This is your source for healthy food news and events in the Cedar Rapids area during the coming week.
Cedar Rapids moves forward in the Blue Zones selection process.
On February 10, Cedar Rapids moved one step closer to being named a Blue Zones demonstration site with the announcement that it was among 11 Iowa communities selected to host site visits as part of the Iowa Blue Zones Project. The project is a key component of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. It will apply the lessons of the world's longest-lived cultures (the "Blue Zones") across the state in an effort to improve the overall health and well-being of all Iowans. The Blues Zones Project Team will select ten demonstration sites to serve as models for the rest of the state. These communities will receive expert support in making environmental, policy and social changes to promote healthier behaviors among their residents. The site visits, which will begin later this month and continue into March, will give the Project Team an opportunity to assess firsthand the finalist communities' readiness for transformation. After the site visits have concluded, the Project Team will select three to four communities to serve as the initial demonstration sites. These first sites will be announced in May.
On February 10, Cedar Rapids moved one step closer to being named a Blue Zones demonstration site with the announcement that it was among 11 Iowa communities selected to host site visits as part of the Iowa Blue Zones Project. The project is a key component of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. It will apply the lessons of the world's longest-lived cultures (the "Blue Zones") across the state in an effort to improve the overall health and well-being of all Iowans. The Blues Zones Project Team will select ten demonstration sites to serve as models for the rest of the state. These communities will receive expert support in making environmental, policy and social changes to promote healthier behaviors among their residents. The site visits, which will begin later this month and continue into March, will give the Project Team an opportunity to assess firsthand the finalist communities' readiness for transformation. After the site visits have concluded, the Project Team will select three to four communities to serve as the initial demonstration sites. These first sites will be announced in May.
The first round of finalists include Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Davenport, Mason City, Muscatine, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Spencer, and Waterloo. The Project Team will announce a second round of finalists in March from among communities with a population of less than 10,000. Site visits for these smaller communities will occur in April and May, with additional demonstration sites announced over the summer.
Planning meeting on Friday, February 17: If you would like to help plan for the upcoming site visit, attend the next meeting of the Blue Zone Cedar Rapids group on Friday, February 17, at 9:00 a.m., in the Club Room at Edgewood Road Hy-Vee, Cedar Rapids.
Local culinary events this week.
Celebrate Valentine's Day all week long with these area culinary events.
Celebrate Valentine's Day all week long with these area culinary events.
Valentine's Day Pre-Fixe Dinner
Sunday, February 12, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cedar Ridge Winery, 1441 Marak Road, Swisher
Reserve a table in the elegant tasting room at Cedar Ridge Winery and celebrate the holiday early with a bottle of wine of your choice, an appetizer, two prime rib dinners and shared dessert. $75 for two. Seats are limited. Call 319-857-4300 for reservations.
Sunday, February 12, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cedar Ridge Winery, 1441 Marak Road, Swisher
Reserve a table in the elegant tasting room at Cedar Ridge Winery and celebrate the holiday early with a bottle of wine of your choice, an appetizer, two prime rib dinners and shared dessert. $75 for two. Seats are limited. Call 319-857-4300 for reservations.
Zins Valentine's Day Tasting Menu
Tuesday, February 14, seatings starting at 5:00 p.m.
227 2nd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids
Enjoy a special Valentine's day menu featuring chocolate in each course with wine pairings. $50 per person. Reserve by calling 319-363-9467.
Tuesday, February 14, seatings starting at 5:00 p.m.
227 2nd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids
Enjoy a special Valentine's day menu featuring chocolate in each course with wine pairings. $50 per person. Reserve by calling 319-363-9467.
Valentine's Day at The Hotel at Kirkwood
Tuesday, February 14, seatings starting at 5:00 p.m.
The Hotel at Kirkwood, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids
Enjoy a romantic four-course dinner with your valentine in the beautiful dining room at the Hotel at Kirkwood. $50 per person. Reserve by calling 319-848-8777.
Tuesday, February 14, seatings starting at 5:00 p.m.
The Hotel at Kirkwood, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids
Enjoy a romantic four-course dinner with your valentine in the beautiful dining room at the Hotel at Kirkwood. $50 per person. Reserve by calling 319-848-8777.
Blind Wine Tasting
Thursday, February 16, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Benz Beverage Depot, 501 7th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids
Try wines from around the world as you test your palate. See if you can tell the difference between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay or a Merlot and a Malbec. Cost is $10; receive 10% off any purchase. RSVP by calling 319-365-2556 or on-line at benzbeveragedepot.com.
