Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Shelley Osterloh Reporting ... Far too many American kids are overweight.. have poor nutritional habits and aren't aware how poor eating can jeopardize their health.
This new cookbook, just released by an organization called "Fit Kids," hopes to change that.
Child: " TED, CAN YOU GO GET TWO EGGS SO WE CAN DO THAT WHILE SHE IS GREASING THE COOKING PAN?"
These children are mixing up a healthy dish called "Trees in the Henhouse" -- a catchy name for a broccoli cheese caserole.
Older boy: " ARE YOU GOOD AT BEATING EGGS?
Younger boy: "NOT REALLY."
Older boy: "OKAY I'LL BEAT THE EGGS."
This dish is one of sixty recipes with names like: Spider Bites, Pete's Rockin' Meatloaf, Crunch Fruity Pizza and Gobbler Cobbler.
The drawings are by editorial cartoonist, Pat Bagley.
Developed by Fit Kids, the book aims to change the way kids eat.
Maggie St. Claire, Fit Kids: "ONE, THE FOOD HAD TO BE HEALTHY, IT HAD TO BE NUTRITIOUS. TWO, IT HAD TO BE EASY SO THE KIDS COULD FIX IT, AND THREE, IT HAD TO TASTE GOOD SO THEY WOULD EAT IT AFTER THEY FIXED IT."
Child: "DOESN'T THAT LOOK GOOD? COTTAGE CHEESE AND BROCOLI AND SOME MORE CHEESE.. LITTLE TREES IN THE HENHOUSE. ITS ALL GOOD."
Dave Bell, father: "THEY WILL EAT THINGS OUT OF THIS COOKBOOK, BECAUSE THEY MADE IT THAT THEY WOULDN'T NECESSARILY EAT IF I MADE IT. AND SO THEY LIKE THE FACT THAT IS FOR THEM AND IT'S A KIDS COOK BOOK "
The kids also liked Piggy on a Stick, a frozen desert of yogurt and fruit juice.
Child: "BECAUSE IT TASTES LIKE A POPSICLE ONLY HEALTHY."
The book emphasizes good hygiene, like washing hands, and eating a balanced combination of foods through meals and treats. But its all done in a kid friendly and fun fashion.
But the lessons learned, are life changing.
Maggie St. Claire, Fit Kids: "WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASE IN OBESITY IN CHILDREN, WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN DIABETES IN CHILDREN. SO THE PHILOSOPHY IS IF CHILDREN LEARN TO EAT HEALTHY TO BEGIN WITH, THEY'LL CONTINUE TO DO SO."
The cookbook is called "In the Kitchen with Pete and Rosa." it costs about 13 dollars at local book stores.
