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.

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!

How to Choose Nut Butters:
ADDRESS ALLERGENS by reading for peanut butter ingredients or exposure during processing.  This helps those with and without PB allergies.
ORGANIC or NATURAL: Certified Organic means fields, plants/trees and processing meet strict organic standards… as good as it gets.  Natural may or may not mean void of unhealthy ingredients.  Know your source.
READ INGREDIENTS: one or two ingredients is enough for good nut butters. Avoid added stabilizers, sweeteners and oils.
RAW or ROASTED: Raw means no heat application which alters nutrients such as essential fatty acids – essential for your body’s cellular production.  Roasted uses heat for this adjusted flavor.  The less the better which is why Lightly Roasted is a good choice.
NUT VARIETIES: Almond, Cashew, Walnut, Pecan, Macadamia and even Coconut are alternatives to Peanut Butter. Those taste tested by the Kid Kritics were big hits!

This and so much more was shared by today’s radio guest, Co-Founder and President of the Artisana brand, Santiago Cuenca-Romero.  Listen to all he had to say, www.iTunes, Podcast, “Better Food Choices.” Very interesting guy!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Be the one who Wins the Case of Chocolate Energy Bites by Greens+.  Enter by going to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. They are perfect for kids… just ask the Kid Kritics.

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!

Brownie Bites, a recipe created by The Nutrition Babes, is made from Gluten Free Brownie Mix by Pamela's Products.  These are really easy to bake.  The topping is TruWhip, a healthier whipped cream with fresh raspberries.  At this time of year you may chose another fresh fruit as a decoration such as a red grape.  Notice the curled ribbon used to make the presentation more festive – a clever touch. Details for this recipe are found on www.KidKritics.com.  It is the featured recipe of this week making it super simply to access.  This one is for everyone and their sweet tooth!  Have fun.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

If you love blueberries, you better enter to win a whole case of fresh frozen Wild Blueberries by Wyman's of Maine.  It doesn't get any better than this – a freezer full to last you through the winter.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

At last, there is a way to decorate your holiday cakes, cupcakes and cookies without using those dyes made from derivatives of coal tar and oil. Go to www.NaturalCandyStore.com to buy little jars of your color choice. They won’t be as bright as the others which is your cue they are all natural, made from real food such as beets. And, the colors are still beautiful, safe and fun to use. While you are there, look for the Sunbursts candy coated sunflower seeds and ChocoRocks. All in their Natural Baking Decoration section. Have fun!

(For more about natural candy, go to iTunes-Podcast-BetterFoodChoices and list to Dawn Van Hee)

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Speaking of all natural, fill your pantry with Puffin Puffs Fruit Medley Cereal by Barbara’s Bakery. Colorful, safe and crunchy yummy. Enter to win a case. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

 

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

Tongol Tuna is full of nutrients which feed your brain, blood, bones, eyes, mouth/teeth, muscles, nails, nose (sense of smell) and skin!  Why Tongol Tuna?  Because it is a small species and consequently is low in mercury. You can feel more comfortable serving this to your family than any of the other kinds of tuna fish.  I enjoy tuna salad weekly, as I need the power of its nutrients, especially its oils. To  make a little go a long way, use it in a casserole, make tuna tacos, or mix it with a grain to make a meatballs or grilled burgers!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Last day to win a case of Chocolate Energy Bars by Greens+.  VALUE: $430.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes now!