Page 8 - Allisons Newsletter, Lakewood Edge - Oct 2018 Issue

food and nutrition

LIFESTYLE

ids’ school days are packed
with learning, laughing and
Klots of fun. To get the most
out their time in class, it’s important
their bodies and minds are properly
fueled. Packing a healthy lunch
is one of the easiest ways parents
can support their child’s education
during the day while they can’t be
there. Healthy foods keep distracting
hunger pangs at bay while providing
important nutrients to support focus
and learning.
Many traditional healthy foods
aren’t necessarily kid-friendly, which
leaves moms and dads wondering
how to pack a wholesome lunch that
will actually get eaten. Fortunately,
a little creative thinking and a few
simple lunchbox tricks can help you
create tasty meals that will fuel your
kids throughout the school day.
Consider these seven smart ideas and
be inspired to create your own kid-
approved combinations.
THINK OUTSIDE THE LOAF: 7 Healthy, Kid-Approved Lunchbox Ideas
Sandwiches are a lunchbox staple,
but that doesn’t mean you’re limited FANTASTIC FREEZE-DRIED FRUIT: breakfast sandwich or a yogurt parfait or halved strawberries. Low-fat salad
to two pieces of bread. To add Fresh fruit isn’t always an option as a wholesome lunch option. dressing or hummus is the perfect
variety and boost nutrient intake, and that’s when delicious Crispy pairing for veggie straws including
incorporate fun variations. For Fruit freeze-dried snacks from Crispy SLURP UP SOUP: carrots, celery or sweet peppers.
example, use whole-grain tortillas Green can save the day. The perfect Cold lunch doesn’t necessarily need
to create wraps, or, go one step complement to any healthy lunch or to be cold. Get a reusable insulated PROTEIN PICK-ME-UP:
further and cut up the rolls for bite- the ideal lightweight portable snack, container and get ready to delight Protein helps kids feel fuller for
size “sushi” that makes it fun for Crispy Fruit comes in many single- those kid’s taste buds with vitamin- longer, getting them through those
lunching. Another idea: use whole- serving varieties to keep lunchboxes rich soup. Whether you choose a lengthy school days. It’s important
wheat waffles as the sandwich ends interesting, including banana, apple, hearty alphabet soup bought from to pack a protein source in lunch,
and fill with peanut butter and pineapple and pear. You can feel the store or decide to make a batch at but meats aren’t your only option.
banana or cream cheese and apples. good about giving your kids a snack home, look for options packed with Eggs are high in protein, so try
that is 100 percent fruit, non-GMO different vegetables and limited salt. hard-boiled or scrambled and pack
COLORFUL CREATIONS: and allergen-free with no additives or Simply heat up in the morning and in an insulated container. Other kid-
Ever notice how everything sugar added. it will be ready and waiting come friendly foods high in protein include
associated with kids has tons of color? lunch time. Warm soup satisfies the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, beans
Children are attracted to vivid hues BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH: stomach while warming the heart. and many nuts or nut butters.
and you can use this to your advantage Is it backwards day? No, but you You are what you eat, so it’s
when you pack lunches. Put a rainbow can get a little crazy by shaking DIP AND MUNCH: important to choose your children’s
in every lunch by packing colorful things up when you pack breakfast If you have a hesitant kid who is foods wisely. For more tips about
produce such as green cucumber, foods for lunch. Kids will grin with known to snub their nose at fruits and packing wholesome lunches and
cherry tomatoes, purple plums, orange joy as they open their pack to see veggies, consider making eating more living a healthy family lifestyle,
carrots and yellow peppers. You’ll their favorite whole grain cereal fun by packing a side of dip. Children visit www.produceforkids.
keep things visually stimulating and with a side of milk, or muffins with adore the act of dipping and it makes com/poweryourlunchbox or
the various colors of fresh foods mean secret healthy ingredients like fruit eating a fun, interactive activity. A little smartlifebites.com. n
they are getting a variety of vitamins or shredded veggies. You might yogurt will encourage kids to gobble up
and minerals. even consider your child’s favorite fruits like orange wedges, apple slices ©2018 Brandpoint.

GRILLED PORK

CHOPS WITH

VINEGAR BUTTER

AND BABY ARUGULA

Preheat a grill for direct-heat cooking, with the fire directly under
the cooking grid.
When the fire is hot, season the pork chops to taste on both sides
with salt and pepper. Grill the chops until well-seared on both sides
and cooked through but still juicy, 5 to 7 minutes per side, turning
them only once; an instant read grilling thermometer inserted into
the center of a chop should read about 145 F. Remove the chops to
a heated platter, cover with aluminum foil, and keep warm.
As soon as the pork chops start grilling, prepare the sauce. Put
the shallot and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a nonreactive saucepan
over medium heat and sauté until the shallot begins to soften, about
3 minutes. Add the vinegar, stir and scrape with a wooden spoon to
deglaze the pan deposits, raise the heat to high, and cook until the
vinegar reduces by half its volume, about 1 minute.
Stir in the wine and continue boiling until it reduces by half,
2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the reduce broth or stock and continue
INGREDIENTS simmering the sauce until it is thick enough to lightly coat the back
of a spoon, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Reduce the heat to low and whisk
• 4 well-trimmed pork chops, • 4 tablespoons unsalted • 1/4 cup Zinfandel vinegar or the sauce continuously while adding the remaining butter pieces a
each about 8 ounces butter, 3 tablespoons cut other good-quality, strong- little at a time, only adding more when those you’ve added are fully
into small pieces flavored red wine vinegar incorporated. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Kosher salt Arrange a bed of arugula leaves on each of four warmed dinner
• Freshly ground black pepper • 2 bunches baby arugula, • 1/2 cup good-quality chicken plates. Place a pork chop on top of each bed of arugula. Spoon the
tough stems removed, broth or stock, boiled in a small
• 1 large shallot, minced leaves rinsed under cold saucepan until reduced to sauce over the chops, and serve immediately. Serves 4. n
© 2018 Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc.
• 1/2 cup dry red wine running water and patted dry about 1/4 cup Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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