Five Ways to Eat Real This Holiday Season

This article was written by Lilia Smelkova of Food Day and is shared with the permission of the author.  

Even though we’re celebrating, it’s important to eat real, healthy foods throughout the holiday season. This special time of the year is filled with parties, celebrations, and ample opportunities to indulge. According to a study from The New Journal England of Medicine, the average weight gain during the holidays is about a pound, and most people never shed that weight.

Fortunately, there’s a wealth of tips and other information available for healthy eating during the holidays, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate Holiday Makeover, Helpful Tips for Healthy Holiday Parties from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Heart Association’s Seasonal, Heart-Healthy Holiday Foods. Here are five of our favorite tips for eating real throughout the holidays:

ABCD Dorchester NSC & Bowdoin Street Health Center Host Holiday Harvest

In collaboration with the Bowdoin Street Health Center, the Dorchester NSC will donate dozens of turkeys to some of the most vulnerable families  on Monday, November 25 between the hours of 11AM-2PM and Tuesday, November 26 from 10AM-1PM. Additionally the Holiday Harvest provides an affordable Farmer’s Market to promote healthy eating options during the holiday season. The event will take place at the Dorchester NSC, 110 Claybourne Street, Dorchester.

ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew explains, “While the economy has improved for many of us there are still too many families where unemployment or disabilities make it impossible to pay for basic needs. For most of us winter is an inconvenience, even a major inconvenience, but for those struggling, it is a time of crisis.” He added “Fuel assistance applications and food bank referrals are at an all-time high. Many people who never had to ask for help before are turning to ABCD for assistance this holiday season. We need help from the public to put a smile on a child’s face and help their family be warm and safe this winter.”

The Holiday Harvest and Turkey Distribution hosted by the ABCD Dorchester NSC will provide an opportunity for residents to receive both a turkey and shop for healthy and affordable produce. “We are grateful to collaborate with the Bowdoin Street Health Center in our annual Holiday Harvest and turkey distribution event”  explained Eric Mitchell, Operations Coordinator for the ABCD Dorchester Neighborhood Service Center. “Not only do we provide turkeys to help celebrate Thanksgiving, families also have access to affordable fresh produce. Healthy eating is a lifelong choice and the holidays are a great time to educate our community about nutritional options.”

Photos from Halloween Harvest Festival 2013

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Photo credit: Allyson Gittens

Farmers Market Newsletter 10.31.13

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Trick-or-Treat on Bowdoin Street

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We’re gearing up for Halloween here in Dorchester and we sure are excited!  This year, we’re teaming up with the neighborhood to bring you an event you won’t soon forget.

Beginning at 4pm on Thursday, October 31st, we invite you to come by the farmers market in your Halloween costume to receive a FREE trick-or-treat bag and a map to all the locations on Bowdoin Street that will be giving away goodies!  Make your way through the farmers market vendors (who’ll have treats of their own) and follow the map to find other participating businesses and organizations.

Finally, end your journey at the Community Hub Halloween Party at the corner of Bowdoin and Topliff Streets for even more music, yummy treats, and fun!

Trick-or-treaters of all ages welcome, as long as you’re in costume!

Interested in volunteering?  We need volunteers to help with set-up for the event from 3-4pm and for assisting kids in safely crossing the street from 4-6pm.  If you are interested in lending a hand for this great event, please call Maura at 617-754-0026.