![]() Healthy Corn Soup By Molly On Friday I really wanted something warm and different for dinner so I decided to make some corn soup. A couple years ago my mom had made a yummy corn soup but I didn’t have the recipe or fresh corn. I did a quick google search but none of the recipes I found were what I was looking for so I decided to just to try my own thing based of what I had seen and had available at home. It turned out well and I served it with millet and steamed kale... yum. Healthy Corn Soup *3 cups of frozen corn thawed *3 cups of cold water *¼ tsp of salt *2 TBS of cashews (14g) soaked in enough water to just cover them In a Vitamix puree 1 ½ cups of corn with 3 cups of water. Pour mixture into pot with rest of corn bring to a boil. Once boiling add salt and simmer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes put soup back in Vitamix with cashews and blend for about 30 seconds then enjoy. Makes about 5 ½ cups of soup. Have you tried any new recipes recently? Molly Hubner Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit my website or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com. Plus follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/mollyhubnersusbornebooks/
0 Comments
![]() 7 Trends for 2017 By Molly As I sit here reflecting on what 2017 is going to bring about there are my hopes and dreams for this year that I will fight for and thoughts too of what will be popular this year. Based on my perspective of things here are 7 trends I think will occur.
b. Amazon sells lots of WFPB cook books. c. Greger’s website Nutrition Facts and book is growing in popularity d. Plus WFPB diets are an inexpensive way to solve lots of people's health issues 2. Simplifying Meals.
3. Athletic Dress Clothes. Not everyone call live mostly in workout clothes like I do.
4. Straightforward Sustainable Workouts that can be done at home or right out your door. I run about 30 miles a week it is easy as I just get up and go. Then walk about the same amount between dropping the kids of and my next task that day. My strength training is 4 simple exercises I do at home 3 sets of pushups, sit ups/crunches, squats and arms with barbells three times a week.
6. Buy Nothing culture growing bigger
7. Small House/Apartment Living
What do you think will become trendy this year? Molly Hubner Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit my website or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com. Plus follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/mollyhubnersusbornebooks/ ![]() Since I stopped eating raw eggs about 5 years ago when I was pregnant with my son and now eggs altogether I really missed cookie dough. So this past weekend I tried making a healthy version of cookie dough modified from Katie Chocolate. Both my kids and I love the recipe and think it tastes like “real” cookie dough. If you are not use to less sweet recipes try this one. This is how I made my cookie dough: Ingredients: *One 16oz can of chickpeas drained *1/8 tsp baking soda *1 tbsp plus 1 tsp pure vanilla extract *1/4 cup peanut butter *1 and 1/4 cups (7 oz) pitted dates *1/3 cup chocolate chips *1 cup oats Instructions: In a bowl, cover the dates with 1/2 cup water. Let this sit for at least 8 hours or microwave for 1 minute then let sit for 10 minutes. Then add all ingredients (including the dates’ soaking liquid), except chocolate chips, to a food processor (for best results, not a blender) and process until very smooth. Hand mix in chocolate chips. Chill for at least an hour What are your favorite dessert/snack recipes that use beans? Molly Hubner Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit my website or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com. Plus follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/mollyhubnersusbornebooks/ Healthier Eating By Molly So after last weeks blog post you may be wondering what does my family eat for meals/snacks. I will break it down by meal. But first we mainly buy grains and dried beans in bulk from Amazon Subscribe and Save and Purcell Mountain (only beans) for produce, other fresh goods and frozen goods we mostly get from Trader Joe’s. Breakfast: During week the adults eat oat groats with cinnamon (ceylon) and a banana (we like the Bob’s Red Mill ones). The kids eat a fruit with chunky monkeys, oat bars, peanut butter packet, rice cake, Larabar or like, frozen whole grain waffles or Barbers whole grain animal crackers. On weekends the adults oat groats or eat tofu scramble (tofu, caramelized onions, mushrooms and greens sauteed together) with homemade muffins or whole grain homemade waffles/pancakes. The kids have fruit and the waffles or pancakes (we always freeze the extras for another weekend). Lunch: I eat Peanut Butter sandwich, a fruit and a veggie (usually Santa Cruz PB, TJ’s sprouted grain bread, an apple, and a carrot). My daughter eats lightly salted corn chips, Midel Graham Crackers, or lightly salted rice cake with a fruit and sometimes a nut protein. My son fruit and corn chips, crackers, bread, rice cake or a bar of some sort. My husband eats dinner leftovers and/or PB sandwiches. Dinner: We usually eat beans, a whole grain and a green or other veggie. On the weekend we might have lentil loaf with squash or a home made Indian or tomato sauce dish. The kids have to choose a veggie and grain or bean (they like chickpeas best) but when we have lentil loaf with squash or a home made Indian or tomato sauce dish the kids have a veggie and pasta or a little meat. The beans we like are chickpeas, Christmas Lima beans, Jacob’s Cattle beans, Giant White beans, lentils, black beans, Borlotti beans, split peas, Scarlet Runner beans and Baby Lima beans. Our favorite grains are quinoa, millet, buckwheat and bulgar but we also enjoy rye berries, spelt, brown rice and Sorghum. The adults favorite green is TJ’s Organic Tuscan Kale. We try to eat lots of different veggies as well as sweet potatoes, and squashes. Snack: A snack always starts with a fruit/veggie or something that contains a fruit. Here is a list of store bought snack we get.
