This week's YUMMY Selections

FRUITS

 CORN FLAKE TREATS

 HEAVENLY CINNAMON     ROLLS



          TUNA SALAD BAGELS

The Tomato

(Lycopersicon esculentum)

Originally cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas as early as 700 A.D., the tomato is native to the Americas. Europeans were first made aware of the tomato when explorers brought back seed from Mexico and Central America in the 16th century. Tomatoes quickly became popular in the Mediterranean countries but received resistance as they spread north. The British in particular considered the fruit to be beautiful but poisonous. This fear was shared in the American colonies and it was years before the tomato gained widespread acceptance. By the middle of the 19th century, tomatoes were in use across America. Today the tomato is generally considered to be the favorite vegetable of the American public.

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0781697.html

Nutritional Information

(average-sized tomato, 5 oz.)

Calories	35
Protein	1 gram
Carbohydrate	6 grams
Fat	1 gram
Dietary fiber	1 gram
Sodium	15 milligrams
Potassium	360 milligrams

The menu has been posted.

Healthy Bones Means More Than Just Milk

Milk and milk products are high in calcium, which is important for strong bones, says MyPyramid for Kids. Milk isn't the only source of calcium, it is also found in soy milk and fortified juices, says the Vegetarian Resource group. Some vegetables, such as broccoli and chinese cabbage, also contain calcium. Shellfish, salmon and sardines eaten with the bones, almonds and dried beans are also good sources of calcium, according to the National Institutes of Health Medline Plus.

Go Meatless For Protein

Protein can be found in a number of different foods, including meat, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, starches and vegetables. Protein is important for building muscle. Kids should choose low-fat meats and poultry, says MyPyramid for Kids. Kids should also eat more vegetarian sources of protein. Go meatless on Monday, say RD411. Meatless meal ideas include spaghetti with tomato sauce, bean burritos and grilled cheese.

Make The Most Out Of Snacks

Kids are snacking on more cookies and candy, and drinking more soda these days, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest. These high calorie treats aren't filling and contribute to weight gain in kids. To stay healthy, kids should choose low calorie nutritious foods to snack on. Food like apples, yogurt and carrots are very low in calories, but can help keep hunger away. A whole cucumber has fewer calories than one Oreo cookie, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/149288-fun-nutrition-facts-for-kids/#ixzz1h1sFgZj8

Check out the menu for the week.  Until Monday.......

Keep your kids growing at a healthy weight and stay fit! §  Stock your refrigerator with ready to eat fruits and vegetables—fresh, frozen, or canned. If buying canned veggies, keep your heart healthy by assuring no sodium is added. If stalking up on canned fruit, buy items without added sugar or syrup that will add unwanted calories. When possible choose cans foods without BPA. §  Prepare fruits and veggies in an eye catching way: Studies show that children eat more of them when served in a beautiful and interesting way. §  Turn off the TV. Watching TV distracts families from enjoying healthier activities that exercise the muscles and the mind. §  Clean and sanitize your refrigerator regularly. Having a clean refrigerator reduces the risk of contaminated food. §  Monitor mindless munching. Teach your kids to be aware of when and what they are eating. §  Find healthy ways to reward your children for a job well done, like stickers or time together, instead of cookies or candy. Rewarding good behavior with food is related to being overweight later. §  Be a good example. Model healthy behaviors like eating breakfast and including fruits and vegetables at all of your meals.

This week's fruits and desserts

JOCOTES: TRONADORAS
MANDARINAS
WATERMELON
PINEAPPLE
MANGO DE ANIS
TORONJA ROSADA
CHOCOBANANOS
CHARAMUSCAS: MORA, HORCHATA, CHOCOLATE

Menu has been posted.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Skip the Take-Out & Get Cooking with the Kids with this Easy Chinese Meal
Introducing cultural cuisine to your family by cooking a healthy Chinese dish with your kids. It’s easy and fun!  Moo Goo Gai Pan is a delicious, easy-to-make stir-fry chicken dish with mushrooms and other veggies! Have your child help you wash the vegetables and measure the ingredients.

§  Heat a little olive, grape seed oil or canola oil in a wok and stir-fry mushrooms and canned water chestnuts for 2 minutes.

§  Add celery, pea pods, and 1 tsp honey. Sugar snap peas are a popular alternative with kids.

§  Add about ¼ cup water and steam for 2 minutes, then remove all food from the wok.

§  Stir-fry chicken for 4-5 minutes until cooked throughly.

§  Add back in the vegetables with a little minced ginger, soy sauce and 1 tsp of corn starch mixed with 2 tsp warm water. Stir while heating until sauce thickens. Eat and Enjoy!

Which Foods Bring You Great Harvest, Blessing and Fortune In The Chinese New Year?

Match the foods to the type of good luck they symbolize!

1. Harvest                                     a. Apple

(food with seeds, nuts)

2. Blessing                                    b. Orange

(red food)

3. Fortune                                    c. Walnuts

(golden/yellow food)

Reference:

Answers and more info athttp://superkidsnutrition.com/wordpress/kids-nutrition/skip-the-take-out-get-cooking-with-the-kids-with-this-easy-chinese-meal

The menu for the week has been posted.






Remember this coming Friday and the following Monday is a holiday.

Monster Pops!!

Unlike most store-bought popsicles which contain little to zero nutrition and an over-dose of toxic ingredients like corn syrup and artificial colors, this homemade version packs a nutritional punch! This recipe also provides a convenient and sneaky way to get even the pickiest eaters to enjoy spinach without plugging their noses! Imagine the satisfaction you'll get from transforming a typical junk food into one of the healthiest options in your freezer!

