Kids & Teens

We interviewed Ken Gootkind, head of the natural and organic product lines for Apple and Eve.  Boy, have they got some great new products for kids!  The first to bring to your attention is FIZZ ED.  This is a genius answer to replacing soda.  It is 8.4 fluid ounces of 70% juice and 30% carbonated water.  That’s it.  No bad chemicals added.  No added sugar.  Only fruit juice and sparkling water.  A bonus is that Apple and Eve uses the better sources for both their natural and organic juices.  This product is first being introduced into vending machines at schools.  Yeah - a far better beverage choice than the junk sodas.  You will also see it in stores soon.  The four flavors are: Pomegranate Cherry, Orange Mango, Green Apple and Red Raspberry - Yum  Here’s your answer for drink treats, especially for parties!

And there is more …. FRUITABLES.  This is a great new vegetable/fruit juice drink for kids. You will find a nice flavor and nutrient balance that includes carrot (yellow, purple, orange), beet, pumpkin, tomato, and butternut squash Juices.  When was the last time you kids drank beta-caroteen-filled pumpkin and butternut squash juice?  The three flavors are: Strawberry Kiwi, Tropical Orange, and Berry Berry. Again, no added sugar, bad chemicals and unwanted ingredients. Perfect for school lunches!!!!!   Fruitables will be showing up in your stores soon.

Apple and Eve, known for quality, are ahead of the curve when it comes to creating healthier products for kids.  These new products are example of this truth.

For more about Apple and Eve, listen to Ken on our archived show by clicking on to www.BetterFoodChoices.com/BetterFoodChoices. 

… for the health of your family,

ellen

I know Halloween is over, thank goodness, however I still want to introduce you to the “Switch Witch.”  Keri Marshall, ND, our recent guest on the Better Food Choices blog talk radio said the “Switch Witch” comes to her house on Halloween.  “Who is the ‘Switch Witch’?”, I asked. After her kids return from trick or treating carrying bags of candy, they are asked to pick out 5 candies that they want to keep.  Then they go to bed, leaving the remainder of the candy-filled bags out in a special place.  During the night the “Switch Witch” comes in and switches the bags of candy for a present for each child.  The “Switch Witch” gets to keep the candy - it disappears into the garbage, and the kids wake up in the morning to be surprised with their new gift, usually a toy.  Everyone is happy.  This is a win/win solution.  Kids get to have fun trick or treating, they get to have a little of their favorite candy, and they get a present.  What they don’t get is a belly-ache, a giant sugar rush, some mental chaos, added cavaties and fat-producing calories.  I love this idea!  Don’t you?

… for the health of your family,
Ellen

$2 Billion - that’s how much money shoppers are expected to spend on candy for Halloween.  That’s 2 with nine zeros following it - $2,000,000,000!  How much of this is going on credit cards adding to debt?  How many credit cards will be used to pay for the medicine purchased for all the kids who will eat this candy and then get sick?  How much money will be spent paying for dentist bills afterwards?  Halloween is a costly holiday and no one even gets presents - just candy full of fake dyes, flavors, and sugar. 

What’s the solution?  Since we are warned not to give out or receive anything thing that is not packaged, why not some small bags of trail mix, crackers (Cheddar Bunnies), and even cookies (Late July) that kids love - the ones that meet our Better Food Choices standards? Joseph’s Lite Cookies has some little snack paks of cookies that have been Kid Kritics Approved.  This is money better spent.  I also like the idea of having parties with home-cooked treats, especially those using fruit.  Serve a good ice cream made with real cane sugar and cream topped with frozen berries and nuts (for those not allergic) - yum!   If you use chocolate syrup, make sure it is Ah! Laska.  Let’s Go Organic has some sprinkles made with natural food colors that are fun. 

As a child years ago, I loved running around our village in a home-made costume going from house to house for treats.  There was one house always to be avoided because they always made you do a trick first- sing a song or something - before they gave you anything.  I am afraid that those days of fun innocent trick or treating are over - too many real scary possibilites in today’s world of “crazies”.  Unfortunately, this holiday tends to lend itself to bad experiences.  

Please spend your portion of this $2 billion on good healther food and fun.

Do your kids avoid eggs.  Do you?  Too bad.  They should be a staple in everyone’s weekly diet.  Omelets are great.  Scrambled with parmesan cheese, parsley flakes and paprika; they are delicious.  You can add so many ingredients to make eggs interesting to look at and tasty to eat.  Throw in greens such as spinach, broccoli and pea pods.  Add chopped onions and turkey bacon.  Stir in small bits of leftover meat or fish.  Tomatoes tossed in at the end are a great addition.  You have probably tried many versions and have your favorites.

Here is an idea my son concocted at school, his own version of deviled eggs.  The hard boiled eggs are provided.  After grabbing one, he scoops out the yoke.  Then he mashes it with a bit of yellow mustard and mayo.  After mushing it together to his satisfaction, he then puts it back into the hole of the hard boiled white.  Here is the kicker.  He tops it all with a drop of honey.  What a great idea – one that I would never have thought of in my lifetime.  He says they taste delicious.  Try this and let me know if you agree.

… for the health of your family,

Ellen