Standardized Tests, No Child Left Behind, and Chocolate-Covered Broccoli

So the kids finished their standardized tests for the week yesterday. And everything is back to normal. Somehow, I just can't help feeling, I don't know, empty.

The principal doesn't call anymore. He doesn't write.

Guess it's back to giving the kids candy bars for breakfast and letting them staying up all night doing math homework. Sigh.

I couldn't help feeling the tiniest bit guilty, though, for not giving them a proper hot breakfast today. So today I packed them a nice lunch of apples and Chocolate Covered Broccoli

You think I'm kidding? I created the recipe on a lark a few months ago, and the kids kinda liked it. When I ran the nutrition numbers (this is for the chocolate-covered broccoli alone, not the apples), I was delighted

It clocks in at 242 calories per serving, 15 g fat, 1 mg cholesterol, 4 g fiber, 6 g protein, 10% vitamin A and 44% vitamin C.

Yeah, it's a lot of fat, but it beats a Lunchables hot dog meal in fiber and vitamins by a mile (480 calories, 19 g fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 10 g protein, 2% vitamin A, 0% vitamin C). Maybe I'll even make it for the kids breakfast next week when they take their next round of tests mandated by the No Test -- I mean, Child -- Left Behind Act.

Chocolate Covered Broccoli image by Stephanie Gallagher, ©2008, licensed to About.com Inc.