Pack the Perfect Back-to-School Lunch

Registered dietician Regina Ragone gives tips on packing a lunch that even your pizza-tarian kids will love.

Check out this video for for:
*Six sneaky snacks that have nutritional substance
*Lunchtime logistics: how to keep cold things cold, hot things hot





Regina Ragone, R.D. is the Food Director at Family Circle Magazine. Prior to joining Family Circle, Regina was the food editor at Prevention magazine and has authored several cookbooks.

Cook it Together with Annabel Karmel

Mother of three and author of 17 best-selling cookbooks, Annabel Karmel understands the importance of encouraging children and parents to HAVE FUN and collaborate in the kitchen. In her newest book, COOK IT TOGETHER, Annabel offers creative tips for parents on how to teach children about healthy food, and how to include these ingredients in daily meals.

With recipes such as Butterfly cupcakes, Banana Bites, and Strawberry layers, Annabel has a knack for incorporating flavors kids crave. There’s even something for the more adventurous “little foodie” - Apple & Chicken Curry or Salmon Skewers.

Here are few simple recipes you too, can try at home:

Banana Bites:
Ingredients:
1-2 Bananas
4 oz Chocolate Milk
Dried Coconut& Sprinkles

1. Peel the banana and peel off the ends. Chop the flesh into 6 pieces
2. Break the chocolate into a heatproof bowl. Put the bowl over a pan of hot water, to melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally. Leave to cool slightly.
3. Push a straw through the banana, then drizzle melted chocolate over each piece. (Don’t worry if it’s not perfect – it will taste delicious!_
4. Roll the chocolate covered banana in the coconut or sprinkles. Let the chocolate harden, then serve.

Strawberry Layers:
Ingredients:
2 1/3 cups (350 g) whole strawberries
4 tbsp strawberry jam
7/8 (200 ml) heavy cream
6 tbsp Greek yogurt
mint, to serve

1. De-stem the strawberries. Put a few aside for decoration and slice the rest into a bowl with the jam.
2. Use a potato masher to mash up the strawberries and jam.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the cream to stiff peaks. Then fold the yogurt into the cream.
4. Layer the strawberry & cream mixtures in little serving dishes.



For more information, check out: www.annabelkarmel.com

JULIANNE MOORE & FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY RETURN

Four-time Academy Award Nominee and her spunky, picture book star dodge a bully

Best known for her roles in many blockbuster movies, such as The Hours and Forgotten, acclaimed actress Julianne Moore is fast proving herself to be a multi-talented woman. She joins talents again with bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY AND THE DODGEBALL BULLY. With a sweet sensitivity and imagination, she writes about a subject that everyone, despite their age, can relate to: The school bully. This time, Freckleface Strawberry, this perky, loveable seven-year-old, encounters a bully on the playground—Windy Pants Patrick—and must summon the courage to play dodge ball. Ms. Moore tackles this all-too-prevalent problem with both humor and grace.

Here’s Julianne speaking about the name "Freckleface:"





It is Ms. Moore’s infusion of hilarity and heart that has won her praise from booksellers, educators, reviewers—and most importantly young readers—for her debut picture book Freckleface Strawberry, a charming tale inspired by a childhood experience.

Here’s Julianne speaking about writing for children:




Balancing her career and motherhood, Ms. Moore lives in New York with her husband and two children. She is a U. S. Ambassador for Save the Children, working with children and families in rural areas, focusing on literacy and early childhood education. She is also a member of Reach Out and Read, a children’s literacy organization dedicated to educating parents on the importance of reading to their children.

Here’s Julianne speaking about balancing family and career:





To purchase a copy of the book, click here: Freckleface Strawberry