Fun With Food

County Armagh Community Development (CACD), working with Safefood have been asked to deliver the Community Food Initiative in ABC and NM&DD Council Areas over the next two years. This will involve support on developing skills and knowledge that positively influence the eating habits and basic food skills among families/individuals in low income areas. Unfortunately we are unable to move forward with this project due to the Covid-19 pandemic but in the coming weeks we will provide some useful links to online articles which may be useful to those isolating at the moment.

Regional Nutrition Webinars - April

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Are you interested in finding out more about food and nutrition for yourself or your family? Dietitians are taking these online workshops throughout April. 

Free and open to all, be sure to put the dates in your diary – you don’t want to miss them!

Thursday 8th April, 4pm
Mealtime tips and fussy eating
Registration required, follow the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FussyEating-April or https://bit.ly/3uyQfLI

Tuesday 13th April, 11am
Top Tips for a Healthier Weight
https://tinyurl.com/Weight-Tips-April

Tuesday 20th April, 7-8pm
Fact or fiction: Nutrition myths and fad diets
https://tinyurl.com/Myths-April or https://bit.ly/3cXbQrg
Meeting ID: 503 933 1325
Passcode: 751441

Thursday 29th April, 10-11am
Introduction to Solids
https://tinyurl.com/Solids-April
Meeting ID: 971 6033 2128
Passcode: 154581 ​.

Regional Nutrition Webinars - May

Update on Community Food Initiative programme funded by safefood

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16/03/2021
Through a Community Food Initiative programme funded by safefood Co Armagh Community Development have been working with families from Gilford Nursery and Primary School to promote Healthy Eating

Just an update on the last 2 programmes delivered during February and March 2021.  Both programmes lasted for 4 weeks and had a nutritional and educational element along with a cooking challenge each week.
 
The facilitators for the Food Values sessions covered The Eatwell guide, nutritional information and spent time each week covering another topic such as Food safety, Saving the Pennies, Store cupboard staples, smart shopping and food labels. Parents were then challenged to cook recipes from scratch such as, Tomato and Lentil Sauce with Pasta, Store cupboard salad, Pizza and a Family Curry with ingredients being supplied each week.
 
The Good Food Tool Kit covered Healthy eating and the importance of physical activity, Salt, Food Labels and Low Income Shopping & Cooking.  Again each week the participants were given the opportunity to try out a recipe at home from the safefood website or the 101 square meals cookbook. The recipes were A Fresh Fruit Flan, Nevin's Chicken Korma, a Family Shepherd's Pie and a Chicken Spice Bag.
 
The feedback from the participants was very positive from both the information gained in the zoom sessions and from trying out the recipes. Different families enjoyed different recipes but overall the cooking element of the 2 programmes was an exciting moment each week. The children in each family wanted to be involved and that also encouraged them to try new flavours.
Everyone involved has said they will cook more from scratch and will remake a lot of the recipes provided.
 
Once again we would like to thank safefood for giving us the opportunity to deliver this programme through their Community Food Initiatives Programme. Also to the SHSCT team for their assistance in delivering the projects and to the parents and children of Gilford Nursery and Primary School for their enthusiasm in taking part.

We will taking the programme to other schools over the next few months.

​Transform your trolley

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www.safefood.net/Transform-your-trolley?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTLDsN1P4YAeWYJcqurrfeY6RHrqfI1nfx22t5Fn3fxSC1XFHun_CFsaAknWEALw_wcB15/03/2021

