Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Has anyone been watching Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution? I have watched each episode and am mesmerized to see the outcome of it. Just like Jamie, I am saddened by the use of “convenience” foods/processed foods in lieu of real food that is being served to our kids and adults. Too many of us have become too far removed from the days of raising our own foods and being more natural. We are working to get back there in some aspects but we are hesitant to give up our “convenient” items. The “Green Revolution” has taken hold and we are recycling more than ever and making conscious decisions to do things that are good for the Earth but we are not always doing things that are good for our bodies. It is time that we take a stand for our kids! Jamie is doing some great work here but I also find it sad that he had to come all the way from England to start a Food Revolution for us. It is time for America to stand up and do what is right for our kids. We need to not only make a good dinner for our families but we need to be sure we are spending meal times with our families and using that time to bond and get familiar with one another’s lives.

Just like many of you, I am a working mother and when I get home, the last thing I want to do is slave in the kitchen for an hour trying to come up with a nutritious dinner for the family. Popping a frozen pizza in the oven and going outside in the sunshine with my son sounds like way more fun. I am not going to lie and tell you that I cook all homemade, all the time. There are nights that we are rushing around and I do have the frozen pizzas but I am trying to limit those nights. It is important to me that my son be able to identify healthy foods in their natural states. It is easy for us to point our fingers at day care centers, schools and everyone else but healthy has to start at home. Many people say that their kids are picky eaters but are they really picky eaters? If a child is only given Chicken Nuggets and French Fries then you try to give them green beans, carrots and beets they are usually going to balk at that. Moving our children from processed foods to healthy foods is an act that will take time. No child is going to choose vegetables over French Fries if they are used to always getting fries.

Due to the struggle to change if you have been using processed foods for too long, you will need to keep your patience and a sense of humor about you during the change period. Tell your child that you do expect them to try everything being served but do not force them to eat everything on their plate. It takes many tries to accept something as palatable but it is worth the struggle to raise a healthy child. Everyone wants their kid to have a better life than we had but that will not be possible if they do not learn how to be healthy.

I am including some easy recipes that you can throw together after a day at work and serve dinner within half an hour by just adding some vegetables and/or fruits.



Chicken Planks

Chicken Breasts, sliced into 2 inch planks
Panko bread crumbs
Chopped fresh herbs of choice (we love basil and parsley)
Eggs
Water

Beat the eggs in a bowl big enough to dip the chicken in. Mix in a little water to thin the eggs.

Mix the Panko and herbs in another dish. Dip the chicken in the eggs and then into the Panko. Saute in a small amount of olive oil over medium heat until browned and cooked through.


I like to use the panko as it is a different texture than regular breadcrumbs and makes a great crust.


Fish Fingers

1 lemon
6-8 slices whole wheat bread
4 tsps mixed herbs of choice (we like lemon pepper)
7 tbsp all purpose flour
2 eggs
Olive oil
1 lb skinned cod fillets

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Finely zest the lemon rind. Process the bread into bread crumbs with your blender or food processor. Stir in the lemon zest and herbs. Pour into a dish for dipping the fish. Put the flour onto another dish and season to taste with pepper. Wisk eggs in another bowl. Wipe paper towel coated with oil onto your baking sheet. Cut the cod into fingers.

Dip the fish into the flour, egg and breadcrumbs and put the fish fingers on the baking sheet not touching. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove the tray and flip the fish. Bake for 5 more minutes until crisp and golden.



If you would like more information on Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution please visit his site. Remember, your kids are worth the extra effort because Kids Matter! Won’t you join the revolution with us?