FREE SCHOOL MEALS

It seems a shame that even though  free school lunches are available for every child in reception, year 1 and 2 some parents do not take this up. It may be because they do not know of it or not sure how to access it or even what the food is like.

This is an extract from a survey on it

Free school meals for infants, one year on: what do parents think?  

A new survey commissioned by the School Food Plan highlights the value parents place on their children having a free lunch at school in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Almost one quarter (23%) of mums and dads whose children take up the free lunches say the main benefit is the greater variety of food they will now eat. The same proportion (23%) say they most value their child eating a proper meal at lunchtime, whilst almost one fifth (19%) say their child has enjoyed trying new foods. The opportunity to eat together and socialise with friends was identified as the most important aspect by 15% of parents. 

Food and happiness

I did a blog about this a while ago and it is still pertinent today

So often people --including myself-get down about things with often no good reason so I loved the action for happiness posters and ideas
http://www.actionforhappiness.org/happiness


Lots of them can interact with food and what we eat such as

• cook a meal for someone 
• notice what you are eating and enjoy it
• look forward to those special treats
• do not compare yourself--so many people beat themselves up about their appearance 
• focusing on the good bits --the fruit and vegetables you eat 

I could go on 

LENTILS

Lentils are a really useful base for all sorts of dishes --I make lots of soup which my husband adores for lunch and usually include lentils ( plus sometimes split peas and barley). These items are all really low GI plus low in fat and filling and tasty plus cheap. I use all sorts of other vegetables and bits of chicken or meat to give flavour plus herbs and tomatoes --and indeed anything in the cupboard, vegetable basket or fridge.

I was lecturing to hospital caterers on Monday and suggesting lentils to boost up the nutritional content of meals for vegans --I often grind lentils to do this and then add to all sorts of dishes

I came across  good information at

http://www.lentils.ca/health-nutrition/