Archive for August, 2009

GO GREEN with PECO and Peddler’s Village!

PECO Children’s Energy Fairs at Peddler’s Village Events

Peco logo

This fall, PECO kicks off a year-long partnership with Peddler’s Village to encourage children and families to GO GREEN with a variety of fun ECO educational activities on Saturdays during each of the 2009-2010 festival events.

PECO will host Kids Positive Energy Fairs on the Peddler’s Village Green from 12:00-2:00 p.m. each day, featuring themed activities to encourage ECO practices such as tree planting, recycling, and energy conservation.

PECO Kids Positive Energy Fairs events will include:
• Tree planting and composting demonstrations
• Go Green coloring pages for display at Giggleberry Fair
• Little Green Thumbs Activity Charts for home energy saving activities
• Custom PECO seed packets to take home
• PECO energy efficiency education materials for families
• Recycling available during kid’s energy fairs

September 12-ScareCrow Festival
November 7-Apple Festival
November 20-Grand Illumination (4-6p)
December 5-Christmas Festival
May 1, 2010-Strawberry Festival
June 5, 2010-Fine Arts Festival
July 3, 2010-Celebrate Freedom
August 7, 2010-Sidewalk Sale

Back To School!

854122_back_to_school_1Are your kids ready to go back to school?  More importantly, are YOU ready for your kids to go back to school?  Here are some ideas on how to get the school year started out right:

  • Take your child to the doctor to get their yearly physical. A physical is usually required for children involved in sports, and you don’t want your child to be left behind because of a forgotten physical appointment!
  • Go grocery shopping with your child and pick out healthy choices for their packed lunch. Short on inspiration? Check out our creative lunch ideas!
  • Talk with your child about after-school activities. Is there something they’ve been wanting to try? Encourage your child to get involved in activities with their peers who have similar interests. There is no better time to take a look at the options your school offers, and it will give your child something to look forward to!
  • Be sure to sign your child up for Physical Education classes. Gym class can give kids a much-needed break in their day to stretch out, burn off energy and have fun. Plus, when they get back to their desks, they are much more focused.

Don’t let the beginning of the school year stress you out! Be sure to prepare well to give your child all of the tools they need to succeed for another year!

Limiting Screen Time

One of the biggest challenges to being more physically active for many Americans is the amount of sedentary time children and families spend in front of screens—TV, computer, video games, DVDs, and more.

Did you know?
According to the Henry J. Kaiser Foundation’s survey, “Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8–18 Year Olds,” March 2005:

  • Every day, on average, 8–18-year-olds spend:
  • Nearly four hours watching TV, videos, DVDs, and prerecorded shows
  • Just over one hour on the computer
  • About 50 minutes playing video games.
  • Two-thirds of 8–18-year-olds have TVs in their bedrooms and own video game players, and nearly one-third have computers in their bedrooms.
  • Children and teens who have TVs in their rooms spend almost 1½ hours or more a day watching TV than their peers without TVs in their rooms.

It’s time to wean the screen

Parents and caregivers not only set the example for their children in their levels of physical activity, but they also set the rules for use of the TV and other screens, including DVDs, video games, and computers.

The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation survey, “Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8–18 Year Olds,” also found that:

  • About half (53 percent) of all 8–18-year-olds said their parents gave them no rules about TV watching.
  • Nearly half (46 percent) said they do have rules but only 20 percent said the rules are enforced most of the time.
  • Most important, youth with TV rules that are enforced report two hours less daily media exposure than in homes without this supervision.

Setting and agreeing on a certain number of hours each day of “screen time” is important. Health experts recommend two hours or less a day that is not work- or homework-related time, such as watching documentary films or doing research or writing on a computer.
For tips on family-friendly and active ways to reduce screen time, visit the Live It section.

August 2009 Recipes

recipes_ofthe_month
Your vacation plans might not include traveling out of the country but your taste buds may feel you’ve been away on a culinary adventure with these recipes.

0809_greek_chicken

Greek Chicken Wrap with Tzatziki Herb Yogurt Sauce

Recipe created by 3-A-Day™ of Dairy

Ingredients

For the sauce:
2 cups fat-free plain yogurt
1 cup peeled, seeded and diced cucumber
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

For the wrap:
1 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 tablespoon light Italian dressing
4 (6-inch) whole wheat pitas
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup crumbled Feta cheese
4 kalamata or black olives, pitted and sliced

Directions

For the sauce:
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients until blended. Sauce may be made up to 2 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

For the wrap:
Place chicken breast in a plastic bag and add Italian dressing. Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes; pound (using a meat pounder or mallet or the bottom of a skillet) and flatten to about 1/2-inch thickness; and remove chicken.

