There are cookies and then there are cookies!  Snackimals are made with your children’s health  in mind.  No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or trans fats.  Full of natural, organic and non-GMO ingredients.  Also full of flavor! The animals are so well carved you can easily identify them providing major kid appeal. They come in lunch box sizes for travel snacks.  Healthier Recipe Moms have used cookies in parfaits and as pie crusts… take a look at some of their recipes, www.KidKritics.com. When it is time for treats, Snackimals are a great choice.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

What would you do with a whole case of Classic Macaroni and Cheese by Annie’s Homegrown? Enter to win and then let us know!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today and tomorrow… until Sunday night.

Reminder: After products and recipes meet our Family Food Experts Ingredient Standards set by our board of noted health professionals, kids blind taste test them and decide which ones to award their Kid Kritics Approved Seal.  Because they are now deemed healthier and kids like them, we feel compelled to share this news with you.  Now you can serve your family healthier foods odds are they will love.

The 10 Worst Cereals in terms of sugar per cup

Cereal, grams of sugar per cup, teaspoons of sugar:

• Kellogg's Honey Smacks, 20.0, 5 tsp

• Post Golden Crisp, 18.7, 4.6 tsp.

• Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch Original, 16.0, 4 tsp.

• Quaker Oats Oh!s, 16.0, 4 tsp

• Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch OOPS! All Berries, 15.0, 3.7 tsp

• Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries, 14.7, 3.6 tsp

• Kellogg's Froot Loops Marshmallow, 14.0,3.5 tsp

• Kellogg's Smorz, 13.0, 3.2 tsp

• Kellogg's Apple Jacks, 12.0, 3.0 tsp

• Kellogg's Froot Loops Original, 12.0, 3 tsp

Alternatives:

• Post Shredded Wheat,* 0.0, 0 tsp

• Kellogg's Mini-Wheats Unfrosted Bite-Size,* 0.6, 0.15 tsp

• Cheerios Original, 1.0, 0.25 tsp

• Kix Original, 2.4, 0.6 tsp

• Post Grape-Nuts Flakes, 5.3, 1.3 tsp

• Quaker Oats Oatmeal Squares Cinnamon,* 6.0, 1.5 tsp

• Post Bran Flakes, 6.7, 1.6 tsp

• Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Vanilla Bunches,* 8.0, 2 tsp

* The serving size for dense cereals was adjusted to a serving (2/3 cup) with roughly the same weight as a cup of most light cereals.

Source: Environmental Working Group – THANK YOU!

Please avoid the sugar cereals and use the others as snacks, not the central source for breakfast nutrients.  Give your kids a better start , especially on school days.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Please read this… for the health of your family, ellen

Q&A about Arsenic and Apple Juice

by Kimberly Lord Stewart (author of Eating Between the Lines, guest on Better Food Choices Radio)

If the recent Consumer Report study about arsenic in apple and grape juice leave you in a quandary about what to buy and whether there are safe juice options, consider this your one-stop source for no spin information on what to buy.

A few weeks ago, Dr. Oz entered the conversation when he independently tested apple juice samples for arsenic. The results were alarming, as some samples exceeded FDA limits for arsenic.  But the television doctor’s tests were discredited because they did not distinguish between the two types of arsenic—organic and inorganic.  The Consumer Reports study gives Dr. Oz’s concerns credibility,  so here is what you need to know:

Q: What is organic and inorganic arsenic?Don’t confuse this with the same type of organic used in food production. Organic arsenic is naturally occurring arsenic in soil and ground water. There are two forms of organic arsenic that may pose health risks, according to FDA. Inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen.  Inorganic arsenic in water is considered a silent killer because it has no taste, no color or odor.

Inorganic arsenic was allowed in US until the 1970’s to combat the Colorado potato beetle, but even with the 40-year ban, it remains in the soil. A bigger concern is that more than 70% of apple juice concentrate consumed in this country is imported from China, where there is no regulation regarding inorganic arsenic.  Other countries that import apple juice include Argentina, Brazil, Eastern Europe and South Africa, each with varying levels of regulations. For instance in the Consumer Reports study, Brazilian imported apple juice proved cleaner than juice from Argentina and China.

Q: What did the Consumer Reports study find? This recent Consumer Reports study found that among 88 samples of apple juice and grape juice, the levels of arsenic were notably higher than what is allowed in drinking water.  The study specifically looked at the two type of arsenic, organic (the type that is naturally occurring) and inorganic (the type that comes from agricultural inputs and is considered carcinogenic. Even though none of the samples exceeded the FDA limits for arsenic in food for adults, the results are of particular concern for children’s health.

Q: How much arsenic is allowed in food and water?The juice industry is citing the study as of little concern because none of the results show that juice exceeds food standards, but FDA is relooking at the issue. Current regulations limit the amount of total arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion (ppb) and 5 ppb for inorganic arsenic. FDA says they have a “level of concern” for arsenic levels above 23 ppb in food.


Q: Should I be concerned?Consumer’s Union (parent company of Consumer Reports) is calling for FDA to adjust the limits for apple juice to 3 ppb for arsenic and 5 ppb for lead. "We calculated that level so that if a child drank 4 to 6 ounces of juice daily, they would be under the daily limit of arsenic intake," Michael Hansen, senior scientist at Consumers Union, tells The Salt. "It would give them a one in 1000 risk for skin, bladder and lung cancer." Hansen says that 35% of children 5 and younger drink more juice than pediatricians recommend, which is why the limits need to be established for children.

 The Juice Products Association says there is nothing to worry about. "Consumer Reports and other media outlets erroneously compare juice to the standards for drinking water. Juice is not water. To compare the trace levels of arsenic or lead in juice to the regulatory guidelines for drinking water is not appropriate because regulatory agencies have set lower thresholds for drinking water than for food and other beverages because people consume larger amounts of water."

 Q: What is FDA doing about it?FDA will continue to test juices and juice concentrate and evaluate data provided by industry, consumer groups and government agencies, as well as data published in scientific literature. If the agency finds too much inorganic arsenic in any juice, it will take steps to remove that product from the market.

Q: As a parent, what can I do to limit my child’s exposure to arsenic in juices?Here are a few ways to protect your  children from exposure to arsenic and lead in juices:

1. Buy organic. Among all the samples tested by Consumer Reports, organic brands contained lower amounts of arsenic than other brands.
2. Pay attention to Country of Origin. Brands from China and Argentina contained higher levels of inorganic arsenic than juice from the United States.
3. Be brand savvy. One of the study’s most surprising results were the dramatic differences in arsenic levels among brands. For instance, Gerber baby apple juice had the highest levels of arsenic, while Juicy Juice had low levels.
4. Dilute your child’s juice. Physicians recommend limiting juice intake regardless of concerns about arsenic, to limit sugar intake. So this latest arsenic study is another reason to limit your child’s apple juice consumption.
5. Print out this list of brands that contain the highest and lowest levels of arsenic. PDF attached.

To learn more about food safety and food labeling issue like this on, read Kimberly Lord Stewart’s book, Eating Between the Lines, now available on ebook.

 http://www.amazon.com/Eating-Between-Lines-Supermarket-Shoppers/dp/031234774X

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eating-between-the-lines-kimberly-lord-stewart/1008026588

 

Blueberry Lovers – here's a chance of a lifetime.  Enter to Win a Case of fresh frozen Wild Blueberries by Wyman's of Maine! Wild Blueberries have about 46% more antioxidants than regular ones.  This is the immune building giant among berries.  Use frozen ones in smoothies to keep your family healthy all winter.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

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?

The food companies know this.  Body care, cleaning and perfume companies probably do too.  Research as shown there are fragrances that stimulate your brain to think, "I 'm hungry, better eat this… just one more bite."  Now mind you, this desire can begin in your bathroom with fragrant soaps and shampoos.  Do you nibble on food during or after you have used a sweet smelling cleaning fluid? We think is It is better to avoid lab created fragrant products for two reasons.  Desirable smelling lab-made chemicals, when used as directed, have been connected to respiratory, neural and other illnesses. And, stimulating the desire to eat when you are not truly in need of food adds to weight management issues.  Keep in mind that everyone living your home is affected by this reality as well.  I have to look hard to pick out unscented laundry soap. And I certainly do not use those chemically laden laundry softeners which give me giant headaches. I feel better and struggle less with snacking!  Please, give some serious thought to making these changes.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Better enter now to Win a WHOLE YOUNG TURKEY by Plainville Farms. I really hope you are the one I call on Monday morning to say, "YOU WON!"  Enter by going to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Three is “the number of minutes frosted oats must stay float in milk and keep their sweet taste.”*  This is how food companies spend a lot of money in a food lab so you will think they have the best sweet cereal. Do you think that is money well spent?  And, what do you think they do to product to keep it afloat?  Would you buy a cereal that didn’t float for three minutes?  Let me know, please!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

* Julie Jargon, ” Less Sugary Cereal that Still Floats,” Wall Street Journal, 10/11/11. p. B1

“Lettuce recall for listeria initially mentioned only cartons destined for retail in a few states. True Leaf Farms now says lettuce recall involves nearly 2,500 cartons, mostly sold to restaurants, cafeterias, and other institutions in 19 states and Canada.” This is what has been reported from several news outlets. The good news is that this issue was caught fairly early on indicating our improved food safety processes are working.   Once again, the source of this food recall is not an organic farm.  Bottom line, feel safer when buying organic, be sure to wash all produce well before eating, and always wash your counters and your hands before and after use.  Then enjoy your salad!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

5 more days to enter to Win a Case of Oat Cranberry Almond Whenever Bars, Gluten-Free by Pamela’s!  You can do so every day.  Wouldn’t a case of Kid Kritics Approved breakfast, lunch and snack bars help you food budget?  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don’t forget to enter to Win a whole Case of Oat Cranberry Almond Whenever Bars, Gluten Free, by Pamela’s. Help your food budget. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Dr. Oz has moms wondering whether to feed their kids apple juice or not. It is time to narrow down the truths so you can make good decisions.  First one: do not buy imported fresh or processed produce.  Those from Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand may be excepted due to their strict produce guidelines.  Most other countries, and especially China, have suspect produce practices.  This is where metals, such as arsenic are being found. Buy 100% U.S.A.  Secondly: Buy local and even better, organic.  Thirdly: Dilute all 100% juices when serving, or, skip them all together and feed your kids organic apples.  Sugar added juices should be a no.  Water, plain or with lemon juice is what kid really need.  Save safe fruit juices as a treat.

… for the health of your family,
ellen