My son, Mac had a birthday party one night so my 7 yr. old daughter, Mia and I decided to go to P.F. Changs for dinner (one of our favorites). We ordered a ton of food so we could share – by the way, this is BY FAR the best part of having your kids eat the same food as you – the sharing! As the food kept coming out we were running out of space on the table (we were at a high top table in the bar). I stuffed myself silly and said to Mia, “Do you ever eat and eat and keep eating because it tastes sooo good, even though you are full?” She looked at me with a deadpan expression and responded with a little sass, “Mom, since when do you NOT do that?”. So much for the “everything in moderation” speech. Oh man, not only is her palette sophisticated, but now her sarcasm is too.
Asian Flank Steak: I think flank steak is more tender than London Broil and tends to marinate more quickly because it is so thin. Plus, it cooks on the grill quickly and can be made for just for your family or for a large group.
- Mix 2 TBS (each) of EV Olive oil, Lime juice, Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar
- Grate some fresh ginger or 1 TSP of ginger powder
- Mix and pour into Ziploc with the Flank Steak. Marinate in fridge for 15 min. or 15 hours
- Grill on high heat for approximately 5 minutes on each side (turning only once)
Fried Rice: I found some frozen, cooked brown rice at Trader Joes – just defrosted it on the counter.
- Scramble 2 eggs and cook in a pan with a little oil. Remove eggs and set aside
- Chop an onion and cook for a few minutes in a drop of oil
- Add chopped carrot and frozen peas to onion and cook for a few minutes
- Add 4 cups of cooked rice (brown or white) and toss with 2 TBS of soy sauce and eggs
- Stir and serve
Bok Choy/Stringbeans
- Wash thoroughly. I like to use the peeler on the thick part if it’s not baby bok choy
- Heat up some EV olive oil and garlic, add fresh ginger (if you have it)
- Toss bok choy (I added some stringbeans too) around with some soy sauce (add ginger powder if you didn’t add it fresh)
- You can add a drop of rice vinegar or water while cooking so it doesn’t stick to pan
- Cook about 7 or 8 minutes or so (I don’t like my veggies too crunchy). I put a lid on it at the end to make sure they are cooked through.
How Can the Kids Help?
- Measure and mix the marinade for flank steak. Help grate the ginger and mix into it. Pour it all into the bag.
- Mix the steak around in the marinade in a tightly sealed Ziplock bag.
- Crack and scramble the egg for the fried rice.
- Use “chopper” to cut up the onion.
- Gingerbread Dot-to-Dot: http://www.boogyland.com/images/gingerbread.gif
- Gingerbread Coloring Page: http://kidsturncentral3.com/holidays/gmancolor1.gif
- Gingerbread Word Search: http://www.mrsgingerbread.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=6&Itemid=27
Did You Know?
- Ginger root has many benefits and can improve nausea, digestive problems, circulation and arthritis.
- Ginger is often included in many herbal decongestants and can help to minimise the symptoms of respiratory conditions, colds and allergies.
- The Gingerbread house became popular after the Brothers Grimm published the German fairytale “Hansel and Gretel”
Everyday Family Health Recipes/Blog 