Transform your trolley with a healthier, balanced food shop
safefood and the Healthy Living Centre Alliance in Northern Ireland have teamed up to support families as they transform their trolley’s with a healthier, balanced food shop.
Planning your weekly shop is key to healthy eating. Without a shopping strategy you might come home with a more than you bargained for – leading to an unhealthy food shop and food waste.
We’ve developed this 12 step guide to meal planning and food shopping to help families make the small, practical changes needed for a healthier life.
1. Plan your meals and snacks for the week
Check what you have in the cupboards, fridge and freezer and only shop for what you need.  Remember to throw out food past its use-by date.
2. Make a shopping list
When you have completed your food plan for the week and checked your cupboards, make a shopping list. This will help you buy what you need and avoid impulse purchases.
3. Beware of special offers
A third of foods on special offer aren’t that good for you so unless they are on your list, walk by. Steer clear of temptation and avoid aisles where you know you’ll find it. 
4. Shop alone if you can
If you know pester power is an issue, try to avoid bringing children on the family shop.
5. Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry
Have a small snack like a piece of fruit or popcorn before you go shopping to help you make better choices and get to the checkout treat-free.
6. Don’t shop when you are tired or stressed
We tend to reach for the comfort foods to help us get through.  If it’s possible, try and pick a time and a day when you’re under less pressure to go food shopping.
7. Know your labels
You should choose foods lower in fat, added sugar and salt. Compare the labels of your favourite foods with similar products to buy the healthiest option. Also check use-by-dates to avoid buying food that will need to be used quickly.
8. Check that packaging
Don't buy food with damaged packaging so cans should be free from dents or bulges and packaging should be free from damage or leaks.
9. Get cold foods home fast
Take frozen and chilled foods straight home to the fridge and freezer and never leave food in a hot car.
10. Do a check before you checkout
Watch out for the treats and unplanned food items.  We get enough of those elsewhere without putting them in our shopping trolleys.
11. Bag your groceries safely
Pack cold foods together and separate raw meats, poultry and seafood from other foods. Also remember to clean reusable bags by putting them into the washing machine on a regular basis to keep them clean.
12. Plan for the journey home
Use a coolbag or coolbox to keep your groceries cold during the trip home, particularly in warm weather or if you have a long journey home

​https://www.safefood.net/Transform-your-trolley?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTLDsN1P4YAeWYJcqurrfeY6RHrqfI1nfx22t5Fn3fxSC1XFHun_CFsaAknWEALw_wcB
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What is 'junk' food?

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11/03/2021

'Junk' food is food that contains little or no nutritional value, but harmful amounts of salt, fat and sugar.
Some foods, such as cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks, sweets and crisps are high in fat, sugar and salt. They foods are usually low in vitamins, minerals and fibre. While these foods are enjoyable to eat, it is best to only have them occasionally and in small amounts.
If you are having some of these foods, stick to smaller, snack-sized versions. Check the label of similar foods and choose the option that is lower in fat, sugar and salt.
The following examples are about 100 calories:
  • about 4 squares of chocolate (half a bar)
  • 1 small or fun-sized chocolate coated bar
  • 1 bag of lower-fat crisps
  • 1 small cup cake (without icing)
  • 1 plain mini muffin
  • 2 plain biscuits or 1 chocolate biscuit
  • half a can or 200ml of sugary drink
  • 1 scoop of vanilla ice-cream
  •  half or 1 cereal bar - check the label for calories
  • 5-6 chips
If you are hungry between meals, try having some healthier snacks such as fresh fruit or a yoghurt instead. This will give you energy and keep you feeling full.
Healthy swaps
Crisps                                               
                          Low-fat crisps, rice cakes or popcorn

Chocolate                                         
                         Fun-sized chocolate bars

Biscuits
                       Low-fat or plain biscuits

Hot chocolate
                      Choose low-calorie hot chocolate or cocoa

Chips
                        Oven chips

Ice-cream
                        Low-fat frozen yogurt/ ice-cream/ ice-pops

Cream
                         Low-fat natural yogurt

Check out the top shelf fact sheet
Cereals, breads, potatoes, pasta and rice  |  Vegetables, salad and fruit  |  Milk, yogurt and cheese  |  Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts  | Fats, spreads and oils  | Food high in fat, sugar and salt

Are you Eating too much Salt in your diet?

