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Some kids may not like salads but many do. If your child is anything like my 11 year old son, there is little else he likes more than taking a hearty salad to school.

Below are five of my son's favorite salad recipes - a pasta and bean salad I refer to as a Tex Mex Salad; our cold version of Pasta Primavera; a bean and bacon salad made with green beans; a broccoli and cauliflower salad with cheese and bacon; and a carrot, raisin and pineapple salad to ensure that he gets his daily quota of fruits and veggies.

I hope your child enjoys the following salad recipes as much as my son does. All the salad recipes are great made ahead the night before and are ideal for grown-up lunches as well.

Tex Mex Salad

1 cup small pasta (shells or macaroni)
1 mixed beans
1 can corn (or 1 cup of frozen)
1/2 cup of each of green and red pepper
1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup mild salsa
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. vinegar
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese
Salt & pepper to taste

Mix together. Serve with nacho chips. Serves 4.

Pasta Primavera

2 cups pasta, small dried
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
cup water
cup frozen peas
cup frozen corn
1 tbsp. fresh basil, finely chopped
cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
Salt and pepper

Boil pasta in sufficient water for about 10 minutes until tender. Drain and rinse in warm water. In a small saucepan, saut olive oil, onions and garlic on medium-low heat for approx. 3 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes, frozen peas, corn and water. Saut until heated through. Mix in cooked, drained pasta. Let cool. Toss in fresh basil and mozzarella. Portion out in individual containers and salt and pepper to taste.

Green Bean & Bacon Salad

3 cups cooked green beans
2 tbsp. bacon grease
3 slices crisp chopped bacon
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tbsp. sugar
1 medium onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

The secret to this recipe is to blend the ingredients with the freshly cooked beans while theyre still hot and then chill prior to packing in your childs lunch. Serves 3 to 4.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad

2 cups each of broccoli & cauliflower, chopped
cup bacon bits
1 cup of grated Cheddar cheese
cup minced red onion
1/3 cup of ranch or Caesar salad dressing

Combine ingredients. Mix well.

Carrot, Raisin & Pineapple Salad

2 cups carrots, grated
1 small can pineapple tidbits, drained
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup mayonnaise or whipped salad dressing.

Combine ingredients. Chill and serve cold. Serves 3 to 4.

Salads are just one of the many ideas you can pack in your child's lunch. For more salad recipes or other creative lunch recipe ideas visit http://www.school-lunch-ideas.com your one stop resource for healthy school lunches your kids won't trade. In addition to being co-owner of the site Sherrie Le Masurier is a busy mom and lifestyle columnist who believes in eating right. Copyright 2007.

# posted by satellite25744 : 9:34 PM  0 comments

This years Super Bowl had a major flaw, and it didn't have anything to do with a celebrity exposing herself during the halftime show. No, it wasn't a bad commercial, either. This flaw was actually a game decision -- one that may have cost the Eagles a victory.

Although the first half was poorly played, by Super Bowl standards (laced with false starts, poor passes, and a few dropped balls), the halftime tie made the game exciting. This thrill, though, began to wane when New England inflated its lead to 10 points in the fourth quarter.

Just when it appeared that the defending champs would cruise to victory, easily beating the 7-point spread, The Eagles pulled to within three with a heroic drive, late in the game. Then, it happened -- the flaw that seemed to go unnoticed by the announcers, but one of the biggest coaching lapses in Super Bowl history.

With just less than 1:50 to play, Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid decided to use an onsides kick, instead of kicking the ball deep, even though the Eagles had two timeouts remaining. Of course, the maneuver failed, and the Patriots recovered the ball in Eagles territory. Three plays and a punt later, Philadelphia found itself at its own four-yard-line with no timeouts, needing 60 yards to get close enough for a game-tying field goal attempt. Their Super Bowl hopes died in a New England player's hands, as he intercepted Donovan McNabb's final pass.

It just doesn't make sense. Why wouldn't Reid have his team kick the ball away, after their last TD, pinning New England deep. Assuming they go three-and-out, as they did after the onsides kick, perhaps the Eagles would receive a punt in Patriots territory. Or, maybe they would have enough room for a return. Any number of good opportunities could have presented themselves.

Imagine if McNabb and his charges started their final drive with 46 seconds left, needing just 20 or 30 yards to put their strong-legged kicker in range (he has 60-yard strength). Alas, the opportunity never came, as Andy Reid doomed his team with his final big decision -- one that seemed so easy but for some reason eluded a man regarded as one of the finest coaches in the NFL.

Maybe it's more complex than I'm seeing. If so, someone please enlighten me.

Read more entertaining sports-related work at http://www.sportsnovels.com

# posted by satellite25744 : 12:47 AM  0 comments