It’s never too early to learn healthy eating habits! That’s why we offer hands-on nutrition education demonstrations for elementary school classes. On Wednesday, January 25th, Co-op staff members Anne and Caleb taught the two fourth grade classes at Orchard Hill Elementary how to make four delicious, healthy snacks. With guidance from their teachers and co-op staff, the students made a Chia Energy Drink, Veggie Rainbow Wraps, Black Bean Salsa, and Peanut Butter Power Balls. After sampling their tasty creations in class, the kids got to take the easy, kid-friendly recipes home to share with their families (and we’re posting them below so your family can enjoy them too)!

Chia Energy Drink
Ingredients:
2 cups warm water
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup orange juice (juice of ~1 orange)
1/4 cup honey

In a quart jar, combine warm water and chia seeds and stir. Let sit for ten minutes. Meanwhile, cut orange in half and use citrus juicer to squeeze out juice.

After chia seeds and water sit for 10 minutes, add the orange juice and honey to the chia mixture. Stir well to dissolve the honey. The beverage can be served immediately or refrigerated to drink later. The chia seeds will absorb more water over time, soften, and the beverage will become thicker.

Veggie Rainbow Wrap
Ingredients:
1 large soft tortilla
1/4 cup hummus
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/3 of a red bell pepper
1 cup fresh spinach leaves

Chop the red pepper into small pieces. Tear or chop any large spinach leaves. Grate the cheese. Spread hummus on the tortilla. Sprinkle peppers and cheese on top of hummus. Lay spinach on top. Roll tortilla up tightly and slice into 6 pieces.

Black Bean Salsa
Ingredients:
3 15-oz cans of black beans
3 medium tomatoes
1 small can diced chilis
1 can of corn
1-2 green onions
1 tsp chili powder

Open the cans of beans, corn, and chilis and drain off the liquid. Chop the tomatoes into small pieces. Cut off and discard the roots and about an inch of the top green part of the green onion(s). Chop the rest of the green onion.

Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir. Serve with tortilla chips.

Peanut Butter Power Balls
Ingredients:
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp salt
2 tablespoons chia seeds
corn flakes

Mix all of the ingredients together except the corn flakes. Form mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut. Grind up enough corn flakes to make 2 cups. Roll the balls in the crushed corn flakes.

If you are a teacher in the Rogue Valley interested in nutrition education demonstrations for your class, please contact us at outreach@medfordfood.coop.