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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07-23 Maplewood pre-teen wins seat at White House kids' dinner STAR TRIBUNE StarTribune - Print Page Page 1 of 2 StarTribune Maplewood preteen wins seat at White House kids' dinner Article by: Lee Svitak Dean Star Tribune JUL 2 4 2014 July 23, 2014- 1:00 PM ., How do you change the nation's approach to healthy food'? PIA One recipe at a time That's the takeaway from the Kids' State >< Dinner at the White House last week, according to 12-year-old Sophie Bollin of Maplewood. She represented Minnesota at the third annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge competition, sponsored by Epicurious, a recipe-based website. Her Quinoa and Black Beans recipe was among 54 healthy ones Top: Deborah Webster,left,joined her daughter Sophie at the Kids'State Dinner in Washington, D.C. Bollin's ri that stood out from 1,500 entries and tickled the taste buds of won the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge.Above:The pla settings at the Kids'State Dinner. judges like Sam Kass (executive director of the first lady's Let's Move initiative) and Tanya Steel of Epicurious. Provided photo, The recipe served as Bollin's ticket to a table in the East Room of the White House. She will have quite the tale to tell in September when she heads to Minnesota Math and Science Academy in Woodbury as a seventh-grader. After a hug from Michelle Obama and a pep talk from 10-year-old Braeden Mannering, a contest winner from last year who spoke about his effort to disburse healthy lunches to the homeless, Bollin was inspired.And maybe a little hungry. rr; The day after she returned home from D.C. with her mother, Deborah Webster, Bollin shopped at a nearby food stand. "We bought corn, peaches, cucumbers, potatoes, muskmelon and Provided photo Deborah Webster and Sophia Bollinr ate the Kids State Dinner in Washington DC.S p hia's recii watermelon. We bought so much because, from hearing from forquinoa and black beans was a winner in the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. Braeden, I want to make a difference, but I know that to make that Feed Loader, difference, it needs to start in my own home," Bollin said. Cooking healthfully at home would be the start of her effort to encourage others to eat well. "Maybe if I tell just one or two people every week about it, it can go all over," she-said. Her mother was still aglow from their once-in-a-lifetime experience. "I talked with several other mothers there, and we a agreed that this event rated up there with marriage and childbirth,"Webster said. She was also struck by the larger purpose of the gathering:to get the word out to children and their parents that kids ar more than willing to eat healthy meals. "There's no reason that parents can't fall in line and follow their children's lead o Children would prefer to eat healthy lunches if given the opportunity," she said. http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=268313862 7/24/2014 StarTribune - Print Page Page 2 of 2 Like many culinary ventures, Bollin's winning recipe was a collaborative effort. Her mother had been trying to cook more dishes that were vegetarian-based or used less meat. "Sophie in particular lo black beans, and I love quinoa," said Webster. Together with older sister Samantha Webster, they started with an onlin recipe, gutted it and tailored it to their own family's tastes and seasonings. "My family loves quinoa, and I love black beans, so we mixed the two together and voila," Bollin's entry noted. "We sen with a fresh fruit salad. It is gluten-free and nut-free, and you can make it lactose-free by omitting the cheese." The recil landed on their roster of family favorites. The White House luncheon that day was made up of many of those kids'winning recipes. And the emphasis is on man Though there were only three courses, they included a total of eight dishes. First course offered bites of Chicken and G Salad Lettuce Wraps, Muffin Tin Egg White Frittatas, Mike's Chicken and Vegetable Dumpling Cups, and Smoky Southwestern Dip With Wheat Pita. Not to worry, though, if some dishes were a bit too bold or unfamiliar. "We didn't have to eat it all if we didn't want to," said Bollin, who wasn't fazed by the culinary options. "It was delicious." Find all the winning recipes at www.letsmov.gov. Follow Lee Svitak Dean on Twitter: @StribTaste ©2014 Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=268313862 7/24/2014