Golden Earthworm Farm

In the darkest days of the winter it is easy to forget the bounty of Summer. Many members of the Sea Cliff community have been preparing the Kinder-garden for planting season, some classrooms have begun to compost their food scraps whille others carefully nestled bulbs in the earth. We can start looking for signs of Spring in early March when the paper-whites and other early bloomers make their initial magical appearance. I've been planning my vegetable garden and spending time with the White Flower Farm seed catalogue. Now is also the time to sign up for a share in a CSA (community supported agriculture). Golden Earthworm Farm on the east end of Long Island has a wonderful website with lots of activities for children and a drop off point at Roots Restaurant in downtown Sea Cliff.

Don't forget to look for our healthy treats at tonights Jamboree at Sea Cliff School.

Bring some sweets home to your sweets and help support the work of the nutrition committee.

Longstanding committee member, Registered Dietitian and Sea Cliff School mother, Kathleen Ligure offered the following recipe--

Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

1 and ¼ cup whole wheat pastry flour

½ cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

2/3 cup agave syrup

2 eggs and 2 egg whites

1 cup black beans--pureed (cooked dried beans or canned beans--no salt added, rinsed & drained)

3 tbsp canola (or other vegetable oil)

3 tbsp butter

½ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

In medium size bowl or food processor, mix together pureed black bean, cocoa, butter, oil, agave and eggs. In a large bowl, sift together dry ingredients then mix into wet ingredients.

Pour batter into greased pan. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until done (toothpick inserted in middle comes out dry).

Want to Learn More about the Food at Sea Cliff School?

Please Join us at the Districtwide Nutrition Committee Meeting

10am

Feb. 10th

Central Administration Building

Lunch Box Photos

We will be posting photos of inspiring lunchbox ideas. Check out the photo Denise Reiger sent me of her daughter Elle's lunch today. Children love color, and a colorful plate insures lots of immune boosting nutrients and antioxidants to stay healthy and happy in even the dreariest weeks of the year.

Elle's salad has organic lettuce, tomato and cucumber with left-over roasted chicken and goat cheese. Lucky girl! Keep posted for contributions from our students on the blog.

Your child's snack sack is another opportunity to introduce color. Steel cut oats with lots of blueberries are appreciated at snack time.

Send me a Picture of your brown bag lunch.

Interested in Knowing What is Inside the Food on the Lunch Line?

The nutritional information for the food and snacks are now available
for viewing in the districts website. All the labels have been scanned
into the computer by our very hard working committee member, Sarah
Jones. We thank you !

Please take a look to see what is in the food being served.
http://www.northshore.k12.ny.us/Sea Cliff School
Go to lunch menus- then food service information. You will then see
"nutrition labels.". Also find the minutes from the district wide
meetings.

Winter foods

The winter is a great time to focus on creating simple nourishing meals for our families, cooking can be a wonderful way to come together with a spirit of collaboration and creativity. Here are some simple winter meals my family has been enjoying this season. We naturally gravitate towards foods that warm the body and comfort the senses. Soups, stews and pastas (try whole wheat and brown rice versions of your favorites) can be enjoyed the next day in a child’s lunchbox.

-Quinoa and French Lentil Pilaf

-Brown Rice, Butternut Squash & Adzuki Bean Stew

-Chicken Soup with Ginger, Lemongrass and Garlic

-Avocado Maki Rolls with Steamed Edamame

-Miso Soup with Sea Vegetables,Udon Noodles and Tofu

What is your family enjoying this winter?