One of my favorite things to do with the girls is bake. It has been a few years since we switched from white flour to wheat flour. I have looked wheat recipes up and it seems that most recipes still call from some white flour mixed in white the wheat. When I bake, I just substitute the wheat flour for the white flour in the recipe. I don't even think that Maya has ever had white flour besides while out and about getting a treat every once in a while. I am now starting to play around with oat flour too.
We like to make blueberry muffins. I am all about shopping for healthy food but I also try to stay on some type of a budget, When I buy produce, I try to buy what is on sale and in season. We had a few pints of strawberries so I decided to substitute the blueberries for strawberries. Any berry could be used. The girls really liked them with the strawberries.
Best Ever Muffins
1 3/4 cups wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar ( I use a sugar substitute)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup non fat milk
1/3 cup oil
Mix it all together adn then add 1-2 cups of berries. I tend to put more in.
bake 400 degrees for 25 mins
It was a beautiful day out and we spent a lot of it outside. This year we have dedicated a portion of our yard to the girls to have their own garden. They have a vegetable and flower garden planned out. They are responsible for these gardens.
Activity of the Day
Gardening
The girls pulled weeds and planted peas. I told them for every weed they pulled, I would give them 5 cents. Ella counted by 5's for every weed she picked and earned herself a dollar. She got a little confused and when she got to 100 she thought I owed her 100 dollars. Then they planted 2 rows or peas and watered all of the flowers and trees. We had so much fun playing in the dirt! The girls can't wait to plant some more!
Kid Recipe and Activity of the Day
Monday, April 25, 2011
We were visiting with family friends this weekend and it came up in conversation how the 3 teenagers that are in high school drive ten miles at lunch time to get lunch. Now they have about half an hour for lunch. By the time they get in the car and get to a fast food restaurant they have just enough time to race back to school while eating their lunch and driving. This really made me think!
Growing up, I was forced to eat school lunch many times. Many of the meals were memorable because of how unidentifiable or gross they were. I remember being in elementary school and just moving the food around on the plate. Then came high school. I was not lucky enough to have the option to leave campus to go out to lunch. We had to stay at school and bringing your lunch in high school wasn't really the "cool" thing to do. We did have a salad bar option which was a plus. However, many times I remember skipping lunch all together or buying a juice and a cookie.
I asked my husband what his memories were of high school lunch and he too left the school to find something "better" than what was being served in the cafeteria. He was on a tight budget and only got enough money each day to buy the school lunch. However, he opted to venture out and see what he could get for his money. His lunch consisted of 7 eleven nachos many days.
School lunches have gotten so much attention lately for their lack of nutrition. But what is better? If you get a school lunch you may get a fruit. The 7 eleven nachos might have jalapeno peppers if you are lucky. I am not a fan of school lunches at all. But I don't think the off campus fast food option is any better. It really interests me to think about what is being offered to students and children and what they are eating.
My oldest daughter will be in full day kindergarten next year and will have the option to buy lunch. As a teacher, I still get to see what is being served on a daily basis and also what is being thrown out. There really isn't one thing that I would eat from a school cafeteria. I would never let my child eat it either no matter how convenient.
As I watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, I really hope more school systems open up to the idea of making a change and serving our children healthier tastier lunches. Maybe when the schools change their menus, students won't be forced to drive their entire half hour lunch to find a tastier but equally unhealthy lunch.
Growing up, I was forced to eat school lunch many times. Many of the meals were memorable because of how unidentifiable or gross they were. I remember being in elementary school and just moving the food around on the plate. Then came high school. I was not lucky enough to have the option to leave campus to go out to lunch. We had to stay at school and bringing your lunch in high school wasn't really the "cool" thing to do. We did have a salad bar option which was a plus. However, many times I remember skipping lunch all together or buying a juice and a cookie.
I asked my husband what his memories were of high school lunch and he too left the school to find something "better" than what was being served in the cafeteria. He was on a tight budget and only got enough money each day to buy the school lunch. However, he opted to venture out and see what he could get for his money. His lunch consisted of 7 eleven nachos many days.
School lunches have gotten so much attention lately for their lack of nutrition. But what is better? If you get a school lunch you may get a fruit. The 7 eleven nachos might have jalapeno peppers if you are lucky. I am not a fan of school lunches at all. But I don't think the off campus fast food option is any better. It really interests me to think about what is being offered to students and children and what they are eating.
My oldest daughter will be in full day kindergarten next year and will have the option to buy lunch. As a teacher, I still get to see what is being served on a daily basis and also what is being thrown out. There really isn't one thing that I would eat from a school cafeteria. I would never let my child eat it either no matter how convenient.
As I watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, I really hope more school systems open up to the idea of making a change and serving our children healthier tastier lunches. Maybe when the schools change their menus, students won't be forced to drive their entire half hour lunch to find a tastier but equally unhealthy lunch.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
I have always been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I am always baffled when I ask children what they had for breakfast. Its hard to believe that children as young as 5 are responsible for getting their own breakfast; usually on the go; and always loaded with sugar. Breakfast is a favorite at my house and most recipes are super easy to make. This morning I made homemade whole wheat 'bunny' pancakes (panpacks in Maya's world) with fresh fruit and agave instead of syrup. The girls devoured them and it only took me 10 minutes to make a whole batch. What a great way to start the day!