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04/03/2021
Did you know our bodies only need small amounts of salt to be healthy?

Too much salt can raise your blood pressure and high blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke and heart disease.
Your body does need small amounts of salt to stay healthy – about four grams each day. At the very most, six grams - or one level teaspoon - is the limit. But research shows that most of us actually eat around nine grams of salt or more each day, more than twice the recommended amount.

To stay healthy, most of us need to cut down on the amount of salt we eat. It’s best to do it gradually so that your taste buds have a chance to get used to it. Over about six weeks, your taste buds will adjust and you’ll get used to less salty foods. Then you can start to really enjoy the natural flavours in your food!
Where does this salt come from?
  • 70%-80% of the salt we eat is from processed foods.
  • 20% is added to food during cooking or at the table.
  • ​10%-15% of the salt we eat is found naturally in food.
Easy ways to cut down on salt
  • Remove the salt cellar from your table.
  • Try different seasonings – black pepper, fresh herbs, spices, garlic or lemon juice add lots of flavour to food.
  • Keep ready-meals to a minimum.
  • Eat more lean cuts of meat and fish, like a pork chop, or chicken breast without the skin.
  • Cut down on salty meats such as bacon, gammon and ham.
  • Eat fewer processed meats like burgers, sausages, rashers or battered foods.
  • Make your own sauces - stock cubes, gravy granules and ready-made sauces are all very high in salt.
  • Avoid packet and tinned soups, instant noodles, ketchups and sauces, savoury snacks like crisps and salted nuts.
Check the label to find the lowest salt option
  • Foods are low in salt if the label says less than or equal to 0.3g salt per 100g.
  • ​Foods are high in salt if the label says greater than or equal to 1.5g salt/100g.
  • Look out for ‘no added salt’ on the label.

https://www.safefood.net/healthy-eating/salt
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safefood Community Food Initatives Programme

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23/02/2021

safefood was established in December 1999 as the Food Safety Promotion Board. It is one of six North/South Implementation Bodies established under the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and given legislative effect on the Island by the North/South Cooperation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, and the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999.

Funding is provided by the Oireachtas in the Republic of Ireland and by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Seventy per cent of the funding is provided by the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland, and the balance (thirty per cent) is provided by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
safefood's role is to promote food safety and provide nutritional advice on the island of Ireland in accordance with its legislative remit. They achieve this by building an evidence base of sound and authoritative science which we use to influence policy and to promote behaviour change in the overall interests of improved public health.

Through a Community Food Initiative programme funded by safefood Co Armagh Community Development have been working with families from Gilford Nursery and Primary School to promote Healthy Eating.

With the assistance of the Cook It Team from Southern Health and Social Care Trust we have taken a group of eight families through a six week Cook It programme when they learned the different food groupings in the Eatwell guide and were provided with ingredients to cook an appropriate meal based on what was learned that week. It was a great weekly boost during lockdown when the ingredients were picked up from the local Centre in
Gilford and the recipe brought out.

Children were encouraged to be involved with the preparation of the food and because of their involvement they were more keen to try the different flavours. Some recipes proved more popular than other others but most families got to try food and flavour they wouldn't normally use.
A second group of parents worked through a similar programme in an evening session and also had the opportunity to cook recipes taken from the safefood website (an excellent source for healthy recipes). Again ingredients were provided and the families worked together  to produce a nutritious family meal.

There are currently 2 projects still continuing through the school, a Four Week, Food Values course and a four week Good Food Tool Kit programme.
We would like to thank safefood for giving us the opportunity to deliver this programme, the SHSCT team for their assistance in delivering the projects and to the parents and children of Gilford Primary School for their enthusiasm in taking part.
We will taking the programme to other schools over the next few months.



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Pancake Tuesday - Fluffy or Crepe?

16/02/2021

Pancake Tuesday !
Time to practice your flipping skills.
Which do you prefer, Fluffy pancakes or crepes?
We have the perfect recipe for you:
https://www.safefood.net/recipes/pancakes-fruit-nuts-yoghurt
or
https://www.safefood.net/recipes/pancakes
Public Health Agency Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Breakfast sets us up for the day

10/02/2021
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Whether you’re an adult or a kid, breakfast is a really important to set up for the day. Make it part of your morning routine with our guide to a healthy breakfast: https://www.safefood.net/family-health/kids-breakfast

​Kitchen hygiene and food safety

08/02/2021

Did you know that rinsing a dishcloth does not remove germs?
Dishcloths need to be changed every 2 days.

For more on how to keep your kitchen clean: https://www.safefood.net/food-safety/kitchen-hygiene
Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland

Food and Nutrition Webinars

28/01/2021​
Are you interested in finding out more about food and nutrition for yourself or your family? Dietitians are taking these online workshops throughout February. Free and open to all, see details below:
• Mon 8th Feb, 10:30-11:30am: Weaning Webinar
https://tinyurl.com/weaning-feb Password: 388738
• Wed 10th Feb, 1-2pm: Food and Mood
https://tinyurl.com/foodmood-feb
• Tues, 16th Feb, 2-3pm: Healthy Diet, Healthier you
https://tinyurl.com/Health-Diet-Feb Password: 99086418
• Wed, 24th Feb, 16:00-17:00pm: Mealtime Tips and Fussy Eating. Registration required follow the link below!
https://tinyurl.com/FussyEating-FebClick 

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Meal Planning

15/01/2021
​Planning meals for the week is often the key to healthy eating. Follow our six step guide to meal planning and use our meal planners to get you started: 

https://www.safefood.net/how-to/meal-plan

​Food & Mood

03/01/2021
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Watch Cook it Dietitian Collette O'Brien explain the role that food and drink can play in shaping our mood and aspects of our health and wellbeing. 
​
The video can be watched here(link is external) (8 minutes and 50 seconds)

Nutrition Webinars - November

03/11/2020

Check out the Healthy Happy Kids: Feeding Under Fives Webinar
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Wed 11th Nov 12-1pm: HHK: Feeding Under 5s https://tinyurl.com/FUF-nov1
Thurs 12th Nov 6-7pm: Healthy Diet, Healthier You https://tinyurl.com/HDHY-nov1 Passcode: 531965
Tues 17th Nov 7.30-8.15pm: Fact or fiction: Nutrition Myths https://tinyurl.com/myths-nov1 Passcode: 452092
Wed 18th Nov 1-2pm: Food and Mood https://tinyurl.com/FoodMood-Nov
#teamSHSCT

World Food Day Friday 16th October

24/09/2020
World Food Day is coming up on Friday 16th October.
Take time to plan some new recipes and use it as a theme day for your family. Encourage a friend to do the same and hold a virtual meal together using your new recipes. Try some out from link below.
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https://www.foodforlife.org.uk/get-togethers/get-involved/download-your-ffl-resource-pack/Get-Togethers-recipes

​Healthy routines start with sleep

21/09/2020
​Children need sleep to help them grow and develop healthily.
As parents, we’re aware of the health risks for our children from too many "treat" foods, too many sugary drinks or not being active enough. But did you know that sleep is also important for children’s health?
Sleep is central to a child’s health and wellbeing. For children, it influences their development in many ways from managing their emotions to the development of their thought-process and physical health.
Lack of sleep can increase the risk of a child becoming overweight which could lead to obesity, heart disease, and even cancer as they get older. Sleep affects our appetite and being up for longer means there are more chances to eat, which can mean gaining weight.
Our experts say that healthy routines often start with sleep and a regular routine at bedtime can really help improve children’s sleep as it helps our body clocks develop into their natural, regular rhythm.

