The Eating Habits of 14-17year-olds in Captivity

I have had an interesting 2 1/2 weeks observing the eating habits of the 14 to 17 year-olds in captivity now that school has started. I have to say, I am actually impressed with what they choose to eat.

Institutional food is never extremely good. All in all, students do not complain about lunch too much nowadays. I have a theory about this: they are starving.

But, also, lunches are different today than when most parents were in school. It used to be that a tray lunch was all that was available and it was decent, even on mystery meat days. During the mid-70's to early 80's students could go off campus for lunch, zipping as far away as Chets or McDonald's, both on the west side of town. There was also the mad dash to My Place, gulping down the giant-sized tea, which resulted inevitably in needing a hallpass to the restroom, but the small amount of freedom to leave campus at will was exhilarating.

As campuses were closed in the late 80's and early 90's, fast food moved onto campus. Things like Subway, Mazzio's, Arby's and McDonald's made their way into the cafeteria, but that was not to last long. It was quickly replaced by the cafeteria's own attempt at fast food, a move which put institutional food back into the green as a money maker. A big draw was Homecookin' Thursday consisting of good ol' chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. Mm-Mm good.

Today's cafeteria food is all about chicken nuggets, pizza, Mexican food and salads. There is even cappuccino and cheesecake. A vegetarian is still hard pressed to eek out a meal, but it's coming soon.

And technology has entered the high school cafeteria, as well. No more stealing some one's lunch number, as today's students enter their pin number on a keypad and up pops their picture, right there for the lunch lady to see.

One thing I have not seen in a couple of years is anyone packing a lunchbox. I think that might just be a sign that the prospect of getting good cafeteria food is looking up. For the 14 to 17 year-olds spending their days in captivity, that is good news, indeed.

A big thanks to Irma Crank and the MHS cafeteria staff, as well as to all cafeteria staffs at schools everywhere! Thanks for the daily feeding of our children. Have a great year!

CaveDweller sends along this recipe for the hungry teenagers in your life and any hungry adults who might be out there, too.

Soda Pop Apple Dumplings
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2 cans Crescent rolls
2 to 3 apples peeled, cored and cut into 8 to 12 large slices
1 Cup Brown sugar ( firmly packed) White sugar if using Mountain Dew
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 and 1/2 sticks of butter ( not margarine )
16 to 18 ounces Dr. Pepper or Mountain Dew (The CaveDwellers prefer Dr. Pepper )
A little Pam cooking spray

Lay out each crescent roll flat on a flat surface. Using fingers, gently press each roll to flatten a bit and to make large enough to wrap around an apple slice and seal by pinching dough. ( Lay apple slice at larger end and roll )
Place in 9 x 13 baking dish sprayed lightly with Pam.
Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over top of dumplings.
Melt butter and drizzle over dumplings.
Gently pour the Dr. Pepper or Mountain Dew over all.
Bake approximately 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve warm with ice cream or simply enjoy as is!