food for bones

A RECIPE to die for!  I call it the Pineapple Mint Refresher. Why, because one sip of this ice cold drink and you'll feel the fresh mint rush.  During a really hot summer in Jerusalem, we walked into the Aroma cafe where coffee is their specialty.  Since I have never like the taste of coffee, not even mocha, my eyes searched for an alternative and spotted a green drink.  It turned out to be a combination of lemon juice with mint and ice cubes pulverized in a blender.  Think they may have added some honey as a sweetener.  It was out of this world delicious!  For the rest of the days we were there, I order a glass full.  When I returned home in the states, I decided that since I wasn't sure of the exact lemon recipe, I would make my own using 100% pineapple juice.  It was sensational! Ever since, I have made one everyday for my afternoon pick-me-up. 

The key that makes this cooling drink a stand out is the use of a blender to grind fresh mint leaves in a 100% fruit juice along with some ice cubes.  My proportions are 1 cup of 100% pineapple juice (not from a can), 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves and a handful of ice cubes.  That's it!

For this photo, I realized I had run out of pineapple juice so I pulverized fresh pineapple with water.  Then added the mint leaves and ice.  The more mint leaves you use, the greener it is… here the green has yet to settle.  The more mint leaves your use, the fresher the uplifting taste! 

Now I will admit that after I took this photo, I noticed I had a couple of strawberries and blueberries in the fridge.  So, I threw them into the blender and now I have a purple/pink mint drink.  There is hardly a fresh fruit that can't be enhanced by fresh mint.  Try it!

Where do you buy fresh mint?  You can find it in a grocery store in packets or as a plant.  Since it grows like a weed, I recommend buying a plant of two, put them into larger pots either directly into the ground or on your balcony.  Now this drink becomes really inexpensive.

By the way, refreshing has a double meaning here.  Mint and pineapple are both full of nutrients, antioxidants and even anti-inflammatory properties. Serve it to you whole family this summer.  Once you have made this – just takes minutes – I'll best you also will be hooked – that's a good thing!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

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

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

 

Asparagus are full of nutrients that feed your brain, blood, bones, heart, lungs, mouth/teeth, muscles, and skin!  For 2000 years they have been valued for their medicinal and epicurean offerings.  Their rich collection of phyto-nutrients that include Vitamin C, manganese, selenium, glutathione, B vitamins, inulin and fiber make them excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant providing food.  Look for thin firm stalks and steam or grill them.  Serve with lemon and butter, or a with a little cheese on top.  Introduce them to kids a spear head at a time. 

… for the health of your family,
ellen

If you think boys don't like to cook, think again! Last Wednesday, a class of boy Kid Kritics first learned some facts about their bones and then made a recipe that is filled with bone supporting nutrients: "Maple Shake" (Click Here for Recipe).  Sharing tasks wasn't easy for them because they wanted to do it all!  Using a Magic Bullet blender made the process easier. Messy, yes.  Fun, Yes!  Please don't underestimate boys' desire to help in the kitchen!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Want to win some yogurt for this recipe?  Enter to win a case of Greek-Style LowFat Plain Yogurt by Cabot Creamery today. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes