Archive for kids

Justin’s Nut Butter

September 23, 2011 · Filed under Brands I Love, Kid Tip, kids · Tagged , ,

I love Justin’s Nut Butters, my personal favorite being Chocolate Hazelnut.  I am not claiming this is “health food” but it is certainly a better alternative than a lot of snack foods that line our shelves!  2Tbl has 3 g fiber and 5g protein, and Justin’s is free trade, prepares their nut butters from the freshest ingredients, and in small batches.  It is just a fun, yummy product!

I always microwave peanut butter (not in the jar, nor in plastic folks) for about 10 seconds so it will smooth onto the bread easier.  Well, oops the other day I hit 1 minute, and then got distracted.  BEST mistake EVER!

So the kids and I started dipping into our melted yumminess…apple slices and then some pretzels , when a brilliant, if I don’t say so myself, idea struck!

We dipped, then froze our concoction and they are simply divine!

Melt, dip, lay on wax paper on a plate or tray.  Place in freezer and that is it!

About three hours later when we checked them.

Throw in a bag, back in freezer and a great high protein/fiber snack that the kids had fun making, an is actually pretty healthy!

I buy Newman’s Own because I try to avoid the white flour most pretzels are made from.  They have Spelt, Whole Wheat, & High protein.  They are not inexpensive, but kind of like buying organic fruit…we don’t waste them.  So instead of throwing the bag on the counter and letting the kids eat them until they feel sick, they get a portion in a bowl…and that is that.  20 pretzels runs about 100 calories, 4g of fiber and 5 g of protein.  We used two tablespoons of Justin’s to cover a whole tray of pretzles…so like I said, not too high in calories and lots of good stuff snuck in!

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mason jars, the perfect container

September 6, 2011 · Filed under Kid Tip, kids, Products I can't live without, Snacks · Tagged

I LOVE mason jars.  I love to put flowers in them, serve iced tea in them, use them for pens, pencils and paint brushes.  This summer I started using them to store snacks in.  Here’s why:

I am a visual person and I eat what I see.  One of the easiest things I did in cleaning up my eating was getting the JUNK out of my house.  I was never the type of unhealthy eater that walked around thinking about what kind of crud I was going to inflict bodily harm upon myself with next.  However when I was hungry and I opened that pantry door…if I SAW it, I ATE it!

I know I have said it a million times and I will not stop preaching that preparation is 99% of the arsenal you need to win the battle against junk-food!  It is when we surround ourselves with garbage, or venture out into the world hungry that almost all of the damage is done.

So I noticed this to be true with my kids.  Neither of them have any weight issues to date.  So far they know and use food as fuel, energy that keeps them going.  But what I was finding was when they were rummaging through the pantry I had no idea how much of the food in there they were eating at a time.  It wasn’t until they would hand me an empty bag or box that I knew an item was gone.  I also realized early on that when a child is hungry and you provide the snack they eat it, even if EXTREMELY healthy!  However if you tell them to help themselves they will choose the easy, fast options…crackers, bars, goldfish.

I can’t always be standing by to prepare a healthy snack.  And honestly at the rate these two eat (all day long) I don’t even want to try…I would do nothing else.  So I have taken to placing the options I am happy with in Mason jars on the counter.  Here they get choices, I get an idea of how much they are eating, and all the snacks stay fresh!  Plus I know when I need to buy more, verses finding the empty package on the floor of the pantry when I go to make lunches!

When I can make it I do.

When I can’t they can help themselves!

WHY MASON JARS?
1. Dishwasher safe
2. Re-usable
3. Not plastic (though hard to break)
4. Clear
5. Stain-proof
6. Make food look delicious
7. Stackable and packable
8. Lids and jars can be purchased separately
9. Help control portions
10. Inexpensive

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Banana Banna Bo Fanna

July 29, 2011 · Filed under Fruit, kids, Sweet Treats · Tagged , ,

A few weeks ago my Sister tells me she has a new nighttime addiction. Frozen bananas. Hmmmm. She said in one of her magazines she read that if you peel a banana, slice it, freeze it and then throw the frozen banana chunks into the blender with a few blueberries or a squeeze of lime you have a pretty satisfying dessert. I am really not a banana fan (me personally, my family goes through about 6 a day), but thought it was worth a try.

