March 1 begins National Nutrition Month !

The theme this year is year is “Get Your Plate in Shape”. I hope the following recipes and hints will help you and your family to get your plate in shape! March is a special month for registered dietitians. March 8 marks the USDA “Whats On My Plate Day”. Go to www.choosemyplate.gov and learn how to fill your plate the healthy way! There are some great interactive tools and activities on that site as well for you to enjoy.

• My guideline for “getting your plate in shape” is to imagine your plate with a line down the middle. Pile one half of your plate with fruit and vegetables. The more colorful, the more nutrients. The other half of your plate can be a starch or grain, and a lean protein source.

Here are some of my favorite recipes for March.

Cabbage Pasta
This recipe is full of fiber, vitamin C and protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 head cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup shitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1 15 ounce can white kidney beans, drained
• 1 box whole wheat rigatoni pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

Cook pasta according to directions and drain well. Meanwhile, in a heavy skillet, sauté cabbage in olive oil until soft. Add mushrooms and caramelize mixture. Add pasta, beans and more olive oil if needed.