Kim Dannies: Lifestyle & Adventure writing

Building a Better Meal
March 1, 2007

Unless your child is some kind of food savant it's unlikely that you'll ever find them rummaging around in the fridge shouting, "hey, where are those broccoli crowns?!"
To encourage loved ones to eat more fruits and vegetables, especially during the cold winter months, adopt a simple kitchen motto : 'Peel it and they will eat'.

I got started by setting up a daily grazing bar, a sure–fire way to get more of the food pyramid recommendations into daily consumption. I bought an attractive plastic rectangular tray and fitted 6 identical 2 cup glass bowls with tops to make a tapas–styled unit that looks great on my kitchen island. Everyday I fill the bowls with items like snap peas, baby carrots, grape tomatoes, celery sticks, cucumber coins, apple slices, pickles, sweet peppers, berries and peeled citrus fruits–you name it. It’s amazing how fast the food goes when it is easily accessible. Kids and adults alike love it when they can spear food with a toothpick and dip. A tasty dip for both fruit and veggies is a cup of plain yogurt mixed with one– half teaspoon of curry powder and a tablespoon of maple syrup, it's refreshing and delicious

Exactly how much do we need in the way of fruits and vegetable everyday to maintain a healthy diet? MyPyramid is an updated version of the food pyramid that incorporates activity and portion control along with a proper mix of food groups. Quantities are now measured in cups and ounces instead of servings. Visit www.mypyramid.gov and you'll find an excellent source of information. There are charts and detailed recommedations that are customized by the total daily calories an individual needs; lists of fruits and vegetables that make for a great shopping list; and there is a short video that explains the pyramid along with a special kid section.

Another fun thing I did recently has earned me the name 'gadget girl' but I don't care, because I'm having too much fun with my Jack LaLanne Juicer that I picked up at Costco. Now I can juice raw beets, carrots, ginger, blueberries and apples together in 30 seconds to make a divine elixir. One shot of this stuff can spark a the cabin fever blues out of me in 10 seconds flat; usually I mix it with seltzer and ice and sip on it all day long– a yummy, healthy ginger ale. The juicer comes with a book of excellent recipes and ideas for juicing and baking with the pulp. I find I never waste fruit or vegetables anymore and everything that’s not nailed down in my kitchen is getting juiced into something drinkable!