Cooking

Mac & Cheese Muffins – what a great idea! "It was a fun way to eat Mac and Cheese. We had it for lunch but you can take it on the go for a picnic or as a snack!"(Fernanda, mother of 2)  This Healthier Recipe Mom was creative.  I've made them.  Super easy.  Kid Kritics comments: "Too good to be true. Gooder than real mac and cheese. Extraordinary. Supreme adventure!"  For recipe, CLICK HERE. Ask your kids to make them!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

NEW PRIZE!  Win a case of Organic Bunny Classics Buttery Rich Crackers by Annie's Homegrown. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

Lean on lemons to prevent disease, defeat free-radicals, cleanse your digestive tract, help lower blood pressure, increase your HDL (good cholesterol), while feeding your brain, blood, bones, ears, eyes, hair, lungs, mouth/teeth, nails, and skin.  All that and more in one lovely lemon.  Put thin slices in water, daily.  Use lemons to marinate fish and chicken. Squeeze some in baking recipes, over other fruit and vegetables such as asparagus, beans, peas, sweet potatoes and carrots.  Use it in salad dressings.  Add lemon juice to as many possibilities available to add flavor while caring for your body.  And, don't forget to drip some on a bite or sting to remove the poison and pain!  Always have a lemon or two in your kitchen.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

90% of shoppers buy products not on shopping list, study finds.
A study by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research found that 90% of shoppers buy items not on their grocery list, with 66% enticed by promotions, 30% lured by coupons and 23% wanting to pamper themselves. The study also found that list-makers typically write down a product, not brand.*  Is this the way you shop for your family's food? 

Are you one of the 90% who makes buying decisions based on food companies directing with their advertising and marketing ploys?  I understand the desire to pamper yourself, moms, but basing 23% of your buying decisions are on this is excessive 'I deserve…'  thinking.  No wonder we have a serious health epidemic in so many diseases in this country. 

Yet, when talking to moms, I am reminded that you know better.  I know you want to feed your kids healthier foods.  So why do you let others, who bank on your emotional and easy way out impulses, drive you to spend your money their way?  Make your list, with healthier brands.  Buy fresh.  Spend less. (So many coupons are for highly processed, nutrient-empty, costly unhealthy products – watch out!  Focus on those for product that meet our ingredient standards.).  Use our Kid Kritics Approved Grocery List as a guideline.  CLICK HERE.  Make better shopping decisions using your thoughtful shopping list. TIP: Have a healthy core list of foods to always have in your kitchen. Then keep replacing those you use.  Take the reins and decide how you are going to spend hard earned money!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

* GMA@smartbrief.com, 4/19/12

Add this to your today 's To Do List.  Enter to Win a whole Case of Creamy Almond Butter with Omega 3s by Once Again Nut Butter. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

Crunchy wheat-free 100% Natural Cereal: a good fun snack for kids.  This cereal is made with yellow and blue corn giving it's real food colors.  Oat Hull Fiber is a big nutrient plus, as is the Expeller Pressed High Oleic Acid.  There are zero saturated and zero trans fats.  It is free of dairy, eggs, peanuts, trees nuts and wheat.  Plus a serving gives your kids about 20% of their needed Vitamins A and C.  Relative to other cereals, it is not only lower in sugar, the source is evaporated cane juice – nothing fake or highly processes.  We are fans of Barbara's Bakery products because they care about the health of your family. 

Check out the Fruit Medley Yogurt Pudding recipe made with Puffin Puffs Fruit Medley Cereal.(Click Here)  It is an easy and nutrient filled breakfast, lunch, or snack one the Kid Kritics highly recommend, "Seconds, please can I have seconds?"  All but those who are not banana fans want it served at home. Try it!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

How would like to have a case of Creamy Almond Butter with Omega 3s by Once Again Nut Butter delivered to your home?  Enter to win: www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

This recipe is a treat made with real food containing important nutrients such as protein and complex carbohydrates. It is so easy to throw together and will impress your friends and family with how it looks and tastes. In fact, when you use plain yogurt, this becomes a healthier breakfast!

Performance Rating: 4 naturally sourced colors, 4 food groups

For a snack or dessert, a Performance 4/4 rating is really good. If you add the nut or seed option, you not only increase your number of food groups, you also add protein to help balance the natural sugars of this recipe.Your kids could… and should… make this themselves. Save a little for their next day’s lunch box. Enjoy this fruity recipe!  For details, please  Click Here.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

New sweepstakes prize this week: a case of Almond Butter, smooth, with Omega 3s by Once Again Nut Butter.  Enter to win: www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes