Party Food

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

 

"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.

"You may want to double this recipe.  These go fast!" … says the mom who created No-Bake Cashew Butter Balls.  It's so simple.  In a bowl mix together rolled oats, a little agave nectar or raw honey and flour with some cashew butter. Roll into little balls and they're ready to eat.  Add some dried fruit, nuts and coconut if you like.  For details, please click Here.  Make some for Easter, adding some dark chocolate chips!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Imagine a whole Case of Greek-Style LowFat Plain Yogurt by Cabot of Vermont being delivered to your home!  What a great supply for making smoothies, dips, fruit yogurts, sauces and yummy summer frozen yogurt recipes. Enter to win. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

Talk about a menu that gives you plenty of time to enjoy your guests, energizes everyone for a fun day with family and friends, has a Performance rating of 8 Food Groups and 8 Naturally Sourced Colors making it a powerhouse meal, and has a delicious something for everyone: Asparagus & Ham Frittata, Raspberry Almond Tart, Citrus Juice Bar! Please don't shy away from offering this to your kids.  The presentation of the cheese coated Frittata enriched with finely diced thin asparagus and ham (lean and organic if possible) is inviting with its tasty aroma.  This tart's crust is made with almond butter, filled with yogurt of your choice with a little orange juice, topped with fresh raspberries, then served cold.  Who can resist a juice bar with grapefruit, orange and blood orange juices (yellow, orange and red)?  Listen to how Natalie from the Super Healthy Kids website and blog created these recipes. Click Here.

1.       Enjoy Your Brunch!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Couldn't you use a free case of Oat Blueberry Lemon Whenever Bars, gluten free (Pamela's Products), for breakfast, lunch and snacks?  Enter to win. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!  (prizes change on Sunday night)

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