The amount of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables offered in school meals is up and sodium is down, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released last week.

“Schools play a critical role in demonstrating and reinforcing healthy eating behaviors by making sure that nutritious and appealing foods and beverages are available and promoted to students,” Caitlin Merlo, the study’s lead author and a CDC health scientist, said in a statement.

Researchers compared data from 2000, 2006 and 2014 to determine how well U.S. schools are implementing nutrition standards issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2012. The standards require serving more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and gradually reducing sodium over 10 years. Nutrition standards also impact foods sold during the school day.

The CDC report found that in 2014:

• Almost all schools offered whole grains each day for breakfast (97.2 percent) and lunch (94.4 percent).
• About 80 percent of schools offered two or more vegetables a day for lunch compared with 61.7 percent in 2000.
• Seventy-eight percent offered two or more servings of fruit for lunch versus 68.1 percent in 2000.
• Nearly a third — 30.5 percent — offered self-serve salad bars.

 
More than two-thirds of schools in 2014 brought sodium down to more reasonable levels in recipes, up from a third of schools in 2000. More than half of schools that prepared meals on-site used fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned, and used lower-sodium canned vegetables instead of regular canned vegetables.

School lunches have more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and less sodium than in 2000. (Photo: Guiding Stars)

“We hope Congress pays close attention to these findings, because it’s clear from this new CDC study that the dedicated food service professionals in our nation’s schools are working hard every day to keep our kids healthy,” said American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown. “If we continue to teach our kids to eat nutritious foods early on, we can protect them from a lifelong struggle with cardiovascular disease or even an early death. On this point, there is no flexibility.”

Article by Voices for Healthy Kids

When it comes to exercise, many Americans just don’t do it for a variety of reasons. Lack of time. Lack of athletic ability. Lack of money for special equipment or a gym membership. Yet one of the best forms of exercise is one that requires little to none of these elements — walking.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. (Photo: BET)

“You can pretty much do it anytime and anyplace, and it’s pretty easy on the joints,” said Larry Sinoway, director of the Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute.

Those who lack time can sneak small spurts of walking into their regular routines by parking in the back of a parking lot, using stairs instead of elevators or taking 10 minutes of a lunch break to get up and walk around.

“These are simple things, but if you’re doing a little bit all the time as part of your daily life, you’ll be amazed how much it adds up,” Sinoway said.

That’s the idea behind insurance companies and employers giving pedometers to employees in their wellness programs so they can count how many steps they get in a given day. Ten thousand is the goal, Sinoway said.

“I think our lives have begun to center around our vehicles,” Sinoway said. “Unless you live in a big city, some things drive you away from walking, and a lot of people have sedentary jobs.”

Why is walking so important?

A number of studies show that people have better health when they are active. More specifically, regular walking has positive effects on the blood vessels, heart, muscles, joints and mood.

“In fact, one of the most effective interventions we have in cardiovascular medicine is exercise,” Sinoway said. “Exercise is the primary reason cardiac rehabilitation after a coronary event is so beneficial.”

The recommendation is that people engage in moderate-level physical activity for about 20 minutes every day. For most, a moderate walking pace is 3 miles per hour or faster. And it doesn’t much matter whether you walk twice a day for 10 minutes at a time or twice a week for an hour and 15 minutes, according to Sinoway.

Of course, as with any activity, there are some people who may notice they feel light headed or experience pain or discomfort while walking. Sinoway suggests stopping the activity and checking with a doctor if you sense a problem, but absent that, there is no reason not to get up and put one foot in front of the other.

These days, technology is making the task easier than ever. Swap your desk chair for a treadmill, slap on a FitBit device or download an app that allows you to record data you can use to track your own progress or compete with others.

“What you did yesterday is gone,” Sinoway said. “You can only plan for today and tomorrow, and walking a little more today and tomorrow than you did yesterday is a great start.”

With the country having celebrated National Walking Day Apr. 2, there’s no better time to take a step forward toward better health. For more information, visit the American Heart Association’s walking information page.

Article by Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

This weekend’s weather forecast is supposed to be good, so it will be the perfect time to get out and stretch your winter-weary legs. The Atlas Performing Arts Center’s Intersections Festival is back and Dino’s Italian restaurant in Cleveland Park says goodbye.

