Veg Out

Dallas and Highland Park ISDs embrace all-veg spread for school lunch

With Earth Day this week, two Dallas-area school districts are observing the enviro-holiday in a unique way: by hosting "Lean & Green Day," with an all-vegetarian spread for their school lunches.

Both Highland Park and Dallas will offer a number of courses, including one starring Beyond Meat, the ultra-convincing meat substitute whose believers include Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Highland Park's ISD will serve its veggie meal on Earth Day, April 22; Dallas ISD is going veg on April 30.

Here's Dallas ISD's April 30 menu:

Baked ziti with whole grain pasta and meat sauce with Beyond Meat beef-free crumbles
Enchiladas with whole grain flour tortillas, black beans, rice, cheese and chili sauce
Mediterranean salad made with falafel, feta cheese, Romaine lettuce, cherry tomato and cucumber, served with flatbread
Chicken salad sandwich made with Beyond Meat chicken-free strips, apple, grapes and celery

Highland Park ISD's April 22 menu:

Mucho beef and bean burrito, made with Beyond Meat beef-free crumbles
Spinach and cheese lasagna
Steamed rice
Steamed edamame

Eddie Garza, food policy manager for the Humane Society of the United States, which is helping coordinate the event, previewed some of the menu items to staff, students and parents. "It's exciting to see Dallas and Highland Park ISDs' child nutrition departments providing healthy, delicious and sustainable school lunches in honor of Earth Day," he says.

At Highland Park, food services coordinator Karen Jacobsen is folding the Earth Day meal into part of a monthly program she created called "Wild Card Wednesday."

"Every third Wednesday of the month, we do something off the menu, which the students look forward to, since it's not same thing over and over," she says. "I happened to look at the calendar and noticed it said Earth Day [and thought] 'Perfect! We'll give this a try.'"

The beef and bean burrito is a vegan recipe, posted online "so parents can see," she says. "It has taco seasoning and is quite tasty. We're also doing a cheese and spinach lasagna; we always try to have two, and edamame."

She anticipates a warm reception. "We have a fair increase in the number of vegetarian students," she says. "And you'd be surprised at the number of elementary students who eat edamame."

In early April, the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee for the USDA — a panel that helps set federal dietary guidelines — recommended for the first time ever that Americans eat less meat not only because it's healthier, but also because it's better for the environment. It set off the beef, pork and poultry industries, but the committee ultimately concluded that a vegan diet had the most potential health benefits.

In Dallas schools, meals already include regular vegetarian options, says Margaret Lopez from the district's nutrition services department.

"In our district, we have at least 75 different home languages," Lopez says. "We have people from around the world who may choose not to eat animal foods. In some of our schools, that requirement is very prominent. So that's why we always have some alternative.

"Fortunately, it is possible to get some nice complementary protein from a combination of legumes and grains."

For many of those students, lunch is crucial, because such a large number of Dallas ISD students rely on school lunches: 85 percent of elementary students and 65 percent of high school students, Lopez says.

"We have to make sure the kids will eat what we offer," she says. "This day is important because it's introducing them to something different."

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Heat Wave News

Dallas pet owners should take these steps with oncoming heat wave

SPCA

Keep your pets hydrated. Consider putting out a kiddie pool.

Dallas weather is about to take a serious turn, and the SPCA has valuable advice on what steps pet owners should take. It's easy to forget that animals get hit hard by the heat, and especially in Texas: A report by Veterinarians.org found that Texas was No. 1 on the list of states with heat-related pet deaths. Based on data they compiled from 2018-2022, Texa had 40 reported heat-related pet deaths — more than six times the national five-year average.

In a statement, SPCA of Texas Interim Chief Veterinarian Valarie Tynes, DVM, DACVB, DACAW reminds pet owners that their pets have very few ways to cool themselves down.

“As a veterinarian, I’ve seen far too many cases of dogs and cats suffering from heatstroke, often brought into the emergency room when it’s already too late," Tynes says. "Our pets have very limited ways to cool themselves down. They can sweat a small amount through their paw pads, but their main way to release excess heat is by panting. Panting helps pets cool off through the evaporation of moisture, but it only provides limited relief, especially during extreme temperatures."

Tynes says that, when the body can’t shed heat fast enough, serious internal damage begins to occur.

"The proteins and chemicals that keep the body functioning start to break down," she says. "I’ve seen heat affect the kidneys and brain—organs and processes that are incredibly sensitive to high temperatures."

Breed, overall health and environment all can influence how at-risk a pet is, but one thing is always true: prevention is critical. Please don’t underestimate how dangerous heat can be.

Tynes advises pet owners to keep pets in cool, shaded areas, provide plenty of fresh water, and avoid walks or outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Here are some proactive measures to keep pets safe and comfortable during these sweltering days:

Keep your pets hydrated
Make sure your furry friends have access to fresh, cool water at all times. Consider placing multiple water bowls around your home and refill them regularly. If your pets must be outside during the day, make sure there are plenty of shady spaces throughout the day and several shaded, nontippable water bowls filled with ice water. Do not use metal bowls outside.

If possible, a small wading pool filled with cold ice water and placed in a shaded area outside is preferred. This not only allows pets to drink but also to cool off in the water when overheating.

Schedule exercise with your pets wisely on warm days
Give your pet plenty of water before and after walks or playtime. Be sure to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Early mornings (before 10 a.m.) or late evenings (after 5 p.m.)—when temperatures are lower—are ideal for walks or playtime.

Hot pavement can burn paw pads, so opt for walking on grassy areas. Consider using paw wax or booties to shield sensitive paws from hot pavement, rocks or sand that can cause burns and blisters. If you cannot hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five to 10 seconds, the pavement is too hot for your pet.

Make sure your pets have plenty of shade
If your pet spends any time outside, be sure it has plenty of shade so he or she can get out of the sun. This is where the ground or grass will be coolest—under a tree, an umbrella, or a simple, open structure. Do not tie or restrain the pet so that it cannot move between shady spots as needed.

If it is really hot and humid, bring your pet indoors and into air-conditioned areas.

Never leave your pet in a locked car
No matter what, even if you think you will be away from the car for just a few minutes, do not leave your pet unattended in a parked car. The car can absorb enough energy within minutes to become a death mobile. A cracked window or two is not enough to prevent heatstroke when it’s hot, or even warm. It is also not enough to park in the shade on a hot day and leave all the windows and even sunroof open.

While weather in the 70s may seem harmless, a Stanford study showed that in just an hour, a car’s temperature rose to 116 degrees internally when left out in 72-degree heat. It is not recommended to leave the air conditioner running in a car for your pet. Oftentimes the air conditioner malfunctions, leading to overheating inside the vehicle.

Heatstroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect pets when they are exposed to high temperatures and excessive heat. Dogs and cats cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as humans, making them more susceptible to heatstroke. It can occur in as little as 10-15 minutes, especially in hot and humid environments or when an animal is left in a parked car.

Symptoms of heatstroke in pets include excessive panting, drooling, rapid breathing, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and collapse. It is crucial to act quickly if you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke. Move them to a cool and shaded area, offer fresh water, and use cool (not cold) water or damp towels to gradually lower their body temperature.

Then take the pet directly to an emergency veterinary clinic. Heat stroke can be fatal and can come on very quickly, so it’s best not to take any chances.

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