Since you heart is pumping hard to push blood through about 60,000 miles of blood vessels  a day, wouldn’t it be a good idea to feed this muscle its needed fuel? Dr. Heather shares what she feeds her family of four so all stay healthy and function at their best.  Good fats (Omega-3s) were tops on her list.  Putting flax seed oil with heart healthy blueberries and other fruit into smoothies is a daily event for breakfast or snacks.  Avocados in salads or Guacamole are frequently consumed by her family.  Grass-fed beef and eggs are commonly found on their plates for dinner and other meals.  One of her young daughter’s was making scrambled eggs with spinach and cheese for her breakfast while we were on the air.  It’s not that hard!

To hear all of Dr. Manley’s Heart Health interview, please go to the www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com archived shows, or, www.iTunes.com, Podcast, Better Food Choices and click on the Feb. 3rd, 2012 show. PLEASE, avoid having any heart disease statistics in your family.  Listen to Dr. Heather Manley.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Chocolate lovers, enter to Win a Case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar Free, by Joseph’s Lite Cookies.  This is a great opportunity for those diagnosed as pre-Diabetic or Diabetic, or for those who want to avoid either diagnosis.  Joseph made them especially for you.  Go to www. KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.  Enter more than once to up your winning odds.

Every week we teach kids how to Fuel Their Dreams.  This week we focused on what foods feed their brains. After giving them some cool brain facts, we made a recipe that feeds it.  Look at this  photo of one of the boys making “BaNilla Berry Smoothie.”  The brain foods used were yogurt, banana, blueberrries and raspberries.  All the kids were licking every drop in and on their cups.  Big Success!  For recipe details, please go to www.KidKritics.com. Then click on the Breakfast recipe icon. You will find it listed there.  This is an easy one. Let your kids make it!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don’t forget to enter to Win a Case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar-Free by Joseph’s Lite Cookies.  Simply go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today and tomorrow!

Spelt Spaghetti is as good as it gets! The grain spelt has been grown for thousands of years in Europe. In this country, Spelt used to be grown by the hundreds of thousands of acres. Increased mechanization made it an impractical crop, and it was replaced by wheat. Now Spelt is making a big comeback in the United States. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a smoother texture, containing a “balanced” protein made up of all 8 essential amino acids your body requires. Plus, it is more easily digested than wheat. All other pasta will taste boring after you enjoy some made with spelt. The Kid Kritics LOVED it.  So will yours.  Put this on your grocery list!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Want to win a whole case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar Free by Joseph’s Lite Cookies ? Enter the Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.  Up your odds by entering more than once!

Surprised? Mixing black beans with chocolate? We worked with this recipe until it knocked our socks off! Added protein, less sugar, no flour, no dairy, and lots of dark chocolate. Gluten-free, Wheat-Free, Dairy-free. Jaimie, our R.D. chef, figured out how to make this combination into a fudge brownie. Try it. It is the featured recipe on www.KidKritics.com – easy to find, easy to prepare. Make it your family’s Valentine Day treat – cut them into heart shapes.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

How would you like a case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar Free, by Joseph’s Lite Cookies delivered to your door? Enter to win by going to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Pamela is not only a great chef, she is a ton of fun. Meet the founder of Pamela's Products on Friday's radio/podcast show. Noon EST, www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com. She's going to share her favorite gluten free holiday recipes with us. Whether you have a wheat issue or not, you will want to make her creations. To quote the Kid Kritics, "They make your taste buds dance!"

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don't forget to enter to Win a Case of Fresh Frozen Wild Blueberries by Wyman's of Maine.  How cool would it be to have enough for your yummy winter immune building smoothies?  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

It frosts me when ads give you misinformation in order to sell, sell, sell.  Be smarter than they think you are.  Follow your gut instinct rather than be misled.  The most recent ad that makes my hair stand on end is about sugar and high fructose corn syrup.  What research has shown is that processed corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, impacts the body differently than plain sugar cane. The results are linked to diseases.  They lead you to believe this is not so – its okay to eat high fructose corn syrup.  Not.  One thing they do say that is right is "Sugar is sugar."  True.  However, the sugar's origin and how it is processed impacts the molecular structures which determines the impact it has on your body when you eat it. We say stay away from high fructose corn syrup and when you need a sweetener, use sugar cane. Also, please less is better. 

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Fresh frozen Wild Blueberries by Wyman's of Maine!  Win a whole case.  Fill your freezer with this potent antioxidant to keep your family well all winter!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.  Enter more than once to up your odds.

Congratulations to Linda from Virginia!  A whole Young Turkey from Plainville Farms is being shipped to her home.  Now you can enter to Win a Case of Cornbread & Muffin Mix, Gluten Free, by Pamela'a Products.  The Kid Kritics said it was the best cornbread they have ever had.  They are not the only ones.  Moms and dads have raved about it as well. A case of this staple will fill your pantry. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.com today.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Onions, Corn and Pineapple, in this order, are the top three “cleanest crops.” (foodnews.org)  Cleanest indicates they contain the least amount of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other unwanted chemicals.  It also means you can feel comfortable buying and eating commercially grown, avoiding the extra expense of organic. Notice how each has naturally protective skins.  That helps.  What they also have in common is they have nutrients that feed your brain.  Fuel you family economically with fresh onions and pineapple, and,  fresh or frozen corn all year round.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

A whole case of food is up for grabs.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter to win Almond and Rice Cheese Chunks and Shreds by Lisanatti Foods. They look, cook and tastes like mild cheese. YUM!

“Organic milk has up to 60% more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids?”*  This is because these cows eat grass, a source of this precious heart and brain food. Omega 3s play an important role in brain memory, performance and behavioral function. Your body does not make this fatty acid so you have to eat it. Organic milk gives you a daily opportunity to do so.  If you are lactose intolerant, look for lactose-free. I like to use organic milk in smoothies, cereal, recipes – every little bit counts! What are some other ways to sneak organic milk into your meals?

… for the health of your family,                        
ellen

*Joy Manning, “Get More From Your Moo Juice,” Prevention, July 2011, p. 67. Her source: Journal of Dairy Science.

Win a Case of those irresistable Veggie Stix and receive a BONUS GIFT, “The Princess and the Pop Star” DVD by Veggie Tales!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter.

 

Congratulations to Tiffany from Alabama!  She won the case of Kid Kritics Approved Chocolate Energy Bars by Greens+.  When asked how she was, "I'm good now!"  This was followed by many thanks.  Soon a case will arrive at her doorstep.

If you love cookies, enter to win a case of Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies by Joseph's Lite Cookies.  They are both diabetic and kid-friendly.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes right now. Enter more than once to up your odds!

… for the health of your family,
ellen