Back-To-School, Back Together

Summer is already a distant memory as families are faced with extra-busy routines now that kids are back in school. It's hard enough to fit in homework, soccer practice, and everything else in between, and yet, the importance of nutrition and balanced, shared meals can not be erased. When adjusting from summer vacation to the school year, encourage your family and friends to make family mealtime a priority. It keeps everyone happy, healthy, and connected.

The Bounty of the Autumn Harvest

With eight lean cuts of pork to choose from, meal options are endless this autumn. Given that pork tenderloin is as lean as a skinless chicken breast, it makes for a perfect meal that is good for the entire family.¹ In the spirit of family meals, celebrate National Eat Together Week. Taking place from September 20-26, 2009, this week was established by America’s pork producers and the National Pork Board as a time to develop and nurture relationships among family members.

Smartly choose lean proteins, like pork, for any meal of the day.

• Start the school day strong and full of energy with Ham and Egg Breakfast Burritos. Chock-full of taste, these burritos are a welcomed treat for the first meal of the day. For the family on the run, make a batch of these burritos and wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then freeze. On busy mornings, just unwrap a burrito from its plastic wrap and rewrap it in a white paper towel, microwave on HIGH until an internal temperature is reached of 160 degrees. Balance the meal out with low fat milk or juice.
• The Stuffed Pork, Cheddar and Apple Panini is a kid-friendly and healthy sandwich for lunch. Serve with a warm bowl of soup and carrot sticks.
• Autumn Apple Chops is a satisfying and comforting option for the fall weather. Serve this apple flavored braised chop and serve winter squash puree and buttered green beans as sides.

Finding Time

Families today face such hectic schedules that even basic tasks can seem like daunting projects. The solution? Use small amounts of free time to break these up into manageable everyday jobs involving all family members. Here are some ideas to give your clients on how to quickly accomplish daily needs as they are adjusting to their new back-to-school schedules.

• Enhance breakfast. Layer lean Canadian bacon on an English muffin for a quick and protein-rich meal. Studies have shown that eating breakfast, especially a high-protein one, improved academic performance and satiety throughout the day.2,3,4
• Challenge all family members to gather clothes and toys that they no longer want from around the house. Then take the excess goods to a local group that serves the needy. During National Eat Together Week, America’s pork producers will be doing their part too to serve the needy by donating five pounds of pork for every recipe printed or shared from TheOtherWhiteMeat.com to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization.
• Use the crockpot! In the morning, combine an economical pork shoulder or savory pork chops, toss in some vegetables, and dinner will be ready for you when you get home.

1U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 21, 2008. (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/).
2Florence, M., et al. Diet quality and academic performance. Journal of School Health. 2008;78(4):209-215.
3Blom W.A.M., et al. Effect of a high-protein breakfast on the postprandial ghrelin response. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2006;83:211-220.
4Leidy H, et al. Increased dietary protein consumed at breakfast leads to an initial and sustained feeling of fullness during energy restriction compared to other meal times. British J of Nutr, 2009; 101, 798-803.