These homemade popsicles are made from 100% fresh fruits and vegetables, so they are a great option for a sweet but healthy snack or dessert! Spinach is one of the main ingredients, and it's a great source of fiber, potassium and iron. The spinach also makes these popsicles a fun, bright-green color! (If you prefer to make a different color, try adding some berries to create red or purple pops!) Fresh pineapple, bananas and freshly-squeezed orange juice complete the ingredients list of this recipe, and they cleverly disguise the taste of the spinach while adding even more potassium, vitamin C and calcium to these treats.

If your picky eaters don't like spinach, you shouldn't let them watch you make this recipe the first time. You may or may not choose to reveal the ingredients to them after they've enjoyed the flavor. It's also useful to name these pops something fun when serving them to children. The "Monster Pops" name used here plays up the fact that they are green. "Popeye Pops" is another great name, highlighting the spinach ingredient! Either way, your picky eaters will soon be bragging to their friends about how much they enjoy eating their spinach!


See Recipe on "Recipe of the week" at your right.

The Menu for the week has been posted.

This week's fruits include:


For dessert we'll have 

Tres Leches

Carrot Cake

Healthy Bones Means More Than Just Milk

Milk and milk products are high in calcium, which is important for strong bones, says MyPyramid for Kids. Milk isn't the only source of calcium, it is also found in soy milk and fortified juices, says the Vegetarian Resource group. Some vegetables, such as broccoli and Chinese cabbage, also contain calcium. Shellfish, salmon and sardines eaten with the bones, almonds and dried beans are also good sources of calcium, according to the National Institutes of Health Medline Plus.

The menu has been posted.  Have a wonderful week!

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is a time of great celebration that lasts for 2 weeks, and starts on the first day of the Chinese calendar. It is the time of family reunion and thanksgiving for the past year. During this celebration time, marketplaces are bursting with the colors that symbolize prosperity and blessings for a great start of a new year. These foods can help you and your family be healthy:

• Red colored foods bring you blessings throughout the year, so red foods such as apples, pomegranates, and blood oranges are a must in Chinese New Year!

• Golden/yellow colored foods such as apricots, candied tangerines, peaches, yellow peppers, pumpkin, and yellow squash bring you great fortune!

• Nuts and foods with seeds such as pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflower seeds, peanuts, walnuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, pine nuts, and pecans are symbols of wishes for a good harvest!

Based on Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon! Dragons are active, passionate, confident, brave, and energetic.  Encourage your children to start out the Chinese New Year eating lucky-healthy foods so they can be as strong and active as a Chinese Dragons!

This week's fruits

MANGO VERDE

WATERMELON AND CANTELOUPE

PINEAPPLE

  

 PINK GRAPEFRUIT IS A FAVORITE OF THE SCHOOL!

MANDARINAS

Menu has been posted

Think About What You Drink

• Drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated
• 6-10 cups a day varies with age
• Children get dehydrated faster than adults
• Milk contains calcium, which is needed for growing strong bones.
• Juice
• Mix ½ 100% fruit juice with ½ water
• *Do not use powder juice or add sugar to juice mixes –these drinks contribute to too much weight gain and are not good for your family’s health
• Avoid artificial sweeteners –see http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm
• Limit juice to no more than 6 ounces a day.
• Never put juice or soda in baby’s bottle
• Agua frescas – homemade without added sugar is a nice treat
• Jamaica (hibiscus tea) or herbal tea (caffeine free) without added sugar is a good alternative
• Try sparking water or club soda with sliced lemons, limes, or oranges for a fun alternative to water or soda.
• Water with cucumber slices is refreshing.

Water Tasting

• Make 4 different varieties of water with the kids for them to try
• Water with Orange slices
• Mint water
• Raspberries in ice cubes placed in water
• Cucumber or Jicama water

This week's fruits, veggies and dessert

Monday is MLK Holiday

The Cafeteria uses lots of onions, garlic, red bell peppers, green peppers and tomatoes as flavor enhancing to most of our foods. 


The menu for the week has been posted.  Until Tuesday...........

Eat a Rainbow

Fruits and vegetables come in a variety of different colors. These colors represent different nutritional components, such as beta carotene in carrots and the anthocyanins in strawberries.

MyPyramid for Kids recommends kids eat more dark green and orange vegetables.
Kids should try to eat a different colored fruit and vegetable every day and make it goal to eat a rainbow of colors each week.

The menu for the week has been posted. 
Have a great week!

Breakfast Makes Kids Smarter

Breakfast is an important meal. Kids who eat breakfast do better in school because they are better behaved and perform better, the American Dietetic Association explains. They also have an easier time maintaining a healthy weight.

For parents who struggle with getting their kids to eat in the morning, the cafeteria offer breakfast items at first recess.

Did you Know?

Different parts of the world have their own local cuisine. The diets and general food habits of various cultures depend on social, religious, economic and safety factors as well as the availability of different foods.

Examples of food and cuisine that are popular or famous in certain areas of the world include hummus in the Middle East, apple pie in the USA, raw fish in Japan, cheese in France, roast meat and vegetables in England, curry in India and tortillas in Mexico. Of course Baleadas in Honduras!

Happy 2012!

Hoping 2012 brings unity, peace, love and prosperity to all!

The Menu for the week has been posted.