Macaroni and Cheese

When our granddaughter comes over after gan (preschool), this is her favorite lunch. Even with salad (which, like most Israelis, she's eaten since she was little) I can't seem to make enough to satisfy her appetite.

What's the big deal?

It's a good way to introduce healthy whole wheat pasta.
Tomato sauce adds flavor, so you can use less (high fat) cheese.
The attractive rosy tint hides the fact that the pasta is brown.
Homemade is better than the highly processed, over-salted boxed variety.
You can make it all in one pan, so it's quick and easy.

Otherwise, it's really just homemade macaroni and cheese: Start with whole grain pasta. Make a white sauce. Add a little cheese and some pasta sauce. The quantities are up to you. Here's the "recipe":

Start by boiling whole wheat pasta (children especially enjoy shapes like bowties and corkscrews). When it's cooked "al dente" (with a little bite to it – not mushy), drain it and rinse in a colander. Let the excess hot water in the pan evaporate for a minute or two.

Heat a spoonful of canola or olive oil in the same pan. Mix in a tablespoon or so of flour and mix together, stirring frequently, to make a paste. Cook for a minute or two, stirring all the time. (A whisk is good for this.) Gradually pour in about a cup of low fat milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a boil and let it simmer for a minute or two on low heat, stirring occasionally.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in a handful of grated cheese (I like cheddar). Stir it into the sauce until it melts. Now add pasta or tomato sauce (homemade or purchased – I like the kind with chunky pieces of vegetables in it) until it turns a lovely rosy pink color. Add the drained pasta into the sauce. That's it! Serve now or refrigerate and microwave it later.

What do we do after lunch? This week we painted each other's nail's. For a savta (grandmother) who raised three boys and no girls, I was in heaven!

Diets – How to Spot a Fad

Diets have been around forever. Whether you're trying to lose a few pounds or a lot, you'd like to do it easily and as quickly as possible. The diet industry is ready and waiting – there are hundreds of "quick fix" and "miracle" diets claiming to be the best approach to weight loss. All you have to do is…

Here's where it gets tricky. It's tempting to try something new and different. Or to buy special food, supplements and books that promise quick, easy weight loss. But before you do, here's what to look out for:

1. Is the diet based on drastically reducing calories? Starvation-type diets rely on a simple trick: When deprived of food, the body's natural reaction is to dump water. So most of the weight you lose on a very low-calorie diet is water. After you start eating normally, the body acts like a sponge and sucks up the lost water and you regain the weight.

2. Does the diet require you to buy pills, herbs, nutrition bars or supplements? There's no such thing as a magic pill. Herbs and supplements will not speed up your metabolism, suppress your appetite or block the absorption of food, as they might promise. Besides, most supplements are not regulated. Many of them don't contain what they say they do, and some have even been found to contain contaminants. Prescription weight-loss drugs are another matter, but require the supervision of your health-care provider.

3. A diet that eliminates meals or whole food groups is likely to lack essential nutrients. Likewise, a diet that focuses on eating just one particular food may come up short in important vitamins and minerals. While high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets may be safe and effective, it's best to use them for short periods of time under medical supervision.

How else can you spot a fad diet?

It promises a quick fix

The claims sound too good to be true

It draws simplistic conclusions from complex data

It's based on studies that are not peer-reviewed or are too small to draw conclusions

It's selling you a specific product

Successful weight-loss involves good nutrition, portion-control, mindful eating and exercise. These long-term life style changes are much more reliable and healthy than the latest fad diet.

Back-to-School Ideas

Do you get into a rut when it comes to packing school lunch boxes? I remember those days. One son insisted on peanut butter and jelly for months at a time. Another wanted only strawberry jelly. The third refused anything resembling jelly. Sneaking in whole-wheat bread was another challenge.

Here are some creative ideas that add nutritional "punch" to sandwiches.

Avocado

Mild in flavor, smooth and creamy, avocado is a winner in sandwiches. It's high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and nutrients like vitamin E, potassium, folate and healthy plant sterols. Slice it or mash it with a drop of lemon juice. Use avocado instead of mayonnaise on cheese, tuna, chicken and turkey sandwiches.

Nut and Seed Butters

Peanut butter is a staple for most of us. But how about trying other kinds of "butters"? Almond butter is a delicious source of calcium and magnesium. Look for hazelnut, soy nut and sesame butters. There are a variety of techina (sesame) spreads, including my favorite, made with ground sesame seeds, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and honey. Try nut butters with bananas, apples or pears for a tasty sandwich.

Dried Fruit

When fresh fruit is not in season, try dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, plums (the new word for prunes), cherries, figs, dates and apricots. Dried fruit is nutrient and calorie dense, so just ¼ cup equals a full serving of fruit. Dried cranberries are great in tuna and chicken salad sandwiches. Raisins and cut up apricots are tasty with nut butters. Fill a small bag with whole or cut up dried fruit for a nutritious snack.

Hummus

Made from chickpeas and techina (ground sesame seeds), hummus is popular as a dip, spread and salad. Why not use it in sandwiches? Both chickpeas and techina are high in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Spread hummus on whole-grain bread, pita or a bagel and add tomato and cucumber slices for a tasty sandwich. Before you buy hummus, check the label. Some brands have lots of added vegetable oil and very little techina.

Roasted Peppers

You can buy them in a jar or make them yourself: Cut around the stalk of the pepper and lift it out with the seeds. (Shake out the rest of the seeds.) Roast them in a 450 F (230 C) oven until the skin is charred all over. While they're still hot, put the peppers into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Peel them when they're cool enough to handle. Roasted red pepper strips added to a tuna or cheese sandwich are not only delicious. They also give you a boost of vitamins C and A.