Thursday, February 16, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Benz Beverage Depot, 501 7th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids
Try wines from around the world as you test your palate. See if you can tell the difference between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay or a Merlot and a Malbec. Cost is $10; receive 10% off any purchase. RSVP by calling 319-365-2556 or on-line at benzbeveragedepot.com.
A Tuscan Winter Meal with Chef Denise Bushnell
Thursday, February 16, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Hy-Vee Cooking and Lifestyle School, 5050 Edgewood Road NE, Cedar Rapids
Surprise your valentine by signing up the two of you for a cooking class and then use your new knowledge to create a romantic dinner at home. Personal Chef Denise Bushnell will share a meal she enjoyed as a culinary intern in the Tuscan region of Italy. Learn how to make Bruschetta ai Fagioli Cannelloni, potato gnocchi, and the house Bolognese recipe from a little inn in Luca, Italy. You will sample the dishes and wine pairings and take home the recipes. Cost is $20 per person. Pre-registration required. Call 319-378-0762.
Thursday, February 16, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Hy-Vee Cooking and Lifestyle School, 5050 Edgewood Road NE, Cedar Rapids
Surprise your valentine by signing up the two of you for a cooking class and then use your new knowledge to create a romantic dinner at home. Personal Chef Denise Bushnell will share a meal she enjoyed as a culinary intern in the Tuscan region of Italy. Learn how to make Bruschetta ai Fagioli Cannelloni, potato gnocchi, and the house Bolognese recipe from a little inn in Luca, Italy. You will sample the dishes and wine pairings and take home the recipes. Cost is $20 per person. Pre-registration required. Call 319-378-0762.
Area farmers' markets this week.
Grant Wood Market Place
Saturday, February 18, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Grant Wood Elementary School, 1930 Lakeside Drive, Iowa City
Grant Wood Market Place
Saturday, February 18, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Grant Wood Elementary School, 1930 Lakeside Drive, Iowa City
Springville Indoor Winter Farmers' Market
Saturday, February 18, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Community Center, 265 Broadway Street, Springville
Saturday, February 18, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Community Center, 265 Broadway Street, Springville
What's in season now.
In early February, look for lettuce and spinach from local Iowa growers.
In early February, look for lettuce and spinach from local Iowa growers.
Healthy eating tip of the week.
February is American Heart Month. Last week we examined the underlying causes of heart disease: high cholesterol, oxidation, and inflammation, and learned the foods that help prevent these conditions. This week we look at the foods that contribute to heart diesase and how to avoid them.
February is American Heart Month. Last week we examined the underlying causes of heart disease: high cholesterol, oxidation, and inflammation, and learned the foods that help prevent these conditions. This week we look at the foods that contribute to heart diesase and how to avoid them.
Added sugars: Added sugars have gotten a lot of attention lately, with calls to regulate and tax products made with high frustose corn syrup like they were cigarettes and alcohol. The sugar detractors are not without their reasons: our sugar consumption has tripled in the last 50 years leading to the obesity and diabetes epidemics. Added sugars also put people at greater risk of heart disease. Avoid sugary soft drinks and fruit juices. Check the labels on processed foods to make sure sugar and all its pseudonyms (corn sweetener and generally anything ending in "ose") do not appear near the top of the ingredient list.
Saturated fats: Saturated fats raise LDL (bad) cholesterol, which causes plaque to build up in the arteries. Your daily intake of these bad fats, found in animal products, should be no more than five percent of your total calories. That would be 12.5 grams for a 150 pound person or 16.5 grams for someone weighing 200 pounds. Limit saturated fat by going meatless one or two days a week, eating lean meats on the other days and choosing low-fat dairy products.
Trans fats: Trans fats raise your LDL and lower HDL (good) cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that you limit trans fats to less than two grams per day. Read food labels and avoid foods listing hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil in the ingredients. These are found in processed foods like packaged snack foods, crackers, and baked goods.
Salt: Salt raises blood pressure and should be avoided by those with high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes. Salt lurks in processed foods. Limit it by eating more whole foods and looking for low sodium options when buying canned goods and other prepared foods. Don't cook with salt; instead, season the finished dish with a sprinkle of coarse salt for a burst of flavor.
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and a happy and healthy week ahead.
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