Calories

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!

One free-range egg scrambled with Parmesan cheese and a smoothie made with water (your own filtered), ice, half a banana and peanut butter – about $1.00! For some green power, sprinkle in a few parsley flakes. You can replace PB with another nut of seed butter -use just a spoonful or two.  (Please avoid sugar added brands).  Your kids will stay healthy full for hours and hopefully be totally focused and behave as well!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Win a Case of Organic Raw Honey Fair Trade by Wholesome Sweeteners.  A holiday baking bonus!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today. To up your odds, enter more than once.

Quite frankly, I don’t know anyone who is not aging, me included!  It really starts in your 30s.  Bernat Meltzer, MD, author and wellness expert ,will clue in to what you should do in your thirties, forties, fifties to minimize and manage aging and its health consequences.  Tune in on Friday, June 3rd at Noon EDT for 30 minutes of invaluable advice that’s free!  Go to www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com or look for this interview later on iTunes: Better Food Choices.  It’s a podcast  – convenient! 

… for the health of families,
ellen

"Most kids don’t come close to getting enough exercise daily and don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables: 62% of 1,630 parents with children ages 5 to 10 say their kids eat junk food one to four days a week. Only 14% of parents say their kids eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day.These results shed light on the reasons for the childhood obesity epidemic. About a third of children in the USA are overweight, which puts them at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems."*

We know you care.  That's why we have the Kid Kritics program so you can serve you family healthier foods they will like!  Lean on it to up your kid's 
consumption of fruits and vegetables and to down their odds of being overweight and sick.  By the way, hundreds of YMCA children are Kid Kritics!

Come see us at the Boca Raton, FL. YMCA "Healthy Kids Day" event this Saturday! Or, find one in your neighborhood and have some fun with your  kids!

                    … for the health of your family,
                    ellen and sally

* Hellmich, Nanci, "Survey: Kids Lack Exercise, Healthful Foods", USA Today, www.usatoday.com/health, 4/13/11.

Avocado nutrients feed your brain, blood, eyes, hair, heart, mouth/teeth, nerves, nose and skin!  This fruit (seed in the center), grow on trees in CA and FL, are easily found in the stores now.  Pick some up, ripen them in paper bags, and serve them in salads, wraps, dips (guacomole),tacos and on top of fish, shrimp, eggs and chicken dishes.  Ripe ones melt in your mouth.  They are loaded with essential fatty acids especially needed for healthy brain development and maintenance – all good calories!  To make one go a long way, chop it into small pieces.  Their thick skin provides protection so no need to buy organic. Try to serve one a week in your home.

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Enter our Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes.  Have a case of food delivered to your home!  Until 11pm EST on 4/3 win Almond and Peanut Butter.  Next week win a case of Wild Blueberry Juice by Wyman’s of Maine! Go to www.KidKritics.com .