International Winner--No Whine With Dinner

The Gourmand International Cookbook Award nominees were just announced and the Meal Makeover Mom's title, No Whine With Dinner won the GOURMAND BEST IN THE U.S.A. Award for the Children & Family category!! This title will now represent the U. S. A. at the International competition in Paris.

Edouard Cointreau founded the World Cookbook Awards in 1995, renamed Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2001.  In  March 2012, the Awards will be held in the Le Cent Quatre the new artistic center of the City of Paris.

For a cookbook to win any award is prestigious but the Gourmand International Cookbook Awards are recognized within the culinary and book industry as the Oscars of cookbooks.

The objective of these awards are:

•To reward and honor those who “cook with words”.

•Help readers find the best out of the 26,000 foods and wine books produced every year.

•To help publishers with international rights to translate and distribute food and wine books.

•To help bookstores find the best books to display.

•To create an opportunity to access the major markets in English, German, Spanish or French, Arabic, Chinese, etc. for books originated in other languages.

•To increase knowledge of, and respect for, food and wine culture, which promotes peace.

Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss are registered dietitians and the Meal Makeover Moms. As two of the nation’s top experts on family nutrition, they’re on a mission to help busy families eat better.

Janice and Liz are the authors of No Whine with Dinner: 150 Healthy, Kid-Tested Recipes from The Meal Makeover Moms and The Moms’ Guide to Meal Makeovers, Improving the Way Your Family Eats, One Meal at a Time. The books highlight their simple food philosophy that kids -– even picky ones — will eat nutritious food without complaint as long as it looks and tastes great. For the recipes, the Moms give family-favorite recipes a healthy makeover by “weaving in” fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and more. Their recipes are easy to make, appeal to kids, and make mealtime less stressful for parents who want their families to eat more than the chicken nuggets and mac & cheese that often end up on the table

Their award is an honor worth celebrating and Favorite Recipes Press is honored to have partnered with these ladies on this project. Enjoy a recipe from this award-winning cookbook.

Beany, Cheesy, Zucchini Quesadillas
Makes 6 servings

2 teaspoons canola oil
1 medium zucchini (about 9 ounces), unpeeled, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 3/4 cups)
1/2 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1/2 cup)
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar or part-skim mozzarella cheese
6, 8-inch flour tortillas
Optional sides: salsa, light sour cream, guacamole

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, onion, cumin, and chili powder and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Gently stir the beans and heat through.

2. To assemble the quesadillas, arranged 2 tablespoons of cheese over half of each tortilla. Top evenly with the bean mixture and then top again with the remaining cheese. Fold over, press down gently, and place on a large rimmed baking sheet.

3. Bake until the tortillas are golden and crisp on the outside, 8 to 10 minutes. Cut in half and serve with optional sides as desired.

Combatting Childhood Obesity

Recently, we have all been bombarded with the fact that there is an epidemic of childhood obesity in the US. Seemingly gone are the days when kids gathered to play sports without any adult supervision or organization. With the advent of video games and big-screen, high definition TV, it is a sedentary life style for the majority.

The saddest part about childhood obesity is that it usually leads to adult obesity. As I have gotten older, I can attest that it is much easier to put on pounds than to take them off. It is hard. This whole subject is so complicated and is certainly different for every individual.

Rather than harping on the reasons for this epidemic, my purpose rather is to tout two cookbooks currently on the market designed to offset childhood obesity. In the Kitchen with Kids is a collection of recipes from members of Junior Leagues around the country. These recipes are from the mom’s of young children who understand the need for healthy and nutritious foods—and yet, they’re recipes that kids like.

Each recipe is illustrated with how-to steps and a hero shot of the finished dish. Buying this book doubles in its reward, because the profits support the Kids in the Kitchen educational program conducted by these Junior Leagues, which concentrates on food and nutrition in their local communities. The program was developed by the local Leagues and the Association of Junior Leagues International.

The second book is No Whine with Dinner by Registered Dieticians Liz Weiss and Janice Newell Bissex, also known as the Meal Makeover Moms. Both of these ladies hold Master of Science degrees along with their RD certification. Under the umbrella of Meal Makeover Moms, these ladies have created an adorable cookbook of kid friendly, appetizing, and nutritious recipes to fit any palate. The book is also loaded with valuable nutritional and product information. Personally, I love this book.

Please feel free to share your stories on what you do to insure your children’s health.