Proteins for your Teens

Here is a helpful tip on how to get proteins for your teens; stuff they'll actually eat.

My daughter was in the marching band in High School and her schedule was similar to that of someone in boot camp. She is a fast food kind of girl, and because of her hectic, strenuous schedule, she started looking rather ran down. I knew she needed more protein, but couldn't get her to eat anything that resembled healthy food. I tried some protein shakes and she would have no part of that either. I consulted the book "Foods that Harm, Foods that Heal and learned that pasta mixed with legumes was an excellent source of protein (more so than pasta alone).

I found a quick and easy pasta salad with chick peas and red kidney beans included that she actually loves. Here it goes:

• Use a whole-wheat multi grain pasta
• Add Kroger brand frozen fiesta style vegetables (contains chick peas and kidney beans, plus carrots and broccoli)after the pasta has boiled approx 5 minutes
• When pasta is done, place it in a strainer and rinse with cold water
• Put in a bowl and add one package of Zesty Italian dressing mix.
  
• Add Lite Zesty Italian Dressing to moisten and stir.
  
• Top lightly with real Parmesan Cheese
  
• Refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes.
  

Keep this dish in the frig. They'll actually eat it as an after school snack.