When we give children good nutrition we are giving them the nutrient blocks that literally become the eyes you look into: the knees that get scraped: the bones that support their growing bodies: their inquisitive, curious brains: and the hearts that pump quietly night and day down through the years. Pre-school and elementary school children go through remarkable physical change of all kinds. Their food intake becomes a critical aspect of this growth and development. Nutrition and food selection are integral to achieving good health and well being.
Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins provide the energy needed to run the body provide materials to help the body grow and maintain its functions. Carbohydrates are the major source of energy in the central nervous system. It helps the brain grow. It provides slow but steady energy needed for the utilization of other nutrients in the body. Lack of carbohydrate risks the growth and maintenance of the body. Fats supplies essential fatty acids that are critical for proper growth of children. It also cushions the organs, maintaining body temperature and promoting healthy skin. Protein is the major building blocks in our bodies. The formation of new tissue is aided by protein. A diet that is deficient in protein causes stunted growth in children and makes them easily fatigued and irritable. It also makes the children more susceptible to infection and slow in healing wounds.
Good food habits are one of the greatest contributors to good health. From a very young age, a child is capable of learning these through practice and observation. Children are strongly influenced by what they see and hear. Children should be given the opportunity to view appropriate adult food-related behaviors to achieve good nutrition. Eating with your children
also fosters healthy eating habits. Cooking with your children promotes science, math, culture and healthy eating habits.

Rose colored glasses won’t be needed to appreciate the variety of colors and blend of tastes offered by these easy to make individual pizzas.
Colorfull Pizza
3 cups frozen mixed vegetables with mushrooms
5 slices Italian bread (1 oz. slices; each ~ 1” thick and 5” long)
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup prepared pizza sauce
1 cup finely chopped tomato
½ cup very finely diced onion
1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 ½ tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions: Pre-heat oven to 350º F and place oven rack in middle-high position. Microwave frozen vegetables, then pat dry. Brush all bread slices lightly with oil and spread each with ~ 1½ tablespoons sauce. Combine all vegetables in a medium-sized bowl. Carefully spoon vegetable mixture equally onto bread slices. Sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder and then with cheese. Bake about 5-7 minutes, until bread is brown on the edges and all vegetables are piping hot. Serve immediately.
Serves: 5
1 Cup of Vegetables per Serving
Fruit and/or Veggie Colors: Green, White, Yellow, Orange, Red
Nutrition Information per Serving: calories: 182, total fat: 5.0g, saturated fat: 1.1g, % calories from fat: 24%, % calories from saturated fat: 5%, protein: 6g, carbohydrates: 29g, cholesterol: 2mg, dietary fiber: 5g, sodium: 339 mg
Each serving provides: An excellent source of vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C, folate and fiber.


Surprise Muffins
1 1/4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups corn flake cereal
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/3 cup shortening
1/4 cup preserves or jam
Stir together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Set aside. Measure corn flake cereal into large mixing bowl. Stir in milk. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until cereal is softened. Add egg and shortening. Beat well. Add flour mixture, stirring only until combined. Divide batter evenly into 12 greased 2-1/2-inch muffin pan cups. Make a deep indentation in top of batter for each muffin. Fill each with measuring-teaspoon of preserves. Bake at 400�F about 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Green Eggs and Ham
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon chopped green onions (optional)
1 Tablespoons chopped green peppers (optional)
¼ cup chopped ham
4 eggs
1 Tablespoon lowfat milk
¼ cup chopped spinach
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in a skillet. Add green onions, green
peppers and ham, sauté. Beat eggs and milk together and add to the vegetables mixture. Stir in spinach. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir the mixture constantly until eggs are set. Makes 4 servings. Nutrition information per serving: 120 calories, 9 g fat, 215 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate.
This is a good snack or meal when reading Dr. Seuss’s book Green Eggs and Ham

Reference
Robertson, C (2010) Safety, Nutrition, and health in early education (4th ed). Belmont, CA
www. Fruitsandveggiesmatters.org
www.urbanext.illnois.edu/foodthought