Chickpeas in my cookies...and other ways for a "veggier" life!

  I love this year's theme for National Nutrition Month ( March)  by the American Dietetic Association.  The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.  Sounds like it's right down my alley!!

Being a health and wellness educator and wanting to keep keep my family's cells happy and healthy, I would add protein powder to snacks and pancakes or include pureed veggies in sauces.  

Get them wherever you can for a healthier and "veggier" life!!

I found a recent study done through Columbia University. They made some treats: zucchini chip bread, broccoli gingerbread spice cake and chickpea chocolate cookies.  " I thought they were pretty good, actually," says Pope, a registered dietitian.  She continued saying the cookies are a bit moister than usual with the chickpeas. What did they learn?  Pope says " you don't have to hide vegetables to get kids to eat them." Instead,  she added that it might not be a bad idea at all in telling children there's a vegetable in what they're eating!   The research was published in the current Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.    

I found this info in an article by Nancy Shute called Kids Don't Mind If  You Put Veggies in the Cake.  

So today I  am getting ready for a visit from our granddaughters ( and their mommy and daddy) and so I will make sure that a can of chickpeas is on my list and into the chocolate chip cookies it will go!!  

Visit the Eatright.org website for info on this year's theme - " Get Your Plate in Shape."