For the first time ever I have seen at lunch cherry tomatoes, radishes, carrot and cucumber shreddings. I didn't see any watercress but I may have missed it. I chose macaroni cheese, mashed potato, cucumber and peppers. The macaroni cheese is always good but I could always eat more. I was asked today for the first time, 'Is that enough for you?'. For my dessert I had red jelly which tasted of strawberries. I liked most of the changes and I hope it will be the same tomorrow.
Food-o-meter- 9/10
Mouthfuls- 33, I took a pad and my pen ran out but I remembered!
Courses- main/dessert
Health Rating- 6/10
Price- £2
Pieces of hair- 0
Thank you for all your pictures. Today's is from Pol Elia from Spain. I like the way the the veg is mixed in with the stew. Ours always come seperately.
Pol Elia's ratings are,
Food-o-meter- 7/10
Health Rating- 5/10
Price- €2.06, which is £1.64
Pices of hair- 1
Tomorrow I will remember to look for the watercress!
VEG
PS some people cannot access the BBC iPlayer but the interview is here.
It seems in your school reads your blog and will change meals!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
I bet people are smiling at the mashed potato served using an ice-cream scoop :-) This tradition is as old as I am!
ReplyDeleteI count 6 pieces of cucumber - double portion!
It was so bad, I think... Wow, the food from the Spanish's boys is the same in my canteen... and i hate it..
ReplyDeleteHmm. Strangely high in carbohydrate but you have to give your school credit for trying, things are starting to look a little better. You could always let them know it's really easy to make jelly from scratch just using fruit juice and gelatine so you don't have all the fake food colourings but that's just my preference!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're learning this very quickly but sometimes to make things better, asking for change doesn't work but making your views public does. It's a shame they needed this to take action but good on you!
Well, I will not say that the portions pictured look generous, but I will say they're an improvement.
ReplyDeleteBut still - macaroni cheese AND mashed potato at the same time? I would like to see a chicken leg or thigh in there, or perhaps a bit of fish or some mince. What I see is a lot of carbohydrate and not so very much protein, unless you count the gelatine in the jelly.
I'm glad they listened to you and made some changes. It's a great blog and I'm glad you've invited others to share their photos. That way maybe the people making the lunches will get some new ideas.
ReplyDeleteif you don't like them so much why don't you take a packed lunch.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely looks like an improvement, but still a little on the slim side. Personally, I'm a carbs lover, but for my own daughter, I would insist on more meat to go with all that.
ReplyDeleteI really like what you're accomplishing with your blog. Best of luck to you! :)
Yes Martha, watercress, such a weird thing for the lady from the council to have said. I suspect she mentioned it because it's in season. Why don't you ask the cooks to mix it up in a raita and serve it with a curry, that would be both nutritious and refreshing.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have school dinners in Australia. Are the plates disposable or are they a hard plastic that's washed and re-used?
ReplyDeleteWashed and reused.
DeleteVeg's Dad
I am an advocate of very small portions for me, but "good" food. Very interesting blog ...
ReplyDeleteOnly in Britain would someone think it was appropriate to serve pasta with a side of potatoes... And I think it's very odd that your dessert is almost the size of the main meal.
ReplyDeleteI hope your school sorts out their school lunches - I grew up in Sweden where the lunches are lots better (and mandatory for all) and served on normal (plastic) plates. Your compartment plate does little to tickle my appetite.
O_o.....this looks unhealthy...
ReplyDeleteBut interessting Photos!
Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that there has been a very slight improvment in your lunch if you look at the quantity but not in the nutrional value. There is no protein in this meal at all. Even if you where a veggie there should be some pulse's in the meal or beans. As for making the Jelly from scrtch, people have to understand that there will be a very low level of skill in the kitchen to do this, plus using geletine will mean veggies wont be able to have it.
ReplyDeleteSo still room for vast improvement but at least they are taking note.
http://todayschooldinner.blogspot.co.uk/
In reference to your comment about the gelatin...
DeleteRegardless of whether plain gelatin is mixed with real fruit juice, or the premixed boxed stuff is used, there is still gelatin in the final product - what you said about "veggies" being unable to have the jelly (if gelatin was used) is technically incorrect.