So it took me a while to get this blended because the first night I went to try it the phone rang. When I came back the bananas had defrosted just enough that when I stuck one in my mouth and bit down I thought I had died and gone to heaven. What the heck? How did I not know that frozen bananas were so DEVINE! So I started just eating frozen banana slices. I put them on oatmeal, in with my greek yogurt, and just have been noshing on them plain. They take a while to eat, and leave you feeling like you had a little somethin’ somethin’.

Alas I made the concoction and she was right, really yummy, and the kids loved it!

One Banana…

Healthy Snack: Frozen Banana with Dry Roasted, Sliced Almonds

Need a fat-free creamy snack that will keep you out of the ice cream aisle? Aside from being loaded with potassium and vitamin C, bananas also freeze smooth. Grab a frozen banana toss it in a food processor, pulse it a few times, sprinkle with sliced almonds and dig in with the biggest spoon around. (Whole Living)

Calories: 189

Two Banana…

Whipped Sorbet

Ingredients

Serves 2

  • 3 bananas, peeled and frozen
  • 1 cup frozen berries

Directions

  1. Puree ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Serve immediately.

Three Banana…

Magic Banana Ice Cream

Magic Banana Ice Cream

One ripe banana per person; the riper the banana is, the sweeter the “ice cream” will be.

1. Peel and slice the bananas, place on baking sheet and freeze

2. Remove from freezer and slightly thaw enough to remove from baking sheet

3. Place frozen bananas in a strong blender/food processor or juicer with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. It comes out creamy and delicious. Sprinkle to your liking with nutmeg or cinnamon and sliced berries.

This works equally well with frozen mangoes or frozen berries or a combination of fruit. Experiment to see what you like. If using a blender, it may be necessary to thaw the frozen bananas a little longer than in a juicer. This recipe is from Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease.

My finished product!

Just banana's nothing else!

Four,

So this got me thinking. You know what I did love back in the day? Banana pudding, DELISH! The cook in our Sorority (yes I did a brief stint) made the most amazing banana pudding. I shudder to even think about how fattening that dish was, and how much of it I ate. I found this photo online and it looks about right!

I am not going to post THIS recipe because I am pretty sure it could be classified as “bodily harm”. But here are just a few of the ingredients: cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla pudding mix, whole milk, frozen whipped topping; vanilla wafers (oh ya, and 3 bananas). I gained weight just TYPING that out.

So the hunt was on, there had to be a healthier version! Sure enough it wasn’t even hard to find. Is it the same, no….thank Goodness. But pretty darn good and fun for the kids!

Banana Chocolate-Chip Delish!

(The website I found this on called it “Greek Yogurt Surprise” The word “Surprise” when Mommy cooks, no longer goes over well with my Children. S0 I have renamed the dish!)

Ingredients:

  • 8 -4 oz cups Non-Fat Honey Greek Yogurt
  • 2-Boxes Madagascar Vanilla Wafers
  • 8-Large Bananas
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

  • Open yogurt containers and mix yogurt in a bowl.
  • Cut all bananas into small slices.
  • Pour wafers into a bowl and smash them until crushed.
  • Get a clear large bowl for the layering process. Start with the cookies on the bottom, then yogurt, then bananas, repeat three about three times. End with cookies on top. Then sprinkle chocolate chips on the very top!
  • Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours.

Four Bananas make a bunch
and so do many more.
Over hill and highway
the banana buggies go.
Comin’ on to bring you
The Banana Splits Show

Makin’ up a mess of fun
Makin’ up a mess of fun
Lots of fun for everyone

Tra-La-La, La-La-La-La
Tra-La-La, La-La-La-La
Tra-La-La, La-La-La-La
Tra-La-La, La-La-La-La

Four banana, three banana
two banana, one.
All bananas playing
in the bright warm sun.

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Oprah Recipe – Sautéed Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes

May 23, 2011 · Filed under Quick Dinner Ideas, kids, Chicken · Tagged , , , ,

Oprah is off the air this week, so it seems fitting to post an easy, healthy, and delicious find from her O Magazine.  Credit for this one goes to Linda, who over drinks mentioned her family LOVED it!  Well you all know I immediately asked for the 411!!!

I made the dish last night, and it is great!  You also know what a fan of “One Pan” meals I am and this is as close as it gets.  I can’t officially label it “One Pan” because you have to boil noodles in a separate one!

