News

Serving up health: Dani’s Delicious Dish turns a year old

  • Published
  • By Angela Woolen
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  One of the most-watched features on the official Robins Facebook page has just passed the one-year mark. 

"Dani's Delicious Dish" premiered April 24, 2014 as a way to promote healthy living for Team Robins employees and their families and everyone who follows Robins on social media.

The award-winning show, hosted by Robins dietitian nutritionist Dani Lebovitz, has garnered praise at both the Air Force Materiel Command level as well as from outside sources like Fruits and Veggies More Matters - a health initiative between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Produce for Better Health Foundation.

Robins now carries role-model status because of its efforts to bring fruits and vegetables to more people. A show which aired in September focused on using locally grown food during the month of September to promote Fruit and Vegetables Month.

The web series also won two Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs awards - besting submissions from nine other bases. It won Best Series in the AFMC Media Contest and Most Innovative in the AFMC Communication Excellence Awards.

The weekly show averages between 3,000 and 5,000 views each time a new episode airs. The largest number of views recorded came in December for an episode which showed exercises to do while watching football, according to the show's videographer and producer Paul Wenzel.

Wenzel, who has been behind the camera for more than 20 years, brings a sense of humor to the series that Lebovitz says she couldn't do the show without.

"He's goofy, and I need that," she said about her partner in crime.

Lebovitz has cooked up dishes like vegetarian chili, fresh strawberry cupcakes and mock-tails - a version of non-alcoholic drinks for the holidays. Some episodes show cooking while others focus on helping people become more active.

"It's about helping people and educating them," Lebovitz said. "You remove barriers to help them live better." 

She practices what she preaches. Though she does enjoy healthy eating, Lebovitz also names cheeseburgers and pizza as her favorite foods. Her favorite healthy foods are oven-roasted vegetables drizzled with olive oil and baked in a 425-degree oven until the edges are crispy.

"She's a realistic dietitian," Wenzel said.

Lebovitz countered with a smile, "I'm an equal opportunity eater, and I don't discriminate."