Vegetarians generally can still have gelatin products as part of their diet, unless they are part of a more specific category of vegetarians known as "vegans." Vegans are basically like other vegetarians, except they exclude anything that is animal based from their diets - gelatin would be a good example, as it is derived from animals.
Today your food looks a bit better than the day before. I like what you do, keep it up and sit down for a healthy diet. Many greetings from Germany.
ReplyDeleteStill lots of carbs but then again,you're a grade schooler and I'm 34. I don't need too much carbs. Looks more substantial than your first posts. I can see my toddlers eating this stuff without me cringing.
ReplyDeleteYou are writing so funny and with all your passion. Its very interesting!!
ReplyDeleteGreetz from germany
Linny
it´s amazing! You had a good idea to create the blog.
ReplyDeleteIn JAPAN
ReplyDeletehttp://kyuushoku.blogspot.jp/
Well done. This is so good idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is not good compared to Japanese school lunch
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean by "Pieces of hair?" Do you really mean "human hair??????"
ReplyDeleteIn Japan, I don't recall a day I was hungry from school lunch. I still think there were more than enough foods. Milks and Breads were always left over. Some kids were taking those to home...
Looks better but it's not enough.
ReplyDeleteHi! I´m from Spain, Basque country and I´m twelve year old. I think lots of people don´t have anytthing to eat or only some insects and you complain because of your food? You only think about you! You have an ice-cream, a lasagna... I can´t understand you, my school food is worse.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
xxxxxxxxxxx
Hi! I´m from Spain, Basque country and I´m twelve year old. I think lots of people don´t have anytthing to eat or only some insects and you complain because of your food? You only think about you! You have an ice-cream, a lasagna... I can´t understand you, my school food is worse.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
xxxxxxxxxxx
Hi! I´m from Spain, Basque country and I´m twelve year old. I think lots of people don´t have anytthing to eat or only some insects and you complain because of your food? You only think about you! You have an ice-cream, a lasagna... I can´t understand you, my school food is worse.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Hi! I´m from Spain, Basque country and I´m twelve year old. I think lots of people don´t have anytthing to eat or only some insects and you complain because of your food? You only think about you! You have an ice-cream, a lasagna... I can´t understand you, my school food is worse.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Hi! I´m from Spain, Basque country and I´m twelve year old. I think lots of people don´t have anytthing to eat or only some insects and you complain because of your food? You only think about you! You have an ice-cream, a lasagna... I can´t understand you, my school food is worse.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Hi! I´m from Spain, Basque country and I´m twelve year old. I think lots of people don´t have anytthing to eat or only some insects and you complain because of your food? You only think about you! You have an ice-cream, a lasagna... I can´t understand you, my school food is worse.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
You are kidding us! It looks like Pigfood. OMG!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing little lady, very well done.
ReplyDeleteI heard of your blog in our german news paper "Bild" and was very curious to see on my own.
Do more with your Blog, it´s the right way to start changes. :)
See please todays Menu Veg i think you may like it.
ReplyDeletehttp://todayschooldinner.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=8
Chef
Hello VEG,
ReplyDeletean article about your blog was placed in a major german daily newpaper and i really enjoyed to read your blog.
My son in germany is 8 years old and has the same experiences.
Wonderfull idea !!
You have already started to change things for the better .. so keep on going !
All best und guten appetit !
Volker
Good on you - it seems the food is getting a bit better - keep it up!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Keep posting, and keep your chin up. It's kids like you who will change the world, one lunch at a time. For me personally, I hope the first thing to change is the number of hairs per lunch -- 1 is too many!
ReplyDeleteVeg, your blog is just GREAT!
ReplyDeleteAll the best from Vienna!
I think blog power is working!
ReplyDeleteKeep On!!! I'm Esti, from Spain. I saw an article in the newspaper last week talking about your blog and later in the evening news they also talked about it. I can only say that I hope your breakfast and diner are better!!! I can't understand why schools give that "food" at lunch. I saw you liked that staw.... if you want to try to make it with your parent's help.... here you have a step-by-step recipe from my blog. It is in spanish.... but with the pictures you migh understand it, and if you need help, just ask.
ReplyDeletehttp://elblogdecantinerita.blogspot.com.es/2011/02/carne-guisada.html
http://elblogdecantinerita.blogspot.com
Thank you. We will try your recipe.
