Produce for Kids Twitter Party & Pinterest Contest

Even though my kids eat chicken nuggets, hot dogs, PB&J sandwiches, etc. they also eat a TON of fresh fruits and vegetables.  They snack on cucumbers, grapes, and strawberries on a daily basis.  I’m so proud to say that they could probably eat a whole watermelon if I let them, haha!!

I love it when grocery stores get involved and put forth an effort to encourage healthy eating AND help local schools.  I’m happy to share the news on a great Meijer promotion, fun Twitter party, and Pinterest contest, all from Produce for Kids!

Meijer and Produce for Kids are teaming up to host the second annual Healthy Schools, Healthy Minds campaign. Now through September 29^th, local shoppers can contribute to this cause and support your local schools by adding produce to their Meijer shopping lists. During the campaign, participating fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers will make a donation based on consumption of their fresh produce items to DonorsChoose.org, which will support local classroom projects.

Shoppers can be on the lookout for the Produce for Kids display unit, featuring characters from popular Sprout shows, LazyTown™ and Noodle and Doodle, in the produce section of their local Meijer store. The more items shoppers add to their shopping lists, the more local classrooms will benefit!

Meijer will also feature the Ideal Meals™ program from Produce for Kids in the produce department.  Ideal Meals cards provide 12 quick, easy, and healthy chef-created/dietitian-approved complete meal solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts.

Here’s my favorite fall-inspired Ideal Meals recipe from Produce for Kids:

Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna

Serves 8

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup green bell pepper, seeded, chopped
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cups spinach, loosely packed, chopped
• 1 lb. 2% cottage cheese
• 2 cups (plus ½ cup) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 26 oz. jarred low sodium pasta sauce
• 2 large zucchini, sliced, ¼-inch thick rounds
• 8 oz. no-boil whole wheat lasagna noodles

Directions:

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat; add mushrooms, peppers, onions and spinach. Cook 5 minutes, or until water evaporates. Season with salt and pepper.
2. In mixing bowl, mix cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese and salt. Divide into 2 portions.
3. Grease slow cooker. Cover bottom with ⅓ of sauce and assemble as follows: single layer noodles, ⅓ of cooked vegetables, single layer zucchini, 1 portion of cottage cheese mixture, single layer of noodles. Repeat layering once in same order. Add layer of remaining sauce, cooked vegetables and zucchini.
4. Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese on top.
5. Cook on low for 5 hours or until noodles and zucchini are tender.

Nutrition Information:

Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna: Calories 490, Fat 16.32g, Protein 31.17g, Carbohydrate 50.81g, Fiber 4.64g, Cholesterol 51mg, Sodium 379mg, Calcium 614mg, Vitamin A 2696 IU, Vitamin C 39.07mg, Iron 2.88mg

TWITTER PARTY

Join Produce for Kids, Wholly Guacamole and Brenda of Meal Planning Magic for a #HealthyLunchboxes Twitter party on Monday, September 17^th at 9:00 pm EST.

Ask the experts your questions and have a chance to win grocery gift cards, coupons and one year of free guacamole!

Be sure to share in the fun with @mealplanmom, @produceforkids & @eatwholly for some expert advice on #healthylunchboxes for #back2school!

RSVP by following the link or join the conversation by following #healthylunchboxes  http://tweetvite.com/event/produceforkids

I don’t know about you, but I’m all in for winning a year of FREE GUACAMOLE!!

PINTEREST CONTEST:

Get all the information on how to enter the Produce for Kids Pinterest contest here.

Disclosure: I will receive a gift pack/gift card from PR for sharing this information.

Will you join in the Produce for Kids Twitter party or Pinterest contest?