We drink mostly water, water with apple cider vinegar, and seltzer water. I do drink a cup of coffee every morning with homemade almond milk (I like it better than store bought). For more great Whole Food Plant Based healthy eating tips check out Dr. Greger. What are your go to healthy meals? Molly Hubner Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit my website or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com. Plus follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/mollyhubnersusbornebooks/ Join Local Cape Cod Moms from Cape Cod Mommies & The Holistic Mama in: The Family Spring Cleanse!4/30/2014 ![]() Imagine your family happily eating nutritious whole foods and feeling satisfied with their new choices. Here's What People are Saying About Past Programs from The Holistic MamaGetting Your Family On Board: "I've been dabbling with real foods for a few months now, but your challenge has given me more focus. I could eat this way with no problems whatsoever; I was raised mainly on a real food diet. However, the rest of my family...not so much. I really wanted to show my daughter that there are many yummy options other than junk. Thanks for your daily guidance!" - Lisa Belles Trying New Things: I believe that this challenge has led me on a road to more discoveries. I plan to purchase only real foods from now on, at least the majority of the time. I will incorporate some items I already have in the cupboards (that are not real) until they are used up. A couple of new purchases that I have never tried before were coconut oil, chia seed and brown rice flour. There are so many new choices out there and I plan on continuing to try new items to see what I like and what I don't. - Jodi Cooney So, What is The Family Cleanse?A simple, easy to follow, cleanse program made with Families in mind. You will have a system to follow to help you save time and get the process started as soon as you download the cleanse guide. You will also have some AMAZING support during this program - not only from me - but also from all of these fabulous bloggers:
Option # 1 (Free)Join us and make the commitment to clean up your diet and get rid of processed packaged foods. Work on your own to create a meal plan full of healthy real food - heavy on the veggies, low on junk. You will receive:
To enter this program for free & download the free guide click here you will have the option to upgrade to the premium option anytime before May 28th. Option # 2 - Premium Membership ($49)You will receive:
How to Make Cinnamon Honey Grain-free Granola ![]() How to Make Fermented Fruit Leather ![]() How to Make Yogurt in a Dehydrator ![]() This is a group program that starts on May 28th through June 6th. Are you ready to clean up your family's diet??![]() $500+ of GiveawaysThis program includes the chance to win one of these wonderful prizes from our sponsors. This giveaway will go live once the group program begins on May 28th.![]()
If you have any questions about this program please don't hesitate to Contact Roxanne. ![]() By: Jennifer L. Long, RN, NCN October is here! Oh how I love the fall colors, the fall themes and especially the fall FOOD! This month makes me think of two MAJOR things, PUMPKINS and HALLOWEEN! With that being said this can also pose as a stressful season for anyone struggling with weight management or children with food allergies. I plan to cover the nutritional benefits of pumpkin and how it can help you lose weight as well as alternative goodies for trick-or-treating. When you think of a pumpkin, what comes to mind? Well, for the average person I would assume, the color orange, jack-o-lanterns, carving, pies and maybe even Cinderella! Since we know there will not be a fairy godmother changing our pumpkins into beautiful fairy tale coaches, lets re-think this whole pumpkin idea and switch gears into how these beautiful veggies can benefit our health. Pumpkins can boost your immune system because they are loaded with vitamin A and vitamin C to help fight the common cold; they are packed with antioxidants and can even improve your skin. They contain phytosterols, which lower your LDL (bad cholesterol). Struggle with digestion issues? Grab some pumpkin and reap the fiber benefits, which also will aid in keeping your blood sugar stable and help you shed a few extra pounds. One cup of pumpkin contains 3 grams of fiber and only 49 calories. There are multiple uses for pumpkins. Carving, baking, cooking and even spa treatments! When shopping this October, grab a fresh pumpkin or even a few cans that can be convenient for quick use. Trick-or-treating advice: If you are aware a child in your neighborhood struggles with a food allergy, get together with your neighbors and offer a special goody bag for that child to be able to enjoy going house to house in their costume and fit in with the other superheroes and princesses. If you are a parent of a child with a food allergy, talk to your friends and neighbors and offer to make goody bags to be handed out to your child as they bounce from yard to yard. Goody bag ideas are stickers, little party favor toys, markers, coins, etc. Here are 2 recipes for a PUMPKIN SPICE SMOOTHIE VEGAN PUMPKIN SPICE RECIPE: makes 2 servings 2 CUPS ALMOND MILK ½ CUP ROLLED OATS CHIA OR FLAX SEEDS 1 CUP CANNED OR FRESH PUMPKIN BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES 1 FROZEN RIPE BANANA 2 TSP CINNAMON GROUND GINGER/ NUTMEG MAPLE SYRUP (optional on top at the end) PROTEIN BOOST with HEMP PROTEIN FOR A THICKER CONSISTENCY ADD ICE VANILLA PUMPKIN SPICE SMOOTHIE: makes 2 servings 2 CUPS ALMOND MILK 2 SCOOPS MONAVIE VANILLA RVL SHAKE MIX 1 CUP CANNED OR FRESH PUMPKIN PUMPKIN SPICE/ NUTMEG ICE For nutrition consulting & to get your Monavie RVL please emailRNutrition2013@gmail.com or call (508) 360-2032 Jennifer L. Long, RN, NCN DBA RNutrition Health & Wellness "Transformation Begins With Nutrition" By: Emily Cape Cod Mommies was given this opportunity from NaturallySavvy.com to review the Free e-book: Label Lessons: Unjunk Your Kid's Lunch Box. We received no compensation for this review and the thoughts and opinions belong to the author. “As parents, we’re