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DECEMBER 2024                                            Features| Newsletters | Contact Us
 
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The Joy of Gingerbread
 
One of the most iconic smells that welcomes the holidays each December is the warm, spicy aroma of gingerbread filling the home. Not only does this treat smell and taste amazing, but it also has a rich history dating back to ancient Greece, bringing families together through generations. Baking cookies and other treats this holiday season is a perfect opportunity to involve your kids in the kitchen, helping them build essential skills and confidence. Try this simple gingerbread cookie recipe, which engages kids in the whole process—measuring, mixing, cutting, and decorating. Plus, it incorporates healthy alternatives, so you can enjoy that nostalgic flavor without compromising on nutrition!
 
 
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Understanding Portion Sizes for Kids
 
As parents, we naturally want our children to eat well, but it’s not just about what we eat—it's also about how much. Portion sizes can be tricky to navigate! Many families struggle with determining the right amount of food for their school-aged kids. Remember, kids’ appetites can vary daily, and they often listen to their bodies better than we do. A helpful guideline is to use your child's hand as a measure: a fist-sized portion for carbs, a palm-sized portion for protein, and a handful for fruits and veggies. This might mean only a few tablespoons of each food, and that’s perfectly okay! This method encourages kids to tune into their hunger cues and communicate if they need more after finishing their portions.

Fostering healthy habits starts with creating a positive mealtime environment where kids feel empowered to serve themselves and make nutritious choices. For more tips on managing portion sizes and nurturing a healthy relationship with food, check out these physician-approved recommendations.
 
 
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Add Appeal to your Fruits & Veggies
 
Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which support growth, boost immunity, and promote overall health. Getting more fruits and veggies into your child’s diet is every parent’s biggest dream, but it can also be one of the toughest tasks. Instead of sneaking them into dishes or disguising them as other things, let’s focus on creative ways to make these nutritious foods more appealing! Try out some of these fantastic tips at your family’s meals and snacks this week.
 
 
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Sweet Dreams Makes Stronger Bodies
 
Did you know that too little sleep can contribute to poor immunity, weight gain, and even an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes? Good quality sleep is essential for keeping kids' minds sharp and their bodies healthy. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Sleep Foundation recommend specific hours of sleep for each age group. How are you and your kids measuring up? Start with these simple recommendations to make sleep a priority in your household!
 
 
 
 
 
Newborn infants: 0 to 2 months 14 to 17 hours (includes naps)
Infants: 4 to 12 months 12 to 16 hours (includes naps)
Toddlers: 1 to 2 years 11 to 14 hours (includes naps)
Preschoolers: 3 to 5 years 10 to 13 hours (includes naps)
School-age children: 6 to 12 years 9 to 12 hours
Teens: 13 to 18 years 8 to 10 hours
Adults: 18 and older 7 to 9 hours
 
 
 
The Online School Lunch Difference
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lunch lines and school cafeterias can make it difficult for schools to maintain social distancing. With HotLunch.com, foodservice providers can utilize a classroom-based distribution system to deliver lunch straight to a student’s classroom and maintain social distancing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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About HotLunch.com
 
HotLunch.com is the only web-based system of its kind
 
 
 
 
 
HotLunch.com is used by schools across North America! With HotLunch.com you can easily manage school-lunch administration, publish lunch menus online, receive payments, and reduce time spent on managing parent transactions, including fundraising, after-school care, volunteering, and much more.

See For Yourself!
 
 
Request a Software Demo
 
 
 
Call 1-888-376-7136, or email [email protected]
 
 
 
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HotLunch.com Now Available in Spanish & French
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our school lunch software is now available in Spanish and French, making it easier for schools around the world to utilize our school lunch system. This update allows more families to reap the benefits of HotLunch.com.
 
 
 
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Hotlunch.com partners to educate unprivileged girls
 
 
We are proud to partner with Ainiti.org, an organization that empowers and educates underprivileged girls through technology. Thanks to you, profits from Hotlunch.com will be used to support girls in need.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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About the author
 
 
 
 
 
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Abbie Hebron, MS, RD, CSP, LD, CNSC
 
Abbie Hebron is a Registered Dietitian, specializing in pediatric nutrition (Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition). She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Missouri State University, and then attended the University of Rhode Island where she earned her master's degree. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and was the recipient of South Carolina's Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award in 2022. In her free time, Abbie enjoys baking, traveling, hiking, and playing tennis with family and friends.
 
 
 
 
 
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