Working on Food

I've been enrolled in this "Feed Kids Healthy Food" class, from Coursera, the last month.  It's been good and insightful, made me realize how far we've (me and my fam) have come... but still, we got a long way to go!

For the class I watch little videos, then take quizzes.  The videos have been pretty insightful, in how to prepare healthier meals, etc.  I was so inspired that I even retried a breakfast smoothie!  Holy smokes!
(I've had epic failures with smoothies for the boys.  Plus Eli hates all thing cold and sweet--he pretty much goes into cardiac arrest when I hand him a chocolate milk shake--so it's not exactly "fun" for me to serve them to the boys.)

IF ANYONE HAS GOOD BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE RECIPES, share please!!!

Titus's cup.  With his hands.  

Then at the end of the week we are supposed to upload a pic of a meal we cooked (given by assignment), explain the meal, then judge 5 peer's work.  This course is currently being taken by over 22,000 students, which lots of them are international.  It's been fun reading the forums, learning about different culture food habits, and trying to figure out what-in-the-world-did-they-cook? and how-do-they-think-that's-delicious?  Of course I give A+ to everyone... hard for me to see people fail.

Assignment 1:
a dish containing at least 3 veggies, which can be served alone or as a first course.

My first stir fry!  And it sucked!  But I got high marks, since the picture is amazing.  (Put too much plum sauce.  The Dudley Boys do not like plum sauce.)  

Assignment 2:
Breakfast containing a veggie or fruit, a good grain or carb, and a protein.

Half a bagel, half a banana, baked egg mini muffins.  Got high marks, though I'm pretty sure an international student tried to write something meaningful, but it got lost in the translation.  Boys loved it, since they eat this stuff easily anyway.  

Assignment 3:
A balanced dinner meal, with one protein, one veggie, one grain/carb.

Brown rice, steamed broccoli, creamy crock-pot chicken.   Did NOT get the best marks, seeing how the picture is soo sad.  (I'm at my parents' home, and quickly had to throw this pic together before we ate our Sunday Meal.)  Boys liked it, though!  

Okay, I've actually enjoyed this class. Though have gotten a little overwhelmed sometimes.  I tried to participate in a Google+  Hangout with other classmates, and it sorta was fun.  Mostly I realized "all the food ever grown is bad for us all," and that, "even if stuff says organic, it's probably not good for us."   Grrr... Things get out of hand quickly, when fear starts to control the discussion.  But from the class its self, a lot of good info.

I was pretty inspired, though didn't have to change our habits.  (I already serve the veggies first, the boys have learned that good stuff comes later if these green things are forced down.)  This course was like a boost of confidence!  I've come a long way!  Understanding general nutrition, CHECK!  When me and Matt first got together/married, I was very lost in the proverbial sauce.  It's been a long road, but I think we're finally in kicking in a higher gear.

Though Titus, who is a great eater, is not a fan of carrots.
He thinks he is so sneaky, saying he has to use the restroom, and then spits his mouthful of carrot in the sink.
"She'll never know," I'm sure he thinks. 

Here are some other foodie pictures I took during this last month:

No idea how the mango fell apart!  But it did.  Hilarious. 

Cheese, glorious cheese!  I'm happy to try it!
Tillamook is a beautiful cheese, and sooooo affordable in the West.  I so sad.  an 8oz for 6 bucks.  What?!
Glad it is stocked in coastal Georgia, though.  I now know where to get my special occasion cheese!  (<< yes, there is such a thing.) 

... i cry...

My last meal from our cleaned-out-for-the-summer-fridge:
A bite of chicken, a scoop of greek yogurt, a huge amount of kale!
It was actually all really good.