Packing lunches by color makes veggies look extra good
School has been back in session for only a few weeks. Are you in a lunch rut already?
If so, just think like Dorothy: over the rainbow.
That's the theme of PACK Week, part of the new Fruits & Veggies -- More Matters public health initiative that encourages Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables. PACK, btw, stands for Pack Assorted Colors for Kids.
Supported by the folks at Welch's, the program encourages parents to pack the day-appropriate colors of fruits and vegetables during the week, and schools to provide students with information touting the benefits of increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
Purple Day kicks off the week; after all, the company's signature product is in this category. Other lunchalicious ideas include grapes, plums, blueberries and eggplant. OK, maybe not eggplant.
Tuesday is White Day, which also includes tan and brown foods. Put mushrooms, dates, brown pears, white peaches or nectarines or cauliflower in the lunchbox. Red Day follows; send kids slices of red pepper or grape tomatoes.
Thursday is Yellow/Orange Day. Why not pack carrot coins or pineapple chunks? Other options include nectarines, peaches, yellow pears and dried apricots. Go Green on Friday. Sure you could pack an apple, buy why not take the opportunity to introduce your kids to edamame (fresh soy beans) or sugar snap peas.
Cutting edge: Wusthof is holding a number of knife-sharpening clinics next week at area Macy's stores. Bring up to three dulled Wusthof knives (unserrated only) to be sharpened and learn essential knife skills from a Wusthof expert.
The clinics are offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Oakbrook Center store in Oak Brook, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Westfield Old Orchard store in Skokie and from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Woodfield store in Schaumburg. Details at www. macys.com/events.
Chocoholics wanted: A study last week claimed that chocolate was not addictive. Yeah, right. Don't tell that to the people planning "Chocolate Mania" at the Mount Prospect Public Library.
The celebration kicks off with Crazy for Chocolate at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 10 S. Emerson St. Pastry chef Rose Deneen from the Wilton Industries will demonstrate how to make chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate truffles and more. Registration is required and a $4 nonrefundable sampling fee will be charged.
The celebration continues from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 29, starting with Breakfast at the Chocolate Works. Awake to chocolate muffins and a chocolate fountain. The events costs $15 for adults, $10 for kids (register by Sept. 27) and supports the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation, the Mount Prospect Historical Society and the Friends of the Library.
The day's fun continues with the Great Chocolate Bazaar, featuring a chocolate bake sale, chocolate-related items and a selection of used cookbooks and chocolate-themed books. There's even a raffle of chocolate-themed gift baskets. Tickets cost $1 or six for $5. Details at (847) 253-5675; www.mppl.org/events.
My hero: Tune in to the Food Network Sunday and watch Chicago chef Jason Paskewitz take on three foes in the "Super Heroes" episode of "Food Network Challenge."
Sorry, you won't see Paskewitz, executive chef/co-owner of Jackson Park Bar and Grill (set to open in January) shedding his chef's white for a crime-fighting cape and tights. Instead, you'll watch him fend off Ben Ford of Ford's Filling Station (actor Harrison Ford's son), Margaux Sky, one of Oprah Winfrey's favorite chefs, and Kenny Kohn of Katz's NY Deli in a sandwich battle.
Will Paskewitz walk away with the $10,000 prize? Tune in at 7 p.m. to find out!
-- Deborah Pankey