DeleteVeg's Dad
Potato with Mac Cheese is such an obvious doubling of carbs - the issue seems to be a problem with food culture, with no understanding or respect for flavours or understanding about foods that go together. Compare it with that lovely looking Spanish stew, full of great-looking meat, olives and veg and crucially it looks appetising. Sophie Pither - sophiempither@aol.com
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm from Spain, from the province of Vizkaia and mi school is Artaza Romo, like the school of Ander, the person who coment a litlle bit up. I think that is a little food, but like this, on this school there is going to be less obess, and this is good! And you ara not going to starving yourself, please... think on the good possibilities... you are not going to need to do "bikini" diet (is like that? I don't know, perhaps we only use this word in Spain... we have so many beaches!!!) Well this is my council: BE OPTIMISTIC AND ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE FOR NOW:)
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to know if these are cooked on site. At my school, the meals are cooked off site, and the caterers bring them in the morning and just cook the veg in microwaves; everything else is kept warm in trays. They look pretty similar to the ones you are given, i.e. not very appetising! But it is the only way the school can provide hot meals as there is no kitchen.
ReplyDeleteWe have enjoyed your blog and watched your counter turn 418,000. Well done! My daughter is going to ask if she can take a photo of her school dinnner for you. She has been poorly and needs feeding up, so her school dinners had better be good!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed they are.
DeleteVeg's Dad
Hi Iam from Spain, from the vasque country and I think that food is not a very big food for alimentation. I think you can carry food for your home and eat that food in your school.Bye
ReplyDeleteHi I´am Juan again, I think my old message was very short and stupid, I´m sorry. Your blog is very interesting, we can speak about the bad alimentation or the good alimentation. In my school there are bad food some days but other days are good. Good luck with your work. Bye
DeleteHi I am from basque country in Spain, at my school we have to send you a comment for homework.
ReplyDeleteyour blog is fantastic!! I want to be your food in my school, my schools food is worse. It looks pretty. In your school the deserts are very good, in mines we have yogurt or fruit, nothing else. I really love the things you write in your blog, it is interesting to read it and to now how is the food in other places.
Bye
Hi I am from basque country in Spain, at my school we have to send you a comment for homework.
ReplyDeleteyour blog is fantastic!! I want to be your food in my school, my schools food is worse. It looks pretty. In your school the deserts are very good, in mines we have yogurt or fruit, nothing else. I really love the things you write in your blog, it is interesting to read it and to now how is the food in other places.
Bye
Keep it up kid! You're a pro with your reviews -- real cooks are learning from you!
ReplyDeleteYou rock!! Keep your blog going! You and your fellow students deserve healthy lunches to keep you fueled for study and learning! So proud of you.
ReplyDeleteFrom Los Angeles, CA
Love your blog! I especially love the lunches from other parts of the world. The lunch from Taiwan looked yummy, I wanted to try it.
ReplyDeletehi! My name is Martina, i'm an Italian girl of 25 years. I write because I have also eaten as a little girl in the canteen of the various schools I attended. I agree with the fact that the canteen food is, and always has been, very bad! my grandchildren still eat badly at school. But I believe that some foods that I saw in the pictures are wrong. like Mexican food, fruit jellies ... the sprite to drink ...
ReplyDeleteHi VEG, wanted to listen to that interview you did in Oban for BBC Radio but guess what?
ReplyDelete"Error (509)
This account's public links are generating too much traffic and have been temporarily disabled!"
As I was scrolling through your posts, the hit counter just kept ticking over and over, it must be at nearly 4,250,000 by now! Amazing.
You're truly a star and I hope your blog has a lot of impact on school meals all over the world. Where I grew up, we went home for lunch and my Mum is/was a fabulous cook so we always ate good and varied meals. We also had cookery classes at school and were taught about how to compose a well-balanced meal and how to prepare a three-course meal from scratch. I hope that all schools will soon be fitted with proper kitchens where kids can learn how to cook. It doesn't have to be complicated to taste really great.
Good luck to you, keep up your fabulous blog.
Margaret
PS: I heard about your blog from a teacher friend of mine who cannot comment...
Hi Veg,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tell you too that I couldn't listen to the interview because of too much traffic! I've only just come across your blog this morning but am really enjoying reading it. You're doing so much good - the amount of money you've raised to help people in Malawi is amazing! Love to you and your family. X