Kid-friendly snacks and treats

(Family Features) When hunger strikes and family fun calls for a snack to keep the excitement going, take your kiddos to the kitchen to whip up a tasty treat for all to enjoy. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or watching favorite movies, turn to an ingredient like popcorn that encourages creativity. Plus, it’s a delicious way for adults to turn back the clock and recreate childhood memories while making new ones with the family.

Consider these popcorn-inspired snacks to serve during your next adventure:

• Take yourself back in time to your own childhood with a classic pairing that never goes out of style: Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn. This version offers a fun way to jazz up popcorn for kids and adults alike with a sprinkling of strawberries and dried cranberries on top for added nutrition.
• When it’s time for a little fun in the sun or a trip to the park, sweeten up the celebration with this Graham Cracker Picnic Mix that’s a flavorful, kid-favorite combination of popcorn, bear-shaped graham crackers, marshmallows, fudge-covered pretzels and miniature cookies.
• Pizza is hard to beat as a snacking solution the whole family can enjoy, and this Grab and Go Pizza Popcorn is no exception. Ready in just minutes by mixing popcorn, Parmesan cheese and seasonings, little ones can help prepare a batch quickly before heading out the door.
• Colorful and fun, these Minty Green Popcorn Clusters are simple to make and a perfect treat to share. Just melt together marshmallows, butter, salt, green food coloring and peppermint extract before tossing with popcorn and green candy-coated chocolates.

To find more family-friendly snack time favorites, visit Popcorn.org.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn

Servings: 4-6

• 8          cups popcorn
• 2          tablespoons raspberry jam
• 1/2       cup white chocolate chips
• 3          tablespoons smooth natural peanut butter
• 1/4       cup freeze-dried strawberries
• 1/4       cup dried cranberries

In large bowl, stir popcorn and jam until evenly coated. Transfer to parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

In small heatproof bowl over small saucepan of barely simmering water, add white chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3-5 minutes, or until smooth and melted.

Drizzle peanut butter mixture over popcorn mixture. Sprinkle with strawberries and cranberries.

Refrigerate 10 minutes, or until peanut butter mixture is set; break into pieces to serve. Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.

Graham Cracker Picnic Mix

Yield: About 12 cups

• 1/4       cup vegetable oil
• 1/4       cup sugar
• 5-6       drops pink neon liquid food color or desired color
• 1/2       cup unpopped popcorn kernels
• 1          package mini pastel marshmallows
• 1          cup bear-shaped graham crackers
• 1          package white fudge-covered pretzels
• 1          cup mini cookies

In large pot over medium heat, stir oil, sugar and food coloring.

Stir in popcorn kernels; cover. Cook until popcorn begins to pop. Shake pot over heat until popping slows.

Remove pan from heat and pour popcorn into large bowl.

Add marshmallows, graham crackers, pretzels and cookies then toss lightly.

Grab and Go Pizza Popcorn

Yield: 6 quarts

• 6          quarts popped popcorn
• olive oil cooking spray
• 1          cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2          teaspoons garlic salt
• 2          teaspoons paprika
• 1          tablespoon Italian seasoning

Place popcorn in large, sealable plastic container or 2 1/2-gallon plastic sealable bag.

Spray popcorn lightly with cooking spray.

Sprinkle cheese, garlic salt, paprika and Italian seasoning over popcorn and shake to distribute evenly.

To serve, scoop popcorn into reusable plastic cups.

Minty Green Popcorn Clusters

Yield: 32 clusters

• 12        cups unsalted, unbuttered, popped popcorn
• 4          cups mini marshmallows
• 2          tablespoons butter or light olive oil
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 1          tablespoon green food coloring
• 1/4       teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1          cup green candy-coated chocolate candies

Place popcorn in large mixing bowl.

In saucepan over medium heat, melt marshmallows, butter and salt, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in food coloring and peppermint extract.

Toss marshmallow mixture with popcorn; cool 2-3 minutes, or until cool enough to handle. Toss with chocolate candies. Shape 3 tablespoons of popcorn mixture into small cluster; repeat with remaining popcorn mixture. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheet; cool completely.

For years there have been tales about the beef used by Taco Bell. Some rumors say the beef is “Grade F. Fit for consumption”. Others simply state that the beef is not beef at all … or at least most of it.

So we thought we would take a bite of this story and research it for our fellow townspeople.

In 2011, the Alabama law firm of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles (did they leave anybody out?) filed a lawsuit on behalf of their client against “YUM Brands”, the parent company of Taco Bell, alleging that their “Seasoned Beef” was only 35% beef and the remaining 65% was mostly water, wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltodextrin, anti-dusting agent and modified corn starch. The suit sought no monitory damages but simply remanded that Taco Bell stop saying that they are selling beef.

The lawsuit didn’t get too far and in 2015 it was dropped. Taco Bell has demanded an apology which, after 7 years it still has yet to receive. But the damage was done, and Taco Bell has been dealing with a public relations disaster ever since.

