My Veggiecation Experience
Try to get kids to try new vegetables? Like most people, my first reaction would normally have been “no way”, “difficult”, and “yeah, good luck!” So when I first heard nutritionist, Lisa Suriano speak about her program called Veggiecation, I was blown away. In this program kids are introduced to vegetables in their classrooms and school events, and other outreach places including local YMCAs and Wholefoods. The program teaches kids about new and different vegetables that they may not have seen or tasted before. The education program incorporates hands- on experiences and fun- filled activities to explore new vegetables through learning, tasting, and discovering their truly delicious nature. It has Classroom Companion Books, Seasonal Vegetable Lunchtime Lesson Plans, Veggie of the Month Informational Posters, A Theme Song and Official Dance (perfect for Phys. Ed. Class), Take Home Recipe Books for Students and Their Families and stickers. Getting kids to eat healthy and be active is such an important part of the picture for kid’s health these days as junk food, fast food, sweets and lack of activity are turning the nation’s kids into overweight and obese children at risk for diabetes, heart disease and other ailments. Statistics say that 1/3 of the nation’s children are overweight or obese.
I was so excited to plan my first Veggiecation event at my daughter’s school during their annual Health Fair. I set up a table with fresh Asparagus, Parsley, Cucumbers and Spinach. I made this wonderful Parsley Lemon Pesto (recipe below). And the kids came. The posters are so bright and fun, the stickers are great incentives to try a new vegetable, and just having the veggies out in front of kids, cut in bite size pieces, was enough to get them, tasting, commenting and seeing that eating green foods can be fun. They each received a sticker after trying a new vegetable saying “I tried: __________”. Lisa also gave me recipes and sheets for the kids to color of their favorite vegetables. Overall it was a great experience. The kids loved it (especially my kids), it was fun, and I really felt like I was making a small difference in the lives of children.
See below regarding the Program and see if you can get your local schools involved. The program is now in 30 states and growing….“The Veggiecation© Program is a nutrition education program that introduces young children to the wonderfully delicious and nutritious world of vegetables. This is done by incorporating unique and kid-friendly vegetable preparations into fun activities and exciting experiences. By replacing food fears and resistance with ownership and positive peer pressure, your children are empowered to expand their horizons while simultaneously improving their nutritional status and knowledge.”
Parsley Lemon Pesto
TOOLS and EQUIPMENT:
Cutting Board
Knife
Measuring Cup
Food Processor
YIELD: 5 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 cups packed Parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Carena's note - I think this can be made with 1/2 c. of EVOO and add more if needed).
1 small clove Garlic, chopped
¼ cup Fresh Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Place the parsley, oil, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor, Pulse until
smooth.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
TIP: Great with pasta, salads, beans or whole grain crostini
For more recipes visit us at: www.veggiecation.com
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© Copyright 2006-2010 Veggiecation. All World Wide Rights Reserved.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE WARNING: The entire contents, as well as all individual parts, of this program are copyrighted
by its creator and author, Lisa Suriano (the “Author”), and are protected under the laws of the United States of America
and member treaty nations
Carena Lowenthal, MS, RD, CDE
917-882-5033
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