Nourished Kitchen» school lunch

10 Healthy, Nourishing School Lunches

Jenny — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:34:32 +0000

Looking for healthy school lunch ideas? School lunch has quickly become one of the most deplorable American meals – comprised of low-cost, commodity items like CAFO-raised beef, canned fruit and vegetables. Standard lunches of chocolate milk, overcooked peas and mealy french fries lack versatility in nutrients, flavor and, most importantly, they lack inspiration. So, per reader request, I’ve put together a list of ten satisfying, flavorful and nourishing meals that can be easily packed in a lunchbox, thermos or bag along with a bottle of chilled milk, fresh cider, water kefir or even milk kefir. So print this post and pin it to your fridge in preparation for next week’s lunch plans, then share your favorite and healthiest school lunches.

Day #1: Salmon Cakes

Salmon Cakes with Wasabi Mayonnaise over fresh greens
Fresh cucumbers seasoned by sesame seeds and fish sauce or tamari
Pineapple

Day #2: A Roast Beef Sandwich

Cheese, Vegetable and Grass-fed Roast Beef Sandwich on Sourdough Bread or Sprouted Wheat Bread with Homemade Mayonnaise
Sour Pickles
Sliced Apples(...)
Click here to read the rest of 10 Healthy, Nourishing School Lunches (198 words)
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Food Wars: Governmental Programs & Industrial Food

Jenny — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:48:37 +0000

More and more, it seems that money and corporate interests inextricably intertwine the giants of the food industry and politicians. One glaring example of just how politicians and corporations work together for their own mutual benefit rather than to support public interests currently centers around the Illinois prison and school systems.

Industrial Soy-based Diet & Illinois Prisons and Schools

Since 2003, inmates of the Illinois prison system have been fed a diet comprised largely of soy and soy protein isolate. Inexpensive by comparison to beef, cheese and other animal-based foods, soy seems a simple and easy way to cut costs – especially on a large, institutional level. Soy “cheese” replaced dairy cheeses. Soy protein isolate was mixed with insubstantial amounts of meat and served daily. Soy flour and soy protein were added to baked goods and other items.

Illinois prisoners were consuming upwards of 100 grams of soy a day according to a letter issued by Sally Fallon, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, to President Obama. Note that even in Asian countries soy consumption rarely exceeds 30 grams a day and usually hovers at about 10 grams per day; moreover, the soy consumed is largely fermented as in the case of miso, natto, tempeh and tamari. It is not largely consumed as soy protein isolate – the form given to the Illinois prisoners as food.

Soy is linked with autoimmune disease, hypothyroidism and the development of goiter and a slew of other issues which negatively affect the endocrine and reproductive systems in particular. Indeed, recent research has indicated that soy lowers sperm count and the FDA lists close to 300 studies illustrating the negative effects of soy.

Surely enough, consuming upwards of 100 grams of soy each day started to have deleterious effects on the men. They suffered from myriad gastrointestinal, cognitive, emotional and endocrine distress and other symptoms of consumption of toxic levels of soy. In 2008, prisoners began contacting the Weston A. Price Foundation – a not-for-profit that champions real food – detailing serious health effects of the soy-centered diet. They suffered from diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, heart palpitations, acne, insomnia, anxiety, depression and symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Of course, cost-cutting measures didn’t end in Illinois prisons; rather, a pilot lunch program serves a similar diet to young children. Again, soy protein replaces meats, cheeses and chicken. A soy-based diet is particularly dangerous for young children whose immune, endocrine and reproductive systems are still developing.

The Political Connection: Rod Blagojevich and Archer Daniels Midland

In 2002, Rod Blagojevich succeeded George Ryan as governor Illinois as the first democrat to be elected governor of Illinois since 1972. Blagojevich has since earned another first in Illinois politics: Rod Blagojevich is the first governor in the State of Illinois to be impeached. While Blagojevich’s campaign promised an end to controversy, controversies littered his tenure as Illinois governor. Since 2005, Blagojevich has been the subject of more than a dozen federal investigations that include fraud. In a callous decision, Blagojevich even threatened to revoke funding for a children’s hospital after its CEO refused to contribute $50,000 to Blagojevich’s gubernatorial campaign. He also owns the dubious honor of offering to sell President Obama’s vacated senate seat to the highest bidder.

Among the many who contributed to Blagojevich and reaped the rewards of his peculiar sense of ethics was Archer Daniels Midland – one of the agricultural industry’s giants. Archer Daniels Midland is a leader in ethanol production (think GMO corn), wheat and, of course, soy. They spearheaded the inclusion of high fructose corn syrup into beverages and manufacture several soy-based meat substitutes.

Of course, Archer Daniels Midland is not unknown to controversy itself having been the subject of investigation by the Department of Justice in which its senior executives were indicted on federal charges related to price fixing. Indeed, three of the executives were sentenced to prison while the company was fined $100 million. Archer Daniels Midland, despite the lip service the company gives to sustainability on its website, has been the target of multiple federal lawsuits concerning air pollution and is listed as #2 among the top 100 corporate air polluters in the United States – ultimately responsible for nearly 13 million pounds of toxic air releases.

