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[NightmarePatrol]

This article in the tribune caught my eye today. First I have to ask, what are the school lunch choices the students have in schools these days. I remember it was a big deal when tater tots first showed up on the menu. Now they will have tater tot consumption monitors?

Now that I have children in school (not in PA) I was surprised to see what they are offering in school cafeterias these days. Here is a link to what they offer in the county where my munchkins go. I have no idea how it compares to what they are serving in the CC school district. Turning away birthday cupcakes seems a bit extreme to me. Wouldn't is make more sense to clean up the lunch menu and then let them have a guilty pleasure? I'm sure this is just the first step in a plan that is about to get launched in the CC schools. though.

Maybe I'm old, but I don't remember the menu looking this good  when I went to school. Granted now that I'm older my tastes have changed. Any opinions here or am I just being a pain in the butt?

[bighair80s]

you are always a pain in the butt.   

just kidding.

it sounds to me like the food police, but then again kids really need a better diet.

[CindyLouWho]

I have always been a big-time lunch packer.  Until this year.  I decided that economically, packing is way more expensive tan buying.  With my son entering int the high school and them having the salad bar (and occasional potato bar or taco bar) whic I know he loves, I decided to let my kids buy full time.  I mean, where else can you get lunch for $1.50?  That is $7.50 a week per kid!  I spend waaaaaaaaaaaaay more than that on "lunch groceries" alone.  WAY more!  So my kids are officially BUYERS this year.  LOVE it too.  At the elementary school, they MAKE THEM choose a fruit selection.  They only have low fat milk too.  I give my youngest ice cream money maybe once every two weeks or so.  Both of my youngest are on the stocky side and have the potential for weight problems.  We make every effort to keep them active.  Son plays football and when the football season is over he will be on a fun YMCA basketball team.  He also does weights with the football guys on Mon Wed and Fri.  Daughter will be in the Y pool once a week and of course does the horse thing.  She walks with me about 50% of the time - usually taking her bike.  She is also the only one of my kids who LIKES to work outside with me and her dad.  She is the one pasted to dad's side when he is fixing a gate ot cleaning stalls.   Back to school lunches.....they are better than they used to me.  I see some chicken being used now when in years past everything was ground beef (because that is what the government was willing to supply or reimburse for, however that works).  Whole milk is gone.  I think skim is even an option now.  Lots of fruit and veggie choices.   The trays used to be loaded with tons of pasta and bread and butter.  Not so as much anymore.  Today, Conneaut School District offered:  Cheesy dog on a bun or turkey sandwich, cauliflower, tomato soup.  There are always two fruits to choose from and 2% white, 1% flavored or skim milk.  PB&J is always an alternative.  (Found the menu of the fridge).  They offer breakfast at school now too but I think they are pretty much garbage much of the time.

[NightmarePatrol]

Our lunches are $1⁸⁰ per day. The school also goes through mylunchmoney.com, so our son just has to punch in his student number at the register and his lunch is taken care of. Every tie we give him cash it's a toy. we give him popcorn money on Friday's sometimes. Funny thing is I don't remember out lunches selection being that god. I remember those toased PB&J's that had about 1 tablespoon of PB and one table spoon if J pressed between two slices of white bread until they were link half an inch thick and greasy with a butter-like substance.

We shall not speak of what they referred to as hamburgers. (blech)

At least ketchup is not a vegetable any more.  (cool alchemy though - making vegetable sauce from a fruit)

Yes, it's the same or cheaper to use the cafeteria it seems.

[lifefeedsonlife]

School lunch contracts are a big money deal when you think about it. And while you're only paying "X" per meal - there's a decent profit margin in there for somebody. I'm homeschooling the kids anyway so the point's moot - except for the oldest I have in school now. He packs and I get him what he likes for the most part - but severely limit junk. I don't really trust any companies that would provide food at such low cost . . . even if they're subsidized somehow.

I have a problem which large scale food 'manufacturers' as a whole anyway. I like to think of them as the chemical food companies since they see fit to break it down and rebuild / fortify it with other stuff it didn't have when nature made it.

They only have low fat milk too.

I've been thinking about cow milk a lot lately. Not only are the cows given growth hormones so that they produce more milk, and then the milk is altered chemically - but what other species on the planet a) regularly drinks milk from a species other than it's own? and b) drinks milk after it's been weened or as a teen / adult.