not immune to temptation… It’s easy to be drawn in by conveniently packaged foods promising to save time, especially in the morning rush.” I would say that quote from Andrea Donsky and Lisa Tsakos’ eBook, “Label Lessons: Unjunk Your Kid’s Lunch Box” sums up my personal relationship with packaged foods nicely. I want to provide nutritious and healthy meals for my son. I make efforts to minimize packaging, keep sugar low, and offer a variety of veggies and fruits with his meals. I am also lucky as my son, while picky at times, is a pretty adventurous eater and broccoli is one of his favorite foods. That being said, it can still feel overwhelming to keep up on all of the things one should or should not be feeding their child. Growing up in the 80’s when Velveeta cheese was a staple ingredient in at least one of my weekly dinners and my lunch box included a can of Coke and a bag of Double Stuffed Oreos, it is easy to rationalize that, “I turned out fine” and avoid thinking too much about ingredients. But a lot has changed since I was a child. As consumers we are able to more easily arm ourselves with knowledge (thanks to the almighty Internet) and manufacturing processes continue to incorporate more and more artificial ingredients into foods (to make more money) while packaging and marketing them towards our kids. What I like most about this eBook is that well first, it is FREE, and second it condenses a whole bunch of information into an accessible and easy-to-read format. You are not lectured or made to feel guilty. The authors are not out to build themselves up as the Ultimate Moms leaving you feeling like an inadequate parent as you read along. The eBook is designed to empower you with information and teach you some quick ways to be a better label reader. For all the parents out there with smartphones, you can reference the eBook right in the aisle of the grocery store. The eBook includes their list of the “scary seven” ingredients to be mindful of in packaged goods. I totally agree with every item they list and appreciate how they have itemized things to explain why they are worth avoiding for parents who may be less familiar with the negative nutritional impact of a specific ingredient. You are then provided a side-by-side comparison of similar products, such as two brands of whole wheat bread, to show you how to read product labels and make better choices. I already considered myself pretty knowledgeable regarding their “scary seven” list of ingredients, but when I got to the first product comparison I discovered an ingredient I had not paid much attention to before. DATEM. From the way they describe it this nasty, man-made fat somehow manages to avoid being included in the calorie or fat count on the product labels. I hopped onto the internet to do a quick search for DATEM, since it was not something I was familiar with. Several websites come up that describe the chemical structure but none of them discussed any of the claims about hidden fats that the eBook contends. When doing my own research on claims like this I strive to find not-for-profit sites (addresses ending with .org, or educational sites ending with .edu). There were not a lot of those options to choose from. I then noticed that the eBook provides a citation associated with each of their claims about DATEM. I was able to follow the link about hidden fats to the Weston A. Price Foundation. As a side note, if you are not familiar with the Weston A. Price Foundation nonprofit charity, I highly recommend you read their mission statement. So my personal conclusion on DATEM is that I would avoid it based on the rationale provided in the eBook, but want to point out that the source they cite is from a 2004 magazine article. While I believe the Weston A. Price Foundation (publisher of article) to be a reputable source of information, it is far different from a peer-reviewed scientific article that follows strict testing standards. Going back to the citation for a minute though, one of the key points of the article was: Currently the levels of trans contributed by MGs and DGs are relatively low [NOTE: “trans” is referring to trans fat and “MGs” and “DGs” are other names for DATEM], even when they appear several times in the ingredient list. However, as the public becomes more aware of the dangers of trans fats, the industry may be tempted to add more MGs and DGs containing trans fats in order to obtain the qualities they want in a food without having to list trans fats on the label. This article was written nine years ago. Trans fats were only added to food labels four years ago in 2009. So I would be highly suspect of any food containing DATEM today simply because the public is FAR more aware of trans fats now than when the article was written. I just pulled out the whole wheat bread I used to make my son’s sandwich this morning and guess what, it contain DATEM. Gross. So where is this tangent going and why should you care? This DATEM tangent illustrates how much time it takes to investigate and research ONE ingredient that appears on a food label. I did it to make sure that the conclusions outlined in the eBook follow my own line of thinking when it comes to avoiding ingredients. The point of Label Lessons: Unjunk Your Kid’s Lunch Box is to save you time and condense a lot of research and information that can be difficult to find into an easy-to-read format. They do not shy away from providing sources for each claim, so should you want to do your own additional investigating into a specific ingredient they flag, you can. I appreciate this kind of transparency as it makes me feel confident that the authors of the eBook are truly out to help parents without any hidden agendas or off-the-wall claims that have no merit. The eBook is only 27 pages long, so it is pretty easy to read through it, especially since much of the information is organized in bullet points or brief paragraphs. I expect it to be a resource I will refer to a lot as I go about finding products that do not contain any of the ingredients I want to avoid. First up for me is to find a new whole wheat bread. ![]() Let's face it, getting kids to eat their