Advertise
With Us

Click here to request more information.
OC Family reaches:

• Active & educated parents
• Growing families
• And more...

Eat Up

Solar science Get creative with outdoor cooking. By Michelle SlieffPublished: September, 2009

Print This Article Email This Article RSS Subscribe

If you thought you couldn’t possibly find another fun project after the summer to do with your children, think again – and think green. Teach your kids how to be environmentally friendly chef masters with solar cookers.     Solar cooking is a process that uses a low-cost device made to focus sunshine to cook food, such as pizza, s’mores, hot dogs, breakfast – you name it.     Children of all ages can do this, even as young as 5. Solar cookers can be purchased, or your kids can even make one out of a pizza box, aluminum, a plastic sheet, tape, straws and black paint. Of course, adult supervision is encouraged, and more options are available through the Web.     A great resource is “Solar Cooking for Home and Camp,” by Linda Frederick Yaffe (Stackpole Books, 2007). Inside, you’ll find recipes as well as a guide to making your very own solar cooker.     Whether it’s in your backyard or a fun project for the whole family while camping, your kids are guaranteed to have a blast.     It has taken time, but more people are becoming aware of our effect on the planet and are discovering alternative ways to produce a smaller carbon footprint and conserve energy.     One way is to introduce your children to becoming part of the solution by reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses that we put into the atmosphere.     There is no smoke with solar cooking, so no harmful carcinogens go into you, the food or the atmosphere.     You also don’t have to worry about your kids burning themselves on the stove, since the heat source is 149,600,000 kilometers away.     Cooking with the sun’s power offers amazing results. Solar ovens retain a food’s moisture and nutrients while it slowly cooks. In addition, it does not burn food like other heat sources.       This is a great resource to use and practical during these hot months. After all, nobody wants to heat up the house using conventional cooking sources. Michelle Slieff is an intern at OC Family magazine. ASK THE NUTRITIONIST Q: Are fish sticks a healthy food to give my kids? A: If you need to save time, store-bought fish sticks are a fairly good choice to deliver quality protein. Most are made from Pollock fish, which aren’t as high in the healthy omega- 3 fatty acids. Mass market brands may contain saturated fat or trans fat, so choose healthier brands, such as Ian’s, Natural Sea or Dr. Praeger’s.      Whenever you can, make and freeze up a bunch of fish sticks for a healthier alternative – just run a Web search for “healthy fish sticks.” High-omega-3 fish types include rainbow trout, salmon, mackerel and tuna. Erin Silva, MS, RD Registered Dietitian healthierpackagedfoods.blogspot.com Got a nutrition question for Erin?  Click here. CHEF JAMIE GWEN'S RECIPES OF THE MONTH After-school yogurt pops and trail mix Arm yourself with these delicious and creative kid-friendly recipes with the new school year quickly approaching.      Store-bought snacks can be expensive and are often packed with sugar, fat, salt and preservatives, so try these nutritious and delicious ideas for afternoon nibbles! AFTER-SCHOOL YOGURT POPS A delicious, sugar free, healthy dessert or snack that’s quick and easy. > 1-1/2 cups fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries or blueberries) > 16 oz. low-fat vanilla yogurt > 3 tsp. honey Directions: Place the berries in a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth. Add the yogurt and honey, and blend until well combined. Pour into popsicle molds or small paper cups, and place a popsicle stick in each cup. Freeze until solid. HOMEMADE TRAIL MIX This tasty snack is best when made with your favorite things! > 1/2 cup Corn Chex cereal > 1/4 cup dried banana chips > 1/4 cup raisins > 1/4 cup sunflower seeds > 1/4 cup dried fruit, chopped > 1/4 cup carob chips Directions: In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Jamie Gwen is a celebrity chef, certified sommelier and cookbook author. For delicious recipes and cooking tips, visit chefjamie.com.

SEARCH THE SITE