Antioxidants

Don’t throw away any more peels from your potatoes, oranges, lemons, limes, apples, carrots, and even kiwi.  No doubt you have heard that these color dense peels are filled with nutrients.  The skin of a fruit or vegetable is its first line of defense. Consequently, it is filled with immune building phyto-nutrients.  Prevention magazine (Sept. 2010) published ways to use peels that enhance meals, ones your family will probably like.  (Always wash your produce first.)  

Turn your brown, red or sweet potato skins into baked “potato crisps.” Grate or finely chop citrus skins and toss some into salads, steamed vegetables, sauteed dishes - be creative.  These add delicous zest.  If your kids refuse to eat apple skins, peel them and add some bits to a grilled sandwich with cheese.  Toss the rest into a salad. You can even grate or thinly peel vegetables and put them in ground meat dishes such as meatballs and burgers.  Every little bit helps.  No waste.  Lots of nutrients and flavor!   Value these peels, after all, you paid for them.

…  for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

BLUEBERRIES, one of God’s greatest tastiest food gifts.  They are loaded with phyto-nutrients – antioxidants to build and maintain your immune system.  And, they are very effective at fueling your muscles, nerves,  bones, heart, joints, lungs, eyes, hair, blood and even your nails.  Power up on fresh and frozen.  Choose organic when possible.  Use them in recipes and add them as toppings to anything you can think of, even if you use just a few.  Both your taste buds and body will experience the benefits!

…  for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Buying a bigger bell pepper or tomato does not mean you are getting more nutrients.  Plants have a finite amount, regardless of size.  Smaller means a more concentrated source of nutrients.  So you will get as much for your money for a small bell pepper as for a larger one.  When vegetables and fruit are sold by weight, this is especially good budget saving information.

…  for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Be sure to check out Healthy Recipe Mom Crystal’s Chicken and Shrimp Pasta made with the low gluten protein sourced organic white spelt spaghetti. It is loaded with a great mix of poultry, seafood, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and herbs.  “The children, ages 7 and 4, loved it because I added their favorite vegetables and shrimp, another family favorite.”   10 minutes to prepare, 15 minutes to cook and viola, you have a nutrient-packed delicious dinner.  Try it!

(Sign up to be a Healthy Recipe Mom too and receive free Kid Kritics Approved food. www.KidKritics.com)

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Tomatoes are great performance foods. They provide vital nutrients for your muscles, brain, nerves, heart, ears (hearing), eyes, mouth/teeth and hair. Their combination of phyto-nutrients and antio-oxidants are invaluable contributors to your health. Enjoy them fresh and as sauces. Add them in salads and sandwiches. When was the last time you had a BLT? (Make sure the B is turkey bacon.) We grew up on lettuce and tomato sandwiches. Delicious budget savers!

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally