Disease

"I like the cashew flavor and really love the way it feels on my tongue." (Kid Kritics quote).  Cashew butter offers a delicious alternative to other nut and seed butters.  It happens to be powered with minerals: zinc, selenium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium.  Plus you can count on it to supply you with protein, antioxidants and phyto-chemicals. Bottom line: it feeds your brain, nerves, heart, hair, nails, skin, bones and immune system. This is another food where a little goes a long way. Since it keeps well in the refrigerator, you use a little at a time, over time.  When your kids needs a nutrient-packed snack, use cashew butter as a dip for carrots, celery and apple slices.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Win a whole case of Greek-Style LowFat Plain Yogurt by Cabot of Vermont.  Think of all the smoothies, dips, sauces, fruit yogurts you will be able to make with it.  Don't forget it freezes well – put some in ice cube trays for future frozen yogurt summer treats.  To enter, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. Enter more than once to up your odds.

Pure Coconut Water is "nature's great re-hydrater"  – its full of sodium, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium making it an excellent placement for energy and sports drinks.  Plus it has just enough sugar to make it taste yummy and as well as refreshing.  Tropical countries have been serving it to their very young, growing children, and adults for years.  It even has been used for electrolytes (minerals) and hydration replacement for the sick, especially those with stomach bugs.  

Coconut Oil is also a winner.  It's medium chain fats are smaller and thus more easily digested, immediately used by the liver to produce energy avoiding spikes and fat storage.  And, it contains important anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.  Thus, not all saturated fats are the same.  This is one you want to include in your food mix.  The other good news is that is has a high heat tolerance making it the preferred oil for cooking. 

As with any produce, organic is better.  We are currently researching the brands we would recommend.  Be sure to avoid coconut waters that are  "sweetened" and have added flavors.  Buy it straight and serve on ice.  Delish!  

Thanks to our team member, Carolina Jintac, MS,RD,LD, for this in depth interview about coconut products.  To hear all her good news: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familyfoodexperts/2012/03/23/coconut-craze–how-good-is-it-for-you.

You will be so glad you did!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

No time like the present.  Enter to Win a Case of Gluten-Free Organic Brownie Mix by Simply Organic.  Makes yummy Birthday and Holiday treats for those with or without wheat allergies!  www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

Coconut Oil is a naturally occurring saturated fat that is full of benefits.  Surprised? Not all saturated fats are bad – this one is super good for you. It is made up of medium -chain fatty acids that are easily digested and converted by the liver into energy. Fifty percent of the fat in coconut oil is lauric acid which the body converts to anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.  Bottom line benefits:" improves heart health, boosts thyroid, increased  metabolism, promotes lean body weight and weight loss, supports your immune system." It should be your first and only pick for cooking oil as it is the "only oil stable enough to withstand heat."  If you have any more questions, go to Dr. Mercola's sight for more details – he points out coconut oil's tropical wonders that have been used for thousands of years.  It is the only oil he uses when cooking.  Now it is the only one I use, too!  Add it to your food staple list.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

It doesn’t get much better than this – potent taste and disease fighter all in one. Kids love them!  Wyman’s Frozen Wild Blueberries are picked at the peak of ripeness and frozen within hours of harvesting to ensure maximum nutritional benefit. USDA research Ranks Wild Blueberries #1 among 40 fruits and vegetables in antioxidant activity. In fact, wild blueberries low lying ground cover plants have about 40% more antioxidants than the larger more common blueberries grown on bushes.

A little goes a long way, making them a great buy. Enjoy them in smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, even as a topping for green beans. Mix them with other fruit such as pineapple for snacks. Keep a bag in your freezer.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

How can your resist a whole Boneless Turkey Breast Roast by Plainville Farms?  Enter to win one.  www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

Onions are full of nutrients that feed your Brain, Blood, Bones, Eyes, Heart, Lungs, Mouth/Teeth, Muscles, Nails, and Skin.  They are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  The average person eats about 20 pounds of a combination of red, yellow and white onions a year.  I am sure we eat more than that in our home.  That's because we add sauteed in olive oil onions (and garlic) to almost every dinner.  In addition to using them in meat, fish, eggs and vegetable recipes, we add the golden cooked ones as a topping to a grilled burger, chicken, lamb and fish entree, usually along with sweet potatoes and salad.  We recommend you do the same.  You will find your kids popping delicious lightly caramelized sauteed onions (and garlic buds) into their mouths.  What better way to build their immune systems and support their brain, bones and more.

… for the health of families,
ellen