This could also be served over greens or brown rice.  I used whole grain noodles and we all gave it the thumbs up! 

 

Sautéed Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes

Servings: Serves 6
Ingredients
 
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 4 cloves garlic , smashed and coarsely chopped
  • 6 shallots , peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes , rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt , plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound spinach angel hair pasta , cooked according to package directions
Directions
In a 12-inch skillet, a Dutch oven or a lidded casserole, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken, and cook until golden brown, about 6 minutes total, turning midway through cooking time. Remove with tongs and brown remaining chicken breasts. Set aside.Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and shallots, and sauté until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add cherry tomatoes, oregano, white wine, salt and pepper, and sauté until wine reduces by a third, about 4 minutes, shaking the pan from time to time. Return chicken to pan, cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve chicken over angel hair pasta.
 
(Because I was making this primarily for the kids as we were headed out to see a show, I added the noodles back to the pan, and diced it all up, more of a “kid prep”.  I find it is always easier to get kids to eat, and try new things when the food is easy to eat)
 
The original presentation looked more like this:
 
 

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Snack 101

May 11, 2011 · Filed under 411, Brands I Love, Costco, Kid Tip, kids, Snacks, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods · Tagged , , ,

A friend of mine was in desperate search of new snack ideas for her kid’s lunches!  She put the call out to her friends on Facebook and I loved seeing all the replies.  We can always learn new tricks and new ideas…not to mention it gets you thinking!

Some of these are mine, so you have seen them before, but lots of new ones and all in one place!

Thanks Tracy!  Keeping us healthy and accountable, I LOVE it!  Plus such a great way to end the year…keeping it FRESH!!!

  

Snack 101

Hummus & Pita

Hummus & Veggies

(Costco sells hummus snack packs)

Ants on a log

(celery & cream cheese or peanut butter topped with raisins)

What about ladybugs on a log?  Cream cheese & celery topped with craisins or dried cherries

 

Rice cakes or mini rice cakes topped with cream cheese, almond butter or peanut butter

popcorn

cucumber slices with lemon pepper

trail mix (suck up a few M&M’s and get lots of healthy protein in them)

granola

Late July brand crackers/snacks

Stretch Island Fruit Leather counts as 1/2 serving of fruit

Trader Joe’s Organic  fruit wrap

grapes & cashews

grapes & pumpkin seeds

Justin’s peanut butter squeeze packs

 (kids get to knead & squeeze, still a processed food, but lots of fun and a great source of protein)

Trader Joe’s “Just A Handful of Almonds”

small oranges peeled, and separated for them

Cliff Kid Organic Twist Fruit (1 serving of fruit)

Asian Pear Crisps

(Costco, dried fruit with no added sugar/preservatives)

Food Should Taste Good brand Cheddar chips 

(healthy version of a Doritos, 9 chips has 3g fiber & 3g protein)

SomerSaults Chocolate Flavor

(Whole Foods, PCC, Met Market)

Strawberries, blackberries,  blueberries or raspberries

(Use Pottery Barn snack containers and nothing gets mushy or crushed plus designed to fit in your lunchbox)

FAGE Greek Yogurt

(flavor comes on the side for kids to add and has 1/4 to 1/2 the sugar most flavored yogurts have)

Lettuce wraps

(anything you would put on bread wrapped in Trader Joe’s “Just Leaves”)

Dried Fruits from Whole Foods (again watch for added sugar)

Cold Pasta Salad add diced turkey and a bit of Italian dressing

Protein on a stick: cubed turkey/ham/cheese/grapes/cherry tomatoes

Fruit on a stick with some yogurt for dipping

Organic Z Bar by Cliff Kid

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Michael’s Fast Fish Tacos

February 27, 2011 · Filed under Quick Dinner Ideas, Trader Joe's, kids, Shrimp · Tagged , , , , ,

You all remember my Girl Kim’s Famous Fish Tacos? (Click here for a refresher) Well you know it is almost Maui Time when the cravings hit!  A year ago I met Kim and I really scored an AWESOME Fish Taco recipe out of the deal, but even better I got a GREAT friend, and yet another smart, wise, strong, successful….(did I say smart?)  female in my life!  Love you Kim!  If you want to know what is up in the world of fashion check her out on Face Book…if you want some hands on help, hire this girl http://pinkpagodastyle.com/!

