Marching to Good Health

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, March 11th, 2010

March is full of food-related holidays and events! It’s a good time to become more aware of the food you ingest and shed off those pounds you gained during Snowmageddon.

Yesterday (March 10) was Registered Dietitian Day.

Today, March 11, is National Kidney Day.  Free Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) screenings will occur until May in DC.  Other states also provide free screenings.

March is National Kidney Month and National Caffeine Awareness Month.   

Coincidence? I think not. There have been several studies linking coffee to poor kidney function.  The Caffeine Awareness Association website allows you to calculate your caffeine intake and find out the effects of caffeine withdrawal syndrome.  Visit the Kidney Kitchen to learn recipes for people with Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease. You can thank a dietitian and nutritionist for that recipe!

March is also National Nutritional Month, which is sponsored by the American Dietetic Association.  This year’s theme is “Nutrition From the Ground Up.”  Considering Virginia ranks as the 28^th fattest state in the nation, maybe we should take the time to learn about eating healthy and exercising.

National Ag Week is next week, March 14-20. 

March 20 is National Agricultural Day, the first day of spring.

On March 18 you can participate in three ag-related events in Washington, DC: Coffee with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon, and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner.

Agriculture is the largest industry within Virginia.  It accounts for 432,000 jobs and revenue of $55 billion each year.  Virginia exports about $2.22 billion worth of agricultural products annually.

Celebrate agriculture by learning where food, clothes, and fuel come from.  Talk to your children about the importance of agriculture, take the time to get to know your local farmer, or join Virginia Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and try new vegetable varieties. Or check out some books or films on food. Just go easy on the popcorn!

World Water Day is March 22. World Water Week is March 21-27, which coincides with Virginia Wine Week.  Don’t they say wine flows like water?

It’s also celery, peanut, flour, noodle, sauce, and frozen food month. Whatever you fancy, there’s a lot to celebrate this month.

–Aisha Salazar

Tags: Aisha Salazar, community supported agriculture, Gut Check, health, holidays, National Ag Day, National Caffeine Awareness Month, National Kidney Month, National Nutrition Month, Northern Virginia Magazine, Registered Dietitian Day, World Water Day