Every week we teach kids how to Fuel Their Dreams.  This week we focused on what foods feed their brains. After giving them some cool brain facts, we made a recipe that feeds it.  Look at this  photo of one of the boys making “BaNilla Berry Smoothie.”  The brain foods used were yogurt, banana, blueberrries and raspberries.  All the kids were licking every drop in and on their cups.  Big Success!  For recipe details, please go to www.KidKritics.com. Then click on the Breakfast recipe icon. You will find it listed there.  This is an easy one. Let your kids make it!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don’t forget to enter to Win a Case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar-Free by Joseph’s Lite Cookies.  Simply go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today and tomorrow!

Did you know that Parmesan Cheese feeds your Bones, Muscles, and Nerves?  Every time you sprinkle some on your spaghetti, salad, vegetables such as green beans, or eggs, you are not only adding pungent flavor to your food, you are fueling three important body parts. Since Parmesan cheese, is higher in sodium (1 cup has over 1500 mg sodium), use a little, just enough to replace the taste of salt.  That's what we have been doing for years in my home. 

Parmesan cheese is made from skim cow's milk in Italy and is usually is aged 12 to 16 months. They say the best comes from the Parmigiano-Reggiano area of Italy. I find it most cost efficient to buy a hard chunk and then grate it myself.  Why pay for someone else's labor? Just make sure you have a good grater and put your kids to work. Remember, the better the Parmesan cheese, the better the flavors, the less you need.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

It just makes me mad.  Plain yogurt is healthy.  It is what many food companies do to it that makes it unhealthy. You think yogurt with fruit on the bottom is healthy – too many have more sugar than a candy bar.  Watch for the amount of sugar and ingredients in all flavored yogurts. Better to buy plain and add your own fresh or frozen fruit.  Bottled drinkable yogurts/smoothies may have as many calories as an ice cream dessert.  Again, it is all the added ingredients used to make it that are collectively unhealthy.  Instead, make you own yogurt smoothies with fresh fruit.  Frozen yogurt is mostly misleading as to its health benefits.  By the time it is flavored and sprinkled with toppings, you are really looking at an ice cream sundae.  Please watch out for sugar and fat-free versions.  Artificial ingredients are the worst!  Now you know not to be fooled by some food companies.  Outsmart them with your knowledge – Buy Smart.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Today, enter to win a book and a case of supplements, both for your children. Battle with the Bugs, written by Dr. Heather Manley is part of her Human Detective Series – it’s a brilliant educational story.  Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Shield by Hero Nutritionals are created to help protect cold and flu bugs from your children.  Perfect time of year for these prizes.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

The best holiday smoothie! Super easy, immune builder, protein power with only 3 ingredients: 1 cup Greek Yogurt, 1 cup frozen wild blueberries (Wyman's of Maine), 2 tsp. raw honey (Wholesome Sweeteners). That's it. If thinning desired, add milk of choice. Thank you www.NutritionBabes.com. For more recipes and holiday entertaining tips, please listen to Kathy and Lauren on www.iTunes.com, podcast, Better Food Choices, 11/18/11. They are worth every minute.

… for the health of your family.
ellen

36 more hours to Win a whole Turkey by Plainville Farms.  Enter.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.  How timely would it be to have it delivered to your door during these holidays?

Would you believe this recipe has a 4,7 Performance Rating? That means it has 4 Naturally Sourced Food Colors and 7 Food Groups – some antioxidants, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals!  Serve it as a snack or appetizer.  The Nutrition Babes took a snack food, Pizza Veggie Stix,  and made it into a healthier one.  Go to www.KidKritics.com – it’s Featured there this week.  Easy and fun – get you kids to help you make them!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

How would you like to have 10 pounds of Free Range Chicken Breasts by Shelton’s Poultry delivered to your door?  Really. And, these chickens “don’t do drugs.”  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes to enter this week. This would really help your food budget!

The Amazing Kid-Friendly Veggie Casserole was sent in by a mom who told us her kids love this. I was skeptical but went ahead,  made it and had the Kid Kritics taste test it.  Was I surprised.  They not only loved it, they begged for seconds and thirds.  We could have chopped the veggies more finely but due to time, didn’t.  A couple of boys were not broccoli fans so they grizzled.  The rest were happy campers.  It is easy so go for it – a great way to get vegetables into the mouths of your kids! Go to www.KidKritics.com – its the featured recipe of the week!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

When you find your kids or yourself reaching for something sweet, reach for nuts, seeds, slices of cheese or turkey instead.  You will find you are not as interested in satisfying your sugar craving.  This will help keep your family and you from eating the average of 35 teaspoons of added sugar a day!  So many grams of sugar are hidden in processed foods as high fructose corn syrup, glucose, dextrose, fructose, maltodextrin, and more. Reading labels is the smart way to avoid buying any of these foods.  And, always having some protein finger food around as an alternative will save the day!

… for the health of families,
ellen

Brain Boosters for your kids! Enter to Win a Case of Yummi Bears Organics Brain Booster by Hero Nutritionals.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

When I made this week's Featured Recipe, Bread Pizza Pocket, I realized this concept offers lots of recipe options.  You can put in leftovers, cooked ground beef, turkey, lamb and/or beans, cut veggies such as broccoli, carrots, corn, eggs, garlic, mushrooms, olives, onions, spinach, tomatoes and even some pineapple and blueberries.  Then add white dairy or non-dairy cheese of choice with a spread of tomato sauce to pull it all together. The Sandwich Maker is your ticket to success.  Other than lightly spraying the insides to avoid sticking, you do not add butter as you would when making grilled sandwiches.  The sealed edges insures that the moisture comes from the inside fillers for a super delicious and easy to make pocket. We even think you can use tortillas instead of bread, and they can be gluten-free.  Basically, using the pocket idea with the sandwich maker opens another way to serve your kids fun to eat healthier meals. Try it!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

New Prize this week: Yummi Bears Organics Brain Booster by Hero Nutritionals – great for starting this school year.  Enter: www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

This funny shaped shiny deep purple eggplant is full of nutrients that feed your Brain, Heart, Nose (olfactory gland) and Skin!  It took living in Istanbul to wake me up to how delicious eggplant is  – now it's a favorite.  Not too long ago, we braved having some Kid Kritics taste test an Eggplant Parmesan recipe*.  We even left the skin on the slices. Boy, did they love it!  Did they know what they were eating?  No.  We had to describe this vegetable to them.  Trick to cooking eggplant: after slicing it, sprinkle some salt on each side and let it sit for a few minutes.  Then rub off the salt and proceed with recipe.  This takes out any bitter flavors. Then smother it with olive oil, herbs and spices, tomato sauce and some dairy or non-dairy cheese.  Mmm Mmm Good. Try it!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

  *Recipe found in "Dinner",  www.KidKritics.com.

Is butter healthier than margarine? Don't feel alone if you are not sure.  Some think butter is healthier because it is more natural. Some say margarine is better for you since it has less fat. The problem with margarine is how the fats used are processed.  We don't recommend any.  Butter, used in moderation, especially that sourced from healthier fed dairy cows, is our choice.  Healthy fats such as the premier kind, olive oil, is wonderful and better for cooking.  Flaxseed oil is good one but turns rancid easily so keep it refrigerated, sealed, and do not use it for cooking. Good fats are your friends.  Enjoy them.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

 - Idea for this blog came from "Good, bad, ugly fats. But do consumers know which are which?"  www.nutrainingredients-usa.com.