It can be hard to stick to a bedtime routine especially as children have been out of their “normal school” routine for so long. Many parents have told us that they have found sleep, snacking, managing treat foods and other healthy behaviours difficult over recent months.
Research shows these factors help develop a good bedtime routine:
  • Developing a positive experience between parents and children at bedtime – things like talking to your child, reading or singing before bed. Along with hugs and kisses to say goodnight.
  • Washing before bed. Cleaning teeth, washing faces, having a bath or shower all help set up a good bedtime routine 
  • Having main meals at least two hours before bedtime. A healthy snack can be eaten in the hour or two leading up to bedtime.

Aim to get enough sleep for your child’s age. Children of different ages need different amounts of sleep and while there are no exact amounts, in general, children aged between five and 12 need at least ten hours of sleep - this of course can vary between children.
Aim for:
3 - 5 year olds: 11 - 12 hours at night, plus a daytime rest of up to 1 hour
5 -12 year olds: 10+ hours
over 12 year olds and teenagers: 8 - 9 hours
For babies and toddlers
About 6 months old:   10-11 hours at night plus 3 daytime naps (1.5 - 2 hours for 2 of the naps)
About 9 months old:   10-12 hours at night plus 2 daytime naps (1.5 - 2 hours)
About 1 year:      10-12 hours at night plus 2 daytime naps (1 - 2 hours)
About 2 years:   10-12 hours at night plus 1 daytime nap (1.5 - 2 hours)

In this video our Chief Specialist in Nutrition, Dr Marian O’Reilly explains how sleep can impact on our health and diet.​

Lunch Boxes

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​*New dates added* Healthy lunch and snack ideas for kids

Looking for some inspiration or tips to feed your family for less?

Fri 11th Sept

12-1pm Join here

https://crowd.in/kFNAjk

Thurs 17th Sept

6-7pm Join here

https://crowd.in/Ct4P0V Passcode: 531965

Summer Edition of Nourish

This is a publication from the Southern Heath Trust Cook It Team
In this edition there are many tips to Feed your Family for less
  • Plan & Shop Savvy
  • Supermarket own brands
  • Beware of Special Offers
  • Reduce waste - store food properly
  • Store cupboard essentials
  • Bulk out meat dishes
  • Cook once and eat twice
  • Leftovers

​Well worth a quick read
summer_2020__-_pdf_-_final_update_-_01_07_2020.pdf
File Size: 1362 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
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The ABC to BBQ's

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01/07/2020

Whatever the weather, the allure of summer dining alfresco is very appealing. And while eating outdoors can be a real pleasure, far too often the good habits we follow in the kitchen go up in smoke when the barbecue is lit.

When planning a barbecue this summer, bear in mind these simple rules so your friends, family and neighbours go home with memories of a good time - and not a bug to remember you by! 

6 golden rules for a safe barbecue
  1. Burgers, sausages and kebabs, and poultry must be cooked all the way through - but steaks or whole meat joints can be served 'rare' as harmful bacteria are on the outside only, and not in the centre.
  2. If you like to marinate your meat, make sure any marinade used on raw meat is not then used to coat vegetables or cooked meat.
  3. If you choose to barbecue any frozen food, it must be completely thawed on the bottom shelf of your fridge before you cook it.
  4. When handling raw meat and poultry, wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially if preparing salads at the same tme.
  5. Once your meat is cooked thoroughly, keep it away from raw meat and use separate chopping boards, cooking utensils and plates. Harmful bacteria in raw meat, poultry and their juices can contaminate cooked food and lead to food poisoning.
  6. If there are leftovers from your barbecue, allow the food to cool before refrigerating, however make sure to refrigerate food within two hours of cooking. The golden rule for leftovers is - if in doubt, throw it out.

More tips for a trouble-free barbeque
Clean the grill
Barbecues are great fun for friends, family and neighbours but need some thought and planning for them to be safe for all to enjoy.
Before you begin to set up your barbecue this year and consider your menu, give your barbecue grill a thorough clean by scrubbing the metal rack with a damp brush dipped in bicarbonate of soda.

