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!

They went from Junk Food to Real Food and now swear by it. One boy was 16 and always “starving.”  The other was an overweight college kid.  And they have a dad with Type 2 diabetes.  Mom thought she was feeding her family good food but after a dinner with me, she realized Jello and other processed foods she was serving were counter-nourishing her family. Her turnaround story is brilliant. A first bit of advice is, “You can’t tell them. You must show them.”  If you want to be inspired and learn how overnight everyone of them voluntarily bought into her changes, listen to Vickie Peaire tell her story.  Go to www. BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com (date: Jan 27, 2012) and listen or find it on iTunes, Podcast, Better Food Choices.  You will be SO glad your did!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Save money and Win a Case of Classic Macaroni and Cheese by Annie’s Homegrown.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes before Sunday night.

The government is setting new school lunch nutrition requirements:  Establish maximum calorie and sodium limits.  Serve a fruit and vegetable every day in larger portions.  Offer a minimum number of leafy green vegetables, red-orange vegetables, starchy vegetables and legumes each week.  After 2 years, all grains must be rich in whole grains such as brown rice.  Breads, buns, cereals and pastas must list whole grain as 1st ingredient. Milk must be either low-fat (1%) or fat-free.  Flavored milk must now be fat-free.  No trans- fats.

Cost – 11 cents more per lunch. Who is going to pay for this?  Government will give schools 6 cents more per lunch.  The additional 5 cents will have to come from states and local taxes it seems. What are you paying for each lunch at your children’s school?

We are pleased with these positive changes.  There are two possible problems to address.  One: the government has no money.  We are in serious debt.  Two: kids have to like these foods.  With the right cafeteria managers and chefs, this is possible.  To limit their other choices is critical.  Kids will eat healthier foods if they taste good.

Best possible school lunch – probably the one you make at home for your kids to take to school.  That is why we give you Lunch Box menus in our Family Food Newsletter.  Sign up to receive it twice a month. www.KidKritics.com.

… for the health of families,
ellen

Mac and Cheese – all natural, no artificial anything, no Trans Fats. Win a whole case by Annie’s Homegrown.  Add some carrots or peas and a few parsley and paprika flakes. Put some in thermos for school lunch.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Bet you rarely or never eat beets.  Am I right or wrong? Here’s why you should – they feed your Blood, Heart, Lungs, Mouth/Teeth, Muscles, Nerves and Skin. The easiest way to favorably prepare and serve them is to shred them raw.  Those little slivers add fabulous color to salads and sandwiches.  Yet, the taste is very mild since you they are reduced to little strands.  Roasted and grilled beets can be delicious.  Again, the key is to serve them in small slices.  My latest favorite salad is one with small chunks of purple and golden beets accompanied by greens, bits of walnuts, goat cheese and here’s the drum-roll, roasted garlic bud. Please, open your mind to bringing beets into your monthly menus for flavor and nutrient variety.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Serve these “Top Super Foods for Super Immunity” to your family to prevent them from getting sick: Kale/collards, mustard greens, Arugula/watercress, Green lettuce/cabbage, Broccoli/brussels sprouts, Carrots/tomatoes, Onions/garlic, Mushrooms, Pomegranates, Berries (all types), Seeds (flax, chia, sesame, sunflower).  Thank you Joel Fuhrman, MD., from his new book  Super Immunity.

Now you are probably thinking there is no way my family will eat some of these, especially those at the top of this list.  It’s time to open your mind to buying kale and collards, rinse and chop them finely, then stir fry some with olive oil, onions, garlic and sea salt. Add it few squirts of lemon juice if you like.  The way you get around the texture issue is to slice these greens into little bits. Then serve just a little at first, maybe a tablespoon size.  Stir some into a rice dish  or casserole.  Be inventive and know your effort has a big healthy payoff.   Please don’t shy away from brussels sprouts.  They are best when bought still on their stem.  Slice them in half or quarters and again stir fry them as recommended for kale.

I suspect the rest of this list is not so foreign to you.  Do not overlook the delicious fun offered by Pomegranates.  Quarter them, then have your kids remove the white flesh and pull out the yummy little red “berries.”  They can eat them right away or you could save some for salads.

Bottom line,  Dr. Joel Fuhrman has given you the secret to avoiding sick days.  Use it!   (By the way, you will save money by eating fresh produce over processed foods.)

