FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Are you ready for some football?

Our plans for the weekend include: vegetables on your platter with yogurt or a cottage cheese dip; using extra-lean meat when making chili; using reduced fat cheese; offer water, fruit juice or light alcoholic beverages; and eat chicken tenders instead of wings. Some other helpful ideas include eating a small meal before going to the party, bringing a healthy snack yourself, using a small plate and pacing yourself while snacking. 

Don’t forget that the Person County Extension Office is hosting a “movie night” this Friday at the Person County Office Building. The “movie” will be a documentary titled Hog Farmer: The Trials of Joey Carter. This documentary tells the story of a Duplin County hog farmer who found himself in the middle of a federal lawsuit involving some of the nation’s most ruthless lawyers and one of the world’s largest food companies. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the movie will begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, however there will be snacks and drinks available to purchase with any profits also going to the NC Agromedicine Institute. 

Try the following recipe courtesy of Eating Well magazine at eatingwell.com/recipes. For more information on Food for Thought programs, check us out online at http://facebook.com/persongranvillefcs or email jennifer.brown@ncsu.edu

Black Bean Salsa with Corn and Bell Pepper 

serves 16

2 tsp lime zest

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup canola oil

1 Tbsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp honey

3/4 tsp salt

2 (15 oz) cans low-sodium black beans, rinsed

1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels 

1 large red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 large tomato, chopped

1 medium red onion, finely chopped

3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 large jalapeno pepper, finely chopped

1 (16oz) bag blue or yellow corn tortilla chips

Whisk together lime zest, lime juice, oil, cumin, honey, and salt in a large bowl. Gently stir in beans, corn, bell pepper, tomato, red onion, cilantro, scallions and jalapeño. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to four days. Remove from refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving. Serve with tortilla chips. 

Nutrition Facts: 240 calories, 5g protein, 5g fiber, 3g sugar, 11g fat