With such busy schedules, families are constantly challenged to find enough quality time to spend together. This year, Uncle Ben’s is encouraging families to get in the kitchen to cook and eat together to connect, one meal at a time. As a strong supporter of healthy eating and family togetherness, Uncle Ben’s is also helping parents establish healthy beginnings in their children’s lives.

How can something so tiny cause a huge change in the way we eat? Studies show that when you begin preparing your meal with rice, you end up with a meal that’s better for you. Plus, beginning your meal with Uncle Ben’s rice opens your plate up to better eating because rice attracts colorful vegetables, savory spices and leaner cuts of meat that the whole family loves!

This year, Uncle Ben’s really wants to encourage parents to make a new connection with their kids…. one meal at a time. That is why they have launched an exciting contest called Ben’s Beginners! By entering the contest, you could win $20,000, along with a $50,000 grant towards a cafeteria makeover for your child’s school. In addition, you will have a chance to appear onThe Rachael Ray show! Uncle Ben’s is calling for parents with children ages 5-12 to submit a 2-3 minute video of you cooking a rice-based dish with your children. For more info on the contest, please check out Ben’s Beginners on Facebook!

Wondering how you can make your meals just a little healthier? Here are a few ideas…

1. School Days: Break out the lunch box and pack for your children. School lunches are just the worst these days. It’s so sad that they consider these within nutritional guidelines. I don’t always pack for my son but I do more times than now. It can also be tough to come up with new ideas that aren’t the classic Peanut Butter and Jelly. Ask your children for new ideas and let them help make it.

2. Grow & Grab: One thing I found out last year was that if the boys are involved in a process, they are more likely to go with it. Last wpring we started our first garden. We had herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots. Everyday Spencer (4) would run out to see how much his cucumbers had grown.

3. Get Creative: Set out 3 or 4 healthy foods and let your children figure out what to make with it! Start with whole grain or rye bread,whole grain crackers or graham crackers, Mini rice cakes or popcorn cakes, small bagels etc. Next move to some kind of a spread which can include something like low-fat cream cheese or cheese spread, low-fat peanut butter, bean dip, jelly or jam with no sugar added. Don’t forget the toppings! Slices of apple or banana, raisins or other dried fruit, strawberries, slices of cucumber or squash.

4. Cut It Out: When you are planning out a recipe, try to go for healthier ingredients. Cut out fat and calories with ingredients where you can. We have switched to 1% milk, 2% cheeses, Lite syrups etc. Give them a try, you would be surprised how many you can’t even tell the differences.

5. Free Snacks: Many years ago my ex started a diet plan at work. One of the things we learned from a book they gave him was “Fruits and Vegetables are free.” This means that the kids can eat as much as they want as often as they want. Smart snacking leads to smart eating habits

About Uncle Ben’s

Uncle Ben’s®, the number one rice brand in America, is proud to offer a wide range of rice dishes with flavors and textures that will help bring more to your meals, both for convenient side dishes and savory main courses. Uncle Ben’s® offers a wide variety of white, whole grain brown, and flavored rices in cook times ranging from 30 minutes to 90 seconds, as well as rice for food service operations such as restaurants, schools and hospitals. The first mass-produced parboiled rice, Uncle Ben’s® is the top-selling branded rice in the United States and products can be found in more than 100 countries worldwide. Uncle Ben’s® Brand products are manufactured by Mars Food NA, part of Mars, Incorporated. For more information, visit www.UncleBens.com.

Uncle Ben’s on Facebook
Check out recipe ideas from Uncle Ben’s.

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