The two Michelles.

We had our school council meeting last week, where we proposed our idea of putting together a working party to tackle the issues of nutrition, the school canteen etc etc. 

They are thinking it over.

We might just be inclined to give up if it wasn't for inspiring women who are leading the way with this cause. First lady of the U.S.A Michelle Obama and Australian fitness queen Michelle Bridges. 

Michelle Obama has initiated her 'LetsMove'and'MyPlate'campaignes in order to save the children in her country from obesity. It would be so good to see something similar happening in Australia.

Here is a link to Michelle Bridges column in The Ages Sunday Life Magazine. for more information.

I hope our government/schools/parents do something before it is too late. 

2 minute lunch box idea
It actually takes less time to make a healthy lunch that it does to fill out a lunch order!

Lunch order blues

I had one of those mornings this morning. I simultaneously slept in and ran out of anything suitable to put in my little girls lunch box.

Thank goodness our school has a canteen.

The only problem is that our canteen sells hot dogs, nuggets, party pies, flavoured milk and blue icy poles , which are available every day.

When you have a 7 year old, this can lead to a long morning of arguing, begging, negotiating and crying (mainly me). 

In my ideal world the canteen menu would look something like this................................

It looks good, doesn't it?

Now we just have to convince our school council that this issue is worthy of some attention.

In the mean time, here are some more lunch box ideas from Jo.

Lunch idea 1: nude food lunch box! carrot and cucumber stick are so quick and easy, some rice crackers and cheese fingers, a scotch finger and red/green grapes oh and a nectarine!

Nude food (no wrapping/packaging) as well as a decent recycling system is another issue we would like to tackle.

Lunch idea 2: Yum, Yum, Yum, grated carrot salad with lemon and olive oil, some mint leaves, salt and pepper. Easy couscous salad with pomegranate (that had light pink seeds) sultanas or the like and almond slithers and my favourite chickpea salad with red onion cut finely, preserved lemons, olives, cucumber, olive oil, salt and pepper.

photo 1: zucchini and corn fritters with natural yogurt and a little salad of tomatoes and cucumbers tossed in olive oil 

               And don't forget that a healthy breakfast before you walk/ride /scoot to school.

photo 4: I love this breakfast and the kids really like it too, it can be fun if you get out all the extras they can add, like seeds, nuts, dried fruit, I don't even put honey on it anymore, but you could. And a good quality full cream milk!

‘A nutritious school lunch increases children’s concentration, improves their behaviour in class, and their chances of doing well and achieving their best at school’.-

School Food Trust Lunch and Learning Behaviour in Primary Schools 2009