In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook chicken breast about 5 minutes per side or until nicely browned and cooked through. Place chicken on a cutting board and slice thinly against the grain; set aside.

Warm pitas in microwave oven 30 seconds. Place one pita on a plate and spread 1/2 cup of the lettuce and 1/4 of the chicken slices on top. Sprinkle 1/4 each of the tomato, onion, Feta cheese and olives. Spoon some of the tzatziki sauce over top and fold in edges of pita. Wrap sandwich in parchment or waxed paper for plating and serving. Repeat with remaining pitas. Serve immediately with additional sauce on the side.

Nutritional Facts per serving:
Calories: 350; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Sodium: 670 mg; Calcium: 25% Daily Value; Protein: 24 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Dietary Fiber: 6 g

0809_baja_bruBaja Bruschetta

Recipe created by Borden

Ingredients

12 slices crusty French bread,
1/2-inch thick
Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/4 cups finely shredded mild Cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup refrigerated salsa
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
2 tablespons sliced black olives, drained
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray both sides of sliced bread lightly with cooking spray and arrange on baking sheet. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of cheese over top of sliced bread and bake for 10 minutes or until bread is golden and cheese is melted. Arrange on a serving plate and spoon salsa evenly over slices of cheese bread. Scatter remaining cheese, green onions and black olives over top and serve with sour cream.

Nutritional Facts per serving:

Calories: 160; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Cholesterol: 27 mg; Sodium: 371 mg; Calcium: 20% Daily Value; Protein: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g

Tuscan Walnut Chicken

Recipe courtesy of National Chicken Council
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
2 egg whites, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons plain nonfat yogurt
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 cup ground walnuts
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Fresh Pear Walnut Glaze:
pear slices
walnut halves
2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley

Directions

With sharp knife, cut chicken breasts horizontally 3/4 way through meat. Open breasts, place between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to uniform thickness. Divide cheese equally on half of each chicken breast; fold over opposite half and press edges together to seal.

In shallow bowl, mix together egg whites, yogurt and lemon juice. In another shallow dish, mix together ground walnuts, nutmeg and salt. Dip chicken, one piece at a time, first in egg mixture and then in walnut mixture, turning to coat. Arrange chicken in shallow baking dish sprayed with nonstick vegetable spray; refrigerate 20 minutes.

Place chicken in 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven and bake about 20 minutes or until fork can be inserted with ease. Place chicken breasts on individual serving plates and spoon on Fresh Pear Walnut Glaze. Garnish with pear slices and walnut halves; sprinkle with parsley.

Fresh Pear Walnut Glaze:

In frypan over medium heat, place 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add 1/4 cup minced onion and 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup pear juice and 1/4 cup white wine; simmer 5 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, stirring and cooking about 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Add 1 cored and thinly sliced pear and 1/4 cup toasted walnut halves.

0809_chick_paniniChicken Florentine Panini

Recipe created for the 40th Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest by Denise JoAnne Yennie, Nashville, Tenn.

Ingredients

1 (13.8-ounce) can Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pizza Crust
1 (9-ounce) package Green Giant® Frozen Spinach
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped red onion
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar (cider, red wine or balsamic)
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
4 (4-inch) slices Provolone cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Unroll dough; place in greased 15-inch by 10-inch baking pan. Starting at center, press dough to edges of pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool 15 minutes or until completely cooled. Meanwhile, cook spinach as directed on package. Drain well; squeeze dry with paper towels. In small bowl, combine mayonnaise and 1 of the minced garlic cloves; mix well. Refrigerate.

Heat oil in small saucepan over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add sugar and vinegar. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until most of liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally.

To flatten each chicken breast half, place between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, bone side up. Working from the center, gently pound chicken with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick; remove wrap. Sprinkle chicken with Italian seasoning and remaining minced garlic.

Spray large skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken; cook 8 minutes or until browned, fork-tender and juices run clear, turning once.

Cut cooled pizza crust into 4 rectangles. Remove rectangles from pan; spread each with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise mixture. Top 2 rectangles with chicken, spinach, onion mixture, cheese and remaining crust rectangles, mayonnaise side down.

Heat large skillet or cast iron skillet over medium heat until hot. Place sandwiches in skillet. Place smaller skillet on sandwiches to flatten slightly. Cook about 1 to 2 minutes or until crispy and heated, turning once. Cut each warm sandwich into quarters.

Nutritional Facts per serving:

Calories: 500; Total Fat: 18 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Cholesterol: 90 mg; Sodium: 940 mg; Calcium: 25% Daily Value; Protein: 40 g; Carbohydrates: 44 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g