Fresh from the Farm – Fava Beans
Dinner Table / Kids Food / Lunch Box

Fresh from the Farm – Fava Beans

On Saturday May 19th, the world stood up for Real Food by participating in events in honor of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day.  Representing Los Angeles, Out of the Box Food, together with Jennifer McColm and the city of Calabasas empowered kids to join in the movement by holding a community-wide event, Food Revolution Kids Day at the Calabasas Farmers Market…and what a Revolution it was.  Armed with a reusable grocery bag, a wristband and a farmers market “treasure map”, kids from all over the Los Angeles area explored the Calabasas Farmers Market in search of fresh produce from local farmers.   The discovery of farm fresh carrots from McGrath Family Farm, healthy mushrooms from LAFungHi, and gorgeous fruit from farmer/HealthierGeneration.org representative, Gene Etheridge of Etheridge Organics, inspired kids to try new, fresh produce.  Throughout the markets, kids were seen sampling fruits and vegetables, engaged in conversation with farmers, planting basil to be grown at home, and creating their own farm-fresh recipes – It was truly a sight to warm the heart. (more…)

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05/27/2012
Rosemary-Garlic Almonds
Kids Food / Lunch Box / On the Go / Snacks

Rosemary-Garlic Almonds

This week, in honor of Mother’s Day, Out of the Box Food is sharing a healthy and delicious snack for moms and kids alike (Ah, who are we kidding….everyone will love ’em: dads, grandparents, friends, friends-of-friends, cousins of friends-of-friends…you get the gist)  These Rosemary-Garlic Almonds are delicious and nutritious and by starting with whole, raw almonds, we have control over the sodium in this wholesome snack. (more…)

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05/13/2012
Los Angeles REAL FOOD Event for Kids
Kids Food

Los Angeles REAL FOOD Event for Kids

If you’re anything like me, May is filled with end of school-year activities and projects…summer beckoning from only a short distance away.  I am honored and excited to share my biggest project of the month (well, heck…of the year) and if you’re in the Los Angeles area I invite you to bring your family and join us! (more…)

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05/06/2012
French Kids Eat Everything GIVEAWAY
Kids Food

French Kids Eat Everything GIVEAWAY

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  Congratulations to Monique B.!   Monique will be receiving her very own copy of Karen Le Billon’s, French Kids Eat Everything

We’re giving away a copy of French Kids Eat Everything!

Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post and you’ll be entered to win your own copy of French Kids Eat Everything, an inspirational book filled with useful tips, tricks and philosophy to help get our kids on a healthy eating path.  TO ENTER:  Let us know which of the 10 French Food Rules you’d either like to implement in your house, how you’re already making that rule stick, or just pop on and to say Bonjour.  Want to earn EVEN MORE entries?  Here’s how: (more…)

154 Comments
04/29/2012
I Want to Raise My Kids in France
Kids Food

I Want to Raise My Kids in France

Imagine dropping your kids off at school, knowing that come lunch time, they would gather at a communal table set with China plates and kid-size cutlery and enjoy a meal such as, “Endive salad with Emmental and croutons, Alaskan hake with organic pan -fried potatoes, blue cheese, and plain yogurt, with Apricots in honey syrup” over the course of their mandatory minimum of 30 minutes at the table.  And like it.  Imagine. (more…)

7 Comments
04/22/2012
Mini Gougères Lunch Box Sandwiches
Kids Food / Lunch Box / On the Go

Mini Gougères Lunch Box Sandwiches

In our last post we made a whole grain alternative to a classic french pastry, Gougères.  The reason I tackled these little light as air delicacies was to ultimately turn them into a fun and fresh alternative lunch box sandwich for kids.  I know I’ll break out the recipe again down the road and turn them into sweet treats, fun appetizers…the possibilities are endless, but this week they’re going to become the basis for our lunch box sandwiches. (more…)

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04/15/2012
Whole Grain Cheese Gougères
Kids Food / Lunch Box / On the Go / Snacks

Whole Grain Cheese Gougères

At a cooking class up in Sonoma, California a few weeks ago, I learned how to make a Pâte à Choux from chef and culinary instructor, Christa Resing-Colardo.  As she taught us how to create this versatile dough used for a number of pastries such as profiteroles, churros, eclairs, beignets and Gougères, my mind immediately began to churn.  Kids love anything “mini” and if enriched with whole grain flours, this dough could become the packaging for lunch box sandwiches, snacks, mini treats…the possibilities were endless. (more…)

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03/31/2012
Jello Fruit Wedges
Healthy Lunch Box Ideas / Kids Food / Lunch Box / Snacks / Sweet Treats

Jello Fruit Wedges

What kid doesn’t love jello?  It’s chilled, wiggly texture make it a fun treat for kids of all ages.  But packaged jello contains a litany of artificial colors and ingredients, making it not only unhealthy, but a bit frightening as well.

This week we’ve taken jello out of the past and brought it front and center to 2012 – a time of Real Food for real families. This jello is made with all natural, fresh squeezed juice and then chilled in the fruits original skin, making it wholesome and fun! (more…)

11 Comments
03/17/2012