vegetables requires some creative thinking and a lot of patience at times. Vegetables are a crucial necessity for every child's diet but often kids turn up their noses at even the most deliciously prepared meal! We know a lot of you parents out there are SUPER CREATIVE in how you incorporate the veggies into meal time or snacks, so we want you to share the ideas with everyone so parents who are struggling can try new things! We have decided to issue a 14 Day Eat Your Veggies Challenge! One Cape Cod Mommies Reader will receive a: $100 Gift Certificate to Stop & Shop! How to Enter: It is really easy and you can enter your submission by simply posting a PICTURE of your creative way to incorporate Veggies on either Facebook or Twitter (or both if you'd like). Post your submission with the following: Getting #healthy with @Capecodmommies & @StopandShop #VeggieChallenge When you post the picture you MUST tag both Cape Cod Mommies, Stop & Shop and #VeggieChallenge. Rules: Contest will open on Monday August 5 and will end on Monday, August 19, 2013. Cape Cod Mommies will select the TOP 3 submissions and post them on the blog on Tuesday August 20, 2013. Readers will cast a vote for their favorite submission (more info to come when Final 3 are announced). Voting will close on Aug 22nd at 11:59pm. A winner will be chosen and announced on Friday August 23, 2013! Stop & Shop is responsible for delivery of prize. ![]() By: Amy E Let's face it, the majority of kids LOVE Mac & Cheese, my child would eat it every single day if he could. There has been a lot of PR lately regarding mac & cheese, in particular the manufacturer Kraft which uses the unnecessary food dyes Yellow 5 & 6. Between the latest hype and the fact that mac & cheese doesn't contain any veggies, I find myself on a quest to make the perfect Mac & Cheese to meet our needs. Since I haven't quite found the right combinations to make a cheese sauce, I used Annie's Organic's as my base. The result was a healthier and more delicious version that was a lot of fun to make together.... plus I snuck in a whole veggie! Cooking together was fun. It gave ownership of the meal to the Tiny One, plus since he is obsessed with measurement lately, we got to discuss a little math while we prepped. "Measure up, measure up, measure up!" Then we separated it into 3 separate meals and the next day pulled another out added some fresh strawberries and voila! ![]() You will need the following: - 1 Box of Annie's Mac & Cheese (you can use any brand or type you want, I decided to go with some of the Annie's Organic Shells as they were on sale at Stop & Shop last weekend) ~ 1 Yellow Squash (I may try a zucchini next time!) ~ Milk & Butter ~ Food Processor ![]() Prepare up the Mac & Cheese accordingly. While boiling the water, chop up the Squash into chunks. Use the food processor to break up the chunks of squash. Once the macaroni is cooked, combine it with the squash. Mix the rest of your ingredients and ENJOY! ![]() These Fruit Popsicles are an easy and fun to get fruit into the little ones and a refreshing treat for bigger kids and adults too! What You Need: Popsicle molds Watermelon Assorted chopped fruit: Blueberries and Bananas Strawberries and Raspberries Kiwi and cherries Pineapple and peach Blend up the watermelon in a blender. Prepare the dices/chopped fruit and place it into the molds. Have the kids help you! Then pour in the watermelon juice. Freeze and ENJOY!
![]() I recently attended my best friend and his fabulous wife’s wedding. During the reception, they had an amazing fall soup: Apple Butternut Squash! It was so delicious that the bride and I both had 4 cups each of it!!!! We just couldn’t get enough. Can you tell by the picture how much we liked the soup? After the wedding I was still craving the soup so I set about trying to recreate it and even add some of my own touches. I was successful and even brought some over to my friends who complimented saying it was just as good as the wedding soup! So without further ado-here is my version of Apple Butternut Squash soup so you can use up all those squash and apples!
![]() Preparation of Everything Else: ~ 3 apples ~ 1 tablespoon cinnamon ~ Agave or water (for apples sauté) ~ Polenta ~ Goat Cheese
![]() Hope you enjoy this soup as much as my little guy, my friends and I did! Feel free to add or change any ingredients as needed for your needs! And let us know your suggestions and what works!!! ![]() Eggplant... mmmm one of my favorite foods! Most people are turned off by this vibrantly purple vegetable (in the cooking world but a fruit in the world of botany). Eggplants are currently "in season" from August through October, making them a great buy at the store or at farmer's markets. Remember to always buy in season produce, as The Savings Momma says, to keep it affordable! Eggplant has some pretty amazing health benefits too! It is considered a brain food because it protects lipids in your brain, keeping nutrients in and waste out. They are also rich in phenolic antioxidant compounds which are great for digestion. Eggplant is also great for your heart, reducing cholesterol and excess iron which decreases risks for heart disease and cancer. Because of the bitter taste, many people stray away from it, however the vitamins and nutritional benefits are clear and this is a food you want to incorporate into your diet and your child's diet. ![]() If you ask around, most people only have had eggplant as part of an egglant parmesan pasta dish coated in tomato sauce. Recently I took the idea and put a slightly new spin on eggplant parmesan to make it more toddler friendly! Check out the video at the end to see my toddler's reaction to his favorite tasty new treat! ![]() You will need the following: 1 Eggplant, olive oil, 2 eggs, flour, and 2 cups crushed up veggie sticks, parmesan, and gloves to keep the mess to a minimum. Preheat your oven to 400 degress. Preparation: 1.) Lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil. 2.) Prepare 3 containers a.) Approx 1 to 1 1/2 cups of flour b.) 2 whisked eggs c.) 2 cups crushed up veggie sticks (instead of bread crumbs) combined with 1 cup of parmesan.
