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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As our children head back to school today armed with back packs full of supplies and lunches full of nutritious fuel I have something for you to fill their minds with as well, Advice. While attending the WGN Back to School Fair last month I had the pleasure of talking with long time Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. He was on hand with his World famous troupe, the Jesse White Tumblers, sharing high flying encouragement about school, and readiness for life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQNhWlpULg4

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It is imperative that we not only teach our children to stand tall, but arm them with options for what to do when they fall. For life?s path is filled with bumps and bruises. Our kids need us to teach them first aid so that they can patch themselves up, and hopefully heal stronger from their experiences. I tell my children that everyone loses their way sometimes, it?s the journey back to your path that builds character, resolve and self confidence about your ability to cope. School is important not only for the development of core curriculum skills, but for the development of a child?s socio-emotional being. We send our children to school to learn their ABCs and 123s, but also to learn civility and citizenry; to navigate interpersonal relationships and discover who they are… or at least who they want to be.

So today as our children walk the hallowed halls of learning I hope that there are many voices of wisdom echoing in their heads. For those voices, those little words of wisdom that pinball around all of the other information they take in through friends, television and the internet..those voices of reason and guidance are what we as parents hope will be the loudest when our kids are faced with moral and ethical choices in life.

SMILE On!

ML

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Well, here we are in the final countdown before school starts and I have a confession to make, (I seem to make a lot of those in this blog, hmmm… ). Anyway, my confession is… I am not ready for my kids to go back to school. I?m not! But it?s purely for selfish reasons, I am enjoying their company. No… I really am. I enjoy the spontaneity of our days. I enjoy the lazy mornings without a starter pistol going off. I enjoy getting to know them better, their unprompted thoughts and ideas.

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

Although, I didn?t do the things I said I would this Summer. The things that were my plan back in June. I told the kids they would each have to do music lessons and they would also have to an online course of curriculum based enrichment. Plus they would have to write weekly book reports. I also told them we were going to do a money project so they could learn, along with me, about stocks and investing. Ha! We didn?t do a single one of those things. One minute it was the end of school mid June and the next minute it was the last day of August. We simply ran out of time. But the key point is we didn?t waste our time, we simply lived it randomly and with interest.

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