Chris McArdle Rojo

June 18, 2010

With national efforts ramping up to fight childhood obesity and reality TV taking a crack at it with the recent TV show, “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution,” there’s bound to be a trickle-down effect on the publishing market to support the cause.

Of course, if you look closely at the publication dates of some of the books on this subject, the information was actually flooding the market in print format years ago.  In more recent history, back in 2007, Jessica Seinfeld, comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s wife, published the successful book, “Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food.”

When it hit the shelves it really seemed like she’d thought of everything.  Even her chocolate pudding had avocado hidden in it.  Avocados are the only vegetable source for monounsaturated fat, which helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood for a heart-healthy child – and the pureed version is all but invisible.  If that weren’t enough, she’s even got beets stashed in her chocolate cake. 

But, trust me, the book isn’t all about desserts.  She’s got ideas for every meal, all week long, and your picky eaters will never know the difference.  Make the purees in bulk, freeze them, and your young eaters are on the road to good health.

She doesn’t stop at the recipes.  For a novice like me, she starts with how to not only equip your pantry, but also how to equip your kitchen to follow everything she does.  The nutritional guidelines she lays out with the help of Joy Bauer are actually written for the average mom, not the dieticians of the world, who sometimes seem to speak a different language.

Seinfeld also makes a great case for the deception.  It’s just the means for changing the habits or developing the habits in the first place, and she makes it clear you can’t disregard your child’s food aversions, either.  It’s still all about the taste.

As a working mother I greatly appreciated that she also covered store-bought foods, referring to them as merely shortcuts.

There are many fiction readers who can’t wait for the next publication by their favorite author or the next installation of their favorite series.  I think sometimes I’m more aware of publication dates on my calendar than some upcoming appointments or meetings.  This is the first time in my memory that I’ve added a nonfiction title to that calendar.

In October Jessica’s second book – “Double Delicious: Good, Simple Food for Busy Complicated Lives” – will be released, and she promises more purees and a special section on the most picky older eaters.

You can find “Deceptively Delicious” in the catalog at www.lacrossecountylibrary.org.

A Letter From the Director

(Continued from the Home page)

According to one recent survey, 66% of adult Americans use a library at least once per year for leisure, reference or self-improvement. School assignments, hobbies and programs attract a large percentage of children and young adults. Be sure to inquire about our program calendar and events.

In La Crosse County there are five libraries located in Bangor, Campbell (French Island), Holmen, Onalaska, and West Salem which are supported by people who live outside the city of La Crosse.

I invite you to familiarize yourself with the materials you may borrow including new best sellers, magazines, videos & DVDs, music CDs, computer software packages, Family Fun Bags and puppets. We hope, too, that you will utilize information resources including newspapers and public Internet access. Our staff is always available to assist you with any of our resources.

On behalf of the La Crosse County Library we sincerely hope that you will take advantage of all the materials and services that will be useful to you.

Chris McArdle Rojo
La Crosse County Library Director