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Disctrict 28 physical education healthy food of the week
Updated: September 4, 2012 10:13AM
NORTHBROOK – Basil is Northbrook School District 28's healthy food of the week.
The round, often pointed leaves of the basil plant look a lot like peppermint to which it is related. Its highly fragrant leaves are used as a seasoning herb for a variety of foods but have become ever popular as the main ingredient in pesto, the mixture of basil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese.
Basil is also a good source of magnesium which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, thus improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms or a spasming of the heart muscle or a blood vessel.
In addition to the health benefits and nutrients described above, basil is a very good source of iron, and calcium, and a good source of potassium and vitamin C.
The Healthy Food of the Week is a nutrition program designed by District 28 Elementary Physical Educators. It encourages students, parents and the community to make health food choices and features a different item every week for them to try in recipes at home. For more information on this program, call the district at 847-504-3401.
