Back to School with Horton

The first weekend of September can be bittersweet. While some are looking forward to a return to routine and sweater weather, others may still need more time to be ready to indulge in the pumpkin spice of Autumn. The beginning of the new school year is only days away! For many students, this time of year seems like the end of summer fun and freedom. However, school is more than just the same boring routine- it's a chance to start fresh, almost like a second New Year's! There is something special about "new planner" season; shopping at Horton can help if eating well is on your to-do list.

With so many vendors delivering delicious, nutritious and fresh local produce every Saturday, your pantry will seem like something other than a variety store and your children's lunches like a vending machine! Let's look at some great produce and how it will benefit your kids!

​One of the most classic fruits, traditionally given as presents to teachers, is the delicious apple. Ontario Apple Growers states that over 15 varieties of apples are grown in Ontario. You'll have plenty of choices, from the crunch of the red delicious to the sweetness of the McIntosh. Besides keeping doctors away, apples are rich in fibre and vitamins and prevent heart disease! The great thing about apples is how many ways they can be prepared! Apple Sauce, baked, sun-dried, desserts and more. There's no limit to creativity. They also make a great adult snack for the afternoon if you need a pick-me-up and it's too late for caffeine!

​Indeed, one of the most uniquely coloured vegetables, the eggplant, or aubergine, is full of surprises and health benefits. Actually, eggplants aren't a vegetable at all! They grow from a flower and contain seeds, meaning they are secretly a fruit! However, they are vegetables for cooking, along with other 'vegetables' in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes and peppers. Eggplant is rich in Vitamins A and C and is high in antioxidants. Some ways to get kids to eat eggplant is with fun recipes to pique their interest and resemble recognizable foods, like eggplant sticks resembling cheese sticks, eggplant veggie nuggets, or baked eggplant slices with cheese that resemble pizza bites. 

​ Finally, one unusual seasonal vegetable that is sure to surprise is the artichoke. The artichoke is an often forgotten veggie from its shape to its leaves. Like the foods previously mentioned, artichokes are very healthy choices. Being high sources of fibre, regulating bowel movements and supporting your cardiovascular system, this veggie is a must when found. The unique shape and preferred method of eating by hand encourages children to explore this vegetable, which is often paired with a buttery sauce, almost like eating nachos! 

​With these three healthy choices and plenty more to discover at the market, you'll be sure to help your kids enjoy nutritious lunches into the new school year and encourage healthy habits for life. Enjoy!