Cruisin' Around Lake Garda

Sunday afternoon....just me and my companion and we don't know where to go with a very beautiful weather, so we decided to go cruisin' around Lake Garda. The largest lake in Europe or maybe in the World? Hhhmmm, not really sure about the world but in europe, yes. Tourists come here every year specially on Summer...and they already started coming right now :)). Anyways, last Sunday we decided to go to Malcesine, a small town at the lake, 28 km. from our town. Going there, we passed the beautiful view of Lake Garda. I really enjoyed driving with the view of the lake at my side. Here are some of our pictures on that day.

Me, while driving with the lake view ;)

Davide and I at Malcesine :)

Lake Garda is really beautiful specially if you are here and see it in your eyes. And by the way, the next 007 of James Bond was shoot here and they had a real accident while filming it. Anyways, hope my friends reading this can come and visit Lake Garda. I'll tour you around if you'll have a chance coming here...just contact me anytime :))

HEALTHY KIDS LUNCHES 3

Hi, I'm back with the healthy kids lunches.

Another suggestions for a healthy kids lunches are Wraps. Wraps have become a great to go foods—they seems sudddenly to be everywhere. If packing this wrap in the morning for lunch at school, then make the wrap the night before, which will free you up to make a complicated breakfast meal in the morning. Here's the recipe:
1 1⁄2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
6 tablespoons Caesar Dressing
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1⁄2 pounds roast chicken (meat only), shredded
6 6-inch flour tortillas

1. Toss the lettuce in a medium bowl with the Caesar dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
2. Place 4 ounces of chicken at the center of each tortilla and top each with 1⁄4 cup of salad. Fold ends in, roll, and serve.

NUTRITION FACTS

Serving Size: 1 wrap

Servings Per Recipe: 6

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 320

Calories from fat: 116 (43% of tot cal)

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Cholesterol 74mg 25%

Sodium 481mg 20%

Total Carbo 27g 9%

Dietary Fiber 0g 1%

Sugars 0g

Protein 23g

Vitamin A 51%

Vitamin C 13%

Calcium 13%

Iron 28%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending upon your caloric intake.

Hope this helps you giving your kids a healthy and nutritous food.

Just an ordinary Saturday

Today is just like any saturday I have. My son go to his grandparents house and stay there for the whole weekend and I come with my husband to the store to help him. After closing the store my husband and I will have a dinner outside and then we will either go watch a movie or go to the bar and listen some music after dinner. But just a while ago, my mother in-law called and asked us if we would like to have dinner with them in their house. Of course we said yes, we will. So, after closing later on we will go directly to their house and join them for dinner. Then after dinner maybe we will go to disco or watch a movie. Hhmmm, we're not sure yet what we would like to do later. But whatever it is, I'm sure we will be having fun. So, 'til next time folks and Have A Great Weekend to all of you.

Leonardo's Field Trip

Last week, my son Leonardo went to a school field trip in "Vecchia Fattoria (Old Barnyard) in Bonavicina" with his classmates and teachers. They were having a lot of fun and my son couldn't wait to tell me what they were doing when he went home that day. Here are some of the pictures on thier field trip.

In the bus going to the Bonavicina

They were having a snack when they arrived.

They were taught how to make a bread.

They look so cute in their apron :))

Collecting fresh milk

Horse-back riding....he is with his best buddy in school Simoni

Took some time to rest and relax

Having a great time

Tired after the whole day trip

They went home at 4:30 PM on that day. I could see that he was so tired of the trip but he was having fun too. :))

HEALTHY KIDS LUNCHES 2

I'm back with the healthy kids lunches. And this time I'll share the recipe of a delicious Corn Soup that your kids will surely love. Corn is a culinary hallmark of late summer and early fall and this delicious soup highlights its natural sweet creaminess. Sending this one to school is not a problem, just get a good hot thermos that is perfect for soups, stews and other foods that needs to stay hot. This recipe makes 8 servings.

1 teaspoon olive oil
1⁄2 cup onion (1⁄2 medium), diced medium
1 teaspoon minced garlic (1 clove)
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups fresh corn kernels (2 to 3 ears)
21⁄2 cups unpeeled red potatoes (2 large), diced medium
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 quart vegetable stock
3⁄4 cup 1% milk
1 teaspoon chopped cilantro

1. Heat the oil in a 6- or 8-quart stockpot and saute onions, garlic, and cumin over medium heat for 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
2. Add the corn, potatoes, salt, pepper, and stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
3. Add the milk and cilantro and stir to heat through. Serve with a garden-fresh salad.

NUTRITION FACTS Serving Size: About 1 cup
Servings Per Recipe: 8

Amount Per ServingCalories: 137

Calories from fat: 21 (15% of tot cal)

% Daily Value* Total Fat 2g 4%

Saturated Fat 1g 3%

Cholesterol 3mg 1%

Sodium 440mg 18%

Total Carbo 28g 9%

Dietary Fiber 3g 14%

Sugars 5g

Protein 5g

Vitamin A 28%

Vitamin C 24%

Calcium 4%

Iron 10%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending upon your caloric intake.

Have fun and enjoy making soups for your kids.

HEALTHY KIDS LUNCHES

I've read these healthy food variations for kids and I would like to share it to all moms like me who are reading this blog.
These recipes and tips will help you perks up those lunch time brown-bag basics. As far as we know, kids love a good peanut butter or grilled cheese sandwich, but giving it to them everyday? It's not only boring but also its not encouraging nutritional variety. So, I'll share to you suggestions of having a nutritional sandwiches.

• Cashew or almond butter and honey on 12-grain bread


• Add dried cranberries and walnuts to your favorite chicken salad


• Stuff a salad in a pita (keep the dressing on the side if it's going in a lunch box)


• Give them a Gobbler! Turkey, cranberry sauce, and a thin layer of mashed sweet potatoes or leftover stuffing


• Grilled vegetables with goat cheese on toasted wholegrain bread make for a tasty and healthful combination


• Grilled portabella mushroom with melted Swiss cheese, avocado, and honey mustard is a big hit with the older kids


• Instead of the standard mayonnaise or mustard, use pepper jellies on ham, turkey, and chicken sandwiches


• Skip the bread and use some Boston Bibb lettuce leaves as sandwich wrappers


• How about a fruit sandwich? That might even make for an interesting new breakfast & slices of your favorite fruits between thin slices of a Banana Bread.

Try also setting down with your kids and ask them a sandwich idea with you. You might be surprised with the combinations they'll come up with. :))