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Tailgating season kicks
off with a healthy choice

UH football Saturday

The beginning of the football season coincides nicely with 5 A Day Week, the annual national initiative designed to get you to eat your vegetables.

This year, the event's local sponsor, the Nutrition Program of the state Department of Health, seizes on the connection to bring a healthy alternative to the traditional Aloha Stadium tailgating party.

"Oh, jeez," you're thinking. "Can't they leave me alone on this one sacred day with my teriyaki plate, mac salad, musubi and beer?"

Well, no. They will get something green on that plate, somehow.

The 5 A Day fanatics are bringing a truckload of avocado-bean dip and taro bagels to the stadium Saturday night. GEM electric cars will carry them around the parking lot to hand out samples to tailgaters.

So if a little car comes hurtling toward you as you're preparing your pre-game picnic and considering the potential of this season's University of Hawaii Warriors, don't duck under the van.

Hold out your plate and say, "Yes, please, make me healthy."

And to build a little 5 A Day into future tailgating parties, here's an idea:

AVO PESTO DIP

Mae Isonaga, Nutrition Program

1 cup avocado
1 can cannelini or great northern white beans, drained (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 leaves fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried
1 medium tomato, diced
Pepper to taste

Place all ingredients except tomato in blender. Blend well. Transfer to a bowl and add tomato. Serve with cut vegetables, crackers, breads or chips. Makes 3 cups.

Nutritional information unavailable.

Other 5 A Day events include mini-health fairs at 11 a.m. Sunday at Daiei Kaheka, Sept. 16 at Daiei Waipahu and Sept. 23 at Times Kunia. The events include recipe card handouts, free blood pressure checks, educational tours of the produce aisles and appearances by the 5 A Day Friends (costumed fruits and veggies).

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