Healthy Summertime Food

With concern growing over the eating habits of our nation's children, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution has become a huge television hit and a startling, eye-opening experience for parents everywhere as he point out the awful things youth are eating on a regular basis.

Stephanie Ashcraft, best-selling author of 101 Things to do with a Slow Cooker, 101 Things to do with a Cake Mix and many other cookbooks, offers these five tips for how she and her family will be eating healthier this summer:

We are counting the days until summer vacation in our house. This summer I am focusing on finding creative ways to encourage healthy eating in our household. My kids and I need to be eating more fruits and vegetables.

Here are a few of the ideas and/or recipes that I plan to use for lunches this summer to sneak more vegetables and fruits into my kids diets:

1. Cucumber Canapé from 101 Things to do with Rotisserie Chicken by Madge Baird is at the top of the list.

1/2 cup minced rotisserie chicken
2 scallions, minced to make 1 tablespoon
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
3 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon horseradish
pinch garlic powder
2 cucumbers

Mix all ingredients except cucumbers until well blended. Peel cucumbers and slice into 24 thick rounds (at least 1/4 inch thick). Spoon 1 teaspoon chicken mixture onto each cucumber slice. Serve cold. Makes 24 canapés.

2. Mango Fruit Salad, Melon Delight Salad, and Almond Cran-Apple Salad from 101 Things to do with Salad are all healthy fruit dishes I plan to make this summer for my kids.

3. Hummus Dipped Veggies and Whole Wheat Crackers is a summer poolside favorite lunch for my friend Jen and her family. Whole wheat crackers (they like TLC brand) and veggies such as baby carrots and sliced cucumbers are dipped in hummus. Wash it down with ice cold water with lemon and lime wedges and all-fruit popsicles.

4. Cracker Stackers are a favorite for my friend, Kendra, for late summer when gardens are producing. She purchases the multigrain Club crackers and cuts up all kinds of veggies (snap peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc) and cheese slices to stack on the crackers.

5. Whole Wheat Stuffed Pitas have to be one of my favorite summertime treats. Pitas can be stuffeded with tomatoes, lettuce, and tuna or chicken salad.

Here's to healthy eating this summer!
~ Stephanie Ashcraft