| | Tyler Nelson | |
It’s hard to believe the “cow” days of summer are already here! The summer is a very busy time of year for the Herkimer County dairy promotion court. We go out to the public with our samples of cheese and all our fun recipes and nutritional information. Part of our job is to inform the public of the importance of including dairy in their diet. We’re a team to promote dairy and it’s not just about a princess. It’s about serving all the dairy farmers in Herkimer County and getting the message out there that milk is Mother Nature’s perfect drink. Everyone knows that our bodies need calcium to keep strong bones and teeth. But did you know that it also plays an important role in nerve function, muscle contraction and blood clotting? The best source of calcium is dairy products. Dairy products don’t only supply calcium, they also supply other wonderful vitamins and minerals that our bodies require. Examples include: potassium to help maintain normal blood pressure, phosphorus to generate energy in the body’s cells, and protein to build and repair muscle tissue as well as serving as a source of energy during high-powered exercise. Then there are vitamins D, A and B12, all of which will do their jobs of aiding in the development of healthy teeth and bones, maintain normal vision and skin, help regulate cell growth, maintain integrity of the immune system, maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. I bet you don’t know that B12 is also needed to make DNA! Then, there’s riboflavin (or Vitamin B2) to help convert food into energy which is crucial for exercising muscles, and niacin, which is important for the normal function of many enzymes in the body as well as being involved in the metabolism of sugars and fatty acids. That is a lot to expect from a glass of milk or your favorite cheese snack. To help you get your “3-A-Day,” I found this fun recipe that is just right for this time of year. Cucumber Yogurt Dressing
2 cups plain low-fat yogurt 1 cup diced cucumber 1/2 cup chopped parsley
Mix all ingredients in bowl and chill. Enjoy on your favorite fresh vegetable or crackers of your choice. Tyler Nelson is the Herkimer County alternate dairy princess.
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