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March 2022

March is National Nutrition Month, Celebrate a World of Flavors!
Every March we celebrate National Nutrition Month, and this year the theme is Celebrate a World of Flavors. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health. We are all unique with different bodies, goals, backgrounds and tastes!  Check out the toolkit below for graphics, tip sheets, and activities to inspire you and your colleagues to create healthy habits that celebrate global heritage and introduce everyone to new foods and flavors.
View the Toolkit

Calling All DC Hospital Chefs!
DCHA is hosting a cooking competition for hospital chefs to highlight healthy and low-sodium recipes as a part of the Healthier Hospital Initiative.  Participants will be challenged to create three dishes both incorporating a mystery ingredient.  Please note, only one submission per hospital (individual or team). An award will be given to the winning chef/hospital and they will be featured on our website, social media, and newsletters.
 
Dates to Remember:
March 14 – Confirm Participation
March 18 – Competition Opens
April 4 – Submissions Due
April 5 – Judging Begins
May 26 – Winners Revealed
 
Please confirm your participation by Monday, March 14. Full competition guidelines and judging criteria will be sent to participants by Friday March 18.
RSVP

Worth a Read: 2022 Health Care Food Trends
From delicious climate solutions to donating food to neighboring nonprofits to prioritizing purchasing from local businesses owned by people of color, going into 2022, health care food service has become a force for healing.  Listen to the full story from Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth hospital partners below.
Listen Here

Success Story: MedStar Health Launches New Center for Wellbeing
MedStar Health has launched the new MedStar Health Center for Wellbeing to further enhance a culture that supports healthcare worker wellbeing through programs and research. The new center uses a wholistic approach to address the needs of associates across the system who need help managing day-to-day stresses - both at work and at home - and improve their overall wellness. 
Learn More
Wellness Tip: Move Your Body
Earlier this year, the CDC released an updated map of inactivity prevalence in adults.  When asked "During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise", over 20% of DC residents responded "No".  According to the CDC, as little as 30 minutes of movement each day contributes to lower risk of a number of chronic diseases including hypertension, heart attack , and stroke.  View the map below to learn more about the study.
Learn More
Healthy Recipe:
Tahini Date Halva
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients
  • 1 cup tahini
  • 3/4 cup Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 cup unsalted pistachios, chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
  • Prepare a small 8 x 8 pan or loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water, then drain and rinse before adding to the recipe.
  • Add the tahini and dates to a high speed blender and pulse until thick and well combined.
  • Press the mixture into the parchment covered pan and top with chopped pistachios.
  • Freeze for at least one hour, until set.
  • Remove pan from the freezer and slice into squares.
Staff Favorite: Swap pistachios for unsalted peanuts and add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for a peanut butter chocolate halva.  Be creative by adding different flavors and mix-ins to find your favorite combination!
Healthier Hospital Initiative Materials
Request Materials
What's Next?
  1. Save the date for our next committee meeting - March 24 at 2 pm.
  2. Don't forget to share your wellness stories with us!
Tell Us Your Wellness Story
The Healthier Hospital Initiative is a partnership between DCHA Program Services Company, Inc. and DC Health to reduce the availability and consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and to promote healthier eating choices in DC hospitals. 
Learn More
Copyright © 2022 District of Columbia Hospital Association. All rights reserved.

District of Columbia Hospital Association
1152 15th Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20005-1723
www.dcha.org

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