"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every
year is a fresh beginning. For those already on a healthy path, each new year is an opportunity to keep improving our focus on what is important. Each day is the gift of life!
New Year’s resolutions often involve eating less, eating better, and
exercising more. This year, Wellness Wednesdays
will bring you inspirations, tips, resources, and recipes to help you
make this year your best year. As parents, we have a responsibility to give our
children the best possible life. Growing Healthy Kids is taking you along on our adventures to meet farmers and chefs PLUS our adventures with wonderful children. We promise to inspire you to prepare your own delicious, healthy, and economical meals for your own family.
We
are planting seeds and growing healthy kids.
The team at Growing Healthy Kids remains 100% committed to our mission
to prevent, halt, and reduce childhood obesity and obesity-related
diseases. All children deserve access
to healthy foods and outdoor playtime. Watch us grow!
When
children know where food comes from, they learn to respect what they eat
and make better choices. When parents
understand why children need access to foods that are organic
and chemical-free that do not contain added and processed sugars,
they change their shopping habits.
People often tell me they think it is expensive to eat healthy foods. Having cancer, diabetes, alzheimer's or a stroke is a lot more
expensive. Choose to eat the best foods
you can afford to buy. Seek out your local farmers and buy locally grown foods. Your children will
thank you in 20 years.
Here
is a recipe for Veggie Tots I have adapted from a recipe by Layla Atik in the
Jan/Feb 2017 issue of RELISH from www.communitytable.com.
GROWING
HEALTHY KIDS: Our Recipe Collection
Veggie
Tots
Ingredients
·
1 (12-oz) bag frozen
broccoli and cauliflower blend
·
1 local pastured egg (or use a flax egg: 1 tablespoon ground flax mixed with 4 tablespoons water)
·
¼ cup diced sweet onion
·
⅓ cup vegan cheddar cheese
·
⅓ cup panko
breadcrumbs
·
⅓ cup dry
Italian-style breadcrumbs
·
1 Tablespoon chopped
parsley (or substitute dried parsley)
· 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
(optional)
·
½ tsp sea salt
·
½ tsp pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
1.
Steam vegetables according to
package directions. Chop finely, using a potato masher or pulsing in a food
processor. In a bowl, mix vegetables with egg, onion, cheese, panko, Italian
breadcrumbs, parsley, turmeric, salt and pepper.
2.
Using your hands, make tots
using 1 tablespoon mixture for each. Place on pan. Bake 18 to 24
minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
With love and gratitude,
Nancy
L. Heinrich, MPH
Founder,
Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.
