Girls in Motion camp

I have to talk about Girls in Motion camp. This week we are conducting a camp at SMU with some girls from North Dallas and a group of girls from a South Dallas program called "Rae's Hope." The camp for Rae's Hope was underwritten by Ebby Halliday, realtors. Thank you! Thank you! Ebby!! This has been such a special week. I just have to talk about what I have witnessed. I have watched all of the girls(north and south) get to know each other playing fun, fitness games. I have watched the girls bond with their college age mentors, hugging them everyday as they leave the camp. I have watched them come bounding in the next morning excited about the day's activities. I see them energized by their walks and jogs-thrilled with the new distances they covered. I see them engaged in discussions about body image and hear them talk about the importance of taking care of their bodies, giving wonderful examples. Everyday they walk around the SMU campus-it's good to familiarize them with a college campus-so they can imagine themselves there one day. Tomorrow is the last day of camp for these girls. I feel heavy hearted to say good-bye to them. Luckily, Rae's hope and I have discussed other ways we can partner during the year so we can build upon what we have started this week. I hope we can continue to foster positive body image and self respect for these amazing young girls that will last a lifetime!

By the way, if you are interested in participating in Girls in Motion camp, check our website: www.girlsinmotion.org for remaining dates.

Making meals together and Monday's recipe

I know I have talked about having the kids at home some already, but summer is a great time to experiment with new recipes you might not have time to explore with your kids during the hustle and bustle of the school year. Challenge your kids to find a recipe online that they would like to make-they'll probably be happy it won't count toward their computer time- and then go to the grocery store together to get the ingredients. Give them some guidelines, such as:

• nutritional information has to be provided
• 30% or less of calories from fat
• you can specify a certain number of ingredients or types of ingredients

While at the grocery store, you can also spend some time examining labels, differences in portion sizes listed on the labels, and also pricing of food. For example, have them compare two different sizes of pasta bags and the costs and see which is a better bargain. It's a good lesson in economics and math, and science.

Let me know if your family finds a great family friendly recipe. I'd love to see it or hear about it. I've included a recipe today for a snack we make at our camp that is everyone's favorite called Apple Ladybugs. It's fun to make and looks cute! Enjoy!

Apple Ladybugs

Ingredients

2 red apples
1/4 cup M&Ms
1 tablespoon peanut butter
8 thin pretzel sticks

Directions
1. Slice apples in half from top to bottom
2. Scoop out the cores using a knife or melon baller. If you have an apple corer, core them first, then slice.
3. Place each apple half flat side down on a small plate.
4. Dab peanut butter on to the back of the 'lady bug', then stick M&Ms onto the dabs for spots. Use this method to make eyes too.
5. Stick one end of each pretzel stick into peanut butter, then press into the apples to make antennae (sometimes you may need to make a little slit with a knife to get the pretzels in).

Hummus recipe

Sorry that I haven't been blogging lately. I have not had a computer to write on. I'm including my usual Recipe Monday recipe-even though its Tuesday! This recipe is for a really great hummus that kids and grown ups like. Serve it with sliced vegetables and carrots for a good afternoon snack for your kids, which are now home, pretty much looking for something to eat all day long. In fact, get them to make it for you-it is that easy. You can also experiment putting other ingredients in it, such as peanut butter, apples, etc. Enjoy!

Weight watchers Healthy Hummus Recipe


3 garlic cloves, minced (more if you like)
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp pepper
1 19oz can chickpeas, drained

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.Chill. Serve with carrots or homemade pita chips