Come and Celebrate – My Plate Turns Five

There are many resources available to help promote healthy eating  following the recommendations of My Plate.  Get you children and families involved in promoting healthy eating.  Do some recipe demonstrations and taste testing…get your parents               involved.  Invite a local farmer to your classroom and discussing from Farming to Food on the Table.  Many children have only seen certain items in specific ways, such as baby carrots, how about the roots, stem, where they come from.  There are do many learning opportunities.  They tie it all together with a book and you can have the whole day planned with all activities celebrating the My Plate and food related activities.  From books, to guessing games, to taste testing, the ideas are infinite.  I hope you will share some on your ideas back to our site to share with other.

Downloadable MyPlate Mini Poster is available for printing and using in your classroom.

For More information on MyPlate and resources please visit:

http://blogs.usda.gov/2016/06/06/myplate-turns-five-celebrating-new-resources-in-2016/

Also celebrate your plate.  Take some pictures and share with us what you are doing in the classroom.

Cabbage TO GO!

Here are some fun and healthy recipes that incorporates cabbage to make it very tasty and inviting!

Stir -Fry Cabbage

Ingredients

• 1 cabbage
• 1 bell pepper, if desired
• 1 onion
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 bouillon cube
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

• Cut up cabbage; mix in a bowl with onion and black pepper.
• Heat oil in a frying pan, then add cabbage mixture and stir-fry for about 1 minute.
• Immediately add garlic powder, bouillon, and water. Cover pan.
• When water comes to a boil, turn down heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add black pepper and serve. +

Boiled Cabbage with Bacon

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 thick slices bacon, diced, about 6 to 8 ounces
• 1 large sweet onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 medium head of cabbage
• 1/2 to 1 cup chicken broth or water, as needed
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a large Dutch oven or deep sauté pan, cook the diced bacon until cooked through but not crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon pieces to paper towels to drain; set aside. Leave about 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the pot.
2. Add the chopped onion to the bacon drippings and cook, stirring, over medium heat until tender and lightly browned. This will take about 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Coarsely chop the cabbage. Add the chopped cabbage to the browned onions and add 1/2 cup of chicken broth.

Cabbage- Farm, Fresh, And Fast!

CABBAGE

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DID YOU KNOW?

• There are many types of cabbage including green, red, and savoy. The most common type is green
• Once cabbage is cut, it rapidly lose vitamin C.
• Cabbage heads can be hollowed out and used as unique serving containers for cold dips and spreads.

Cabbage Benefits YOU!

• High in vitamin C
• Low in calories
• Fat and cholesterol free

FAST FACTS!

• Chose firm heads that feel heavy for their size. Outer leaves should look fresh, have good color and be free of blemishes.
• Refrigerate, unwashed, tightly wrapped in a plastic bag for up to a week.
• Do not wash until ready to use.

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Farm, Fresh, And Fast!

SEE OUR POST NEXT WEEK FOR HEALTHY RECIPES WITH CABBAGE!!!

Apples- Farm, Fresh, And Fast!

APPLES

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DID YOU KNOW?

• Substitute applesauce for oil in many baked goods to cut fat and calories.
• A rough brown patch on apples is not a sign of spoilage; this is know as “russeting”.
• Two-thirds of the fiber is in the apple’s peel.

APPLES BENEFIT YOU!

• Free of fat, cholesterol, and sodium
• Contains iron, calcium, vitamins A and C
• High in dietary fiber
• Healthy source of antioxidants

FAST FACTS!

• Choose apples that are blemish-free and firm
• Refrigerate in plastic bag away from foods with strong odors; apples can absorb the flavor of other products.
• To prevent sliced apples from turning dark, cover with lemon juice.

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Farm, Fresh, And Fast!

SEE OUR BLOG NEXT WEEK FOR FUN AND HEALTHY RECIPES FOR APPLES!!!

Fall Activities!!!

Fall can be considered one of the most beautiful seasons of the year! This time of year can also bring about many fun “DIY” (do it yourself) projects for your home, school, and as a way to spend time with your family.  Here are a few fun things that can be done as a Childcare provider and a parent:

• Make Apple Prints
• Jump into a pile of freshly raked leaves
• Pick out different leaves to make a Leaf Portrait
• Decor for your home, hollow out pumpkins to make Candles
• Take Family pictures! Find an area filled with big trees and nice colorful leaves for a fun background.

