Ah. . . . It’s really starting to feel like Spring! And it’s supposed to be another beautiful day here in the Sierra Foothills. This past weekend we were out doing some much need yard work and getting the front porch cleaned up. I can’t wait to be sitting outside in our backyard watching the kids swim in the swimming pool and have a BBQ out back. I’ve always been one to love summer and being outdoors. Soon, we’ll have company or family over for dinner, and will be firing up the grill. I’m looking forward to picking up  either chicken, hamburger or steaks (have to watch for those  weekly family deals at the grocery store) for the grill.

We’ll enjoy grilling fresh organic vegetables from the farmer’s market in my favorite grill basket I purchased when I was a Pampered Chef consultant to go along with it. In past years, after losing way too many vegetables through the cracks in the grill, I bought these very handy grill baskets that are perfect for grilling just about anything. They both have handles to make it very easy to grill. I put it on the grill and throw my vegetables in it – and they don’t fall into the fire! Yea!

Here’s the best way I’ve learned how to grill vegetables: Slice the vegetables you want to grill and put into a ziploc bag (or a medium size bowl will work too.) Add in a little bit of olive oil, a dash of soy or worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder. Zip the bag and shake the veggies to coat well. Your vegetables can be in this mix anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Drain the vegetables a little. You don’t want soggy vegetables.  Put them on the grill and cook for a few minutes each side or until tender-crunchy. Yum! Even your pickiest eaters will enjoy eating grilled vegetables. Almost every vegetable is great for grilling. Here’s What In Season This Month:

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I try and pay attention to foods that are in season as much as possible. When the weather is nice, during the spring and summer months I try and visit our local Farmer’s Market as much as possible; not only for the fresh fruits and vegetables but to support our local farmers and community. It’s always fun to get tips and suggestions from our local farmers.  There are times though when I can’t get to the Farmer’s Market but still want to buy those fruits and vegetables that are in season.

So when I came across this widget, from this website that helps you figure out what’s in season where you live, I knew I had to include it in Noel’s Kitchen Tips. I find the community I live in really enjoys buying fresh local foods and I wanted to share with all of you. I’m blessed to live in a state that has some amazing fruits and vegetables.

I’ll be creating a link on the right side of the homepage so you can find this resource easily and tips and recipes on what’s in season and how you can eat local and enjoy smarter living. Stay Tuned!

PS: Here’s a peek at what’s in season for late March here in California:

LATE MARCH

Apples, Asparagus, Avocados, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Fennel, Grapefruit,Halibut, Pacific, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Oranges, Pistachios, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabaga, Scallions,Shrimp, Pink, Spinach, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Turnips

I read an interesting article online this morning. It was an article about local moms with children in a Chicago Public School responding to School Breakfast in Classrooms.

One mom was completely against the program even though her first grade daughter’s school hasn’t implemented the program yet. Her daughter’s school has a breakfast program in the cafeteria already and she doesn’t see why it has to be implemented in a classroom setting. The mother stated “I feel like I should have the choice to feed my child what I want to feed her for breakfast, she should be in the classroom to learn, not to eat.”

According to this mom, Chicago has one of the lowest school hours in the country.  She continued stating “We need to educate our kids; we don’t need to feed them.”

Last year, our kid’s elementary school introduced the School’s Free Breakfast Program. I find this to be a great program, not just for our kids but the entire school. The breakfast they serve our kids range from pancakes, cereal and milk, with a piece of fruit, to bagels and cream cheese. It’s not a full sit-down meal but it’s something in their stomachs that’s healthy and lets them get a jumpstart on their day. What’s on the menu is the same type of breakfast you would serve in the home.
Why Serve Breakfast At School?

There are many children out there who don’t have the opportunity to eat a nutritious breakfast each morning. There are those families out there that are living on an extremely tight budget and can’t provide the nutritious breakfast at home and can’t afford to buy it at school. Regardless of those families income, with today’s busy families and their busy lives, it’s often difficult for some families to sit down each morning to eat a nutritious breakfast.
How Children Benefit From Breakfast at School

 Even though, I meal plan and will have quick breakfast ready for my kids in the morning, sometimes our kids are not physically capable of eating breakfast when they first wake up. I know that I’m not quite as hungry first thing in the morning until around 9 a.m.  Being a mom who works outside the home, I have to be out that door by 7:45 a.m. each morning.  Needless to say, there are times where we are in a hurry in the morning and don’t always eat a sit-down meal in the morning. On those rare occasions, I’ll pull breakfast burritos out of the freezer or muffins that I’ve made ahead of time along with a piece of fresh fruit.
According to the FRAC (Food Research and Action Center), studies conclude that students who eat school breakfast increase their math and reading scores as well as improve their speed and memory in cognitive tests.  Research also shows that children who eat breakfast at school – closer to class and test-taking time – perform better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast or eat breakfast at home. Evidence has grown that children who eat school breakfast are less likely to be overweight, and have improved nutrition – they eat more fruits, drink more milk, and consume a wider variety of foods than those who don’t eat breakfast or have breakfast at home. Schools that provide universal breakfast in the classroom report decreases in discipline and psychological problems, visits to school nurses and tardiness; increases in student attentiveness and attendance; and generally improved learning environments. Universal school breakfast refers to any school program that offers breakfast at no charge to all students, regardless of income.
Yes, I agree that it’s vital that students aren’t hungry when they go to school. It’s important that kids go to school with something in their stomachs. When kids don’t have a healthy breakfast, it’s reflected in behavior and learning. I’m sure that most teachers will agree.  I do agree that breakfast should be available to those kids who need it, especially kids that don’t have food options available to them at home in the morning, whether their parents are busy, or working early, or don’t have the income.  One other issue would be allergies or a restriction in your kid’s diet.  I think if any child has any allergy issues of concern; they can be addressed with the school and accommodations should be made.
Do you approve of school breakfasts in the classroom? Post your comments below.

Cooking for a cause is always enjoyable for me.  In our local events section, I read that tonight, The United Way of Nevada County’s 4^th Annual BBQ Battle is happening. It’s being held at 5pm in downtown Grass Valley at the Gold Miner Inn. They will be raffling some great raffle prizes; including a Hawaiian vacation getaway, and live music performed by SOLS. Spectators can Cool off under a tent of misting hoses while they enjoy the music and great food.

Proceeds from this event will be going to United Way of Nevada County Community Investment Fund.

We’ll be stopping by and checking out the event and tasting some wonderful BBQ. Hope to see you all there.