So after a cold, sunny week of skiing what did the family unanimously vote for for dinner tonight?  You guessed it  My Girl Kim’s Famous Hawaiian Fish Tacos!!!  Well, I am out of Bone Dust (how the heck did I let this happen) and the empty fridge was singing more of a “Pizza for dinner” tune, if you catch my drift!

Well Michael was put in-charge, and I must say…though these were not Kim’s Tacos…not too SHABBY for a quick run to Trader Joe’s and a little innovating in the kitchen!

Sorry for the lack of photos, but this skied out bunch INHALED these babies, and in a pinch My Husband Michael’s FAST Fish Tacos will be another quick go-to meal for this family!

My Husband Michael’s FAST Fish Tacos

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 package frozen Mahi Mahi from Trader Joe’s
  • 1 container Trader Joe’s papaya mango salsa
  • 1 package taco seasoning
  • flour or corn tortillas or a blue corn crunchy taco shell
  • 1 package broccoli slaw
  • 1 container plain, non-fat yogurt

DIRECTIONS:

  • Sprinkle taco seasoning onto the Mahi Mahi and pan fry in a touch of olive oil
  • put broccoli slaw, salsa, and yogurt in a mixing bowl and combine and mix to desired consistency
  • put mixture onto a tortilla
  • add fish
  • eat

Like Men men can be, this recipe is simple, and pretty straight forward.  I can not provide any specific details to proportions or amounts because none could be provided to me.  However, YUMMY!

Photos courtesy of other Internet Users…THANKS

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Who doesn’t love to dip?

February 27, 2011 · Filed under Kid Tip, kids, Snacks · Tagged , ,

Thanks to Brenda, a fellow Tweeter, for sharing this Good Stuff!!!

ADA Article

TIP OF THE DAY
Dip into Nutrition
Do you enjoy snacks that you can dip into unique blends of flavor? Check out these ideas for healthful snacks that you can dip into:

Dip baby carrots and cherry tomatoes in low-fat ranch dressing.
Dip strawberries or apple slices in low-fat yogurt.
Dip pretzels in mustard.
Dip pita chips in hummus.
Dip graham crackers in applesauce.
Dip baked tortilla chips in bean dip.
Dip animal crackers in low-fat pudding.
Dip bread sticks in salsa.
Dip a granola bar in low-fat yogurt.
Dip mini-toaster waffles in cinnamon applesauce.
For more information on nutritional snacks for the whole family, visit www.kidseatright.org.

Produced by ADA’s Strategic Communications Team

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Prawns. Dip. Done.

February 8, 2011 · Filed under Fish, Recipes, Quick Dinner Ideas, Appetizers, kids · Tagged , , ,

You guys know by now how much this girl LOVES an easy dinner that my family will eat, is healthy…and frankly requires VERY LITTLE work on my part!  Well this dish began its circuit with my friends as an appetizer.  The perfect appetizer if I am honest.  Simple, easy to prepare, yet tastes great, and leaves your guests asking for the recipe.  A winner for sure. 

One of my New Years Resolutions for 2011 was to stop saving the best things for special occasions.  Crystal glasses have come out for OJ, wedding china has served my kids macaroni and cheese (after I peeled a few labels off the bottom), Michael and I enjoyed a $90 of wine with some chili the other night (a gift, I don’t spend $90 on wine)- I am wearing cashmere on days I do nothing, and even the “good” jewelry has made its way to happy hour!  What the heck, life is short! 

So in this same spirit this yummy appetizer of jumbo prawns has made its way to Monday night dinner and it was a hit, even with the kiddos!

 

I forgot to take a pic, this is pretty close, minus the cilantro, which would taste great!

Prawns:

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail on

Dipping Sauce:

1/4 Cup mayonnaise (whichever you buy for your home.  Olive Oil, low-fat, they all will work) 

1/4 Cup plain yogurt (I use Greek yogurt)

1 teaspoon grated lime peel

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon capers, chopped up dash of ground cayenne pepper

(Now some plain low-fat sour cream/or greek yogurt with some chopped up cilantro, or a Taziki sauce from Costco or Trader Joe’s will work JUST FINE here for Monday night dinner, no need to bring out the capers and fresh lime juice for the kiddos)

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients for sauce in a bowl and refrigerate prior to serving (helps it to get a bit thicker).

