Eat Your Greens!

Last year, the USDA finally replaced the good old Food Pyramid with a plate.  Yes, that's right- a simple plate.

MyPlate to be exact, is the branded term for the new federal goverment dietary guidelines. MyPlate advises Americans to enjoy their food, but less of it- based on a plate divided into quadrants. 1/4 fruit, 1/4 vegetables, 1/4 protein and 1/4 whole grains- and a serving of low fat dairy.

As parents of pre-school and elementary children, we all know that mealtimes can be challenging.  It's easy to get into the habit- especially with our time starved lives to whip up sureshot dinners  that we know our little ones will eat such as pasta or chicken strips- and forget about our much needed greens and reds!

Statistics show that only 22% of children aged 2-5; and only 16% of children aged 6 and up are getting the government recommended fresh fruit and vegetables- according to a recent study from Ohio State University.  We live in a nation with ever-increasing rates of Type 2 diabetes and obesity amongst adults and sadly, amongst our children as well.

Here are five easy tips, that we hope will help those of you who have picky little ones- to help introduce fruits and veggies into their diets and to help them become stronger and healthier eaters!

1. Re-Brand! Make up new names for vegetables. Create silly names like "Power Pellets" for things like brussel sprouts or green beans- to make them more kid-friendly and appealing.

2. The One Bite Rule. Try telling your child that they at least, need to take one full bite of something before vetoing it. At least it gets them trying something, and hopefully eventually getting comfortable with it.

3. Shop and Cook with your Kids. Let your kids pick one vegetable that looks appealing to them- then also let them help your prepare them. It's easy to let them (depending on age of course) to wash, snip, or pour a little dressing on a salad to steamed green beans. If they take part in preparing something to more apt they may be to wanting to eat it- even if it's a little bite!

4. Hide the Veggies. The simplest place to sneak in vegetables is your basic spaghetti sauce! Steam, boil and puree squash, spinach or sweet potatoes- and mix into your favorite tomato sauce. Add some parmesan cheese into the sauce as well- and we guarantee your little ones won't know the difference.

5. Hold Dessert Hostage. For those households out there that enjoy dessert after meals, this is a simple, and seemingly not-so-nice way to get them to try vegetables, but it usually works. Tell them that they have to eat their vegetables (set them up for success by starting with a small portion!) in order to get dessert. Show them that it applies to the grown ups as well. Soon enough it will become second nature and sometimes dessert will even go un-noticed.

Good luck and happy healthy eating!!!

Helping Hands and Green Thumbs!

September has come and gone quickly, but we are pleased to report the latest garden news.

To date all of the garden beds have been tilled and mulched thanks to our resident green thumb and garden advisor extraordinaire, Roger Horne! 

And although last weekend's rains delayed some planting, they didn't stop Ms. Jaqui and her Gardening Club from planting the first bed.  We plan to complete the planting for each grade level within the next week. Trust us, we'll keep you posted.

Last week we received a donation of herb plants from Morel Landscape including some fragrant Rosemary, which is delicious to eat and known to be a natural insect repellent properties. Thank you!

The mixed veggie and herb seedlings that we're putting into the ground have been donated by Teena's Pride. Teena's Pride, in Homested, Florida, has specialized in locally grown produce for over 35 years - and has been a strong supporter of the SPE Edible Garden from the outset. This year, Teena also gave us a Raspberry bush, which is a new addition to our garden.  Come October, we'll also receive some of her award-winning, to-die-for Heirloom Tomato plants to add to our garden. Can't wait! We encourage you to check out Teena's website and sign up to be a part of her CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Picking up your share of fresh produce from Teena's CSA from the Whole Foods on Alton Road makes the 'farm to table' concept a very simple reality for your family.

We truly thank everyone who continues to help our garden grow in so many ways, and we encourage everyone to take an interest - even if it's by simply taking the time to read our blog updates - because we promise you that every step along this year's growing season will be a journey worth sharing that will hopefully inspire parents, teachers and students to take pride in this special green initiative we've nurtured at South Pointe Elementary.

September's Here. Time to Grow!

As we bid farewell to a long, hot summer in Miami Beach and send our little ones back into a new school year - we also welcome one of our favorite times of the year - planting season!

Since 2009, South Pointe Elementary School has been fortunate to build, grow and sustain its very own Organic Edible Garden and Smoothie Garden.

The school garden's main goal is to educate and benefit our children. The commercialization of food in today's world has taken away a basic "farm to table" understanding amongst many  Americans. School gardens are a fantastic way for up and coming generations to witness where and how food grows.  School gardens also have a positive effect on children's vegetable intake.  Put simply, if they plant it they will try it.  And we can’t ask for more than that.

In the coming weeks, the children will plant a cornucopia of vegetables and herbs, and through this experience, they will understand and appreciate the value of harvesting something that started as a seed or a seedling.  We truly hope visions of broccoli and string beans will dance through your child's head...

In the meantime, we encourage you to read more about the benefits of school gardens here and also read up on this great article posted on CNN recently.

There are many ways we fund the garden: from grants to our annual Green Market.  This year we are taking part in the 2011-12 Fairchild Challenge. Last year we gained top honors (placing in the top 16 schools) and won $250 to use towards our garden.  We will also apply for a Foodcorps School Garden Grant, through Whole Foods- who has been a supporter and friend to our garden program. Wish us luck!

Thank you for your continued support.  Hope to see you in the garden this year- there's a lot growing on! 

G.R.O.W.!

The entire second grade recently spent a day at the Miami G.R.O.W. Project learning about urban farming, organic growing practices, nutrition and food justice.  It was an inspiring - and yummy - day for the kids (not to mention the teachers and chaperones!).  We tilled the fields, planted fresh crops, then dined al fresco on lunch made with ingredients from the farm.


Here are two recipes from the amazing Thi Squire @ G.R.O.W.:

G.R.O.W. – Jo Grilled Chicken

1Lb. Chicken

2/3 cup assorted chopped fresh herbs (tarragon, Cuban oregano, mint, rosemary)*

3 cloves garlic, chopped

¼ cup onion chopped

Juice of 2 sour oranges

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

Place chicken in bowl. Add following 7 ingredients and stir until all ingredients are incorporated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Heat grill. Grill on both sides to create grill marks, turn down heat and cook thru untill done.

G.R.O.W. Goddess Dressing

¼ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

Juice of ½ lemon

½ cup favorite assorted herbs (chives, chervil, mint, parsley)*

Salt & pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Serve with your favorite salad or use as a dip.

*herbs from our farm ready for harvest today, use your favorite and freshest herbs available to you.


Thanks, Thi and the Miami G.R.O.W. Project!!

The Fairchild Challenge Results!

Breaking News: South Pointe Elementary placed in the top 17 schools for its first-ever run in the Fairchild Challenge!  (Click on the link to see the list of winners.) Thank you to all the students, parents, teachers, administrators and gardeners who contributed to this year's efforts!  For placing in the top 16, SPE will receive $250 for its environmental programs.  Yeah!

Youth L.E.A.D. Visits SPE

Thanks to Erin Healy from Youth L.E.A.D. who led a cooking demo last week for our after-school garden class.  Using herbs from the garden, Erin, Roger and the kids whipped up dips for veggies and crackers.  They were a huge hit with the kids and adults alike.  The lesson proved that if you give children healthy food choices, they'll (at the very least!) try what's there.  The carrots and celery dippers were almost gone before the second class arrived, which told us we need to plant more of them next year!  Here are the recipes (you may want to modify for picky eaters, i.e. use less garlic or pepper).  Each one can be made in a food processor or blender - just combine, puree and serve.


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Bean and Fresh Herb Dip


3 cloves of garlic
2 cans cannellini beans
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh basil
2 tbsp fresh thyme
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper


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Green Pesto


Two bunches of fresh basil
A bunch of mild greens like swiss chard (rainbow chard is always a hit)
1 clove of garlic
a pinch salt (to taste)
1/4 cup of pine nuts
2/3 cup olive oil (to taste)
1/4 cup of parmesean cheese (to taste, if desired)


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Vegan Ranch Dip


6 oz. tofu
3 dates (pitted)
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup green onions, cut small
3 tbsp water
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp fresh herbs 
1 tbsp parsley
1 tbsp dill
1 tsp apple cider vinegar (like Braggs)
dash cayenne

Fertile Earth Fundraiser

One of our collaborators, Fertile Earth Foundation (FEF), is having its annual fundraiser this Saturday.  FEF will donate worm casings for every ticket purchased.  Simply write "South Pointe Elementary Organic Edible Garden" in the "instructions to seller" field, and we'll receive a heap of good fertilizer while helping a great local organization dedicated to sustainable, organic growing!  Please go to www.fertileearth.org for more details.

Green Market

Thanks to everyone who came to the Green Market!  It was a huge success!  Thank you to our sponsors for helping to make the event happen, and to the community for supporting green initiatives at the school.  It was a healthy and fun fundraiser for the gardens and for the 5^th grade graduation.  Pictures will soon follow.