Taco Bell President Greg Creed came out with a video in 2013 to come clean about the ingredients of their “Seasoned Beef”. Watch the video below.

The video did little to cleanse the pallet as people pointed out quickly that his claims that his beef is “100 USDA Inspected”, has little association with quality as ALL beef is required by law to be inspected. In the video he claims that his beef is “88% USDA Inspected beef … with the other 12% being spices and fillers for texture and flavor.” He was even nice enough to give the exact ingredients and percentages.

88% USDA Inspected Beef (as all beef for sale must be).
3% is water to keep the mixture moist.
4% is Mexican spices
5% is oats, caramelized sugar, citric acid and other ingredients.

But what exactly is that 88% USDA Inspected Beef? That is what we really want to know, right?

Digging into their pubic statements further, Taco Bell claims that their “Seasoned Beef” is 100% USDA Premium beef.

The problem, and probably the reason that Taco Bell continues to have such an issue with the public’s perception of the quality of their beef, is that there is no such thing as USDA Premium Beef. In fact, the word “Premium” can not be found anywhere in USDA documents.

The USDA has 8 grades for beef – “Prime”, “Choice”, “Select”, “Standard”, “Commercial”, “Utility”, “Cutter”, and “Canner”.

The first three, Prime, Choice, and Select are what you would see in the grocery store for that T-Bone, or any cut for that matter. The main differences are the amount of fat to be found in the meat. Prime has the most, Select has the least. (Fat is flavor, don’t you know?)

Standard and Commercial grades of beef are sold as ungraded or as store brand meat. Those specials that you see at the supermarket with labels such as Kroger, Tom Thumb, Albertsons etc., that’s what you get. It’s not that the meat is bad, it’s just a different grade based mostly on the fat content and the age of the beef. When it comes to ground beef that you buy in the store it will probably be from these grades.

Utility, Cutter, and Canner grades of beef are generally not sold at retail but are used instead to make ground beef and processed products. These are generally, bulk wholesale meats.

So, again the question is, what does “USDA Premium” mean when it doesn’t exist at the USDA?

Well, there’s a loophole.

There are “Independent Grading Companies”, which are licensed by the USDA to grade meat. They take into consideration other aspects of quality such as how the livestock is raised, what it’s fed, how sustainable it is etc. and they can give beef a “Premium” label if it meets a defined corporate standard of the purchaser.

These meats generally come from the “Choice” grade of beef. For example, Tyson foods have a program called their “Chairman’s Reserve® Certified Premium Beef”.

Unfortunately, Taco Bell is not doing themselves any favors by not being forthcoming about their specific “Premium” grading. As of publication, Taco Bell representatives have not returned our calls.

If we give them the benefit of doubt, then their “seasoned beef” would be a quality-checked, USDA Choice brand of ground beef. But why not just come out and say that?

So, the bottom line is that Fate residents can be assured that they are getting quality beef in their tacos & burritos. So, if you are having stomach issues it’s probably more likely that your body is reacting to the spices found in the meat, not the meat itself. For that, you should seek guidance from your friendly gastroenterologist.

(BPT) – Back to school is always filled with excitement, anticipation — and maybe even a little dread — as summer comes to an end. This year, fall might look a little different. But whether your kids are getting ready to go back to school in person or not, it’s important to make sure they have nutritious meals to power their brains and bodies throughout the day.

To help you set up a healthy routine, Produce for Kids is launching the annual Power Your Lunchbox program.

Here’s how you can use the program to benefit you and your kids:

Lunchbox inspiration

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with weekday meals. From breakfast to dinner and all the snacks in between, Power Your Lunchbox has tasty and nutritious ideas and recipes to keep your kids on their toes. Plus, you can get helpful tips for easy, on-the-go foods when you’re in a time crunch — like Chickpea Salad Stuffed Mini Peppers and Southwest Quiche Muffins.

Live cooking demonstrations

Check Instagram and Facebook for regular live cooking sessions the whole family will enjoy. And on Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. ET, join the #PowerYourLunchbox Twitter party to get answers to all your back-to-school questions around fueling kids’ minds, staying organized, distance learning and meal prep.

Distance learning resources

Power Your Lunchbox not only spotlights kid-friendly and registered-dietitian-approved lunch ideas, they also feature valuable tips and content to help families navigate a fresh school year and new or unfamiliar ways of learning.

Health resources

Keeping immune systems in top shape and maintaining mental health will be top of mind this school year as families navigate various ways of learning. The Power Your Lunchbox program offers the multi-purpose resources parents and kids need to stay healthy, feel great and focus on education.

Fresh food donations

This year, the Power Your Lunchbox program is working with several produce brands to help increase access to fresh produce for children and families. These brands are making a $14,000 donation to the United Fresh Start Foundation to increase access to fresh produce in schools. The program has already raised over $150,000 to benefit charities that support families around the country.

No matter where your kids are for back to school, these resources will help you keep them healthy, properly fueled and engaged. For more information, visit poweryourlunchbox.com.