I'm going back to being a vegetarian. Seems a little safer to me.

(Sorry - a little off topic.)

[bighair80s]

there is always road kill...  or does the EPA or DER put something down the groundhog holes these days 

[TiFeMb]

NP: They sure didn'y have that food at MASH! I don't remember much except maybe those nasty "hamburgers". I basically lived off of the coffee machine they had in the cafeteria. My lunch hour was spent in the smoking lounge. 

  That's right kiddos. we had a SMOKING LOUNGE in high school!! 
Life: If you don't mind clueing me in, I've been thinking about going vegetarian for a while, it's just such a big jump. Let me know where to start, I would probably do better changing over in stages.

BH80's: Punxutawny Perogis?

[NightmarePatrol]

No ground hog jokes. We used to hunt them when I was a kid. They are actually quite tasty!

Life, are you planning doing the true vegetarian thing, or going the lacto-ovo route?

[CindyLouWho]

A smoking lounge in high school.....my how times have changed!  Can you imagine!

School lunches are most definately subsidized.  That is why they BEG every single person to fill out those free school lunch forms whether you think or know you qualify or not.   It also determines whether they will be able to have those math and reading assistance programs (can't remember what those are called). 

Anyone headed out to Conneaut Lake for their little Halloween parade?  Costume contest follows at the elementary school gym.

[lifefeedsonlife]

Not gonna do the true vegan thing. Total pain in the ass. General rule fo rme - nothing with a face. (Which means free range organic eggs won't be ruled out.) I found when I'd done this before, I dropped some weight, had more energy in the long run and felt much 'lighter' as things tended to - um - move better. Big mistake some folks make is becoming a "carbetarian" and overloading on the grain side of things. Stay away from a lot of starches and you'll do well. (Cauliflower 'mashed potatos' are awesome by the way.)

I'd suggest some on line research to decide what's best for you as there are varying 'stages' I guess.

Personally I just jumped right into it. If I got a meat craving - I just ate some nuts or fried up a garden burger to fool myself. This time around - avoiding the milk deal and see what happens. Also cutting out all carbonated beverages. (BAD habit I have. I can feel the headaches coming on already.) We'll see what happens. It was truly a lifestyle change for me when I did it for a few years. (I stopped when the Mrs. got pregnant and developed a thing for ribs - which I too caved in on.)

[bighair80s]

good luck lifeeds.. hey does candy count.. we got many  bags of good candy last night to give out to the kiddies tonight...   

[NightmarePatrol]

I had a discussion with a nurse (and certified nutritionist) on eating for your blood type at the grocery store deli of all places. She was a firm believer in this. So, I'm just passing it along. I'm A+ and my wife is A-. Both of us have borderline low blood pressure, but  my liver make cholesterol like crazy so I'm now a reluctant lipitor taker.

[TiFeMb]

Life: Ditto on the cokes & carbs. I need to find a better source of protein, I rely heavily on turkey, chicken & fish. Fried chicken is my weakness though. Down here they have what's called an "8 piece box" at the grocery store. 2 breasts, 2 thighs, 2 legs, 2 wings. I can polish the whole thing off but the kids are stealing the legs from me now. Wash it down with a 1/2 gallon of sweet tea (REAL sweet, right NP?)

I tend to go into a catatonic state for a couple of hours after that. I probably need to cut that out of my diet, eh? 

[NightmarePatrol]

Yuck, I HATE sweet tea. I don't even put sugar in my coffee. Come to think of it I don't even like much fried foods. I do know what you mean about the fried chicken at the grocery store though. The Publix here sells that stuff like crazy!

I ate healthy when I was single. Now it's not so much, but concessions have to be made when you have to feed 3 other people.

[TiFeMb]

All the northerners are like "Publix?". 
Totally the best grocery store in the universe. Sort of like the brand new Giant Eagles (NOT the one in Meadville!) but with a killer bakery & deli section. Great store brands too & they always have sales & coupons.

They also give away free coffee all day long. Just bring in your mug, fill up & go! Nothing fancy, but I pass Starbucks to go into Publix & feel mighty smug walking by knowing I paid $.00 & the kiddos sitting at the table with their cell phone glued to their ear just paid like $4.00 for some whipped milk.

Oh, Publix also gives away a free cookie to the young-uns every visit. Sugar, Chocolate Chip or Sprinkles.

I think I have a serious food fetish.