San Andrea launches healthy recipe book

Pupils at San Andrea School, limits of Mġarr, recently launched their own healthy eating recipe book following a parent-teacher initiative aimed at heightening the children's awareness of the benefits of following a healthy diet.

The book, entitled The San Andrea Recipe Book - Good Food for Our Kids, by Our Kids, was the result of staff and parents' joint desire to see long-term benefit from the school's healthy eating policy.

San Andrea School has promoted healthy eating in a number of ways - from maintaining a policy of allowing children to bring only healthy lunchboxes to school to including healthy eating awareness as part of the regular curriculum.

The recipe book project was embraced by the pupils, who spanned kindergarten to early middle school grades, and was realised with the help of teachers and volunteer parents. The professionally-designed book, featuring some 50 recipes selected, prepared, tested and given the seal of approval by San Andrea pupils, is on sale for parents and friends, with any profits generated going to the school.

San Andrea early and middle school head Dorothy Lapira said the recipe book had captured children's imagination and proved a fun, educational and highly practical project.

"Our main aim was to get children involved in not just talking about, but also preparing and tasting food at school so that they perceive eating healthily as the norm, not the exception. Research shows children are far more likely to adopt life-long healthy eating patterns if they are involved in preparing meals," she said.

The book, with its colourful photography depicting San Andrea children preparing the recipes in class, is aimed at encouraging parents and children to enjoy cooking together at home.

The San Andrea Healthy Eating Recipe Book - Good Food for Our Kids, by Our Kids is on sale from the school at €8. For more information call 2143 8800.