Pack that school lunch right
Packing lunches for my daughter, with unusual flavors, unique
packaging and fun notes is one of the things I miss most about that baby being
all grown up.
Parents today can take a few tips from a new APP from
Merilee Kern, called 'Kids Making Healthy
Choices'
based on her award-winning illustrated fictional children's book, “Making
Healthy Choices A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids." Here’s some
tips for a healthy, happy meal:
* Lean meat, such as shaved ham or
turkey, on whole grain bread or in a wheat wrap with some lettuce, low/fat free
cheese, and a touch of low-fat/fat-free mayonnaise or mustard is sure to please…and
nourish.
*
Even the quintessential children’s sandwich, PB&J, can be made in a
healthy way these days. Many peanut butter brands now offer low-fat and
low-sodium versions. That, coupled with an all-fruit, sugar-free jelly on
whole grain bread makes this school cafeteria staple a guiltless pleasure.
* Tuna fish is jam packed with
oh-so-beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids. When mixed with low-fat mayonnaise,
diced apple, and, if your child likes, a bit of onion and served in a wheat
pita
* One the side? Low-salt pretzels; fat- and
sugar-free yogurt or cottage cheese; celery sticks filed with
low-fat/low-sodium peanut butter; any kind of pre-washed fresh fruit (nature's
gift to humanity); dried or dehydrated fruit, such as raisins; apricots, pears,
apples, roasted or raw almonds, walnuts or peanuts (not oiled or candied);
low-fat string cheese or chunked low-fat cheese; and even baked chips or
healthy pita chips in moderation are all great choices.
* Skip the sugary juice box and send along a
bottle of water instead to get your child in the habit of working toward
his/her optimal fluid intake (experts recommend one consume about .5 ounces of
water per pound of body weight).
After school:
* Potato Chips/Fries - Cut the potato in the
desired shape (round, rectangular, oblong, etc.). Fully coat with egg
whites. Season with a touch of salt or other herbs as desired. Bake at
350 degrees until golden brown. Serve with sugar-free catsup.
* Popcorn: Air pop popcorn and on it drizzle
a moderate amount of powdered butter substitute, light parmesan cheese, or even
honey for a tasty twist.
*
Mexican Bean Dip: Drain and food
process two 14-ounce cans of black beans. Add three fourths of a cup
of fat-free salsa and half of a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and
blend until completely smooth. Top with a dab of fat-free sour cream,
fat-free cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, etc. as desired.
* Fruit Smoothies: These are a warm weather
staple that can, and should, be enjoyed year-round. While fruit smoothie
recipes abound, it need not be a complex process. Simply blend, in
amounts to your personal liking, either plain or flavored
fat-free/sugar-free yogurt with skim milk, ice cubes, and either fresh or
frozen fruit chunks. For added sweetness, you can add a touch of honey or
an artificial sweetener, such as stevia. Blend and enjoy.
Louisiana
good
If you could make a meal with Louisiana products you love, what
would your menu be? I’d love an oyster poor-boy with crispy Zapp’s kettle chips
and an Abita beer. Tabasco is on the side and some Community Coffee is welcome
to follow. This month’s Thrive Magazine, based out of Lake Charles, La.,
features snippets on some of our favorite flavors from across the border. It’s
the cover story for September.
New look for
classic crackers
Some
Lance® cracker sandwiches
have new looks. Whole grain crackers with real peanut butter, cheddar and sharp
cheddar are fresh from their boxes
in time to fill lunchboxes across the south. Did you know Lance has been around
for more than a century and the stuff coming out of Charlotte, N.C. uses real
cheddar and pb? I don’t remember ever going nuts over cracker sandwiches until
I tried these. But if you have, let’s say temptation issues, over snacks like
these, consider this: I opened a package of six and crumbled two up to top two
eggs for two breakfasts. Then I had two more with a salad for lunch. The other
two stayed fresh in a plastic food container, ready for another day. Yes, I
realize most snackers would wolf down the package in a few minutes, but these
wheat guys are worth savoring. Lance Toasty crackers have improved peanut
butter flavor with more eco-friendly packaging. I’m very much enjoying a round
of crackers.
Also
look for Lance® Xtra Fulls and Bolds and variety packs. These guys are also responsible for the
coveted Lance® Captain Wafers Crackers Variety Pack.
ddoiron@panews.com
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