![]() The result... a crispy yet still soft on the inside healthy treat! Feel free to add sauce or something of your own choosing as a dipping side, although these went so fast in our house, I barely got to eat even 1 before my toddler devoured them all! Enjoy!!!! ![]() I am a huge fan of avocado's! They are an excellent source of healthy fats and contain many oils, vitamins and minerals that are essential to have in your diet like potassium, Vitamin D, and fiber. The avocado also protect you from various types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, etc. Needless to say avocado is one of my summer must have's and in all reality it is really a year round must have in our kitchen! A friend suggested that I try making a different version of my avocado spread by adding zucchini into it and with all the zucchini around this summer I jumped at the idea. ![]() I researched online and found that there were various ideas and recipes for making a zucchini avocado spread, but I really like to take recipes and make them my own. I often experiment by swapping ingredients, changing the amounts recommended or adding something new. Since zucchini is one of those friendly green veggies high in vitamin A and folic acid (among other things), I decided to go out on a limb and add in the child fave: BROCOLI. Brocoli is one of my fave veggies to incorporate into our daily diet. Many of you know that I often finely chop up raw brocoli and sprinkle it all over my food especially pizza or pasta's. Brocoli is a great veggie that helps prevent cancer, is high in vitamin C and fiber and also helps promote healthy sleep. I was excited to combine these 3 healthy wonders and was even more excited when it came out to be pretty tasty and was immediately gobbled up by my toddler as well as various friends and family. I waited until after they had heaped me with praise to reveal the extra ingredients in the spread though.
![]() 4.) Put the zucchini into the food processor and mash away. Slowly add in the chopped brocoli, then the onions, garlic, and cilantro. Mix it well! 5.) Add the mixture to the avocado. 6.) Sprinkle a little salt for taste and you are ready to serve it! *** I personally add a little hot pepper to mine for the kick and spice but I don't recommend that for children who have not experienced that before. You can serve this with chips, veggie sticks, as a spread on a sandwich, the sky is the limit! It still retains a guacamole taste but now we have added some major nutritional value that will keep your family happy and healthy! What types of ingredients to you add to your guac? My name is Ashley, and I live a half priced life. I live this type of life to survive, to feed my family, to save money for things I could otherwise not afford like unexpected car repairs or an emergency trip to the dentist. Sometimes I wish I had a "lavish life"-one where I wouldn't have to worry so much about my household budget, or how high the heating bill will be for a particular month. I do my absolute best in life in every aspect of my personal existence, but no matter how hard I try- I struggle with being healthy.
You see, sometimes I feel like "being healthy" is a luxury In the modern world, women are not only the primary caretakers of their family; they are also contributors to the female workforce. Women face quite the conundrum when it comes to taking care of themselves. At the end of workday, after homework, dinner, bath time, and bed time- who the heck wants to exercise? Also, who wants to wake up at 4am before the kids to fit exercise in? Humans aren't rabbits, so why eat bowls full of salad day in and day out? Personally, I need variety and depth in my food. I need two bites of a brownie (if not three) to satisfy a chocolate craving, and gosh darn-it sometimes I need an ice cream sundae! Yet, I always feel guilty when I steal a naughty nibble because I know I'm not going to get the extra exercise I need to burn those additional calories. Woman-guilt, it's a *bleep*! So, what happens if you can't afford a membership to the gym, or a sitter to watch your kids while you go to the gym, or even someone to help with the kids so you can exercise at home or go out for a run? What happens if you don't have the money to purchase healthy foods all the time? What happens if you can't make the time, or find the time to exercise because your schedule is so busy with work and family that you can't even see straight at the end of the day? What happens if you don't have a family to care for, but work 6-7 days a week to survive, allowing you little time to pay attention to your own needs? What happens?!?! Being healthy becomes a luxury. I would love someone to prove me wrong on my theory, or at least give me magical powers that will allow me to wake up at 4am without feeling psychotic. If you could also throw in a mute button for my extremely loud and co-dependent cat, who yowls at me, at the top of her lungs, waking up my kids the minute my feet hit the floor- well that would be awesome too! Seriously though, this post is meant to generate response- whether you agree or disagree with my theory. I want to know Do you feel the same way I do? Or, do you have tips to share with readers who feel this way? Share with me the good and bad, the thoughtful and helpful, your opinions and point of views-on my site The Savings Momma Please, don't misunderstand- I do exercise and I do eat as healthy as possible. I was just one of those people not blessed with amazing genetics, and for me- being healthy and staying healthy is an everyday struggle. I assure you, I do not sit on my duff, eating from my couponing stockpile, drooling on my couch. Promise ;) RED/PINK![]() · Red cabbage, boiled or juiced · Strawberries · Cherries · Raspberries · Beets/beetroot (boiled or juiced) · Red bell pepper (roasted and pureed) · Paprika (add powder directly, or dissolve in water) Blue/Purple![]() · Red cabbage, boiled or juiced · Eggplant/aubergine skin, boiled or juiced · Blueberries · Blackberries · Beets/beetroot (boiled or juiced) Green![]() · Kale, boiled or juiced · Spinach, boiled or juiced · Green tea · Water cress, boiled or juiced Orange/Yellow/Brown![]() · Carrots, boiled or juiced · Saffron (not our favorite choice as it tends to be expensive and imparts a fairly strong flavor) · Turmeric (either dissolve in water or add powder directly - it has a fairly mellow flavor that is easily masked · Golden beets (they impart a very dark yellow color - almost brown!) · Turmeric ![]() Artificial food dyes are made from petroleum and approved for use by the FDA to enhance the color of processed foods. Many food choices for adults and especially marketed and showcased to children contain artificial food coloring that can have negative effects upon little people’s behavior, impulse control, attention, ability to focus, learning, thinking, and energy level. Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of food dyes, especially those with ADHD and ADD. Certainly, the consumption of sugar has the effect of 'juicing' a kid's system, but the food dyes in the pile of daily sweets are more likely the primary culprit! It should come to no surprise that countless kids are taking ADD or ADHD medications. This may be due to the over indulgence of technological gadgets, too much screen time, information and stimulation overload or it may have a huge relation to the type and amount of food dye being consumed! While food additives and colorings have been around for decades and are found in everything from pudding to potato chips to soft drinks, it is growing mountain of recent studies linking food coloring to hyperactivity in kids that is creating waves from angry parents, urging the FDA to ban foods containing them — or at least require a warning label. Artificial food dyes might be an easy target for elimination because they aren't essential to food. In fact, food dyes are added simply for their color to make foods fun. They serve no health purpose whatsoever. The most dangerous of the bunch is Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6, which make up 90 percent of the food dyes on the market. Studies have linked these top dyes to impaired brain function, hyperactive behavior, difficulty focusing, lack of impulse control in children. What is most scary is that the use of these food dyes and artificial additives have gone up fivefold in the past 50 years, giving a great indication of how much junk food people are consuming. This gives perfect reason to why more than two thirds of Americans are overweight, hovering on the borderline of obese. Special Note: Red No. 40 is the most widely used food dye in terms of pounds consumed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. It is found in cereal, gelatin, candy, baked goods. Yellow No. 5 is the second most widely used food dye, according to CSPI. It is found in soft drinks, pudding, chips, pickles, honey, mustard, gum, baked goods, gelatin and other foods. Yellow No. 6 is the third most widely used food dye. It is found in cereal, orange soda and other beverages, hot chocolate mix, baked goods and many other foods. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder affects 3 percent to 5 percent of U.S. children, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Symptoms include fidgeting, excessive talking and abandoning chores and homework. The condition is usually diagnosed in childhood and can continue as an adult. Sadly, the FDA, after analyzing 35 years of scientific studies regarding positive correlation between children’s consumption of food dyes and ADD and ADHD, they claim there is no conclusive proof that food dyes cause hyperactivity in most kids, (although it suggests that some kids with ADHD may be particularly sensitive to them). The FDA stepped forward to say that, “there is also bodies of literature that does suggest that food colorings are not as benign as people have been led to believe." This is concerning to me, as the FDA should listen to the concerns of the public and at the very least, list whether or not food items meant for consumption, are produced with artificial food dyes or coloring. This action should be taken regardless of what the FDA claims to be inconclusively not harmful to children and not a factor on their behaviors. As a parent, if you are concerned about artificial food coloring, dyes or flavors, there is no harm in cutting out food dyes as best as you can. A good key in removing the dyes is to understand that food coloring is most likely not going to be found in fresh broccoli or other fresh fruits and vegetables (may be found in frozen or canned vegetables). They are going to be found in processed foods, candies, ice creams and other concentrated sweets. Read labels and be picky when it comes to the health of your family. Try to purchase and eat less processed foods. You may begin to see big differences in your children’s behavior, moods and attention spans. We have all been there at one point in time, a small grocery budget and a tight wallet, facing the fact that we need to purchase wholesome foods to keep our daily lives in motion. It's truly no wonder at all, that America is one of the most obese countries in the world. How are we to provide wholesome foods to our families on a shoestring budget? Is it not easier to purchase the inexpensive overly processed foods that line the shelves in the grocery store in shiny wrappers and elaborate looking boxes? Surely the boxes don't scream out at us “warning trans fat!" or "Going straight to your hips!" or even "It will take 5 days of running 1 mile each day to burn off the calories in this product!" Nope it is up to you, the consumer, to read the labels. That is-if you can even pronounce half the ingredients. As an avid couponer and blogger, I am inundated with questions from readers asking me (and sometimes sadly begging me) to help them with their grocery purchases. Particularly, how to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to feed their family without breaking their ever-so-fragile grocery budget. My answer is the same for all my readers, and really the key to my own survival amidst the rainbow of colors in the produce aisle: Buy in-season. As an example, have you ever purchased Strawberries in the dead middle of winter? Yes you say? They weren't cheap were they? No, I didn't think so. Strawberries are in season now (now being spring). How does the cost compare now, to when you bought them in the middle of winter? About 50% cheaper and usually marked as a BOGO (buy one get one free) deal. Buying in-season miraculous! Not only do you save a good chunk of money buying produce in season, you can save even more money by purchasing said produce at a farmers market. Buying produce directly from the farmer/grower cuts out those dastardly packing and hauling costs that most companies pay when produce is shipped from state to state. Packing and hauling costs only mean more money coming out of your pocket. After all, the grocery store has to make up for those costs somehow. Farmers markets are also great because they are the very meaning of "farm to table", the newest notion to hit American tables. Supporting your local farmers and growers, and eating the wholesome foods you purchase at a farmers market, essentially represents the meaning of farm to table. You are practically guaranteed flavor packed freshness when you buy from a farmers market. You can't get any better than that! Lastly, let's debunk the myth that there are never any coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables............ There you have it, myth debunked-and yes, these are only just a few of the produce coupons in my possession.
