School Lunch Program Award

I want to start this post by stating that this is not researched as well as it should be...it is just my opinion based upon the very little knowledge that I have.

My kids came home from school yesterday and told me that they had an assembly at school because their cafeteria received an award for adhering to Michelle Obama's school lunch guidelines. So, I looked it up a little...a very little. I found that the school received a bronze award...the other schools in our district on post received silver awards.  From what I could tell, it is based upon the menu (both breakfast and lunch), the percentage of kids that eat that menu, and physical activity in the school.

First off...kudos to the school for trying to be healthier!!  The lunches at my kids' school are much better than they ever were before...I do see changes being made in the right direction. That being said, my kids still get packed lunch because the food is not where I want it to be yet. I really don't know anything about the breakfast program as my kids have never taken part in that. When I asked them though, they said that hardly anyone in the school eats breakfast (which is why I believe they got bronze rather than silver) I'm not sure it's right to penalize them because of that...I really think that just goes back to the fact that there are very few students in our school that receive free/reduced meals.

My final thing is that I love the physical activity in the schools here. The have PE--not every day, but every 4th day :(  (that I wish was different), but they also have a significant amount of recess periods. The teachers make an effort even on indoor recess days to get the kids moving by having them do Just Dance or other similar programs in the classroom rather than just board games or computer time. They have an after school running club. (Our principal actually sets the example and is the running club coach--he runs right with them) Today my family is actually participating in a district wide 5K Fun Run. It is free and open to anyone. It has no timing and is just about getting out and moving. It is the end of year activity sponsored by the running clubs. My kids are getting ready to do field day...A HUGE day at their school. They have also done things with the KC Chiefs and their Play 60 program.  Brendan is actually participating in a Pass, Punt, and Kick competition with them on Monday.

My point...I'm very happy that my kids are being encouraged at school to be active...it is just a normal part of their school day. I am happy that the schools are attempting to make the lunches better...I hope that continues. Do we still have a way to go?? Of course! But, every step in the right direction is a positive move in my mind.

Have a happy, healthy eating, active kind of day!!

No more food buying!!

Ok so that title is kind of a reminder to myself. We leave this house in 6 days. I cannot buy any more food. We have to eat what we have--even if it isn't what we really want--and even if it doesn't really "go together".

The kids are not quite getting this idea.  Mom, will you buy XYZ?? Mom will you make ABC?? I hate that my answer has to be "when we get to Korea and have a house".

So, breakfasts will consist of cereal and oatmeal...maybe toast and fruit. Lunches will be a lot of peanut butter and honey or almond butter and honey. The fruit we have left (I may break down and buy a bit more of that if needed). Dinners, well they are a hodge podge of the meat left in my freezer and the canned and fresh veggies I have left. And snacks....whatever we can dig up. It's definitely not gourmet eating around here right now. I guess it will make those first few meals in our new home all the more special....

Tonight though...sweet potato chili with ground turkey and ground venison is going in the crockpot...it looks/smells delicious!!

Door to Door Organics...so long :(

Yesterday was our last Door to Door Organics delivery.  I'm so sad to let this wonderful service go, but when going overseas that is what happens.  I attempted to take some pictures of our delivery, but I had a very anxious 15 year old digging through the boxes while I was trying to unload them and take pictures.

It is like Christmas when these boxes come...my kids get so excited!  They plow through the food like they won't ever eat again.  It's really pretty funny.  But quality food is quality food and I love that they love it.

Here are my attempts at photos:

 

There was much more including milk, pretzel rolls, and many more fruits and veggies. But as I said pictures didn't happen...notice the boy's hand :)

Productive Morning So Far

This morning is going pretty well. I've got some venison and vegetables (peppers, onions, carrots) going in the crockpot so we will have a hot, healthy meal this evening. I'm taking a break to enjoy some breakfast...grapenuts with blackberries and milk...coffee, of course :) Oh and I also got 4 lunches made and kids out the door this morning...it is only 8:30.

Speaking of kids lunches...one of things we seem to battle with daily is Brendan and his lunch. He is totally fine with bringing his lunch to school everyday...he actually prefers it. However, we battle almost daily that he doesn't get enough food. So, this morning Shane wrote down the calorie count, amount of carbs, fat, and protein that was in each piece of his lunch as I packed it.  Turns out his lunch today...which was about average for what I usually pack him...had 1032 calories, 85 g fat, 96 g carbs and 44 g protein. I think we are doing ok.  He is an athlete and a teenaged boy so he should get about 3500 calories per day.  I think we are on the right track...even if he doesn't :)

Now I get to go for a run, do the laundry at the neighbor's house (Thanks Terri you rock!!), do some stuff to prepare for clearing housing next week, and get ready for 2 soccer games, a wrestling practice, and a choir/band concert this evening.  Life just never slows down does it??

But, before I go, I'm going to leave you with a couple of more labels.
This first one is a loaf of bread I bought in the commissary yesterday...a bit better than the one from before.

The second one is a package of bacon that we had last night.

Still bacon, eat in moderation, but delicious and a better option for those times when you have to have bacon.  Because you know everything is better with bacon :)

The thing about labels

One of the biggest things I am continuing to learn is that labels can be tricky. I sent Brendan to the store to get bread for me the other day. He asked what to get and I told him something with whole grain...do your best. At first look he did a good job.

 100% whole wheat, No high fructose corn syrup, Fiber...all good things to look at.
Here's the BIG BUT...

Whole wheat flour...not whole grain
Sugar is the third ingredient, soybean oil (GMO), and quite a few preservatives...

Always remember to read the ingredients folks...not just the packaging labels. They can be deceiving.

Creative Eating

We are down to the last 2 weeks in our house before we head on vacation and then to Korea. So...what happens to all the misc. food in a kitchen before an overseas move? Lots of creativity!!
This week isn't too terribly unusual, but next week could get a bit that way :) We have to use up everything in the freezer and try to use everything in the cupboards as well....

So, here's what's on tap so far.

Tonight- Sloppy Joes made with ground venison and fries (the fries are processed, but they were in the freezer so....)
Thursday...15 bean soup with a ham hock
Friday...cub scout campout so we will have to buy some food for that
Saturday...Pork chops with apple/pear topping and sugar snap peas
Sunday...2 strip steaks and shrimp, and pineapple all on the grill (hopefully the weather will cooperate) and a salad

Next could be interesting...here's what I have to use up from the freezer....any ideas??
Chicken breasts (8) that should be easy
1-lb ground turkey
pork loin country style ribs...boneless
flank steak
1-lb ground venison
cod fillets and tilapia fillets
lil smokies (turkey)
2X venison round steaks (BIG ones)
venison chicken fry steak (small)
Venison Butterfly steaks--2 small

Not sure it will all get used up--that's more meat than I thought :(