give a shout-out to my relatives, though we've sadly lost touch over the years- at The Grethen House- (visit their blog here) THE source for cutting edge, quality fashion. The company was started by my Grandmother's sister, Greta, and is run by my grandmother's niece (Greta's daughter). HUGE honor.

And lastly, a personal note. I mentioned leaving my job and heading South for Mr. Southern. I know that once one gets married, all the other little anniversaries fall by the wayside, but I had to mention that two years ago tonight, Mr. Southern asked me to marry him (after he asked for the blessing of my mom and stepdad, as well as daddy and stepmom). I love him so much and am so thankful he's a part of my life. I miss you sweetie and can't wait to see you Thursday! :-)

-Emmie