If you want an easy, no hassle way of finding out what types of produce are in season and when, visit the Sustainable Table website. The Sustainable Table offers a search tool based on state and season, and also tells you the locations of Farmers Markets, CSA's, and Food Co-ops in your area. You can also conduct a general search of in season produce in all states. Doing so will help you determine what particular produce is in-season, at your local supermarket, throughout the year. Do you have questions, opinions, helpful tips, or thoughtful comments on this post? Feel free to express yourself, by leaving a comment on my website http://www.thesavingsmomma.com I love finding simple, healthy recipes for my toddler. I've posted many recipes before that incorporate sneaking veggies, protein and fruit into meals. I thought I would share some yummy breakfast ideas that are always a hit in my house. I swear, these recipes are super simple and easy to make.
Sweet Potato - Banana Pancakes -Pancake Mix - I like Trader Joes's Multigrain Mix - Following directions on the box to make the mixture. ***I usually use a less liquid due to the purees being added -1/2 cup Sweet Potato Puree -1/2 cup Banana Puree -1/4 cup vanilla protein powder (any kind you like) -1 teaspoon cinnamon Mix all ingredients. Use a non stick spray to make perfect pancakes that don't stick! Cook pancakes over medium heat for best results. You can even use fun cookie cutter shapes as well! _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Oatmeal with Sweet Potatoes and Peanut Butter 1 package of instant oats - I like Trader Joe's Oats and Flax 1/4 cup of Sweet Potato Puree 1/4 tsp of ground flaxseed 1 Tsp Peanut Butter 1/4 cup of Milk - Use whichever kind you enjoy. I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1 small handful of raisins Stir instant oats, flaxseed and sweet potato puree together with water - usually enough to cover oats. Place in microwave for 90 seconds. Stir in peanut butter. When everything is nicely blended add your milk. Top off with a handful of raisins. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cheesy Green Eggs with Toast Bites 3 eggs 1/4 cup shredded cheese 1/4 cup spinach puree 1 slice whole wheat bread Scramble 3 eggs, add spinach puree and cheese. Cook over medium heat. - Toast Bites make a great side for the eggs. Add your child favorite topping - jelly, butter, cream cheese or peanut butter. ENJOY!!!! Making healthy meals takes some planning. But that can be difficult for working parents struggling to get home in time to pick their kids up from their latest extracurricular activity, or trying to feed a child that only wants processed foods like macaroni and cheese or pizza at every meal. Do not fret. Small changes in daily routine, nutritional understanding and fitness awareness can make huge differences in your family’s overall health. Incorporating healthy and nutritious foods into your family’s bellies can be done, but it may take a little work.
We all have heard the harsh statistics about the growing obesity and diabetes rates in the developed countries, especially in America. Our children will live a two- to five-years' shorter life span than us . . . if healthy eating and physical habits are not adopted at an early age. Eat fresh, live, organic and green foods with your child/ren to show them how to be healthy. They will mirror your behavior and feel positive about food. Have your child/ren help select their favorite fresh produce at the grocery store or farmers market, and prepare meals with you in the kitchen. Even washing the vegetables before cutting them up will allow them to be a part of the cooking process. Children love to taste foods they helped select and make. It might encourage them to try a new food! As a parent, you want to provide foods that nourish your child while promoting brain and body development. Super foods contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy amounts of fats, carbs and proteins. Since such foods are nutrient-dense, even small servings pack a big punch, and with their minds and bodies growing at amazing exponential rates, they need the most nutritionally dense foods to help them develop optimally! Below are the top SUPERFOODS for babies and toddlers: 1: Broccoli This superfood is loaded with fiber, calcium, and plenty of vitamins and minerals, which helps child's eyesight and ward off cell damage. Eating it raw is the best way to ensure that your child gets all those nutrients, but that may be a tough sell to the little ones. Steam them for about five to eight minutes and drizzle parmesan cheese and olive oil or a little butter over the top. Let them dip them into salad dressing for fun. 2: Greek-Style Yogurt Yogurt contains healthy live probiotic bacteria, which boosts your child's immunity and aids in digestion. Greek-style yogurt has two to three times more protein than regular yogurt--it also contains less sugar. To sweeten, add fruit, maple syrup or agave. Add a little honey if your child is older than 1. 3: Cocoa Powder Cocoa powder contains high concentrations of flavonoids, which improve blood pressure, as well as heart and oral health. Flavonoids also may protect your child's skin from sun damage. Look for at least 70 percent pure cocoa--avoid products processed with alkali, which removes most of the flavonoids. Sprinkle cocoa on pancakes, waffles or French toast. Mix a little cocoa with milk to create a chocolate drink. 