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 folks in Portland, Maine have encouraged their community to follow the 5-2-1-0 program: EVERYDAY eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, engage in 2 hours or less of screen time, exercise at least 1 hour, and, consume 0 sugary drinks. A recent survey showed a significant increased dedication to this behavior pattern.  More kids are sitting down and eating fruits and vegetables which means parents are serving them.  45% of kids are watching less screen entertainment.  Water is replacing sodas.  The trend is moving in a healthy direction.  This 5-2-1-0 number series seems to make it easier for parents and children to follow this guideline.  Do you agree?  If so, we encourage you to adopt it in your home.

… for the health of families,
ellen

Win a Whole Free Range Turkey (Shelton’s Poultry) for your family. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes to enter.  Shelton’s birds “don’t do drugs.”  You can really taste the delicious difference!

French Toast Waffles by Sheila, a Healthier Recipe Mom, is a genius way to take the work out of making waffles. You simply mix eggs with milk, dip bread in it and cook it in a waffle maker.  Then top with butter and fruit.  For details go to www.KidKritics.com.  This is the Featured Recipe of the week so you will find it on the home page.  So fast, easy and a great way to get eggs into the mouths of children!

… for the health of families,
ellen

Wouldn’t you love to have a whole Free Range Turkey by Shelton’s Poultry delivered to your home? Make this a possibility by entering this week’s Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

Kale is loaded with nutrients that feed your blood, bones, ears, eyes, hair, heart, lungs, muscles, nails, nerves, skin and teeth.  Most turn away from this curly coarse leafy green not having a clue that it can be so easy to cook for taste appeal.  All you do is cut away the center vein, chop it up finely and stir- fry in garlic sauteed in olive oil.  Spruce it up with a little sea salt and lemon juice.  Here's the key.  Serve just a small spoonful at first.  Never overwhelm new tasters with full servings. Add leftover little bits in casseroles, meat loafs, soups, and an omelette.  Cook up a bunch and freeze some for later use.  This is one inexpensive way to power up your family with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, detox and anti-cancer properties. Go buy some this week. You are going to be pleasantly surprised.

… for the health of your family,
ellen
 

This week enter to Win a Case of Puffin Puffs Fruit Medley Cereal by Barbara’s Bakery.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than one to up your winning odds.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

The good news is that General Mills has been gradually reducing the amount of added sugar put into their cereals targeted for kids.  Franken Berry has been reduced from 3  3/4 teaspoons to 2  1/2 teaspoons of sugar per serving. Apple Cinnamon Cheerios from 3  1/4 to 2  1/2 teaspoons.  And, Lucky Charms from 3 to 2  1/2 teaspoons of sugar.  They say that’s as far as they can go to keep it sweet.  Less sugar does make it better, a bit better.  Measure 2  1/2 teaspoons of sugar in a cup and then image spooning it into your  children’s mouths.

Also, too many have dyes and other artificial ingredients are still in their kid cereals.  Lucky Charms are colored with Yellow 5 &6, Blue 1, and Red 40, plus they are flavored artificially.  What do you think those marshmallows are made of – junk.  Why does cereal have to be sugary?  We say, you are spending a lot of money on junk cereal for breakfast which is a counter-productive way for your kids to start their day.

Whole grains, nuts and fruit combined are full of naturally delicious flavors.  There are many brands such as Barbara’s Bakery and Nature’s Path with better cereal choices.  Or, scramble a free range egg and serve a strip of turkey bacon with it for breakfast.  This will set you kids up for a positively productive day and save you money!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Sweepstakes!  10 pounds of Free Range Chicken Breasts by Shelton’s Poultry.  Their chickens “don’t do drugs.”  Enter to win this case of chicken.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

The Amazing Kid-Friendly Veggie Casserole was sent in by a mom who told us her kids love this. I was skeptical but went ahead,  made it and had the Kid Kritics taste test it.  Was I surprised.  They not only loved it, they begged for seconds and thirds.  We could have chopped the veggies more finely but due to time, didn’t.  A couple of boys were not broccoli fans so they grizzled.  The rest were happy campers.  It is easy so go for it – a great way to get vegetables into the mouths of your kids! Go to www.KidKritics.com – its the featured recipe of the week!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Thanks to Nutrition Babes Registered Dieticians, Lauren Harris Pincus and Kathy Siegel, we have a great list of cake toppings to replace sugar-filled frosting and dyed decorations:

- Icing: gluten-free, no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated or trans fats whip cream: TruWhip
- Fresh fruit, cut or sliced
- Frozen fruit, drained
- Dried fruit
- Nuts, only when there are no allergy concerns
- Non-eatable decorations: curled ribbon, plastic creatures, other plastic decor

I am adding mint leaves and flowers (for girls)! Get creative.  Have you kids help decorate their cakes. For more delicious tips about Healthier Birthday Celebrations for home and school parties listen on iTunes, Better Food Choices.  Then, please, let us know your ideas!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don’t forget about the YOU WIN, YOU CHOSE! sweepstakes this week.  When I call the winner, he or she will tell me whether to ship a case of Original, Pizza, Hot Veggie Stix or Chips to him or her.  Plus this is the last week you can win “The Princess and the Pop Star” DVD by Veggie Tales.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today!

Did you know that 70 years ago 70% of families grew some food? Today, only 1% do. We've lost our way. Only 1 % means you probably have never planted a veggie seed. Farmer Jay said start with lettuce in a pot. It needs no more than 4 inches of soil. From seed, in 6 weeks you'll have food, or earlier if you pick baby tender leaves. At this time of year, look for Slow Bolt. Have fun and save money! For more tips, listen to Farmer Jay on iTunes "Better Food Choices" (7/29)

… for the health of your family.
ellen

Pizza Veggie Stix is this week's sweepstakes food prize – a case of 6oz. bags.  Because Veggie Stix has partnered with Veggie Tales, you'll also receive a DVD, The Princess and the Pop Star.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes to enter today!

I have a question for you.  Does your family eat a salad at a mealtime more than 36 times a year?  A report came out today that "the average American eats a salad only about 36 times a year."*  I find that shocking – less than 10 percent of the year.  Please tell me they are wrong.  How often do you serve your family a salad with some leafy greens over a year? (Potato salads don't count.)

… for the health of families,
ellen

* Sarah Nassauer, "The Salad Is in the Bag," Wall Street Journal, 7/27/11, p. D1