It was Fruit & Vegetable Week in my Foods Class ~with our Fruit Pizza Recipe Link

We devote an entire week to the study of fruits and vegetables.

Students create Power Point Presentations 

on a fruit or vegetable of their choice.

Their presentations include nutritional information,

selection and storage tips, and two interesting facts.

Their creative use of technology always impresses me!

And then we make Fruit Pizzas...notice our crust.

We make our own with the whole grain goodness of rolled oats.

(The recipe calls for nuts, but due to allergies, we do not use them at school.)

The cream cheese layer uses the pineapple juice 

from the can of tidbits.

Click here to see my recipe.

Speaking of creativity...

I challenge them to think of the color placement of their fruits 

to create a pleasant presentation.

We discuss the different forms of fruit...

fresh, canned, frozen and dried.

We talk about reading the can's label to see what the fruit is packed in 

and to be sure get the style that meets your needs.

Pay attention to peak season and the prices.

Nice work, everyone!

Nutritious, Delicious, and a Little bit of Fun!

Here's my printer friendly recipe link again.

Let me know if you try it.

Take care,

~Natalie

Where the Week Went ~Start Your Day with Protein ~Early Morning Visitors ~Our Kitchen Project ~~Corned Beef Hash Recipe Link

Have you tried making an Omelet in a Baggie?

My Fitness for Life students enjoyed personalizing their own

with peppers, onions, spinach, ham and cheese.

Perhaps the most school excitement I have had in years...

two large and loveable dogs were frolicking in our parking lot.

By the time I parked my vehicle,

students had used their lanyards to create a choke collar to control the dogs.

Since there was much traffic and below zero temperatures,

the best option was to bring my students and the pups into my entry way.

Our School Resource Officer contacted Animal Control 

and by the time the first bell rang, the dogs were in good hands.

On Thursday, we were hosting Parent/Teacher Conferences...

and all of a sudden, this happened!

On the Home Front

We finally replaced our range hood that has not worked for months.

It's installation was the first step in our kitchen project.

Next up...backsplash tiles.

Stay tuned to see how it turns out!

It's that time of year to pick up a Corned Beef Brisket.

I roasted this one in my Crockpot, 

and look forward to Hubby's Corned Beef Hash.

Click here for his recipe.

Enjoy what's left of the Weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

Fruit Pizza ~It Looks Good Enough to Eat ~~Recipe Link

Fruit Pizza is a favorite in my Foods Class.

We spend a week on the Fruits and Vegetables Unit.

Students study Nutritional Value, Selection and Storage Tips,

and they research interesting facts.

Each student prepares and presents a powerpoint 

on the fruit or vegetable of their choice.

The unit concludes with the preparation of Fruit Pizza.

They can exercise their creativity in their arrangement of fruit.

Plus, it's delicious.

Here's the link to my Fruit Pizza recipe.

There are nuts and rolled oats in my crust for texture, 

flavor and some whole grain goodness.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. If someone has an allergy to nuts,

just leave them out.  The crust still turns out fine.

Things in my News Feed Thursday ~Good Nutrition Goes a Long Way

We see evidence of this in school every..single..day...

Parents, take charge of what's on your child's plate.

It will be a win-win situation for all involved.

Take care,

~Natalie

Tuesday's Topics ~ Tater Toppings, The View from my Window, and a Mega Give-Away

The final lab for our Fitness class is a Baked Potato Bar.

Steaming your broccoli is the best way to preserve the water soluble Vitamin C.

Sour cream...light, of course.

Bacon...eat in moderation!

While many in blogland are posting pictures of spring flowers,

this is the view from my classroom window.

Do you notice how the snowbanks are higher than the first floor windows?

It snowed all day...and it is still snowing.

The PAFA team on Etsy has collaborated to offer the chance to win over 20 prizes.

Go here to view pictures of all the gifts and to check out the give-away guidelines.

Good luck, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Tuesday's Tip of the Day ~ Cookies Can Be Nutritious...

...Depending upon the ingredients used....

My Fitness for Life class baked Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies today.

Find the recipe here on our Old Farmhouse cooking blog.

(Notice you can click on a printer-friendly version.)

Rolled Oats...natural wholegrain goodness.

Add in Craisins and White Chocolate Chips...

Or Raisins and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.

Chopped Walnuts...Yummy!
Click here, fore the printer-friendly copy of the entire recipe.

Tastes like Grandma's House...

They're Good and Good for You!

Take care,

~Natalie

Tuesday's Tip of the Day ~ Eat Eggs, They're Practically the Perfect Protein

Did you know that eggs are nearly the perfect protein?

Our nutrition textbook recommends eating up to 4 each week.

Our school resource officer (and friend of mine) used to manage a restaurant.

He likes to visit my Fitness for Life class and teach the students how to make omelets...just like they do at Perkins.

It is important to prepare all equipment and ingredients...so enlist some help in chopping.

Then, beat 2 eggs with a tsp. water and pour onto hot griddle.

Use your spatula to create an 'egg rectangle'.

Be gentle.

Allow to set for just a bit.

Add the cheese next...so it can start to melt.

Then add additional ingredients...

We used cheese, ham, onions, peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Your imagination is your only limit.

Fold your omelet into thirds.
Cook a little longer on both sides, until it is a golden brown.

That's dinner in less than 15 minutes...

Nutritious...delicious...and economical...

Enjoy!

Take care,

~Natalie