Musings From My Minivan

Chicken Nuggets are not a food group! You laugh, but there are some kids out there who believe it to be true. Not so far fetched since until recently ketchup was designated a vegetable in school lunches. Yeah, not so funny now is it. As we debate like maniacs the question of health care in this country let?s pause for a moment and look at the things that we could be doing better so that we are ore healthy as a nation in general, and thus not in need of so much medical intervention. Chief in point would be our food. From a country that was founded on the backs of farmers we have turned into a nation of processing. There are children in the United States who do not have fresh vegetables and fruit in their diet regularly. ?How can that be,? you ask?. Well, frankly because we let it happen. Particularly by allowing our school lunches to run the gamut from bad to awful.

But never fear we can still do something to change it. The Healthy Schools Campaign based in Chicago, as well as Chef Ann the Renegade Lunch Lady, LaDonna Redmond of the Institute for Community Resource, Representatives of Chartwells Thompson Hospitality and countless others are working very hard to turn the tides of unhealthy eating in our school systems. We all gathered at Whole Foods in Chicago recently to put our thoughts on the table and collectively energize our base of support to get pissed off and demand better for our children. (Chef Ann is the one who really wants us to get pissed off. She?s a rabble rouser and I love her for it.) Why now as opposed to tomorrow? Well, because The Child Nutrition Act is up or reauthorization this year. Lawmakers need to hear from us TODAY that we not only want, not only expect, but that we DEMAND that they do more and better for our children when it comes to their food sources.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALfYzB0uX3U

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When I was growing up my Mother used to make Brownies with Wheat Germ. She said it was her job to slip in the good stuff when we weren?t looking. The thing is the brownies didn?t taste that much different, but as kids we always over reacted to change, even just the thought of it. But I got used to her ways and grew to really appreciate them. Another specialty of hers was Mama Muffins filled with nutrients. She would send them in care packages to me at college, and my classmates would line up in anticipation of their arrival. Eureka! Now I am the parent. I must admit I am not much of a baker, but I still try and employ my mother?s loving philosophy. I have taken to making smoothies in the morning because I feel like my children?s nutrition is a gamble once they leave my house. I want to put them on their way with as solid a foundation as possible. First I juice veggies including brussel sprouts, kale, spinach, zucchini, bok choy, plus some apples, pear and kiwi. Then I pour the juice into the blender and add frozen berries, flax seed oil and my favorite ingredient, vanilla extract. This is a great way for me to be sure that they have the necessary nutrients to launch into their day. Nevertheless, when they come home at night I have had to be creative with my entrees as well. My son has always been a great, adventurous eater. However, I have very picky eaters in my girls, plus they have inherited their father?s sweet tooth. For quite some time I couldn?t get them to eat their protein. So, I went to my trusty vanilla again and created Cinnamon Chicken. I add cinnamon and vanilla extract, along with soy sauce and some spices, to my stove-top preparation of chicken tenderloins and breasts. It was a hit, Score #1! So, I next tried it with my ground turkey as well. Score # 2. Although after a while they started to tire of this trick, so I next turned to lemon lime and cherry slushy syrup from my Somersize arsenal. The syrup was meant to create slushy?s, but instead I used it as a dipping sauce. Thus I created Cherry and Lemon Lime Chicken. Score # 3! I continue to try and think outside of the box to create dishes that my picky eaters will dive into. My current hunt is for a good fish idea. However, for me the idea of brownies with wheat germ not only relates to food, but to education and entertainment too. Many of the hands on children?s museums we have, particularly here in Chicago. We have The Chicago Children?s Museum and The Kohl Children?s Museum. Their exhibits are meant to excite and delight while simultaneously inspiring and instigating. Through play in zones such as water, construction, general store, baby and music rooms to name a few, our children are learning important skills in math, science, language arts and social studies. All of this play also bolsters socio-emotional development on top of curriculum enhancement, preparing our children for school and life. I personally try to employ this methodology with the media that I create. For example, my song AWESOME 8! is a fun dance tune, but underneath the rhythmic beat it contains an important message about healthy choices for growing kids. As a parent I look for that kind of entertainment for my kids. I see it in shows like Word World, Fetch with Ruff Ruffman, Cyberchase, Pinky Dinky Do and Cake to name a few. But kids need more. They need more outlets for nutrition. SO I continue my work and my search. With Mother?s Day approaching this weekend I reflect upon my role and my role model. I am so thankful for my mother and all that she has done for me over the years, and continues to do for me even today. She gave me a great recipe, not just for healthy foods, but for life. And I continue to feast upon it every day. It has fed me since infancy, and now it feeds my children, and hopefully all children that come in contact with me for years to come. Brownies with Wheat Germ, a Mama creation first, and ultimately a nutritious recipe for life. SMILE On! Miss Lori This is an original post to Chicago Moms Blog. You can find more of Miss Lori on her website, linkedin, facebook, twitter, myspace and youtube.
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