However, if you are traveling by Metrorail, you need to leave some extra time for travel since there will be major construction going on, and several stations will be closed. Trains on the Yellow and Green line will operate at regular weekend intervals, except at Greenbelt Station, where trains will arrive and depart every 20-25 minutes. Red Line trains will run every 16 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains between Van Ness and Silver Spring during daytime hours. Buses will replace Orange Line trains between Eastern Market and Cheverly. The last Orange train will leave New Carrollton for Cheverly 41 minutes earlier each night. Buses will replace Blue line trains between Eastern Market and Benning Road. The last Blue train will leave Largo Town Center for Benning Road 30 minutes early each night.

The Atlas Performing Arts Center (Photo: Wikipedia)

Atlas Intersections Festival

The Intersections Festival has dance, music and theater, like any other D.C. arts festival would. But it has one thing the others don’t: A dog circus. Mutts Gone Nuts, a canine thrill show in the Lang Theatre, is one of the 60 acts, many of which are free, that will be featured in the Atlas’ 16-day festival. If dog tricks aren’t your thing, catch performances from artists like the Jane Franklin Dance Company, UrbanArias, Christylez Bacon and Mary Alouette. Among the featured performances are a concert by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington telling true stories of life-changing experiences told though patter and pop songs at 7:30 p.m. today and 9:30 p.m. on March 8 in the Sprenger Theater. Also, Rewind, two programs featuring the best independent short films showcased during the 10 years of the DC Shorts Festival at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m Saturday and again on March 7 in the Lang Theatre.

Feb. 21-March 8 at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Times and ticket prices vary by performance.

Discover Engineering Family Day

A boy explores robotics at the annual Discover Engineering Family Day. (Photo: F.T. Eyre)

Every February, the National Building Museum and the National Engineers Week Foundation invite visitors to debunk the myths of engineering and discover how professional engineers turn an idea into reality. Celebrate National Engineers Week by participating in this free, hands-on, and fun-filled festival. The program and activities are recommended for children ages 6-12. At Discover Engineering Family Day visitors can meet astronaut Robert Crouch; see engineer Nate Ball, co-host of PBS’ Design Squad Nation, demonstrate the Atlas Power Ascender; make slime; control a robot; build a skyscraper; catapult a ping pong balls; test the strength of a building in a tsunami; and meet Curious George and Cat in the Hat from WETA and PBSKids.

Feb. 22 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is FREE!

Travel and Adventure Show

Visitors at the 2013 Travel & Adventure Show. (Photo: Unicomm LLC)

The two-day Travel and Adventure Show is your ticket to discover authentic travel experiences, snap up the deals and win trips and giveaways, and be entertained and delighted at this amazing travel extravaganza. You’ll hear travel tips from the experts including Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer, Samantha Brown and Andrew McCarthy. Experience climbing the rock wall and see cultural performances. Whether you want to escape to the Caribbean, discover the thrill and beauty of Africa or see America like never before, you’ll meet the experts who can help you plan and book your next trip. Bon Voyage!

Feb. 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Feb. 23 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Admission is $12 online and $15 at the door. Children 16 and younger are free. Active military and up to four family members are free with ID.

Mardi Gras Family Day

The Anacostia Community Museum (Photo: Smithsonian Institution)

Join the Anacostia Community Museum for its annual Mardi Gras Family Day, which includes the celebratory traditions in South Africa this year. There will be storytelling, face painting, mask-making and other hands-on activities, live performances and more. Attendees can also participate in the Art of Adornment workshop with creative artist Januwa Moja-Nelson (workshop space is limited, sign up upon arrival).

Feb. 22 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. Admission is FREE!

Heart Ball

2013 Heart Ball (Photo: American Heart Association)

The Greater Washington Heart Ball will be held in the District again this year Heart Month activities are rounded out with this black-tie affair. Proceeds from the Heart Ball benefit lifesaving research and American Heart Association education and advocacy campaigns. Heart disease remains the Number 1 killer of people in the United States today. The Heart Ball is a premier society event and a celebration of the life-saving work of the American Heart Association. The event brings together more than 500 of the region’s most prominent physician, corporate, health care, and community leaders. The evening includes, live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing and special presentations to honor United States Military doctors (retired and active) through the Heart Heroes program. Also the official after-party, Heart After Dark returns to keep the festivities going until 1am.

Feb. 22 from 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1331 Maryland Avenue, SW. Tickets range from $100 to $1,000 and are available .

A cardinal in winter (Photo: Jon Woolf)

Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided Bird Walk for all ages. Field guides and binoculars are recommended. During the Owl Prowl for those 10 and older, explore the refuge at night while looking and listening for owls. Registration is required for both programs.

Feb. 23 at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, Md. The North Tract is located on Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32. The Bird Walk is from 8:15-10:30 a.m. and the Owl Prowl is from 5:30-7 p.m. Admission is FREE, but registration is required by calling 301-497-5887.

Dino’s Last Dance

Dino Restaurant (Photo: Dino)

This is Dino’s last night of full service off menu. But there will still have food in house, so why not throw a farewell party? Dino will just cook food until it’s all gone! There will be a cash bar for beer, booze and vino. One last night to have fun. There are no reservations, no assigned seating, no menus, no special requests. There will be a lot of pasta, sliced meats, prosciutto and cheeses, veggies, etc. Dino will just bring out food and serve you one last time!

Feb. 23 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Dino’s, 3435 Connecticut Avenue NW. Cost is $30 and includes dinner and a cash bar. Tickets are available online. Admission at the door only if space is available..

The Veterans Day weekend is here, and it’s the last three-day holiday of the year. There’s plenty to do to keep you busy this chilly fall weekend. There are also several fashion events you may want to check out.

A team from the Army National Guard participates in the Greater Washington Heart Walk. (Photo: National Guard)

Heart Walk

The Greater Washington Heart Walk benefits the American Heart Association. This annual celebration promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun, family environment. As the signature fundraising event, the Greater Washington Heart Walk is expected to raise $2,000,000 for the Heart Association. There is expected to be 8,000 walkers from over 140 companies and organizations with their friends and families.

Saturday on the National Mall between 9th and 12th Streets between Madison and Jefferson Avenues. Tents and festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. with the stage program and warm-up beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the walk stepping off at 10 a.m. The stage festivities and tents will remain open until noon.

Marlene Dietrich’s costume from Morocco is included in “Hollywood Costumes” at VMFA. (Photo: Paramount)

Hollywood Costumes

The Virginia Museum of Fine Art, is the only East Coast stop for Hollywood Costumes, a display of nearly 100 garments — Indiana Jones’ fedora and leather jacket, a pair of Scarlett O’Hara’s flouncy bonnets from Gone with the Wind — from London’s Albert and Victoria Museum. The exhibit shows the major role costumes play in creating a character. You can see the textures and fabrics up close on mannequins — something you don’t see on film.

Saturday with Feb. 17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Wednesday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond. Admission is free for VMFA members, children 6 and under and active-duty military personnel and their immediate families. Adults cost $20, groups of more than 10 or senior 65 and older are $16, and youth 7-17 and students with school ID are $10.

20th Northern Virginia Christmas Market

Hand-blown ornaments including the original Christmas Pickle from Kate Klip Glass will be on sale. (Photo: Kate Klip Glass)

The Norther Virginia Christmas Market is Northern Virginia’s grand opening celebration of the holiday season! This holiday show features more than 250 fine artisans from more than 20 states. Artisans offer a diverse selection of fine arts, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, wood, photography, fiber arts, as well as thousands of one-of-kind Christmas collectibles. “Taste of the Holidays” specialty food vendors will offer gift-packaged gourmet fare. The tasty homemade goodies are ideal for creating wonderful gift baskets, loading up Santa’s stockings and gathering those hard-to-find executive gifts.

Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Dulles Expo Center – South Hall, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. Admission is $8 for adults. children under 12 are free. Receive $1 off admission by taking a canned food donation for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Ginastera’s Harp

Harpist Karen Abreahmson Thomas (Photo: Karen Abreahmson Thomas)

The University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra presents Ginastera’s Harp. Karen Abrahamson Thomas, winner of the 2012 UMSO Concerto Competition, opens the program with Alberto Ginastera’s bold and alluring Harp Concerto. Ginastera wrote the concerto for his friend, harpist Nicanor Zabaleta, who premiered it in 1965. The music reflects influences of Argentinean folk music and great 20th-century masters such as Stravinsky and Bartók and shows off the full range of the harp as a solo instrument, from lyrical to mysterious to percussive. The program will also include Webern’s Six Pieces, op. 6 and Brahms’s Symphony No. 1, op. 68.

Sunday at 4 p.m. at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s Dekelboum Concert Hall, . Tickets are $25 general admission; subscribers, senior citizens, members of the UMD Alumni Association, UMD faculty and staff are $20; students and youth are $10.