“…Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” – John 6:9
Do you ever get tired of packing lunches and snacks for your kids? I sure do. One of the many things I love about summer vacation is the long break from filling lunchboxes and washing water bottles.
In the Biblical account of Jesus feeding five thousand people, meal time rolls around and no one is prepared. The people are hungry and there is no food available. However, one boy offers to share his five loaves of bread and two small fish. Jesus gives thanks for this food, and miraculously uses it to feed all of the people until they are full, then the disciples gather up twelve baskets of leftovers.
Now, how do you suppose the boy got that food? One can assume his mom packed it for him. That is what moms do—they think ahead to what their children might need for the day. When they know their kids will be running around outside all day, they tuck snacks into pockets and canteens of water over shoulders. They load up lunchboxes and water bottles for school. They plan treats for special occasions and fun lunches for play dates. Moms plan, prepare, and pack.
Yet I often forget the value and the potential power of this loving effort. When the boy’s mom sent him out with bread and fish, she had no way of knowing her meager meal would become a miracle. We don’t know when that might happen either. But God can use anything, even a snack, to reach people and show His love.
Consider the conversations around the lunchroom tables. “My mom packed my favorite sandwich for me!” “Ugh, my mom packed a banana again.” “I got cookies in my lunch, do you want one?” For my oldest daughter, one day that conversation led to a boy asking her about Jesus.
We often show our kids love through what we pack, and our kids can use that to share, help and encourage their friends. When my daughter was in first grade, a classmate never brought a snack to school, so she shared hers. In fourth grade, the boy who asked her about Jesus at lunch wanted to know more while they sucked on lollipops and waited for their afternoon carpools.
Food can break down barriers, make conversation easier, and allow people to seem more real or down to earth. Sometimes it is more comfortable for kids to bring up sensitive topics with something in their mouths.
The next time you pack a lunch or a snack, remember the mom who packed the five loaves and two fish for her little boy, and expect a miracle.
Showing posts with label foods for kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foods for kids. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Looking for a new side dish? Try quinoa!
If your family is getting tired of rice, or if you need to pack some extra protein into a picky eater, try quinoa (pronounced keen-wa). It is delicious, easy to make, and not very expensive. Best of all, it is very healthy.
Although it looks and cooks like a grain, it is actually related to leafy green vegetables such as spinach and Swiss chard. It has a nutty flavor and a slightly crunchy texture. Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it includes all nine essential amino acids. It is also a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, and phosphorus, and it is gluten free.
I normally make it just like rice and top it with a little butter and salt, but one day my husband decided to make it like Thanksgiving dressing. My whole family loved it, and it tastes warm and homey on chilly winter nights.
Simply boil 1 cup of quinoa, 1 teaspoon of rubbed sage (you can use more or less depending on your preference), and 2 stalks of chopped celery in 2 cups of chicken broth. When it comes to a boil, cover and reduce the heat (just like you do when cooking rice) and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. It is done when the water is gone and the grains are tender. Stir in ¼ cupped chopped parsley and salt to taste.
You can also cook quinoa with chopped carrots, celery, green peas, onions, and curry for an Indian flare.
For the best price, buy quinoa from the bulk bins at your local health food store or Sprouts Farmer's Market. It will be near the rice and dried beans.
Quinoa also makes a great breakfast. Ancient Harvest makes quinoa flakes that cook like instant oatmeal. Top with a sprinkle of brown sugar for a hot, hearty, healthy start to the day. I buy this at Vitamin Cottage, but it is available at many stores in the cereal aisle.
Although it looks and cooks like a grain, it is actually related to leafy green vegetables such as spinach and Swiss chard. It has a nutty flavor and a slightly crunchy texture. Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it includes all nine essential amino acids. It is also a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, and phosphorus, and it is gluten free.
I normally make it just like rice and top it with a little butter and salt, but one day my husband decided to make it like Thanksgiving dressing. My whole family loved it, and it tastes warm and homey on chilly winter nights.
Simply boil 1 cup of quinoa, 1 teaspoon of rubbed sage (you can use more or less depending on your preference), and 2 stalks of chopped celery in 2 cups of chicken broth. When it comes to a boil, cover and reduce the heat (just like you do when cooking rice) and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. It is done when the water is gone and the grains are tender. Stir in ¼ cupped chopped parsley and salt to taste.
You can also cook quinoa with chopped carrots, celery, green peas, onions, and curry for an Indian flare.
For the best price, buy quinoa from the bulk bins at your local health food store or Sprouts Farmer's Market. It will be near the rice and dried beans.
Quinoa also makes a great breakfast. Ancient Harvest makes quinoa flakes that cook like instant oatmeal. Top with a sprinkle of brown sugar for a hot, hearty, healthy start to the day. I buy this at Vitamin Cottage, but it is available at many stores in the cereal aisle.
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