Healthy food makes happy kids

If you think kids’ food is all pizza and hot dogs, think again. The Health and Wellness Center’s popular “Unleash Your Inner Chef” series is presenting a new installment March 16th called Kid Friendly Meals for All of Us. This free demonstration-style workshop offers healthy recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

In an hour and a half, participants will learn how to make a variety of recipes, including super-sloppy joes, spaghetti squash-baked lasagna, and chicken-vegetable stir-fry. While squash might not traditionally be thought of as a “kid-friendly” food, this workshop aims to change that perception.

“This workshop introduces foods in different ways. Kids have probably had lasagna, but adding the squash introduces them to the meal in a healthy alternative,” Health Educator Jodi Brawley said.

Not only does the workshop teach healthy alternative recipes, it encourages relationship building through the process of making and eating food. Kids are welcome to attend the workshop with their parents and engage in the responsibility of preparing and consuming healthy meals.

“There will be conversation about eating meals with your family, and [this] encourages communication and relationship building through food,” Brawley said.

Another benefit to teaching children the importance of a healthy diet is the fact that the education will stay with them throughout their lives.

“Children who are taught healthy habits will live them throughout their lifetimes. This is about getting children engaged and invested in the process,” said Brawley.

Unleash Your Inner Chef – Kid Friendly Meals for All of Us will take place March 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Lookout Room in the Student Union Building. The event is free and open to any BSU students, faculty, or staff. To register, go to http://www.boisestate.edu/healthservices/events/index.asp.

“This is a great opportunity to learn from a dietician and watch the process,” Brawley said. Audience participation will be encouraged, and people are welcome to try the food after

the demonstration.

TERESA ARENZ
Lead Arbiter Journalist

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