Back-to-School & Avoiding Unhealthy Temptation

Sept. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- It’s the beginning of yet another school year, and with the economy still struggling, parents are working harder than ever to bring home the bacon while balancing what precious time they have to attend to their kids. In such hectic times, the temptation to grab a pack of chips, a candy bar, a fast-food hamburger or something else quick to satiate the seemingly endless parade of requests from the little ones can be hard to resist; few have the time to make sure their kids are eating healthy. But childhood obesity is an epidemic, and the eating habits kids learn now are likely going to follow them for the rest of their lives.

The beginning of a new school year is a great time to start new habits, and “A White House Garden Cookbook” by Clara Silverstein is a great way to kick it off. Packed with recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks, “A White House Garden Cookbook: Healthy Ideas from the First Family for Your Family” is now available at a special 60% back-to-school discount for just $10.00(http://www.redrockpress.com/delicious.html#whiteHouseCook...)! The recipes come from first families past and present, as well as from kids’ community and school gardens from around the country – tested and glowingly approved by kids just like yours!

For example, below you’ll find recipes for Hi Rollers (quick vegetable wraps with cream cheese) and Tostadas with Avocado. These recipes, and the rest in the book, are quick, cheap, and best of all – healthy. Following Michelle Obama’s renovation of the White House Garden from the roots to the shoots over the course of a year, “A White House Garden Cookbook” has tons of tips on getting kids interested in fruits and vegetables. For more information, contact Red Rock Press at Daniel@RedRockPress.com or 212-362-8304. The book is available on Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, at your local bookshop, or at the Red Rock Press website (http://www.redrockpress.com/delicious.html#whiteHouseCookbook). Have a healthy school year!

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Hi Rollers
Per single serving

1 whole wheat or corn tortilla
1-2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese
3 tablespoons chopped spinach, fresh or steamed*
2 tablespoons shredded carrot
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley**
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tomato

Note:* You may add any leafy green, broccoli, potatoes or radishes.** You could use cilantro, dill and mint.

1. Place the tortilla on a plate. Spread the cream cheese over the surface.
2. Arrange the spinach, carrot, parsley and tomato on the cream cheese. If necessary, lightly press the vegetables with the back of a spoon so they stick to the cream cheese and don’t fall out of the bottom of the tortilla. Roll up the tortilla and eat it right away, or warm it slightly by placing it on a plate, putting it in the microwave, and heating on high for 15-30 seconds.
–– Sustainable Food Center’s program,
The Happy Kitchen
/ La Cocina Alegre ™

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Tostadas with Avocado
Serves 12

1. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits and scoop.
2. In a bowl, mash the avocado flesh with a fork. Slice the jalapeno pepper. Dice the tomato. Put the pepper and tomato in a bowl with the avocado, and mix everything together.
3. Spread the vegetable mixture over each tostada. Sprinkle the top of each one with about a tablespoon of grated cheese. The tostadas are ready to serve and eat.

Note: You can substitute canned jalapeno peppers for the fresh, adding a teaspoon or so of the canning liquid, too.
–– Judith Marquez
Columbus Elementary School
Columbus, NM