Whole Wheat "bunny" Pancakes with Fruit and Agave
Activity of the Day
Following up on my television challenge- 2 out of 18 students have made it since Monday without watching any TV. This is scary. But in all reality this is our reality! We are so dependent on technology-specifically the TV. So I challenged those students again. It was a beautiful day outside and I asked my students to go home and play outside for a little while before watching a show. It is very sad to hear some of their responses. One student said his parents did not let him go outside by himself. Well I don't let my children go out either. But I will go out with them any time they ask me to. I suggested he go home and ask his parents to take him for a walk. Sadly he said he gave up asking them because they never do. So not only are these kids not getting fresh air, they are not getting exercise, and are eating very unhealthy, but they are watching TV!
Whole Wheat "bunny" Pancakes with Fruit and Agave
It was a rainy morning at house. Instead of going outside to get our daily run in, we decided to exercise in the house. I try to exercise daily and try to get the girls to as often as possible. The girls love to do it and it is a great way to spend time together. I try to always make it fun and let the girls set their own limits.
Activity of the Day
I am so thankful to have the quality time with the girls and also the opportunity to introduce them to being active.
Following up on my television challenge- 2 out of 18 students have made it since Monday without watching any TV. This is scary. But in all reality this is our reality! We are so dependent on technology-specifically the TV. So I challenged those students again. It was a beautiful day outside and I asked my students to go home and play outside for a little while before watching a show. It is very sad to hear some of their responses. One student said his parents did not let him go outside by himself. Well I don't let my children go out either. But I will go out with them any time they ask me to. I suggested he go home and ask his parents to take him for a walk. Sadly he said he gave up asking them because they never do. So not only are these kids not getting fresh air, they are not getting exercise, and are eating very unhealthy, but they are watching TV!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
This week is Turn off Your TV week! What a great concept?! As a mother, I challenged my own children to go the entire week without watching TV. Maya's first words when she wakes up are, "Put my shows on please!" We can do this as a family...I am sure! We have successfully made it to Tuesday with many art projects and outdoor activities...even family house cleaning. I start to question my sanity with this challenge.
Since my own children were up for the challenge, I decided to take it one step further and challenge my 18 kindergarten students. I have never seen stranger looks from my class when I asked them how long they thought they could go without watching tv. We then entered into an interesting conversation. One student told me her mom would not like it if she didn't watch tv. I thought about this for a second and realized what a great babysitter/entertainer/teacher the television can be. There are shows that teach students how to speak Spanish without them even realizing it. And then when your kids are engaged in that show, you can have a few minutes of clalm quite time to yourself. Yeah, your parents may not like this but challenge them as well! Another student added, "What will I do if I don't watch TV?" I suggested reading. Nope she doesn't like to read. How about jump roping or riding a bike? Nope she doesn't know how to ride a bike or jump rope. Maybe if we shut the TV off for a bit she can learn! Oh that is a fabulous idea! So all 18 kindergartners accepted my challenge. Upon acceptance, I encouraged them to not drive their parents crazy with their new free time! 24 hours after accepting the challenge, I was thrilled that 5 of them were able to carry it out. We discussed some more and reaccepted the challenge again today! I am anxiously awaiting the results tomorrow!
Reflecting on this TV free week (one day in) I am truly enjoying the undivided attention my daughters are giving me when I am talking to them and asking them to do things. It is amazing how much more they listen and understand me when not trying to listen to Daphne on Scooby Doo.
So I challenge you too! Can you go the week without TV? What could you do instead of watching a show?
Since my own children were up for the challenge, I decided to take it one step further and challenge my 18 kindergarten students. I have never seen stranger looks from my class when I asked them how long they thought they could go without watching tv. We then entered into an interesting conversation. One student told me her mom would not like it if she didn't watch tv. I thought about this for a second and realized what a great babysitter/entertainer/teacher the television can be. There are shows that teach students how to speak Spanish without them even realizing it. And then when your kids are engaged in that show, you can have a few minutes of clalm quite time to yourself. Yeah, your parents may not like this but challenge them as well! Another student added, "What will I do if I don't watch TV?" I suggested reading. Nope she doesn't like to read. How about jump roping or riding a bike? Nope she doesn't know how to ride a bike or jump rope. Maybe if we shut the TV off for a bit she can learn! Oh that is a fabulous idea! So all 18 kindergartners accepted my challenge. Upon acceptance, I encouraged them to not drive their parents crazy with their new free time! 24 hours after accepting the challenge, I was thrilled that 5 of them were able to carry it out. We discussed some more and reaccepted the challenge again today! I am anxiously awaiting the results tomorrow!
Reflecting on this TV free week (one day in) I am truly enjoying the undivided attention my daughters are giving me when I am talking to them and asking them to do things. It is amazing how much more they listen and understand me when not trying to listen to Daphne on Scooby Doo.
So I challenge you too! Can you go the week without TV? What could you do instead of watching a show?
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