Keeping it cool
  • When eating outdoors, food is away from your refrigerator for a longer period of time, which can enable germs to multiply rapidly in temperatures above 5 degrees C.
  • With this in mind, keep perishable foods like quiche, salads and coleslaw in your fridge until you need them.

Before you start
  • Before you start imitating your favourite TV chef, make sure any frozen food is properly thawed (preferably in the fridge) before you start cooking it. Keep your poultry or raw meat in the fridge or cool box until needed and light your barbecue well in advance – the flames should have died down before you start cooking.

It’s in your hands
  • As with preparing any food, make sure to wash your hands before and after handling food.
  • Remember to keep raw meat separate from cooked meat and ready-to-eat foods like salads and always use separate utensils for handling raw and cooked meat.
  • Never put cooked food on a dish that has been used for raw meat or poultry (unless it’s been thoroughly washed) and keep food covered whenever possible.

Cook thoroughly
  • The big issue when barbecuing is making sure your food has been cooked thoroughly the whole way through.
  • This is particularly important when cooking minced or skewered meats, such as burgers, sausages and kebabs on the barbecue - while the outside may look cooked, and in some cases slightly burnt, the inside can still be raw. 
  • safefood recommends that these meats should be cooked until they are piping hot all the way through, with no pink meat remaining and the juices run clear.
Burgers, sausages and kebabs should be cooked until they are piping hot all the way through, with no pink meat remaining and the juices run clear."

If you want to ensure that meat is thoroughly cooked (and you’ve got lots of people visiting) then it's better to pre-cook the meat in your kitchen just before you put it on the barbecue. 

When cooking meat that is minced or skewered such as burgers, sausages and kebabs, and poultry on the barbecue make sure to turn it regularly and move around the grill to ensure it is cooked evenly on both sides - then run the done test:
  • Is it piping hot all the way through?
  • Is there no pink meat left? 
  • Do the juices run clear?
So when planning a barbecue this summer, always think food safety and try to plan ahead. You want your friends, family and neighbours going home with memories of a good time, not a bug to remember you by!

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Downloads

National Picnic Month - Healthy Bites for July

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30/06/2020

Summer holidays provide a break from school and work, but we shouldn't break from being smart about food safety. More care is needed since foodborne illnesses increase during the summer. July is National Picnic month and summer picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and each other's company. Keep your picnics with family and friends healthy and safe this summer by remembering the following tips.


Tips to stay food safety savvy on picnics:
  • Temperature and time. Keep your picnics safe this summer by remembering that the time perishable food can be left outside the refrigerator or freezer drops from two hours to one hour in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Keep hot food hot and cold food cold on the way to, and during your picnics and outdoor gatherings. 
  • Use a food thermometer. According to USDA research, 1 out of every 4 hamburgers turns brown in the middle before it has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees F. The only way to be sure food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature before removing food from the heat source. For all whole cuts (steaks, roasts, and chops) of meat, including pork, beef, lamb and veal, cook to 145 degrees F and then allow for a 3 minute rest time before carving or consuming.
  • Bring non-perishable foods. Reduce the worry of keeping foods at certain temperatures by limiting the number of perishable foods. Try bringing baked potato chips or pretzels instead of potato salad; washed whole fruit, dried fruit, or fruit cups instead of a fruit salad; and other snacks such as trail mix, nuts, or sunflower seeds.
  • Two coolers are better than one. Bring two coolers to the gathering, one for perishable food and one for beverages. Keep perishable foods cool by transporting them in an insulated cooler kept cold with ice or frozen gel packs. Open as infrequently as possible. Store drinks in another cooler.
  • Keep it clean. Make sure you check ahead and find out if there's a source of safe drinking water at your destination. If not, bring water for preparation and cleaning; or pack clean, wet, disposable cloths or moist towelettes and paper towels for cleaning hands and surfaces.
  • Dangers of cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is the transfer of harmful bacteria to food from other foods, cutting boards, and utensils when they are not handled properly. It can happen during preparation, grilling, and serving food and is a prime cause of foodborne illness. Remember to wash your hands before and after handling food, and don't use the same platter and utensils for raw and cooked meat and poultry. Include lots of clean utensils, not only for eating but also for serving the safely cooked food.

