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.

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.

You may be surprised to learn that chefs are known to keep it simple at home. Chef Jesse Ziff Cool explains how she creates two holiday meals for her family.  All her recipes are easy to make.  One family’s favorite is her Scollop Potatoes.  Steamed vegetables and turkey are two other menu items.  She confirmed that her children and grandchildren are kitchen helpers.  To learn more, listen on www.iTunes.com, Podcast, “Better Food Choices.”  This is an inspiring and animated interview.  Simple is Cool!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

It’s time to Win a whole Free Range Turkey by Shelton’s Poultry!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

Quiche, a fancy French word for an open egg-based pie, is so easy to make! Many run from it because it sounds so gourmet.  All you do is get a pie crust and lightly bake it.  Then add beaten eggs and any combination of fillers.  Many use cheese, spinach and bacon (turkey please) or a good sausage mixed with a little cream or milk.  Sauted broccoli, carrots, onions, garlic, herbs, tomatoes, shredded sweet potatoes, beans,  chicken… the list of possibilities is a long as your imagination and your food inventory.   Once you pour the egg filler into the crust, bake it until the eggs are firm. Any combination is filled with high performance nutrients! When we served a Spinach Bacon Quiche to the Kid Kritics, they all began chanting, “Quiche, Quiche, Quiche…” They became instant fans.  There are lots of recipes!  One is featured on www.KidKritics.com.  Go for it and customize one to suit your family’s palate!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don’t forget to sign up to Win a Case of Ranch Dressing Mix by Simply Organic.  It can also be used to make dips!  Kid Kritics loved it both ways.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

One free-range egg scrambled with Parmesan cheese and a smoothie made with water (your own filtered), ice, half a banana and peanut butter – about $1.00! For some green power, sprinkle in a few parsley flakes. You can replace PB with another nut of seed butter -use just a spoonful or two.  (Please avoid sugar added brands).  Your kids will stay healthy full for hours and hopefully be totally focused and behave as well!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Win a Case of Organic Raw Honey Fair Trade by Wholesome Sweeteners.  A holiday baking bonus!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today. To up your odds, enter more than once.

Olives are filled with nutrients that feed your brain, heart, muscles and skin! We like the green ones best.  Kids love sticking them on the ends of their fingers.  This usually entices them to eat some.  Try green olive dips and spreads made with cheeses and/or nuts such as pecans.  These can be used in sandwiches and wraps. Doing this will add menu variety of nutrient benefits and flavor.  Chicken dishes with lemon and sliced green olives are delicious.  You may want to start with just a little and gradually add the full amount of olives recommended in a recipe.  Broaden your brain power with green olives!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

P.S. Olives are listed by most as vegetables, and, because it contains a pit, it really is a fruit!

Don't be afraid to make this week's Featured Recipe; it's Kid Kritics Approved!  Curry is your secret ingredient. "Curry is a good source of Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Copper, and a very good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Iron and Manganese. Start adding it to your recipes. This dish is power-packed with nutrition and it is SO delicious!" Are you surprised? 

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Help your food budget.  Enter to win a case of Multigrain Oat Organic Bread by Rudi's Organic Bakery.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Now it’s your turn to win.  Enter for a case of canned Premium Chicken Breast Meat by Shelton’s.  Their birds don’t do drugs.  How often have you grabbed a can of tuna fish to make a quick meal?  Now you can do this with chicken – it is already cooked – ready to eat – Yum!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes now.

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Memorial weekend is upon us.  Time to grill franks, otherwise known as hot dogs.  For optimum taste and nutrition, look for Shelton's Uncured Chicken Franks.  Higher on protein, lower in fat. They are delicious!  Reason: these chickens live a chicken's life – no drugs, fresh air, exercise.  You can taste the difference.  For a change cut them up and make Chicken Dog Kabobs!  (Check out the recipe in our Family Food News e-newsletter.) Put Shelton's Uncured Chicken Franks on your grocery list. Have fun!

… for the health of families,
ellen and sally

WIN a case of Yummy Bears NEW Sugar-Free Multi-Vitamins and Minerals by Hero Nutritonals.  Retail Value: $220.00. Go to www.KidKriticsSweepstakes.com.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

A  well-fed, cage-free chicken's nutrients feed your Brain, Bones, Hair, Heart, Lungs, Mouth/Teeth, Muscles, Nails, Nerves and Skin!  Chickens need to live and grow naturally in healthy conditions to give your family natural health. Ones cooped up in cages with the same dimensions as a your printer's paper won't yield the same nutrient value. Your hard earned money is better spent on healthy chickens.

Enjoy chicken roasted, grilled, in soups, sandwiches, burritos, casseroles, as hot dogs.  There must be thousands of recipes using chicken!  Check out the Sweet Salsa Chicken dinner recipe by Healthy Recipe Mom, Crystal. 

… for the health of families,
ellen and sally

 P.S. Don't forget to enter the Win A Case of Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes !