Raising Low-Fat Kids in a High-Fat World

American children eat too much fat. Concerned parents who are seeking guidance in maneuvering their children through this high-fat world need look no further than Judith Shaw's new book. With this guide, parents will learn how to decode nutritional and ingredient labels, detect hidden fat in foods, and find ways to substitute lower-fat ingredients without radical changes in the family diet. As a mother who has successfully lowered the fat in her kids' diet, Shaw offers helpful, realistic advice that parents can immediately put to use. Although 40 of the author's favorite kid-tested recipes are included, this volume is much more than a cookbook; it's a culinary philosophy and practical method to painlessly guide the entire family to a healthier diet.

A trip to the supermarket these days reveals something truly frightening: some of today's kids are really, really fat. And if you look in their parents' grocery carts, it's easy to see why. Judith Shaw started worrying about this issue back in the 60s, when she saw family members and friends' parents dying from heart disease, and has had 30 years to perfect her approach to low-fat eating for families. She not only helps you understand what fat is and what it does, she shows you how to shop, cook, and keep food on hand that's all kid-friendly and still healthfully low-fat.

This weekend we were having a family over to dinner and I really wanted to make something everyone would like. When the kids were younger, we would usually make something fancier for the adults and then have a kid friendly option. Now that the kids are getting older, I really love having the kids at the table with us talking about dinner just like we always do with our friends. On the menu this weekend were grilled flat iron steaks, twice baked potatoes, corn on the cob and wedge salads with a super easy homemade ranch dressing.

While ranch is not my favorite, I knew the kids would all like it. I also realized I had only ever tried ranch from a bottle. Here's what I came up with, I think it's so much better than anything from a bottle.

2 Cloves Garlic
? cup Italian Flat-Leaf Parsley
2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives
1 Tablespoon Fresh Oregano
1 cup Real Mayonnaise
? cups Sour Cream, Low-Fat worked great
? teaspoon White Vinegar
? teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Dash Cayenne Pepper
? teaspoon Paprika
Buttermilk (as Needed To Desired Consistency)
Salt To Taste

Mince the garlic with a knife and then sprinkle about and 1/8 to ? teaspoons of salt on it and mash it into a paste with a fork. You have to mash it or you will end up with garlic pieces that are to bold in the dressing. Chop the parsley, chives and oregano very finely and add to the garlic.
In a bowl combine all ingredients, tasting frequently and adjusting seasonings as needed. Chill for a couple of hours before serving, thin with buttermilk if desired.

I am, of course, a person with high moral values and a strong sense of right and wrong. However, despite stating that I do not agree with the teachers' strike, I encouraged my NUT (the Union who were on strike yesterday, for those who don't know) colleague to muster as much support for yesterday's action as possible. The deal was this - if enough NUTters went on strike to give the rest of us a day in school without kids, I'd bake cakes.

And here they are. Cheers Lisa xx

The recipe, for those who are interested, is Weight Watchers friendly and very easy to follow:

Low Fat Fairy Cakes.

These tiny cakes will satisfy your craving for naughty food, and will be a sure-fire hit with everyone.

100g low fat spread
60 g Silver Spoon Half Spoon Sugar
100g SR flour
2 eggs
Pinch of baking powder
Drop of vanilla essence

To decorate: 20g icing sugar mixed to a paste with a small amount of water. Dragees/hundreds and thousands, etc.

Cream the half-spoon sugar and the low fat spread together till pale yellow and smooth. Add the flour, sieved, with a pinch of baking powder. Beat in the eggs and add a drop of vanilla essence. Split the mix into 24 petit four cases then bake at gas mark 4 for 20 mins or until golden.

Leave to cool then decorate with a blob of icing and fripperies of your choice.

Weight Watchers points: 1 per cake.

Moms today are constantly busy. With all of the cleaning, carpools, soccer practice, doctor?s appointments, school conferences, and probably a job outside the home, where is there time to cook? All moms want to feed their children healthy, balanced meals—yet at the end of a long day, fast food can seem like a more appealing alternative.

For moms who need a quick and healthy meal even the kids will love, Prima introduces Busy Mom?s Lowfat Cookbook. Author Elise Griffith is the a mother of two picky eaters. In this book, she shares her secrets for creating healthful meals for the entire family in under 30 minutes. The over 200 recipes cover everything from breakfasts, snacks, and bag lunches, to main dishes, crockery dishes, and holiday meals. She has even created recipes that make vegetables delicious and dessert more nutritious. Some of her creations include:


• Grizzly Bear Pancakes
• Lunch-Box Chicken Quesadillas
• Mini Snack Kabobs
• Quick Cabbage Patch Salad
• Easy Chinese Drumsticks
• Best Fudgy Brownies (less than 1g of fat!)

Each recipe contains a complete nutritional breakdown, preparation time, cooking time, and high altitude cooking hints. In each chapter, Griffith also offers tips and tricks for cutting the fat from old family favorites.

The key to making good, fast meals is careful planning. At the start of this book, Griffith includes tips for stocking a healthy pantry, keeping nutritious snacks handy, and choosing cookware for convenience.

About the Author

Elise Griffith is a freelance writer who specializes in food and nutrition. This busy mom of two picky eaters has been cooking and developing recipes for more than 20 years.

Busy Mom's Lowfat Cookbook has been awarded the Family Channel Seal of Quality Award—a new standard for excellence in the entertainment industry! An independent panel of family entertainment writers identifies worthy products for their positive, wholesome nature and their rich, enduring entertainment value. To see other Family Channel Seal of Quality items, visit /The Family Channel.