You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2645 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Get Your Plate In Shape For Nutrition (NAPSA)—For more than 30 years, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, has sponsored an annual public education and awareness campaign to remind people of the importance of making smart food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme, “Get Your Plate in Shape,” supports the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and MyPlate, and encourages Americans to get back to the basics of healthy eating. One of the main tips to “Get Your Plate in Shape” is “make half your plate fruits and vegetables.” In addition to contributing essential nutrients to our diet, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases. Eating fruits and vegetables instead of higher calorie foods is a simple strategy to help manage your weight. Hass avocados are a versatile and delicious fruit that make it easy to get your plate in shape. Whether eaten alone, as an ingredient in recipes or incorporated into healthy meals, avocados add flavor and a nutrient boost, contributing nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to your diet, along with a source of “good” fats, both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Try getting your plate in shape 4 (5-6 oz.) mahi-mahi filets 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 lemon, cut into wedges Mahi-Mahi with Hass Avocado and Grapefruit Salsa can be a fresh and delicious way to get your plate in shape for your good health. with a tasty, healthful and quick meal of Mahi-Mahi with Hass Avocado and Grapefruit Salsa. For more recipe ideas, visit www.AvocadoCentral.com. Mahi-Mahi with Hass Avocado and Grapefruit Salsa Serves: 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Ingredients 1 ripe, Fresh Hass Avocado, seeded, peeled and diced 2 tsp. lemon juice 1 ⁄2 small red onion, diced 1 ⁄2 grapefruit, skin and outer white membrane cut off, diced 1 jalapeo, seeded and minced Salt and ground black pepper, to taste Note To Editors: March is National Nutrition Month. Instructions 1. Place avocado in a medium bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice. Toss gently to coat. Add onion, grapefruit and jalapeo. Season with salt and pepper and toss briefly to combine. Set aside. 2. Rinse filets and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 3. Place oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add mahi-mahi filets and let cook without moving until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook until just cooked through. 4. To serve, top each filet with an even amount of salsa and garnish with a lemon wedge. Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 260; Total Fat 11 g (Sat 1.5 g, Trans 0 g, Poly 1.5 g, Mono 7 g); Cholesterol 115 mg; Sodium 140 mg; Potassium 890 mg; Total Carbohydrates 10 g; Dietary Fiber 5 g; Total Sugars 3 g; Protein 30 g; Vitamin A 560 IU; Vitamin C 29 mg; Calcium 41 mg; Iron 2 mg; Vitamin D 0 IU; Folate 49 mcg; Omega-3 Fatty Acid 0.3 g. Note: Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados, adjust the quantity accordingly. The Pleasures Of Public Gardens (NAPSA)—“You can learn a lot of things from the flowers,” as Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” remarked. Here’s a look at a few of the things you can discover among the flowers in America’s beautiful, bountiful public gardens. Water Conservation Public gardens use efficient watering practices and have industry insight on responsible irrigation systems. Homeowners can learn how to irrigate their own gardens by exploring and consulting with a public garden. Native and Adapted Plants Choosing native plants or plants that have adapted to the local environment can ensure that a garden will be healthy and require less water. Public gardens tend to have huge collections of native and adaptable plants that homeowners can be assured will work in their own gardens. Landscape Design Homeowners can find inspiration in the design of gardens and the way gardens are displayed, coordinated and arranged. Landscaping at public gardens can demonstrate which plants bloom at similar times, which arrangements look well together, and how gardens can be beautifully displayed. Seasonal Considerations Public gardens have a selection of plants that are right for a variety of seasons. Blooms can happen year-round if the appropriate types of plants or trees are selected. Keeping your garden beautiful can be easier once you see how public gardens arrange their collection. Gardening Methods Public gardens often have staff dedicated to botany and are home to specialists who understand the geographical region very well. You can access these industry experts at the public garden and get Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Gardens A beautiful place to grow your knowledge is in a public garden. advice on gardening techniques for your own plants. Publications Public gardens usually have publications available to visitors and members that provide resources on gardening and botany. You may find a wealth of knowledge in member publications. Often, there are libraries and bookstores within the public gardens as well. Plants and Supplies Public gardens will often sell plants, flowers and trees to garden members, perhaps during annual festivals, providing top-quality additions to your garden. The sale may come with professional experience and advice of the sort that cannot be found elsewhere. Learn More The nonprofit American Public Gardens Association has partnered with Rain Bird, a leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products, to promote gardens through National Public Gardens Day. Many of the nation’s public gardens will mark the day with special events and activities for schools, families and thousands of visitors. For more information, you can visit www. NationalPublicGardensDay.org. Note to Editors: May 11, 2012 is the fourth annual National Public Gardens Day.