4: Black Beans, Lentils or Garbonzo Beans Beans are full of protein, fiber and calcium. They also help guard against heart disease and high cholesterol. Add black beans to quesadillas or salsa and lentils to soup. Mash the beans with salsa or olive oil to create a black bean dip for crackers or chips. 5: Blueberries Blueberries are packed with brain boosting antioxidants. This small fruit may improve brain function and protect against heart disease. Because of their size, blueberries are a natural finger food, and children may enjoy eating them plain. Use blueberries in oatmeal or cereal as well. Mix the fruit with yogurt and granola or put blueberries and yogurt in a blender to make a healthy smoothie. 6: Whole Grains Whole grains can be found in bread, cereal and crackers -- all foods kids usually enjoy. They're rich in folic acid, iron, zinc and B vitamins and some are fortified with vitamin D and calcium as well. Start your kids on whole grains, especially sprouted breads and pastas early, to give them a head start against heart disease. Avoid the pre-packaged products that contain unsaturated fats, better known as trans-fats. Read the nutritional information on the labels carefully. 7: Avocados Avocados are the only fruit laced with monounsaturated "good" fats that may lower "bad" LDL cholesterol, which can harm the heart. The avocado is also a super source of soluble fiber, which helps stabilize blood sugar. And it's full of vitamin E, which protects your cells from free radicals. Mash avocado with a little lime or lemon juice and yogurt and using it on quesadillas or tacos — or as a dip for raw vegetables. 8: Wild Salmon This cold-water fish contains healthful fats known as omega-3s that can lower the risk of heart disease. These nutrients may also help improve mood and prevent memory loss. Choose wild salmon to reduce your child's exposure to toxic substances such as PCBs and mercury. Lightly crumb thin strips of salmon and bake them for healthy fish sticks. 9: Cage Free Eggs Eggs are a clean protein. The protein in eggs is so beneficial that all other foods use it as the gold standard. Aside from protein, eggs are full of more than a dozen necessary vitamins and minerals, and contain a huge concentration of choline -- a nutrient vital for brain development in young children. To boot, eggs are one of the most versatile foods on the planet. You can cook eggs many ways, but chances are your child has a favorite, whether it's scrambled or fried. 10: Walnuts Walnuts make a great protein snack, and you can add them easily to your child's lunchbox. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help brain function, fend off disease and lift depression. Chop up walnuts and add them to salad, baked goods or cereal. 11: Cabbage Slice up some cabbage with carrots and broccoli bits and add a simple citrus vinaigrette dressing to make a healthy coleslaw or boil them in some vegetable broth for a hearty soup. Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, packed with phytonutrients to help with digestion and keep illness at bay. Kids will appreciate the crunch and relatively mild taste that can be mixed into many dishes. 12: Kale, Asparagus, Chard, and other dark leafy greens These leafy greens boast high amounts of iron and folate and are rich in antioxidants like lutein and zeazanthin protect the eye and aide in its development. These amazing leaves are top super foods because they contain a large amount of vitamin C and good amounts of calcium and vitamin K. Together the calcium and vitamin K are superb bone builders (studies show that vitamin K is needed to activate bone proteins) to help give your baby a strong skeleton. 13. Spinach An excellent source of iron, calcium, and folic acid, along with vitamins A and C, spinach is great for growing bones and brains. This versatile vegetable has a mild flavor and cooks in a flash. It can be stirred into hot soups, toss it into tomato sauce or an omelet, and hidden into quesadillas. 14: Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes provide a great source of potassium, vitamin C, fiber, folate, vitamin A, calcium and iron. Treat sweet potatoes just like you would any other potato. They can be mashed, grilled, roasted or made into a delicious sweet casserole. The best bet to get your kids to eat them may be to make oven-baked sweet potato French fries with a drizzle of coconut oil, cinnamon, and agave on top. 15. Quinoa This gluten free grain is a protein rich seed that has a fluffy, creamy, slightly crunchy texture and a somewhat nutty flavor when cooked. In addition to being a complete protein (contains all 8 essential amino acids), quinoa is has a good amount of fiber and is high in nutrients such as manganese, magnesium and iron. Quinoa is also an amazing alternative to whole grain rice in many baby food recipes. ![]() I wanted to share my experience as a "lay" yoga person with all of you. Many of you read Whitney Parker Marshall's first blog here on Cape Cod Mommies about her experience as an Itsy Bitsy Yoga Instructor at Turning Pointe Dance Studio. My son Ethan and I are about to begin our THIRD session this week with Whitney and we are so excited and I wanted to share why! Whitney is such a fabulous, patient, passionate and energetic instructor! Every week she comes in with a smile on her face for the tots and babies, excited to share her passion with all of us. The engaging songs and movements she leads us all in every week are catchy and fun, we reap the benefits of both in the long and short term!
|
Parent Resource GuideCape Cod Parent Resource FairCape Cod BirthdaysCape Cod Family
|