September- ReFresh 2024 Newsletter 5

Welcome to your fifth ReFresh newsletter of the season! Fall is right around the corner and we are so excited to try new recipes with you!
In this newsletter, you will find: 
– Learn more about Green Chile and its health benefits in the “Featured Bag Item” section.
 – Learn about caring for tomatoes during fall and winter in the “Gardening” section.
– A few simple recipes that you can make with the fresh ingredients in your ReFresh bag! 
– Information for free childcare for families who are experiencing homelessness, Kundalini Yoga, free Latin dance classes for Seniors, and a Strengthening Families Program for parents and teens who are feeling disconnected. in the “Community Resources” section
We hope you enjoy this newsletter and thank you for your participation as we work together to build a healthy local food system.
Text your questions, photos, and comments to: ‪(505) 226-3707‬.

Featured Bag Item

What is Green Chile and what are its health benefits? 
Have you ever wondered what causes the fiery sensation when you taste Green Chile on your plate? The reaction is caused by a natural plant compound called capsaicin in the pepper. Capsaicin has been shown to reduce cholesterol [1], help stop the spread of prostate cancer cells [2] and lowers the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes [3]. 
Start your day off right with a green chile omelet! 
http://lisaiscooking.blogspot.com/2010/09/stuffed-hatch-chile-omelet.html 
Have more questions about food and nutrition? Send your questions to [email protected]
Disclaimer: The information shared by Three Sisters Kitchen (TSK) is for general informational purposes only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a doctor or other health care provider.
  1. Qin, Y., Ran, L., Wang, J., Yu, L., Lang, H. D., Wang, X. L., Mi, M. T., & Zhu, J. D. (2017). Capsaicin Supplementation Improved Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease in Individuals with Low HDL-C Levels. Nutrients, 9(9), 1037. doi.org/10.3390/nu9091037
  2. Díaz-Laviada I. Effect of capsaicin on prostate cancer cells. Future Oncol. 2010;6(10):1545-1550. doi:10.2217/fon.10.117
  3. Anand P, Privitera R, Donatien P, et al. Reversing painful and non-painful diabetic neuropathy with the capsaicin 8% patch: Clinical evidence for pain relief and restoration of function via nerve fiber regeneration. Front Neurol. 2022;13:998904. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.998904
Photo by Lisa is Cooking

Gardening

 

Recipes We Love

Vegan Beans and Turnips Recipe

 

This Vegan Beans and Turnips recipe provides a nutritious and comforting meal. The white beans offer a good source of plant-based protein and fiber, while the turnips and potatoes add essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (Harvard Health). The dish is also rich in healthy fats from olive oil and avocado oil, contributing to heart health (Cleveland Clinic). Additionally, the garlic and fresh herbs provide anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits (Cleveland Clinic). Overall, this recipe is both satisfying and nourishing. For the full recipe, visit here.
Simple Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans Recipe

This Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans recipe offers several nutritional benefits. Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, providing energy, and also contain fiber, which supports digestion (Health Benefits of Potatoes). Green beans are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, which are important for immune function, skin health, and prevent blood clotting, respectively (American Heart Association). The use of olive oil adds healthy fats, which help the metabolism of fat-soluble vitamins and provide a satisfying flavor to the dish​ (Cleveland Clinic). For more details, you can check out the full recipe here. 
Learn How to Roast Green Chiles at Home to make this Green Chile and Potato Enchiladas recipe!

The Green Chile & Potato Enchiladas recipe offers multiple nutritional benefits. Potatoes provide complex carbohydrates, potassium, and fiber to your diet which can support energy levels and heart health (American Heart Association). Our New Mexico staple, green chile, adds a boost of vitamin C and capsaicin to your plate which aids in reducing inflammation and supporting immune health (Cleveland Clinic). 
Recipes by 1) Kylie Perrotti at Exploring Vegan , 2), Victoria at Wholesome Farmhouse Recipes   3) Rachael Murray

Community Resources

Would you like having a daycare service? Cuidado Los Niños is looking to fill slots in their daycare classrooms! Children ages 3,4, and 5 would be ideal. Any interested parents, please call 505-843-6899 for more information.

 

Kundalini Yoga Fall Session

When: Sep 14, 2024 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM
All dates:
Sep 14, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Sep 21, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Sep 28, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Oct 05, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Oct 12, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Oct 19, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Where:
Open Space Visitor Center. 6500 Coors Blvd NW Albuqueruqe, NM 87120. 505-768-4951
Description: 
Everyone is welcome to join the Kundalini Yoga Fall classes! No experience needed, just bring your own mat, water, a light blanket, and a small cushion. Wear sunscreen because they will have classes outdoors (weather permitted). 
Price:
$10 drop-in rate for any class and 30% of earnings will benefit the Open Space Alliance.

Evening Hike 

Join Open Space Alliance for a FREE evening stroll to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Open Space Division.
When: Sep 14, 2024. 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM
Where: Open Space Visitor Center. 6500 Coors Blvd NW, Albuqueruqe, NM 87120. 505-768-4951
Description:
Love the outdoors, but don’t know where to go? Bring your kids and family to explore the Bosque with a perfect view of the Sandia Mountains! Prepare for a short-moderate hike with closed-toed shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
Price: Free!

 

Latin Dance for Seniors!

Description:
Looking for more ways to be active? Get your groove on! Sign up for four weeks of FREE Latin dance lessons by instructor Carlota Silva on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30 pm. 
Dates:
September 11, 2024
September 18, 2024
September 25, 2024 
October 2, 2024
Location: National Hispanic Cultural Center. 1701 Fourth St. S.W., Albuquerque, NM 87102
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Price: Free!

This week’s ReFresh bag:

This week your Refresh bag will include many of the following delicious fresh and staple items:
  • Banana Potatoes from Rodriguez S&J Farm* 
  • Candy Onions from Vida Verde*
  • Long Beans from Farm Shark*
  • Green Chile  from Tesuque Pueblo Farm*
  • Garlic from Nerissa Muus (Red Tractor Farm)*
  • Turnips from Silver Leaf Farms* 
  • Slicing Tomatoes from Chispas* 
*NM grown / NM made We raise money to purchase these foods from local farmers and food producers as a concrete way to invest in our local food system and get delicious, fresh, local food to our ReFresh families. Keep an eye out for these local farms and food businesses when you do your food shopping. ReFresh bags will always include local food items.
Special thanks to all of the farmers and food producers working so hard to feed our communities; to the staff, volunteers, donors, and ReFresh families who make the program work, and to our partners at MoGro who pack these beautiful ReFresh bags each week for us, and who do so much important work connecting communities to healthy food throughout New Mexico. There would be no ReFresh program without all of you – we love our partners
– All of us at Three Sisters Kitchen