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Whips up tasty and healthy meals for kids on Fox 5 in Washington, DC
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Vegan and Raw Food Cuisine Expert Lauren Von Der Pool recently shared her secrets to winning over young picky eaters on the Fox 5 morning news.  Anchor Gurvir Dhindsa (pictured on the right with Von Der Pool) told the chef that she often struggles to get her 2-year-old twins to eat healthy treats.  Von Der Pool, who has a 7-year-old son, said sometimes you have to trick kids with dishes that look pleasing to them.  Dishes like the one she made on the show -- Vegan Coconut French Toast topped with a Berry and Mango Happy Face. (see photo below).  Click here to get the recipe. 

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Grilling Tips Series Part 3: Gas vs. Charcoal Grills -- I love to grill.  Been doing it for years, so I definitely have an opinion on which is better.  Gas or charcoal?  Honestly, it just depends on how much time you have and what you are cooking.  Click here to see what I mean.

Special Onion Series -- Cooking would be NOTHING without onions.  I know the folks that don't like them disagree, but trust me, there is a variety that suits nearly everyone.  For the next several weeks, I am dedicating my tips to this versatile ingredient because like I said, cooking would be NOTHING without it. 
 
Part 1:  Yellow and white onions -- Yellow (Spanish) onions are arguably the most used onions in the kitchen because they are generally the cheapest.  They are very strong when eaten raw, but cooking mellows the flavor.  This is the onion I use the most.  White onions are a little sweeter and milder in flavor.  They work well in most recipes that call for raw or cooked onions.

         
                            Yellow onions                                     White onions
 
Note:  Always remember to use a sharp knife to cut onions, so you don't cry.  Also, store them in a cool dry area, and they should last for at least a few weeks.  After that, they will start to sprout and become very pungent.

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Chef Lauren Von Der Pool, Vegan/Raw Food Cuisine Expert
Daiya cheese -- This dairy-free cheese looks, tastes and melts like cheese.  It's available in cheddar and mozzarella.  So, you folks who say you can't be vegan because you aren't willing to give up cheese -- now you can!  Daiya cheese is available at most health food stores. 

Learn more about Von Der Pool's exotic vegan and raw food cuisine at vonderpoolgourmet.com. 



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Do you have a culinary question or tip to share? 

Email your questions and tips, along with your city and state, to  drakeel@drakeelenterprises.com.  We will do our best to publish as many as we can.  

Von Der Pool is scheduled to do a raw food demo at the Olney Farmers and Artist Market.  The chef is pictured on the left during her recent market appearance.

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