2. Toss shrimp with spice mixture and saute in pan with a little olive oil until cooked through.

The other thing I so adore about this dish  is though the prawns taste good hot, they actually taste just as good cold so there is no need to rush everyone to the table.  I served them with a big salad tonight, but they have also been served A la carte…hey, if I didn’t buy it deep-fried and wrapped in brown paper I am one step ahead of the game!

Cheers!

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Sausage and Apple Kebabs

January 25, 2011 · Filed under Chicken, kids, Quick Dinner Ideas, Turkey · Tagged , , ,

You know you are on to something when your kids walk in and say “YUMMY!” before it has even gone into the oven!  Can’t go wrong with this one, super easy, fast, and DELISH!

You can use any sausage or kielbasa you like.  I purchase a lot of Garret County Products (owned by Wellshire Farms) when I am doing sausages or kielbasa because their products are 100% free of nitrates, nitrites, antibiotics, hormones, preservatives and artificial ingredients.  If you and/or your kids eat a lot of hot dogs or other processed meats with nitrites it might be a good idea to find a brand you like that is Nitrite Free.  Studies are showing a direct link between some childhood cancers and high intake of nitrites.)

 

Sausage and Apple Kebabs

  • 18 ounces fully cooked chicken sausage links or kielbasa (you can find cooked sausage in packages in the meat section of the supermarket)
  • 2 apples (preferably Fuji or Braeburn, which hold their shape in the oven)
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 8 small wooden skewers, soaked for 15 minutes. (I made more, leftovers never hurt)

I did some regular turkey kielbasa for the kids and some spicy chorizo for us

Heat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut the sausage on the diagonal into small chunks. Core and cut the apples into chunks. Thread the sausage and apples on to skewers and place on baking sheet. Brush the skewers with 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and roast for 10 minutes. Brush with the remaining tablespoons of maple syrup and continue to roast until the apples are tender but still hold their shape, 10 to 15 minutes more.

Print this recipe from DALS (click this link)

I added some different colored carrots baked with a touch of brown sugar. This could go with any veggie, over some brown rice, with a nice big salad, or simply as is!

And one last bonus, James wanted leftovers in his fuel bowl for lunch!  Score, lunch is done! 

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Be Green, on the inside.

January 4, 2011 · Filed under Fruit, kids, Organics, Shake It Up!!!, SuperFoods, Veggies · Tagged , , , ,

The New Year usually means DETOX!  Lord knows I need it!  My gem of a husband knows me too well and for Christmas I got a shiny, red, revved-up machine!  V6 baby!  Ok, not a car, a Vita-Mix blender.  I have eyed this for 2 years, pretty much since I started eating clean, and let me tell you it was worth every red-cent he spent!

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!  My kids have had more kale, flat leaf parsley, tomatoes, carrots, arugula and spinach since Christmas Day than they have had since birth…and the best part is they have no idea!  Add one apple or pear and all they taste is sweet!  SCORE!

Now that said I have felt a bit guilty not sharing all of the awesome smoothies and concoctions we have been drinking -but I know from experience that a normal blender just cannot do to veggies what a Vita-Mix does…and I pretty sure 99% of you, and your kids, would GAG if you had a green paste for a snack!

So in the spirit of giving I set out to find a Green Drink that is “regular blender friendly”, and can allow you to Detox, or just load up on some phytonutrient-rich GREEN yumminess and give your liver a good rinse…(incase like mine it was bathed in red wine over the last month)!

Kid Approved

Green Smoothie

1 cup kale or collard greens firmly packed, stems removed, coarsely chopped (4 oz.)
1 Granny Smith apple, coarsely chopped
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 1/4 cups water

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water.

The 411 on the Green Smoothie (Serves 2) Per serving: 105 calories; 0 g saturated fat; 0 g unsaturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbs; 32 mg sodium; 2 g protein; 4 g fiber.

For 25 more of these, please visit the 28 Day Action Plan at http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/smoothies#slide_1

 Tip:  Stick with the Green/Red ones for more nutrient dense options, and watch the sugar!  Also note most of the calories listed are for 2 servings, if a smoothie has a 100 calories drinking the whole thing is a great snack…at 400 calories you just shot your day-and could have had a KILLER milkshake!

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