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The government is setting new school lunch nutrition requirements:  Establish maximum calorie and sodium limits.  Serve a fruit and vegetable every day in larger portions.  Offer a minimum number of leafy green vegetables, red-orange vegetables, starchy vegetables and legumes each week.  After 2 years, all grains must be rich in whole grains such as brown rice.  Breads, buns, cereals and pastas must list whole grain as 1st ingredient. Milk must be either low-fat (1%) or fat-free.  Flavored milk must now be fat-free.  No trans- fats.

Cost – 11 cents more per lunch. Who is going to pay for this?  Government will give schools 6 cents more per lunch.  The additional 5 cents will have to come from states and local taxes it seems. What are you paying for each lunch at your children’s school?

We are pleased with these positive changes.  There are two possible problems to address.  One: the government has no money.  We are in serious debt.  Two: kids have to like these foods.  With the right cafeteria managers and chefs, this is possible.  To limit their other choices is critical.  Kids will eat healthier foods if they taste good.

Best possible school lunch – probably the one you make at home for your kids to take to school.  That is why we give you Lunch Box menus in our Family Food Newsletter.  Sign up to receive it twice a month. www.KidKritics.com.

… for the health of families,
ellen

Mac and Cheese – all natural, no artificial anything, no Trans Fats. Win a whole case by Annie’s Homegrown.  Add some carrots or peas and a few parsley and paprika flakes. Put some in thermos for school lunch.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

The “queen” of budget crunching, Valerie Berkowitz, R.D, author of The Stubborn Fat Fix, and, mother of four young ones, will tell you her secrets to keeping her costs down while celebrating the holidays. She makes it simple and doable.  There is always something to learn from Valerie.  Tune in to for help to lighten your budget load. Friday, Dec.23rd, Noon, eastern time, www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

If you love Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels (Good Health Natural Products) then enter to Win a whole Case this week.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Chef Jesse Ziff Cool

You may be surprised to learn that chefs are known to keep it simple at home. Chef Jesse Ziff Cool explains how she creates two holiday meals for her family.  All her recipes are easy to make.  One family’s favorite is her Scollop Potatoes.  Steamed vegetables and turkey are two other menu items.  She confirmed that her children and grandchildren are kitchen helpers.  To learn more, listen on www.iTunes.com, Podcast, “Better Food Choices.”  This is an inspiring and animated interview.  Simple is Cool!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

It’s time to Win a whole Free Range Turkey by Shelton’s Poultry!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

Fresh Brussels Sprouts

Delicata Squash

Catherine is from Kentucky.  Her family's traditional holiday menu is southern in nature: Baked Ham (brown sugar & pineapple glaze), Homemade Biscuits, Mac and Cheese (made with choice cheese by her husband), Roasted Brussels Sprouts (olive oil, lemon juice, toasted almonds, Parmesan cheese), Delicata Squash (baked with bell peppers, carrots, onions and slightly sweetened with maple syrup), Salad (baby arugula, blood orange sections, shaved fennel, pomegranate seeds, toasted almonds, vinaigrette dressing), and her family's "secret" recipe for Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt Tart – oh my goodness!  By the way, her young kids love the Brussels sprouts and squash recipes.  It is time to start offering your kids a variety of vegetables.  Purchased fresh and made well is your key. Look for these and more recipes on Catherine's  website, www.weelicious.com.  To listen to Catherine's interview, please go to www.iTunes.com, then Podcast, then Better Food Choices – it is worth every minute of your time!

… for the health of your family,
ellen
 

Want to fill your pantry with some healthier munchies for holiday entertaining?  Enter to win a Case of EatSmart Naturals Whole Grain White Cheddar Cheese Curls by Snyder's of Hanover. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up your odds

It is that time of year!  Time for cranberry sauce.  Actually you should enjoy it all year round as cranberries feed your blood, bones, ears, eyes, lungs, and muscles.  The problem with cranberries is they are really sour so too many people add tons of sugar before serving them.  Here is the easiest healthiest tastiest recipe for cranberry sauce: 1 cup OJ, 1 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Put in pan. Bring to boil. Add 12 oz bag fresh cranberries.  Stir in heat for 10 min.  Serve. Thank you for this recipe Amy Roskelly of  SuperHealthyKids.com. Use this sauce as a topping for your entrees and vegetables dishes.   Bet your kids will like green beans dipped in Amy’s cranberry sauce.  Add as a spread to sandwiches. Puree it until smooth for your texture picky eaters. Make fresh cranberries a regular in your home.

… for the health of families,
ellen