Monday, August 16, 2010

Good Day Columbus Tips and Recipes

Good Morning Columbus!

Here are the tips for healthy school lunch success I shared this morning on Good Day Columbus:

*Get your child involved with the process:


*have your child help you develop a list of a handful of sure-fire main dish options he or she will be excited to see in their lunch box


*let them get creative and think outside the “lunchbox,” ie, leftovers, non-sandwich options such as hummus and vegetables/pita to dip, pasta salad, hard boiled eggs, or homemade cracker and cheese stacks


*communicate with them periodically to check if your child has new ideas, feedback, etc


*Make sure you child can open all the lunch containers you use


*For young children and first-time lunch packers, doing a trial run may help, especially if your school has a fairly limited amount of time to eat lunch


*
Remember food safety: pack hot items in appropriate containers and cold items with cold packs

*Packing the lunch the night before school can cut down on morning stress


*Planning lunches for the week can also help reduce last minute stress (ie, nighttime run to the grocery)


*Go Green!
Check out all the bento, reusable containers and thermos type options for school lunches

Recipe for Taco Roll-ups
(Serves 1, can easily by doubled or tripled)
2 ounces Neufchatel Cheese (aka, reduced fat cream cheese)
1 tablespoon mild salsa
1 whole wheat or flour tortilla
1 tablespoon sliced olives
1 tablespoon corn
1 tablespoon diced red pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons black beans, or alternatively, you can use your favorite toppings, such as chicken or other vegetables
1 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese


Place the Neufchatel cheese in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 15 seconds to soften.
Add the salsa and mix well.

Spread the salsa mixture fully on top of the tortilla.
Sprinkle the olives, corn, red pepper, black beans and cheese on top of the tortilla, reserving a two inch space at one end, so when you roll up the tortilla the salsa mixture “seals” the tortilla.

Roll the tortilla up in a pinwheel fashion, and press to close firm.
With a serrated knife, gently slice the tortilla crosswise into ¾” slices.

Serves 1.

Homemade Hummus Recipe


Pasta Salad Recipes:



BLT Pasta Recipe

Tomato, Basil and Corn Tortellini

Greek Orzo Salad


Thanks for another Great Morning, GDC!
SPC

4 comments:

Laura said...

Darn it!!! I totally forgot to watch this morning! Things have been so nutty around here, I even almost forgot about the Next Food Network Star! For shame, I know. :D

whitneyingram said...

You are such a rock star. I would be far to nervous to go on TV.

You have some great info on here. I think my favorite is asking your kids what they would want. That seems like such a no-brainer, but I wouldn't think of that. Duh Whitney.

Sweet Pea Chef said...

Whit, you are a rock star. And you could totally do it. Trust me, I was a bit nervous, but thank goodness for the "peace that passes understanding!"

Kendra aka The Meanest Momma said...

I made the pinwheels today and YUM!

Now, if only I could convince my kids that a food item that combines their favoritest foods is just as tasty as when they are served separately.... sigh.

I will make it again and i think they will come around.

Thanks for the recipe!