A Ballerina Sandwich

A tiny ballerina favorite...."Let's make a sandwich!"

All the little dancers giggle in delight.  We sit on the floor, our ballet backs very straight against the stage.  We say hello to our toes and goodbye to our toes...flex & pointe.  Then we begin to build our ballet sandwich.  We lay the bread out and start to spread, chop and place all sorts of random things on it (I let them all offer suggestions)...I have heard everything....marshmallows, ice cream, jelly beans, cream cheese, eye balls (yes, random!). 

Yesterday I told them we are making a green sandwich.  They offered up suggestions of cucumbers, celery, lettuce, pickles (lots of pickles) green beans, grapes, spinach, broccoli and peas.  They actually smiled as they "ate" it.  A few parents thanked me afterwards saying that the only way they get their child to eat broccoli at night is reminding them that Ms. Gina always puts it on her sandwiches to get strong ballet bones.  How cute is that?!  I hope these little dancers keep eating their greens to keep their brains and bodies young and agile.

I better practice what I preach and eat all these fabulous green things.  My personal favorite green...spinach!  The "busy mom" and "lazy" way to cook spinach:

• Place baby spinach and water in a microwaveable bowl. 
• Cover tightly and microwave until starting to wilt, about 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on your microwave. 
• Add a dash of olive oil, salt & pepper and voila! A healthy bowlful of greens just for you!

Listen to these ballerinas....lay out a lavish or wheat tortilla....giggle a little and start to make a huge green sandwich.  Your body, waistline and energy level will thank you!