I Can Only Eat So Much Takeout
This sandwich was a lot healthier and more interesting than a calzone.
As the school year races to a close, year end activities still keep me too busy to do much in the kitchen (or on this blog!). For example, last Wednesday was Louisa’s class trip, so I was out chaperoning the entire day. When we arrived home, I had less than two hours before Annie needed to be at the softball field, so I took that time to work instead of preparing dinner. I figured that we could make do with a typical American solution – takeout. So when the game was over at 8:00, we brought home strombolis and calzones from the local pizza place. Not a very healthy meal, but it filled our bellies.
I couldn’t face another takeout dinner on Friday night after the next softball playoff game. Also, I was aware of the strong possibility that this might be the last game of the season, so it would be followed by celebration ice cream afterwards. Therefore, I prepared sandwiches to bring with us to eat at the game.
Did I slap a little ham and cheese on bread or prepare pbj’s to make my life easier? Nah. I raced the hour before the game to prepare these sandwiches instead. I grilled chicken breasts, tossed a spinach salad, seasoned a little light mayo, sliced up some brie cheese, and roasted cherry tomatoes with balsamic vinegar, all to be squished into a loaf of french bread. I managed to do all of this in about 45 minutes – you should have seen the pots and pans fly. But it was well worth it and after a nutritious dinner like that sandwich, we could feel good about our ice cream cones later that evening.
Fallacy of the Sugar Police
Good and bad food? I don't think so.
Approximately two years ago the brilliant legislators in our state decided to create a law that sapped the fun out of classroom parties. As a room mom in my daughter’s class, since what seems like the beginning of time, I’ve been very aware of this politically-purposed legislation. The new rules declare what sweets can’t be served at school events and class parties. Essentially anything with sugar as a primary ingredient is now banned from school grounds. Therefore candy at Halloween parties, or ice pops at a year-end event are on the “can’t serve” list.
On the other hand, potato chips and soft pretzels are just fine, because we all know what nutritional gold mines those ingredients represent. And hey, the greasy pizza, nachos supreme, and popcorn chicken are still on the lunch menu because they will make our children become lean, mean studying machines. I can only guess that sugar became the enemy because it’s an easy target.
I have no problem keeping sugary food off the lunch menu offered to kids, but let’s think about the other choices, as well. And let’s leave it to the parents’ discretion what will be offered at celebrations. Because no matter what you legislate, some parents will find a way around the rules, or outright ignore them anyway. Better to allow the forbidden food once in a while, so we can teach our kids that there’s a time and a place for even the most unhealthy food choices.
What Our Grandmas Knew
Dandelion greens are tasty if you like bitter veggies.
There are so many things our grandmas knew without the benefit of scientists telling them they were right. The latest reminder is a recent story in “The Wall Street Journal” that reports the growing popularity of weeds – no, not on lawns, but on dinner plates. The foodies have discovered that weeds are available, plentiful and healthy for us. Dandelions, purslane and sorrel are among the once popular and now returning greens to hit the plate. Some people are learning to forage for their own, but they need to be careful they don’t confuse the good weeds with the toxic ones, and don’t pick off a lawn that has been treated with chemicals. Other people forage in supermarkets for their weeds – all well and good except for the outrageous prices they need to pay for these lawn invaders. I say we should be paid to eat the weeds, not vice versa.