Latest news and research, recipe ideas, online resources, events and more.
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Bringing you the latest nutrition information and food ideas to help boost your health and wellbeing.
Latest News and Research
National Nutrition Week 2020
Last month, we celebrated National Nutrition Week from the 11th - 17th October.
This year, the Try for 5 campaign was all about loving vegetables! The campaign, ‘Find Your Veg Inspiration’, aimed to inspire Australians with a collection of new vegetable-focused recipes, as well as tips, info and hacks from our nutrition and food experts to get more veg into your day. To check out the range of delicious recipes, food waste tips and so much more, visit the Try for 5 website.
During National Nutrition Week we ran a range of events, including a Grow It, Cook It, Compost It workshop at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha as part of Brisbane City Council's GOLD (Growing Older and Living Dangerously) program. Participants learned how to produce a sustainable backyard garden and cook nutritious meals from seasonal produce at this combined composting, gardening and cooking workshop. At the end of the workshop, participants made a delicious kale slaw using fresh ingredients harvested right from the Brisbane Botanic Gardens!
This cooking workshop was proudly funded and supported by Brisbane City Council’s Active and Healthy team.
#RethinkPink
Recent research conducted by Nutrition Research Australia (NRAUS) debunked the claims that pink salt is better for you than other kinds of salt. Here's what happened:
- After identifying a research gap with zero proof available on pink salt’s mineral composition, NRAUS funded the research independently to ensure Australians could make more informed choices.
- The world-first study investigated 31 pink salt samples available for purchase in Australia (and one control white table salt) to analyse its mineral composition and potential nutritional benefits.
- The research aimed to prove whether pink salt contains nutrients, if there is any risk of harmful contamination and if it can actually contribute any meaningful amount of nutrients to the Australian diet.
- Key findings from the research show that pink salt contains unpredictable and varying levels of essential nutrients and harmful heavy metals, which make it inconsistent in nature.
Head over to the NRAUS website to find out more on how to #RethinkPink. Check out the infographic below or click here to download. To read the research paper in full, click here.
Australian Food Safety Week 2020
Australian Food Safety Week is on from the 14th - 21st November this year.
This year’s theme is ‘Food Safety – it’s in your hands’, with a focus on building on key consumer behaviours established during COVID-19 to continue to reduce the amount of foodborne disease. Check out the Food Safety Information Council website for more information and key resources.
Recipe Idea
Roasted Vegetable Salad
Ingredients
Salad
½ cup uncooked quinoa (or 1 cup cooked quinoa)
1 small sweet potato
¼ butternut pumpkin
1 red onion
1-2 capsicums
Spray olive oil
½ cup mint leaves
½ cup parsley leaves
¼ cup pine nuts
¼ cup pepitas
Dressing
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Freshly ground black pepper, to season
Method
1. Pre heat oven to 180°C.
2. Cook quinoa according to packet instructions. This should make 1 cup of cooked quinoa. Allow to cool.
3. Peel sweet potato, pumpkin and red onion. Chop sweet potato, pumpkin and capsicum into cubes (approximately 2cm x 2cm pieces). Slice red onion into wedges.
4. Place sweet potato and pumpkin on a lined baking tray and spray with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Turn the sweet potato and pumpkin and add the red onion and capsicum to the baking tray. Spray with olive oil and return to the oven to roast for 20 minutes or until all vegetables are cooked through and golden. Allow to cool.
5. In a small frying pan, toast pine nuts and pepitas over a low heat until lightly toasted. Allow to cool.
6. Wash and dry mint and parsley leaves, then roughly chop.
7. Once all salad ingredients are cooled, combine in a large bowl.
8. To make the salad dressing, in a small jar, combine extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and Dijon mustard. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Place the lid on the jar and shake well to mix.
9. Pour salad dressing over the salad and mix well to combine. Enjoy!
Serves 4.
Online Resources
Boost your Healthy
The Boost your Healthy digital hub has been developed by Health and Wellbeing Queensland to provide support, inspiration and ideas to help Queenslanders stay healthy and active during COVID-19.
It features content from a wide range of Health and Wellbeing Queensland Alliance Partners who have played a valuable role in supporting the creation of the site. It also offers a platform for people to showcase how they are staying healthy through #BoostCampQld, and the Big Boost will feature a series of challenges to motivate and encourage people to stay healthy at this difficult time.
Events and Opportunities
Live Well Logan Cooking Workshops
NAQ Nutrition hosts cooking workshops as part of the Logan City Council’s Live Well Logan program. These cooking workshops are open to people living in the Logan City Council area, aged 18 years and over, and are $3 per participant. Upcoming workshops are as follows:
Mood Foods (18 years and over)
Saturday 14th November 2020 1pm - 2:30pm
Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre - 10 - 12 James St, Beenleigh
Learn what foods will help balance your mood and make you feel your best. Join us in this hands-on workshop where you will make tasty recipes that you can recreate at home. Click here for more information and to register.
GOLD Cooking Workshops
NAQ Nutrition provides cooking workshops as part of the Brisbane City Council's GOLD (Growing Older and Living Dangerously) program. The program is for people living in the Brisbane City Council area, aged 50 years and over. The workshops are an excellent opportunity to add skills to your cooking repertoire in a relaxed and social environment. People with all levels of cooking skills are welcome, as the workshops are a chance to develop new skills and confidence. Check out the following GOLD session coming up next month:
Christmas Flavours (50 years and over)
Friday 11th December 10am - 11:30am
Brighton Wellness Hub - Corner Nineteenth Ave, Brighton
‘Tis the season to create special occasion dishes that are perfect for sharing. Our hands on workshop will have you creating festive meals to impress your friends and family this Christmas. Click here for more information and to register.
Jamie's Ministry of Food is coming to Mackay!
Are you looking for a job that inspires and motivates people and can change lives?
Do you have a passion for good food and home cooking?
The Good Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers Jamie’s Ministry of Food Australia, an engaging, community-focused program that teaches basic cooking skills and good nutrition.
They are currently seeking passionate and enthusiastic Food Trainers to join the team on the Jamie’s Ministry of Food Truck – a purpose built, kitchen classroom on wheels. The 10 week contract will be run in Mackay and Sarina, commencing Feb 2021, and will provide the successful applicants an opportunity to gain real working experience training people in an existing cooking program.
As a Food Trainer you will have the opportunity to be a part of a unique experience working in the Jamie’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen to teach cooking classes to a wide range of people; promoting the benefits of home cooking and good nutrition. You will be empowered to assist in shifting people’s ideas of home, healthy cooking and see first-hand how education in this environment can help those that need it most.
You will have proven experience in food preparation and training, with a thorough knowledge of food safety. You will bring passion, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, with strong organisational and interpersonal skills and will thrive in a fun and dynamic team environment.
A flexible approach to working hours is essential as well as weekend and evening work will be required.
For more information, please visit www.thegoodfoundation.com.au.
To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to info@thegoodfoundation.com.au.
Do you have a question for the Healthy at Home team?
You can email your enquiries to healthyathome@naqld.org
Have you visited our
Healthy at Home website?
Nutrition information for all ages
NAQ Nutrition
12/212 Curtin Avenue West
Eagle Farm QLD 4009
Ph: (07) 3257 4393
www.naqld.org
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