Way too many overlook eggplant as a regular guest in their kitchen.  In so many other countries, eggplant is a frequent visitor on dinner plates.  Eggplant fuels your heart, skin and nose (olfactory – sense of smell.)  Ninety percent of the reason we decide to taste a food is based on our sense of smell.  Along with your need for a healthy heart and skin,  this another reason to add eggplant to your grocery list.  Kid Kritics recently awarded our Eggplant Parmesan recipe their seal of approval.  Most of these kids had no idea what an eggplant was, and they loved it.  So branch out and buy an eggplant next time you shop. 

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Katrin and Liz, moms of twins, each have 2 ways to feed their kids vegetables.  Katrin relies on soups and sauces to sneak in cauliflower, squash, and some greens.  Her sauces are red based.  Liz has several mac and cheese and smoothie recipes where she adds orange, white and green vegetables.  Her kids’  favorite “power” smoothie is a combination of berries, especially the blue and dark red ones, bananas, carrots and spinach.  Both moms are sending us their recipes which we will have taste tested  by the Kid Kritics.  Then we’ll share them with  you.  In the meantime, get brave and disguise some phyto-nutrient filled vegetables in your favorite recipes.  (For more go to iTunes!)

… for the health of families,
ellen and sally

BLUEBERRIES, one of God’s greatest tastiest food gifts.  They are loaded with phyto-nutrients – antioxidants to build and maintain your immune system.  And, they are very effective at fueling your muscles, nerves,  bones, heart, joints, lungs, eyes, hair, blood and even your nails.  Power up on fresh and frozen.  Choose organic when possible.  Use them in recipes and add them as toppings to anything you can think of, even if you use just a few.  Both your taste buds and body will experience the benefits!

…  for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

This week’s Performance Food is  GREEN BEANS.  They provide nutrients for healthy muscles, nerves, joints, lungs, eyes, hair, blood and brain.  Look for thin fresh picked while in season.  Go for the organic when and where possible.  While lightly steaming them in one pan, saute garlic and almond slivers in butter or olive oil in another. Combine them when done, sprinkle with a little sea salt and serve.  A slight squeeze of lemon adds a nice touch.  Kids like them with a light crunch so try not to over cook them.    Enjoy the fruits of summer!

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Be sure to check out Healthy Recipe Mom Crystal’s Chicken and Shrimp Pasta made with the low gluten protein sourced organic white spelt spaghetti. It is loaded with a great mix of poultry, seafood, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and herbs.  “The children, ages 7 and 4, loved it because I added their favorite vegetables and shrimp, another family favorite.”   10 minutes to prepare, 15 minutes to cook and viola, you have a nutrient-packed delicious dinner.  Try it!

(Sign up to be a Healthy Recipe Mom too and receive free Kid Kritics Approved food. www.KidKritics.com)

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

PINEAPPLE not only nourishes your brain, nerves, ears, eyes, mouth/teeth, and nails,  it also helps manage inflammation.  Here is a food that tastes sweet and is good for you! Loaded with antioxidants and phyto-nutrients.  Buy it fresh all year round. Serve it in a smoothie, as a topping on pancakes or salad, on kabobs, or just as cool wedges or chunks in the summer…  so refreshing!

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

If you didn’t listen to this radio show, you missed a great one!  Picky Eater, Deirdre West and mother of a Picky Eater, had lots to share about turning picky eaters into eaters.  Tools that have worked for her:  Read to Eat, Foods from Head to Toe Chart, Kid Kritics, Tough Love replaces Power Struggles, Don’t Give In and more… this show was packed with great ideas.  Tune in iTunes or the archived version on www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com.  You’ll be inspired, encouraged and you’ll laugh!

… for the health of families,
ellen and sally

Socrates said this, ” Thou shouldst eat to live, not live to eat.”  Eating just for pleasure has been a challenge for mankind for centuries.  The good news is that the food you eat to live can be nutritious and incredibly delicious.  Fresh foods, great recipes …  we are gathering them for you.  And, the Kid Kritics taste test and appove them for us so you know odds are your family will like them.  Now you can live to eat healthier foods that taste good!

…  for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally