Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Nope, I’m not the only one who’s writing this week about food-conscious kids like my little locavore nephew.The winners of Michelle Obama’s Healthy Lunchtime Challenge were just announced yesterday as part of her Let’s Move campaign. Far beyond planting a White House garden, our First Lady is doing wonderful work to improve school lunches, reduce childhood obesity, and tackle other important issues in food and nutrition. (Call me, Michelle!)
I’m posting the winners here on my own blog since it’s such a lovely and timely follow-up to yesterday’s post. There’s a wonderful array of plant-based dishes, so take a gander at the winning recipes for culinary inspiration. It’s worth perusing for the names of the dishes alone: some are rather clever and one reminds me of a certain thriller from the eighties starring Glenn Close…
54 States and Territories, 54 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge Winners
- Alabama: Falcon Wiles, age 9, Alabama’s Yummy Summer Soup
- Alaska: Aaron Blust, age 9, Alaska Teriyaki Salmon Wrap
- Arizona: Haile Thomas, age 11, Quinoa, Black Bean, and Corn Salad
- Arkansas: Trey Sims, age 12, Kickin’ Chicken Salad
- California: Sean Reichbach, age 9, Sean’s 3-Pepper Soup
- Colorado: Aidan Gould, age 12, Rainbow Salad with Black Beans, Homegrown Mint, and Lemon
- Connecticut: Betsy DaSilva, age 10, Heavenly Lunch
- Delaware: Jourdanne Latney, age 12, Stuffed Tomatoes
- District of Columbia: Ilianna Gonzales-Evans, age 11, Mexican Delight
- Florida: Deborah Goncalves, age 12, “Triple F:” Fake Fast Food
- Georgia: Haley Matthews, age 12, Stuffed Zucchini Boat
- Hawaii: Stefani Shimomura-Sakamoto, age 11, Scrumptious Salmon Salad Lunch
- Idaho: Elena Guylay, age 11, Fiesta Casserole
- Illinois: Jonah Schaik, age 12, Jonah’s Pesto Pasta
- Indiana: Alexander Aylward, age 8, Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Chicken
- Iowa: Ajani Patton-Imani, age 8, Yummy Corn Wraps
- Kansas: Rori Coyne, age 12, Yummy Cabbage Sloppy Joes
- Kentucky: Myka Smith-Jackson, age 8, Myka’s Perfect Curry Chicken Wraps
- Louisiana: Michael Prados, age 12, Fish Tacos
- Maine: Annalee Carroll, age 12, Dumplings and Veggie Sushi
- Maryland: Samuel Hightower, age 10, Sizzling Tofu with Green Onions and Sugar Snap Peas
- Massachusetts: Rachel Goldsmith-Levitt, age 11, Tapenade and Goat Cheese Sandwich
- Michigan: Avery McNew, age 8, Apple Oat Balls!
- Minnesota: Riley Sorensen, age 12, Stuffed Red Peppers and Banana Oat Stacks
- Mississippi: Linda Martinez, age 12, Mississippi Tacos
- Missouri: Kyle Moore, age 12, Chicken Spinach Pasta
- Montana: Kayla Wayman, age 9, Kayla’s Garden Chicken Pizza
- Nebraska: Aaron Beckman, age 8, Apple Alien
- Nevada: Alexea Wagner, age 9, Vegan Sloppy Joes and Kale Salad
- New Hampshire: Ella Barrett, age 8, Black Bean and Avocado Burrito with Pineapple Salsa
- New Jersey: Tarteel Idais, age 9, The Golden Plate
- New Mexico: Emma Kenney, age 9, Baked Chicken Wrap with Nectarine Avocado Salsa
- New York: Samuel Wohabe, age 9, Fish Fueled Pepper Rocket with Kale Chips and Quinoa
- North Carolina: Sydney Brown, age 11, Sydney’s Homerun Meatloaf Burger
- North Dakota: Logan Rosene, age 8, Logan’s Favorite Turkey Vegetable Soup
- Northern Mariana Islands: Esther Huh, age 11, Pitaya Healthy Salad
- Ohio: Logan Kendall, age 11, Shredded Veggie Wrap
- Oklahoma: Harrison Booker, age 9, Power Pesto Pasta
- Oregon: Robert Robinson, age 9, Veggie Pizza
- Pennsylvania: Evan Clark, age 9, Falafel Wrap with Apple, Carrot, and Cranberry Slaw
- Puerto Rico: Ariana Lugo, age 9, Sushi for Kids
- Rhode Island: Caroline Cowart, age 12, Broccoli and Cheese Egg White Omelet
- South Carolina: Lauren Kuperman, age 12, Fun with Lunch
- South Dakota: Eva Farley, age 8, Miss Kitty’s Egg Salad Sensation
- Tennessee: Logan Guleff, age 9, Tuna Schooners
- Texas: Michael Lakind, age 9, Bunny Bisque and Secret Service Super Salad
- Utah: Lahav Ardi, age 9, Lahav’s Lentil Veggie Soup
- Vermont: Laura Printon, age 9, Backyard Garden Salsa Tortillas
- Virgin Islands: Gabriel Reed, age 11, Vegetarian Lasagna
- Virginia: Madeleine Steppel, age 9, Fish Chowder with Fruity Salad
- Washington: Arla Sutton, age 9, Salad Noodle Wraps
- West Virginia: Alexis Nelson, age 10, Golden Moroccan Butternut Stew
- Wisconsin: Finwe Wiedenhoeft, age 9, Barbecue Cheddar Chickpea Burgers
- Wyoming: Grace Ratchford, age 12, Macaroni Casserole
Isn’t it fabulous that there are a number of vegetarian and vegan dishes on the list? I’m also thrilled that soups and salads are so prominent. (Sound like anyone you know?) As well, there are a number of globally-inspired dishes, which is terrific. I’m not sure whether the contest also encouraged kids to think about the sustainability of their food choices, as I do in one of my cooking assignments for my own classes. But at least from the traditional nutrition perspective – i.e., that focused on individual health – it’s a great start.
May we all learn a little something from these little foodies.
Anyone else here see the next reality television series?
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To learn more about the contest and its winners, click here. For more about MyPlate and other guidelines for healthy eating, click here.
