October is packed with lots of special events and holidays for our KES Clubs.  Last week we celebrated KES Week, Halloween is in the coming weeks and tomorrow is “World Egg Day.”  We always love to see KES Clubs serving eggs as it aids in the growth and development of our children – eggs are a great source of protein and other nutrients that can sometimes be difficult to get in our diets, especially during breakfast and in schools with many food allergies.  If you don’t have an egg allergy in your school and you provide students with a sit-down breakfast, we do encourage you to add eggs to your menu.  Enjoying eggs as a Meat and Alternative can be a part of a healthy balanced diet – get creative with them!

Try this easy egg recipe – kids will love them!!

Eggs-press Pizza

• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp (15 mL)water
• 1/8 tsp (0.5 mL)pepper
• 1 whole wheat pita bread
• 2 tbsp (30 mL)pizza sauce or tomato or pasta sauce
• 2 tbsp (30 mL)diced green pepper
• 2 tbsp (30 mL)sliced mushrooms
• 2 tbsp (30 mL)diced ham (optional)
• 2 tbsp (30 mL)shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Step 1 Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

Step 2 Whisk eggs, milk and pepper in small bowl.

Step 3 Spray small non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat. Pour in egg mixture. As mixture begins to set, gently move spatula across bottom and side of skillet to form large, soft curds. Cook until eggs are thickened and no visible liquid egg remains. Set aside.

Step 4 Place pita bread on baking sheet. Spread pizza sauce on pita bread. Spoon scrambled eggs over top. Sprinkle green pepper, mushrooms, ham (if desired) and cheese over eggs.

Step 5 Bake in preheated 350°F (180°C) oven until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.

Recipe sourced from: http://www.eggs.ca/recipes/eggs-press-pizza

Photo from: St. Matthew’s Elementary, Kids Eat Smart Club, St. John’s

Janel Genge is a Registered Dietitian with Kids Eat Smart Newfoundland and Labrador

Thanksgiving is a time to share all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for with our family and friends.  While we enjoy thanksgiving meals and celebrations be sure to include some healthy choices with our menus.  Making healthy eating a priority during holidays can sometimes be hard.  Providing your family with fun and healthy treats can make healthy eating much more enjoyable.

To make this thanksgiving a little more fun and creative at your KES Club or home, try this neat recipe we thought your children would enjoy:

Turkey Fruit and Dip Tray

Ingredients
Yogurt
Banana
Strawberries
Grapes
Pear
Pretzels
Cheese

Instructions
Turn yogurt dip into a cute turkey fruit and dip tray by arranging the bananas, strawberries, grapes and pretzels
into a tail around a bowl of the dip. Then, use chocolate chips for eyes and a cheese for nose and feet to
complete the turkey. Dip & enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/129126714287469209/

Kristin Hedges is a Registered Dietitian with Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador

Sometimes getting children and youth to eat fruit can be a challenge.  Making fruit fun and creative usually helps to encourage kids to eat more fruit. Cutting fruit in fun shapes can make the most boring meal much more appealing.  Try cutting your fruit in fun shapes at your KES Club and see the reaction from the kids. Try this recipe as a special treat for your KES Club one morning – *be sure to check for fruit allergies before serving:

Fruit Bagel Pizza

• 2 whole wheat bagels
• 4 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
• 1 kiwi, peeled, sliced
• 8 strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 Del Monte® Fruit Naturals® Mandarin Oranges Cup packed in water, drained

Recipe and image sourced from: https://www.produceforkids.com/recipes/fruity-bagel-pizzas/

Kristin Hedges is a Registered Dietitian with Kids Eat Smart Foundation NL.

We are so excited to see more and more of our KES Clubs adding veggies to their Club Menus! Ensuring we eat enough fruits and veggies in the run of a day can sometimes be challenging. When we include both fruits and veggies with every meal it’s easier to meet our recommended servings each day.  A lot of our KES Clubs offer vegetables once or twice a week to change up the common offering of fruit. Serving different types of vegetables allows children that aren’t big veggie eaters to try foods they sometimes are not offered at home. An easy method to offer veggies is by serving whole cut veggies with plain yogurt or dip on your breakfast table, another great way is making an easy breakfast burrito if facilities provide. Here is a great recipe to try:

Breakfast Burrito Bites

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon – olive oil
• 3 tablespoon – bell pepper, red
• 3 large – egg
• 1 tablespoon – water
• 2 medium – tortilla, whole wheat

 

 

We don’t often see pears served in our KES Clubs, but most people enjoy pears, and so do children!  Pears are a delicious treat to add to your Club menu, even better as a smoothie.  We know that pears can often be a less affordable fruit than others, but if on sale or if donated, it’s a great recipe to try…you can even use tin fruit if you wish.  This recipe is perfect for the fall, give it a try at home or your KES Club!  Please remember that these amounts reflect one large serving, you may adjust by number of students you expect to serve and serving size you will be serving:

Ingredients:

• 1 very ripe pear, cut into small pieces (or use can pears in its own juice or water)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup milk
• Optional: handful of spinach
• Optional: ice if you desire a more cool slushy smoothie

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
2. Puree until smooth and enjoy immediately.

Recipe and retrieved from: http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/975203/3-fall-smoothies

Janel Genge is a Registered Dietitian with Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador