Party Food

I was looking to see what Olympians eat for breakfast… no not cheeseburgers.  They know the science of  eating for performance.   Their breakfast food depends on the time of day they are competing.  Let’s say they are up at 6pm and their race is at Noon.  This would call for great grain carb sources and some fruit for energy, not a lot of protein.  The staple for most is oatmeal – better to have cooked rolled or steal cut oats.  Along with this I recommend our recently Kid Kritics Approved Breakfast Banana Split.  You simply cut a banana in half.  Spread some vanilla yogurt over the halves. Top it with freshly cut strawberries, pineapple and some blueberries.  Place a dollop of some vanilla yogurt over the fruit.  Sprinkle ground nuts of choice on top (or not if you have nut allergies in your home).  Serve.  This combination, with oatmeal lightly sweetened with 100% pure maple syrup or fair trade honey, prepares your kids for hours of  high performance.  FYI: all fresh produce contain some protein  – a little of a lot adds up.  Of course, include a tall glass of spring water.

Enjoy this Olympic Power Breakfast!  (Recipe details Click Here)

… for the health of your family,
ellen

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

Simply Delicious Fruit Pizza

… They Devoured it!!!

This recipe was a HUGE hit with the Kid Kritics.  Want to impress your family and friends?  Make it at your next party!  Decorate using summer fresh fruit and your own creative touch.

Kid Kritics said, “Best I ever had in my whole life … make 1000 more … tastes amazing … I want my house made of it!”

Really easy.  CLICK HERE.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

If you are not a hot dog fan but love the buns, make this recipe! “Amazing… Best in the whole entire universe…I taste a bunch of flavors floating in my mouth… Thought it was a delicious masterpiece… Crunchy bacon with soft bread – it was a great combination… I just loved it!”  The plus of a hot dog bun is its size… not too big, not too small – just right for kids.  You may want to warm it on a grill for a few minutes… take a look CLICK HERE

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Trick to making egg salad… chop everything finely, especially the hard boiled eggs. Make it a bit mushy.  We spread it between two rice crackers.  The kids couldn’t get enough!  “More,  seconds, PLEASEEEEEE…. I like it a lot… Yes, I loved it – it is a crunchy delight… It was Egg-squisite!”  The added taste touch of Parmesan cheese steps this up to the rank of a favorite food.  What a great way to get you kids to eat eggs, the perfect brain food!  CLICK HERE for RECIPE

Invite your kids to help you make it.  Bet half  is gone before you serve it.

… for the health of your family,
ellen