At the gardens, the Garden Club is sowing quick crops (radishes and lettuces) and trying some things for the first time (strawberries and luffa).  With only two months to go, our growing season is winding down.  The banana trees are not, however.  Almost impervious to seasons, they are blooming and stretching out new hands in many directions.  The papayas and mulberry trees are fruiting as well.  

Family Weeding Fridays are still happening.  With no big projects looming, it's an easy weeding/watering time.  There's still an abundance of food in the garden.  If you help out, you can take some home.  If you're not already on the email list, please send an email to southpointepta@gmail.com.  See you in the gardens!

Green Market Invitation

Please follow the link below to RSVP to the Green Market and to become a Garden Sponsor.  Thank you!

South Pointe Elementary Green Market  Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (PT) South Pointe Elementary 1050 4th Street Miami Beach, FL 33139 View Map   Event Details: GREEN MARKET @ SOUTH POINTE ELEMENTARY FREE EVENT  FOR ALL!! Farm-fresh produce, baked goods, food specialty items, garden flowers, herbs, plant sale and lots of environmental activities for our families! Presenting: The Tremends & the SPE Chorus!...Read more Share this event on Facebook and  Twitter. We hope you can make it! Cheers, South Pointe Elementary PTA

Save the date for SPE's annual Green Market! Come celebrate health and wellness, come explore the gardens, come for the three R's and beyond! This year's market will feature Teena's Pride (All Locally Grown Produce), Vita Coco, Whole Foods, GROW, Genius Jones, ECOMB, Rethink + Reuse, the Bass Museum and many more vendors, educators and green partners with special thanks to the The Clifton South Beach, a Cambean Hospitality Hotel for sponsoring the event. At the Green Market, families can make art out of recycled and reclaimed products, exchange lightbulbs and shower heads for more efficient models, recycle electronics, purchase locally-grown food, learn about native plants, find products made from sustainable materials, learn about water conservation, and find ways to become greener, one small eco-step at a time! (Proceeds from the event will be put toward green initiatives at SPE.)

Gardens and Green Market

The Miami spring has sprung and our gardens are again taking shape! The mulberry trees surrounding the vegetable beds are fruiting beautifully; our kids pick the fruit as quickly as it ripens. The vegetable beds are brimming with tomatoes, lettuces and herbs. Roger Horne visited the garden last month and started some luffa seeds. If they're a success, look for them at the Green Market next year (healthy fundraising, anyone?). Thanks, Roger!

The Smoothie Garden survived the whiteflies (still brewing, but not as abundant) and winter's brisk chill. Banana hands have returned, and we hope for an abundant crop before school's out. The Praying Hands variety just sprouted a hand, and the kids are amazed to see bananas growing not only in different sizes, but in different shapes. Mr. Londono's fifth grade class is now the custodian of the Smoothie Garden. They water, fertilize and mingle with the trees on a weekly basis. Thank you, class!

Finally, please save the date for SPE's annual Green Market - Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. We have 18 vendors confirmed from Teena's Pride, Whole Foods and Vita Coco to HiHo Batik, Jaya Loves Tekeko and Genius Jones. We'll celebrate what's good for us and what's good for our planet. If you would like to participate, please email us at southpointepta@gmail.com! Thank you!

Family Weeding Fridays

The first Family Weeding Friday last week was a huge success. Please join us at the gardens again this Friday from 2:00-4:00pm!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011!

In our news, we're so grateful to the families who adopted banana plants from November through December, but we've decided to call it off. Whitefly is persistent and the effort it takes to keep the plants free of them is enormous.

Instead of adoption, we're resuming the Weekly Weeder program - now, Family Weeding Fridays - every Friday afternoon from 2:00-4:00. Parents and children are welcome to come to the gardens to weed, water, trim, stake and do whatever it takes to take care of our green spaces. The gardens are in full bloom - the tomato vines are thick with fruit, the lettuces abundant and herbs vie for space. Marigolds, nasturtiums, sunflowers, peas, tomatoes, radishes, beets...the list goes on and on. Join us one Friday and taste for yourself!

If you want your children to experience the gardens in an after-school activity, sign them up for Cindy Hill's cooking class or the Gardening class. Cindy Hill's International Nutritional Cooking meets Mondays, and Jaquelina Zingales' Gardening meets Fridays. Sign up is next week - 1/10, 11 & 12 in person in the courtyard from 7:30-9:00am!