… for the health or your family,
ellen

Chocolate Energy Bites (Greens+) are loaded with Superfoods and kids love them.  Enter to Win a Case.  Please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Easy and super tasty! All you add is a little milk of choice, butter and Parmesan cheese to this Alfredo Sauce Mix (Simply Organic).  Stir and done.  Their added flavorings make this the ideal sauce to quickly spruce up a dinner.  Make Alfredo pasta, beans, broccoli, peas, carrots, eggplant, potatoes, chicken, turkey, fish, even pizza.  When you get home from a busy day, grab your basics and add this sauce mix, cook and serve.  You’ll even impress yourself!

…  for the health of families,
ellen

Will I be calling you next week to say, “You Won a case of Chocolate Energy Bites (Greens+)!”  These are nutrient packed superfoods disguised so well with their chocolate coating that kids think they’re treats.  Enter to win, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

Thank you Andrea for your Healthier Moms Recipe: Alfredo Fettuccine with Jumbo Prawns and Carrots.  I made it yesterday and boy, is it delicious – really delicious!  Andrea, mother of four, says, “The Simply Organic Alfredo mix is so versatile! You can substitute prawns with chicken or make it a completely vegetarian dish by using only vegetables!”  Simply Organic does have a delectable flavor formula for Alfredo Sauce.  For details, please go to www.KidKritics.com and find this recipe Featured on the home page.  You will be so glad you did!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

New Sweepstakes Prize!  Win a Case of Chocolate Energy Bites by Greens+.  They are loaded with nutrient-packed Superfoods and are well coated with quality chocolate so your kid will gobble them up!  The Kid Kritics begged for more.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today.

Thank heavens it's grapefruit season! Devour their sections and drink their juices to fuel your Brain, Blood, Bones, Ears, Eyes, Hair, Lungs, Mouth/Teeth, Nails, Nerves and Nose (sense of smell)!  One of the most important tools in my kitchen is the knife you use to slice away the natural sections after you cut a grapefruit in half.  This makes it easy to consume the fruit's flesh and drink the juices. Or just slice into sections as shown in this picture.  I just love to bite into them, have the juices squirt around in my mouth and witness my taste buds having a sweet and sour party!  Sections in fruit and vegetables salads are delicious.  For some, juicing is preferred.  Ruby red grapefruits are my favorites. Maybe this is because we were served them when I was growing up. Please introduce them to your children.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Thank you Nutrition Babes,  Lauren Harris-Pincus,MS,RD & Kathleen Siegel, RD,CDN, for this recipe. It is so easy, extra nutritious and delicious! Using the what I call “meal in a chip” gluten-free organic  Falafel Chips to coat the chicken takes the flavors and nutrient value to a whole new level.  The Original Falafel Chips were used by The Nutrition Babes.  For those who love the taste of hot, the Spicy Falafel Chips are recommended.  All you do is crush the chips, press on the chicken until coated, then lightly cover with olive oil spray and bake.  For details, please go to www.KidKritics.com as it is featured on the home page.  Jump on this Kid Kritics Approved recipe idea.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Win both a Children’s Book and a Case of Supplements! Battle with the Bugs by Dr. Heather Manley, and, Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Shield by Hero Nutritionals are this week’s sweepstakes prizes.  The theme, keep your kids from catching colds and the flu this winter.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today.

Lamb, our family favorite, is loaded with nutrients that feed your Brain, Blood, Bones, Hair, Heart, Lungs, Mouth/Teeth, Muscles, Nails, Nerves, Nose and Skin! Why is it that so many people don’t eat lamb?  The key is to rub this meat with lemon before cooking to lighten the flavor.  We coat roasts and chops with garlic, rosemary and sea salt mixed with some olive oil.  Oh my, super delicious, really! Roast leg of lamb, lamb chops, ground lamb or lamb stew are on our weekly menu.  Ground lamb is the most cost efficient buy. Make meatballs or burgers (grilled!) or cook and mix it  in with mashed potatoes and other veggies  – Shephard’s Pie.  Small lamb chunks in stew helps your budget as a little goes a long way – great winter meal.   Try it!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Is this your week to Win a Case of Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Shield by Hero Nutritionals.  Can you imagine having this winter supply to help prevent your kids from missing school – help avoid colds and flu in your home?  To enter, please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.