Visit Today’s Parent website to find more Family Fun activities!!

Recipes That Make Fruit and Veggies Inviting

Apple Turtles

Ingredients

• 2 Granny Smith apples
• 12 green grapes
• 8 mini chocolate chips
• 10 toothpicks
• Makes 4 servings

Directions

• Cut the apples in half longitudinally and place flat-side down on counter.
• Cut the grapes into two and attach to the apples using toothpicks, making 4 feet and 2 eyes.
• Stick chocolate chips in the front grapes for eyes.

http://www.thedailymeal.com/cook/11-kids-snacks-make-eating-fruits-and-vegetables-fun

Fun Ways to Eat Fruit and Veggies

Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables is good for your health. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends eating at least five servings of fruits or veggies each day. To parents this seems like a dishearten duty, but teaching children about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables and getting creative in the preparation and presentation of these foods will make it easier on the parents.

The following tips can help make fruit and veggies time fun for children:

• Let children be involved in preparing fruits and veggies
• Take them with you to the grocery shop, let the children pick new fruit or veggies
• Make fruit or veggie smoothie
• Make fruit or veggie Popsicle
• Make designs or faces on fruit or vegetable for snacks and meals.
• Pick a color of the day for the fruits and veggies
• Plant a garden, let the child pick out the seeds and have them help plant the garden. Have the child help harvest the vegetables and use it to cook.

 

Be creative!

Peach it UP!!

August is National Peach month and I have some fun healthy recipes that’s sure to send your taste buds on a frenzy! Not only is it healthy, but they are fun and your children would love to assist with preparing.

Peach Salsa

Ingredients

• 2 cups peeled and chopped peaches
• 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup seeded, chopped cucumber
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro

Directions

• Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill for several hours, stirring occasionally.
• Complement your chicken or pork with this tasty, tangy salsa.

Farm, Fresh, And Fast!

Peach Crumble

Ingredients

• 3 large sheets graham crackers
• 1 tablespoon soft margarine
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 can peaches in juice or light syrup (15 oz.)
• 1 1⁄2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

Directions

• Place graham crackers in zip top plastic bag or between two pieces of foil and crumble, using the unopened can of peaches as a rolling pins
• Melt margarine.
• Add graham cracker crumbles and sugar to melted margarine and stir to mix.
• Open can of peaches and drain off liquid.
• Heat peaches until warm, 1-2 minutes.
• Pour 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt in each of 3 small (1 cup) bowls.
• Top each bowl with 1/3 of warm peaches.
• Top peaches with 1/3 of graham cracker crumbles and serve.

UGA Food Talk

Quick HEALTHY Snacks on the go!!

As school starts, it’s to prepare for those mid-day and afternoon snacks. As busy parents and childcare providers, something quick is always the best way to go. Here I have some quick healthy snacks made to grab and go!!

Make your own creative version of the classic “Ants on a Log.”

“Safari Log”

• Cut celery into 5-inch pieces
• Smear the inside with peanut butter
• Top with diced sized fruit such as apple
• Finish it off by placing an animal cracker in the peanut butter

Kids are sure to be amused and entertained while crafting and eating these.  Plus they are getting healthy foods in their growing bodies without even realizing it!

“Fruit Smoothies”

• Assemble bags of ready-to-blend fruit at the beginning of the week. It can include fresh or frozen fruit.
• Place in freezer until you’re ready for a smoothie.
• Simply add the fruit then add 3/4 to 1 cup water.
• Put the top on and blend away!

Making a smoothie is as easy as 1, 2, 3!!!

Easy Layered Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

Here’s an easy and fun recipe to do with your children and students as a healthy snack. They can be involved and most of all, it is delicious!!

Ingredients:

• Vanilla Yogurt
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Granola

             

Directions:

• Cover the bottom of each cup with granola
• Layer 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt into the bottom each of cup
• Layer blueberries in each cup, place 1/3 cup vanilla on top
• Put strawberries on next layer
• Continue to alternate layers of fruit and  yogurt until cups are filled to the top. top off with a sprinkles of granola
• Serve parfaits immediately to keep granola crunchy