Young Family Needed for Research  ​

23/06/2020  
UPDATE - NO MORE APPLICANTS REQUIRED - THANK YOU TO ALL WHO RESPONDED

We are partnering with safefood in a community based project for the next 2 years. At present they are seeking assistance with some consumer research and would like your help.
 
They are working on the next phase of the START campaign and would like to test some “Advertising Ideas” for the campaign before they launch it in the Autumn.  
 
The research will be conducted online and they are looking for one household from our area to take part in a one to one chat with an interviewer which will last approximately 45 minutes.  There will be a follow up interview in the Autumn with the same household.  They are happy to talk to one person in the household or both parents and will be providing 1 one-for-all voucher per household.
 
The interviews will be conducted via zoom so that the interviews can be recorded and auto-transcribed.  If for some reason just before an interview, someone's internet drops, they will carry out the interview on the phone, but the preference is to use zoom.
Please come back to us urgently as interviews for taking place this week.
Thank you
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Take Care in the Sun when gardening

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04.06.2020
​Our top UV safety tips are:
  • Seek shade and avoid prolonged exposure from 11am to 3pm
  • Wear clothing and hats that protect against UVR
  • Use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 plus UVA 4-star and apply liberally at least 30 mins before going outdoors
These sun awareness measures are essential, even in our milder local weather.
More information is available at careinthesun.org/

​Joint study between Queens University and Safefood

Find attached information re Queens University study exploring family food choices during the Covid 19 lockdown.  Participants  will receive a £35 voucher as a thank you.  This is a joint study between Queens University and Safefood.  The contact details are included on the attached poster.

​Chicken risotto

21.05.2020
Simple recipe for comforting Italian food
Feel like some comforting Italian food but don’t want the run of the mill Lasagna or spaghetti Bolognese? This simple recipe might be just up your street!

Ingredients - Serves 4 Adults
  • 280g / 10 oz. of risotto rice
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 green or red pepper
  • 5 mushrooms
  • 1 x 198g / 7 oz. tin of sweetcorn
  • 4 chicken fillets
  • 1 teaspoon of oil
  • 1 chicken stock cube dissolved in 425ml / ¾ pint of hot water
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
Method
  1. Boil rice for around 5 minutes and drain
  2. Chop onion, pepper and mushrooms
  3. Cut chicken fillets into cubes
  4. Crush the garlic or chop into fine pieces
  5. Fry chicken pieces in vegetable oil
  6. Add garlic, onions, peppers and mushrooms. Fry gently
  7. Add rice to pan
  8. Stir in stock, add sweet corn
  9. Bring to boil and cook gently for 30 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed
  10. Season to taste
Serving Suggestions - Serve with a crispy side salad

https://www.safefood.eu/Recipes/Dinner/Chicken-risotto.aspx

Homemade Burgers

20.05.2020
Burgers can be a great way of getting the kids to eat meat and doesn't always have to mean digging out the BBQ.
Ingredients - Serves 4 Adults
​
  • 450g /1lb lean minced beef
  • 110g / 4 oz. brown breadcrumbs, around 4 slices
  • Pinch mixed herbs
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ of an egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon of plain flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1.     Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl
2.     Bind with the beaten egg
3.     Shape mixture into 4 round shapes with a little flour
4.     Fry or grill gently on both sides over a low heat until well cooked
Serving Suggestions
Serve in wholegrain bread buns or with grilled potato wedges and salad

https://www.safefood.eu/Recipes/Dinner/Homemade-burgers.aspx

Sow Grow and Munch

19.05.2020
Do you want to teach your children where their food comes from and how it's produced? Sow Grow Munch is a book produced for schools, but useful in the home too, which guides you through growing food at home, along with recipes that use your homegrown produce 
www.sustainableni.org/sites/default/files/resources/Sow_Grow-Munch.pdf