Archer Daniels Midland heavily contributed to Blagojevich’s campaign and is, incidentally, one of the top 100 biggest contributors to political campaigns according to Open Secrets a watchdog that allows the general public to see who is putting money into the pockets of American politicians (check out Archer Daniels Midland’s profile). Summarily, Archer Daniels Midland became the primary supplier of soy-based products and meat substitutes to the Illinois prison system.

Action on Behalf of Sickened Men

The Weston A. Price Foundation has hired an attorney to begin legal recourse on behalf of the many Illinois inmates sickened by the soy-based diet that lined the pockets of Archer Daniels Midland and former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. The suit also seeks an injunction against the continued use of the soy-based prison diet. Should such an injunction be granted, it would represent a critical aspect in the fight against pursuing a similar soy-based diet in other governmental institutions like public schools. Intentionally serving food that consistently sickens prisoners is negligent at best and inordinately cruel. Everyone deserves wholesome food.

What to Do Next

If you recognize that 1) no one deserves to be sickened by the food they eat and 2) that the continued allowance of a clearly toxic diet opens the floodgate for that toxic diet to be instituted elsewhere please consider further action.

Share this post and spread the word.
Visit the Weston A. Price Foundation for more information: Are Children Next Targets for Toxic Meals?
Write a letter to Eric Holder, Attorney General and Patrick Fitzgerald, Special Counsel to the US Department of Justice (View Sample Letters).

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Win Killer at Large the Movie!

Jenny — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:04:46 +0000

Earlier this week I posted a review of the new film Killer at Large: Why Obesity is America’s Greatest Threat. The film addresses America’s growing obesity epidemic, how it affects our children, our future and just how we became 5 billion pounds overweight as a nation. (Yeah … you read that right: the US is 5 billion pounds overweight). Scientists, parents, kids, lunch ladies and food activists come together for this insightful and eye-opening film.

Well, the makers and publicists have given me an extra copy of Killer at Large: Why Obesity is America’s Greatest Threat, and I’m giving it away this week. If you’re lucky enough to win a copy of this film on DVD, I simply ask that you consider writing a review on your blog – if you have one – and link back to NourishedKitchen.com and if you’re really moved, consider passing it on to someone else after your finished.

This Week’s Prize

A copy of Killer at Large: Why Obesity is America’s Greatest Threat on DVD.

How to Enter

Anyone can enter, including international readers. Enter first by commenting on this post, then enter a few more times by sharing this giveaway, blogging about the film or the giveaway and subscribing by email!

First things First: Your comment on this post is your first entry.

To up your odds, you have 7 more ways to enter the contest and win:

Subscribe to the Nourished Kitchen RSS Feed by Email (don’t worry, if you already subscribe by email and comment on this post you’ll earn two entries right off the bat!)
Blog about this giveaway and/or why you want to see the film and comment with the link.
Post about this giveaway on a message board and comment with the link.
Email this giveaway to a friend and let me know you did by commenting.
Stumble this giveaway and let me know you did by commenting.
Tweet about the giveaway and let me know you did by commenting.
Mention the giveaway on facebook and let me know you did in a comment.

Remember: If you subscribe by email, you’ll be given a second entry. Plus, you’ll never miss a post, recipe or giveaway:

Why Enter?

Because it’s a fantastic film and it’s free! Also, because you read my Killer at Large movie review or my post about kid’s school lunches and how healthy food helps kids concentrate and you want to do something more.

The Announcement

We’ll choose the winner via Random.org, and announce that winner next Thursday, May 14th in a comment on this post.

Quick Reminder

For those who don’t win this week’s giveaway, we host giveaways at the Nourished Kitchen just about every week. The focus is real and traditional foods and health and wellness. Don’t forget to check out the review and watch a trailer of Killer at Large.

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Health News: Healthy Food Helps Kids Concentrate

Jenny — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:58:33 +0000

Recently, experts from the University of Michigan Health System are alerting parents to news that really shouldn’t be news: healthy meals and a well-balanced diet help children to concentrate better at their studies. In all honesty, I can’t imagine how someone wouldn’t agree with this but I now that the eating habits of our family certainly don’t reflect the eating habits of our nation as a whole.

The University of Michigan expert Catherine Kraus extolls the virtues of a wholesome breakfast, nutritious snacks like boiled eggs and whole fruit–explaining that which should come as no surprise: nutrient-rich foods fuel children’s brains in ways that the sugar-rich and poor quality fat-filled meals simply can’t.

While I fundamentally disagree with the take that whole grain is essential and that healthy beverages include low-fat milks and fruit juice, I believe it’s critical to underline the importance of good, nutritious foods for our children. Indeed, I’d place emphasis on naturally raised meats, whole vegetables and fruit, soaked whole grains and whole-fat dairy products. We must remember that fat is a critical nutrient as well–and it’s particularly important for children.

Did you like this post? Please let me know by leaving a comment. Don't forget to find Nourished Kitchen on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. © Jenny for Nourished Kitchen, 2008. | Permalink |