FoodPlay Friday: Delicious Comfort

The FoodPlay blog has been quiet this week, thanks to widespread power outages in the Northeast which put us out of commission for several days running. Thankfully, warmth and light have returned to our corner of Hatfield, just in time for another FoodPlay Friday!

One of the greatest pleasures afforded to us here at FoodPlay Productions is the opportunity to see what adults all over the country are doing to help keep our kids healthy. This article from Northborough Patch reporter Liz Nolan provides a great example of the dedication we are privileged to witness every day. Be sure to take a look, and find out how Northborough area school nurses, a librarian, a phys ed teacher, and others worked with Hannaford Supermarkets to bring nutrition education programming to their schools.

Also, a hearty congratulations to these Louisiana schools, all from St. Tamminy Parish, who have racked up between them 25 Gold Awards of Distinction from the Healthier US Schools Challenge!

October was a big month for pumpkin in the food-loving blogoshphere, and with Thanksgiving on the horizon that enthusiasm has not waned in the slightest. Coming off several days with no heat, this plays well into my strong desire for delicious, healthy comfort food.

If you’re looking for something different to do with your pumpkin this month, try Prevention RD Nicole’s Pumpkin Spice Hummus. Haunted by a post-Halloween sweet tooth? Check out these healthy and delicious-looking pumpkin treats: a Pumpkin Parfait from Juli at Pure Mamas, and these Pumpkin Spice Snaps from Aimee at Simple Bites.

If you’re ready to move on to elsewhere in the squash family, Super Healthy Kids‘ Amy offers up easy preparation of Butternut Squash. And the Vegan Dad makes a fall feast of Apple Cider Tofu with Butternut Squash and Roasted Pears.

For a bit of fall comfort sans squash, check out Estella’s Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup at Weekly Bite or Erika’s Easy Biscuits with Yogurt at In Erika’s Kitchen.

Quinoa continues to be a popular grain in the blogosphere, and I found myself especially lured by Kia’s Quinoa with Marinated Tofu Spring Rolls at Today I Ate a Rainbow, and this Quinoa Cookie discovery from Sally at Real Mom Nutrition.

And if you’re just looking for some good advice, post-Halloween, Mommy Dietician Angela Lemond makes a great case for Teaching Our Kids the “Why” Behind Moderation, something we certainly strive for here at FoodPlay.

That’s all for this week! See you next FoodPlay Friday!