Food on the Brain

Recently, I was flipping through the Whole Foods flyer (I guess they finally copped on that perhaps people might benefit from a few coupons now and then). I've never actually bothered to read those things before but this one caught my eye because it was primarily focused on back-to-school stuff like lunches, snacks, and health products. Inside, they had a two-page spread focused specifically on ideas for healthy lunches and how important it is to be aware of what your kids are eating at school. It was a pretty good article and very informative. They included a link to more information, so I checked it out. And that led me to this book by Chef Ann Cooper and Lisa Holmes.

Even if you aren't a resident of the U.S. of A., if you can get your hands on this book, do it. It's informative, easy to read and digest, and the second half is filled with all sorts of great recipes....not only for kid's lunches but for breakfast, snacks, dinners, and treats. The book outlines the flaws in the National School Lunch Program and provides some great ideas as to how each of us might help to turn things around--on an individual and community level. In particular, I really liked how the authors added tons of interesting facts about food production in the U.S. and children's nutritional needs.

I'd always considered myself to be pretty knowledgeable when it came to feeding my kids...but falling into a meal rut can happen to the best of us. The ability to be creative and stay focused on what your kids are eating and whether or not they are getting enough of everything can be pretty challenging. Of all the nutrition books and kid-friendly cookbooks I've read, none of them managed to draw me in like this one.

Anyway, do yourself a favor and check it out. If you live in the U.S., the book is on sale at Amazon for the ridiculously low price of $4.93. Take advantage of it...or check your local library.