Ah! Red, white, and blue, the three colors that represent the land of the free and the home of the brave. Ironically, they are also the colors that represent cherry tomatoes (red,) jicama (white,) and blueberries (blue.)
Red, white, and blue fruits and vegetables for the 4th of July
What better theme for the Fruit and Veggie On-the-Move truck to have this past week for the kids other than an American one? This past week I gave the children at the parks cherry tomatoes, jicama, and blueberries to represent our Country’s three colors: red, white, and blue for the 4th of July. Because what’s better than teaching the kids about health and history combined? It was great to see the kids reactions to the color schemes this week but, it was even better to see how many kids remembered what jicama was. If you read my blog before you could maybe recall that jicama is a Mexican root vegetable that is crunchy and almost tastes like a less-flavored apple. A lot of the children could recall the color and taste of this unique vegetable which they all enjoyed. Mostly, the kids were going crazy over the blueberries. A lot of them even came up to me to ask if they were healthy for them too. Well kids I have great news for you, they are really healthy for you!
Blueberries!
Blueberries
Blueberries are indeed healthy for everyone, especially for diabetics! Blueberries are actually one of the few fruits that are beneficial for people with diabetes. According to DiabeticLivingOnline.com, one of the specific types of antioxidants found in blueberries are anthocyanins. Recent research links eating foods rich in anthocyanins with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Though found mainly in adults, type 2 diabetes in children is surprisingly on the rise. I love to add blueberries to my salads, they are quick, easy to wash, and delicious. Try this refreshing salad I made over the summer, It has blueberries, spinach, almonds, dried dates, jicama, and grilled chicken, all with a raspberry vinaigrette.
Yumm!!
Lessons with your child:
Pick a night for dinner and designate it as salad night. Take your child to the grocery store with you and have them pick out all the veggies or fruits they would like to put together in a salad. Try and have them start with a green base, for example, a arugula, spinach, iceberg lettuce, etc. Then add a protein, either chicken, tofu, fish, etc. Your child will enjoy making their own masterpiece and it will be something that their taste buds will enjoy.
Ronya Nassar's Healthy Summer Adventures! 