Online cooking help - Four cookery lessons at home

13.05.2020
Use this plan as weekly cookery lessons to encourage your young people to get confident with preparing meals.

community_food_initiative_online_cooking_programme.pdf

Minding Your Head

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07.05.2020
To support the fight against COVID-19, we have been advised to stay at home.
With our usual social activities on hold for the moment, it’s very important that we look after our mental and emotional wellbeing.
As we begin this journey together we ask you to listen to the public health guidance and stay safe, look out for each other and look after your mental health.
This is temporary and there are brighter days ahead!
​For more information www.mindingyourhead.info/

Healthy recipes and Healthy Choices

07.05.2020
​The reason many of us don’t eat as well as we could is the thought of having to cook from scratch. Even if you don’t mind dabbling in the kitchen, you may feel too tired to face it at the end of a working day.  There are some easy and tasty recipes out there that can have you eating healthier in no time.
www.choosetolivebetter.com/content/healthy-recipe

101 Square Meals

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The food we eat affects our health and well-being and budget plays an important role in what food we buy and prepare. This recipe book is designed to take this into consideration and provides easy-to-prepare, low-budget, tasty, yet highly nutritious meals.
You will find sections containing useful tips on shopping, home freezing and food safety; helpful information on healthy eating and various tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes. The 101 recipes offer variety for every age and circumstance, resulting in healthier, more balanced diets for individuals and families within a realistic budget.
The coloured tabs allow for easy navigation and recipes can be individually printed out to allow for easy use at home.
We hope you enjoy using this resource. Happy cooking!

www.safefood.eu/SafeFood/media/SafeFoodLibrary/Documents/Healthy%20Eating/101_Square_Meals.pdf

Grow your own

Looking for something interesting and healthy to try at home during lockdown?
Why not try growing your own vegetables? It’s easy, fun and you will have some healthy vegetables you can eat all summer long.
Don’t have a garden? Why not try windowsill gardening?
The whole family can take part, it gives everyone something fun to do together and children are more likely to eat the greens they have grown themselves.
It’s not too late to start growing your own vegetables from home. You can buy seeds in supermarkets, order online or even use things like dried peas or potatoes which you already have in your cupboards.
There are plenty of online videos showing simple ways you can grow veg. Like reusing containers such as trays, yoghurt pots or pringle containers for growing carrots in.
Check out the links below for ‘Lockdown Gardening from Home’ and ‘Window Sill Gardening’.
Lockdown Gardening from home: tinyurl.com/ydaok9nt
Windowsill Gardening Hints and Tips: tinyurl.com/yag8fmwp

Getting Active

05.05.2020
Being more physically active can help you lead a healthier life. You can find out about how to get more active in this link: 
www.choosetolivebetter.com/content/getting-active

Simple Recipe ideas

05.05.2020
​Simple Recipes to try, click on link below
www.safefood.eu/Recipes.aspx

​Keeping Active and Healthy at Home

05.05.2020
​Click on the link below for  adapting to new routines and ways of co-existing during current pandemic
www.safefood.eu/START/Ten-ways-to-keep-active-and-healthy-at-home.aspx

​Healthy snack ideas:

05.05.2020
​Rather than reaching for treat foods when your kids are hungry, click on the link here for some healthy snack ideas.  
https://www.safefood.eu/START/Healthy-Meals/Healthy-snack-ideas.aspx

 ​Family meal plans for three weeks:

05.05.2020
Children require three regular meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - and two snacks every day. Click on the link below for some ideas for meals and snacks from Safefood nutritionists to help you plan your week.
​https://www.safefood.eu/START/Your-Tools/Meal-Planner.aspx

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