Dining Out at Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill is keeping up with Las Vegas families whose busy schedules, for both the parents and the kids, can make it challenging to find a quick, healthy and reasonably priced dinner option.
Not long ago, Chipotle launched a brand new Kids Menu, which features actual menu items made with pint-sized fans in mind and, of course, adheres to Chipotle’s commitment to using only the best-tasting ingredients from more sustainable sources. The new Kid’s Menu features such child-friendly items as quesadillas, single tacos and a build-your-own taco kit, all priced under $5. Options include:
Small Cheese Quesadilla ($2.95)
A classic favorite with kids – is served with a side of rice, choice of beans, small bag of chips and a choice of organic plain milk, organic chocolate milk, apple juice or a soda.
Small Meat & Cheese Quesadilla ($3.50)
A small meat and cheese quesadilla served with a side of rice, small bag of chips and a choice of organic plain milk, organic chocolate milk, apple juice or a soda.
Single Taco ($3.50)
A single crispy or soft taco filled with three items from the line (one naturally raised meat or guacamole, and two other ingredients from the line, like salsa and cheese) served with a small bag of chips and a choice of organic plain milk, organic chocolate milk, apple juice or a soda.
Taco Kit (they build it) ($3.95)
With this unique twist, Chipotle invites children to get creative with their food. Kids choose any three ingredients (one naturally raised meat or guacamole, and two other ingredients from the line, like salsa and cheese) and two crispy or two soft taco shells. From there, it’s up to kids to construct and enjoy their tacos. This option also comes with a small bag of chips and a choice of organic plain milk, organic chocolate milk, apple juice or a soda.
There are currently 11 area Chipotle restaurants in Las Vegas. To find the location nearest you go to ParentsGuideLV.com/dine
From the menu: Guacamole
Ingredients:
• Whole, Ripe Avocados
• Diced Onions
• Lime
• Chopped Cilantro
• Jalapeños
• Salt
You don’t need an oven or a stove to prepare it, but making guacamole the right way takes a little time and a whole lot of elbow grease. It would be easier if we used food processors or mixers – but we get the best flavor by hand mashing our avocados with freshly diced onions and lime multiple times a day.
Las Vegas welcomes brand new McDonald’s® Restaurant
Restaurant Donates $500 to Ronald McDonald House Charity® During Ribbon Cutting
Local community figures including District 22 Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, District 11 Senator Michael Schneider, and members of the Enterprise Police Station were all on hand recently to welcome the newest McDonald’s restaurant.
“We are very excited to be open for business with over 80 team members from the community,” Says James Vance, McDonald’s Owner and President of the Las Vegas McDonald’s Owner/Operator’s Association. “We hope you will enjoy the design and warm feel of the restaurant.”
The newest McDonald’s, located at 6990 South Rainbow Blvd, is over 6,000 square feet and features shades of purple and green, modern Italian décor with a subtle Las Vegas theme, and even a crystal chandelier all designed by Owner Krista Vance, James’s wife, and JBI Interiors. The restaurant also comes complete with a toddler PlayPlace area, covered patio for outside dining, and free Wi-Fi.
“Krista’s use of Italian warmth and a subtle Las Vegas theme creates a very delightful dining experience.” Continued Vance.
Over 155 McDonald’s restaurants significantly contribute to the state of Nevada by spending $128.8 million dollars in Nevada’s communities. McDonald’s owners and operators of Clark County continue to support programs that focus on education, literacy and the well-being of children, including, but not limited to: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Partnership with Nevada PTA, Commissioner Lawrence Weekly’s Back to School Fair and Clark County Library District’s literacy programs.
For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.
The Circus is coming to town
As parents there are many demands on our time and energy. Often those demands crowd out time for our children. I was talking to a good friend of mine whose daughter is now grown. He mentioned how he remembers coming home from work and his daughter would ask him to jump on the trampoline with her or play some game. He would tell her he couldn’t because he was just too tired. How my friend now regrets not carving out some time for his daughter.
Thomas S. Monson commented on taking advantage of the time we have today, especially with our children. “Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it.”
Professor Harold Hill, in Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, cautioned: “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.”
There is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today, and to live most fully today, we must do that which is of greatest importance. Let us not procrastinate those things which matter most.
A wonderful example of this philosophy was shared by Arthur Gordon many years ago in a national magazine. He wrote:
When I was around thirteen and my brother ten, Father had promised to take us to the circus. But at lunchtime there was a phone call; some urgent business required his attention downtown. We braced ourselves for disappointment. Then we heard him say into the phone, ‘No, I won’t be down. It’ll have to wait.’
When he came back to the table, Mother smiled. ‘The circus keeps coming back, you know,’ she said. ‘I know,’ said Father. ‘But childhood doesn’t.’
Free circus tickets Win a Family Four Pack of tickets to Circus Vargas Nov 25 to 29th.
On Monday November 15th the first 25 Fans to respond to our Face Book Post will win the tickets.
Facebook.com/ParentsGuide
Nutrition: Keeping Kids Healthy
Since we live in a time of processed and fast foods, it is essential to start your kids on the right track with a well balanced diet. Starting good habits young is essential to your child’s development both mentally and physically.
First of all with nutrition after the age of 1 year old your child needs foods from the 4 food groups: meats (lean meat, fish, poultry, beans and eggs), dairy, fruits and vegetables and whole grains. A child should have at least two servings per meat a day. They should have a least three servings of dairy a day. They should have at least three servings of fruit and 4 servings of vegetables a day. Lastly they should have at least 5 servings of grains a day. What actually is a serving size? Serving sizes change with different food groups and the different types of foods in each group. Serving sizes for school aged kids are as follows:
A serving size of meat:
3oz lean meat, fish or poultry, 2 TBSP of peanut butter or ½ cup of beans.
A serving size of dairy:
1 cup of milk or yogurt and 1-2 oz of cheese.
A serving size of fruit:
is equal to a medium size fruit which is the size of a tennis ball, 1/2cup of fruit juice, ½ cup of diced fruit or 1/4cup of dried fruit.
A serving size of vegetables:
½ cup of cooked or raw veggies,
1 cup of leafy greens, or ¾ cup of vegetable juice.
A serving size of whole grains:
1 slice of bread or ½ cup of cooked pasta or rice.
Remember that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A breakfast should contain enough protein so school kids can have enough energy and awareness to make it to lunch. Smoothies are great for breakfast and you can make them yourself. All you need is yogurt, fruit, a little fruit juice then mix in a blender. You can even freeze the remaining smoothie to make a frozen popsicle treat. I like to use Greek yogurt because it has more protein. Examples of nutritious snacks include apples or celery with 2 TBSP peanut butter, string cheese, or vegetables dipped in hummus. Remember it is always healthier to choose organic when possible. This way you will reduce your child’s consumption of pesticides. Fruits that should be bought organic are apples, pears, grapes, and all types of berries. Vegetables that should be bought organic include potatoes, carrots, celery, and leafy greens. Foods with rinds like bananas and oranges don’t necessarily have to be bought organic. Rinds protect the fruit inside from pesticides.
Since we live in a digital world the AAP recommends less the two hours of TV per day. By adhering to these nutritional standards set above you child will have more energy and mental awareness to head outside for hours of fun physical activity.
Jennifer B. Sniadanko, DO, FAAP is a Pediatrician at Good Night Pediatrics which provides all-night urgent care for children every night of the year from 5PM-5AM.