When you need or want to enjoy good-tasting cheese alternatives, you’ll be glad to know there are many good ones to choose. Be it almond, rice or soy-based, Lisanatti makes them so delicious that the Kid Kritics awarded their products their Seal of Approval.  That’s should speak loudly to you!  Lisanatti vegetarian cheese alternatives look, taste and melt like regular cheese.  The melting part is really important when making recipes such as grilled cheese.

Their almond, rice and soy cheeses come as mozzarella, cheddar, as sticks, in chunks or shredded.  They use organic and non-GMO ingredients. No trans or saturated fats.  Gluten and cholesterol free. Low in sodium and good sources of calcium and protein.  Have I given you enough reasons to try some?  Once you start, you’ll be come a loyal fan.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don’t forget to enter to Win a whole Case of  Wild Blueberry Juice by Wyman’s of Maine, PLUS, the children’s book, A Heart Pumping Adventure, by Dr. Heather Manley.  Feed and read about your heart!  Please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

Black beans, corn, tomatoes, cheese (soy in this case) and tortillas… little olive oil and you have an inexpensive, nutritious, delicious meal for your kids. Will they like it?  “Yes,” says Janice, the mother of two, who created this recipe.  We agree. The flavors cook together for yummy bites.  Whole grain tortillas were used in this photo’s version.  We encourage you to try them – great source of fiber and tummy filler.  There are gluten-free tortillas for those want them. You don’t need a Quesadilla maker for this recipe, and, if you have one, great!  (I don’t… yet).  For recipe details, please go to www.KidKritics.com. It is featured on the homepage. Ask you kids to help you make some of these Quesadillas and watch your family gobble them up!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Heart Healthy Week spills into our sweepstakes.  Win a whole case of Wild Blueberry Juice by Wyman’s of  Maine,  PLUS,  a children’s book, A Heart Pumping Adventure by Dr. Heather Manley.  This is  a win/win opportunity so please enter at www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Paprika, your secret weapon,  feeds your Brain, Blood, Bones, Eyes, Lungs, Nerves, Nose and Skin! Paprika is usually made from finely ground red bell peppers. This paprika is pretty tasteless with a possibility of a sweet touch.  Yet, it is filled with nutrients, especially Vitamin C, and antioxidants.  We say, paprika is a sneaky way to add vegetables to your meals. “Every little bit counts.”  I propose that you keep a jar on the table at all times.  Then invite your kids to gently decorate their foods such as pasta, eggs, chicken, turkey, mac and cheese, rice, just about anything cooked your put on their plate.  If you are up to it, take photos of their creations and send them to me – would be fun to post some!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Since you heart is pumping hard to push blood through about 60,000 miles of blood vessels  a day, wouldn’t it be a good idea to feed this muscle its needed fuel? Dr. Heather shares what she feeds her family of four so all stay healthy and function at their best.  Good fats (Omega-3s) were tops on her list.  Putting flax seed oil with heart healthy blueberries and other fruit into smoothies is a daily event for breakfast or snacks.  Avocados in salads or Guacamole are frequently consumed by her family.  Grass-fed beef and eggs are commonly found on their plates for dinner and other meals.  One of her young daughter’s was making scrambled eggs with spinach and cheese for her breakfast while we were on the air.  It’s not that hard!

To hear all of Dr. Manley’s Heart Health interview, please go to the www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com archived shows, or, www.iTunes.com, Podcast, Better Food Choices and click on the Feb. 3rd, 2012 show. PLEASE, avoid having any heart disease statistics in your family.  Listen to Dr. Heather Manley.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Chocolate lovers, enter to Win a Case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar Free, by Joseph’s Lite Cookies.  This is a great opportunity for those diagnosed as pre-Diabetic or Diabetic, or for those who want to avoid either diagnosis.  Joseph made them especially for you.  Go to www. KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.  Enter more than once to up your winning odds.

Every week we teach kids how to Fuel Their Dreams.  This week we focused on what foods feed their brains. After giving them some cool brain facts, we made a recipe that feeds it.  Look at this  photo of one of the boys making “BaNilla Berry Smoothie.”  The brain foods used were yogurt, banana, blueberrries and raspberries.  All the kids were licking every drop in and on their cups.  Big Success!  For recipe details, please go to www.KidKritics.com. Then click on the Breakfast recipe icon. You will find it listed there.  This is an easy one. Let your kids make it!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don’t forget to enter to Win a Case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar-Free by Joseph’s Lite Cookies.  Simply go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today and tomorrow!

They went from Junk Food to Real Food and now swear by it. One boy was 16 and always “starving.”  The other was an overweight college kid.  And they have a dad with Type 2 diabetes.  Mom thought she was feeding her family good food but after a dinner with me, she realized Jello and other processed foods she was serving were counter-nourishing her family. Her turnaround story is brilliant. A first bit of advice is, “You can’t tell them. You must show them.”  If you want to be inspired and learn how overnight everyone of them voluntarily bought into her changes, listen to Vickie Peaire tell her story.  Go to www. BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com (date: Jan 27, 2012) and listen or find it on iTunes, Podcast, Better Food Choices.  You will be SO glad your did!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Save money and Win a Case of Classic Macaroni and Cheese by Annie’s Homegrown.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes before Sunday night.

The government is setting new school lunch nutrition requirements:  Establish maximum calorie and sodium limits.  Serve a fruit and vegetable every day in larger portions.  Offer a minimum number of leafy green vegetables, red-orange vegetables, starchy vegetables and legumes each week.  After 2 years, all grains must be rich in whole grains such as brown rice.  Breads, buns, cereals and pastas must list whole grain as 1st ingredient. Milk must be either low-fat (1%) or fat-free.  Flavored milk must now be fat-free.  No trans- fats.

Cost – 11 cents more per lunch. Who is going to pay for this?  Government will give schools 6 cents more per lunch.  The additional 5 cents will have to come from states and local taxes it seems. What are you paying for each lunch at your children’s school?

We are pleased with these positive changes.  There are two possible problems to address.  One: the government has no money.  We are in serious debt.  Two: kids have to like these foods.  With the right cafeteria managers and chefs, this is possible.  To limit their other choices is critical.  Kids will eat healthier foods if they taste good.

Best possible school lunch – probably the one you make at home for your kids to take to school.  That is why we give you Lunch Box menus in our Family Food Newsletter.  Sign up to receive it twice a month. www.KidKritics.com.

… for the health of families,
ellen

Mac and Cheese – all natural, no artificial anything, no Trans Fats. Win a whole case by Annie’s Homegrown.  Add some carrots or peas and a few parsley and paprika flakes. Put some in thermos for school lunch.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Bet you rarely or never eat beets.  Am I right or wrong? Here’s why you should – they feed your Blood, Heart, Lungs, Mouth/Teeth, Muscles, Nerves and Skin. The easiest way to favorably prepare and serve them is to shred them raw.  Those little slivers add fabulous color to salads and sandwiches.  Yet, the taste is very mild since you they are reduced to little strands.  Roasted and grilled beets can be delicious.  Again, the key is to serve them in small slices.  My latest favorite salad is one with small chunks of purple and golden beets accompanied by greens, bits of walnuts, goat cheese and here’s the drum-roll, roasted garlic bud. Please, open your mind to bringing beets into your monthly menus for flavor and nutrient variety.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Are your paying more or less for a granola bar than a banana? Which one has better nutrient value?  Your answers lead to the ultimate question, “Which is the Best Buy?” Look forward to hearing your opinion!

… for the health of families,
ellen

Want to Win a whole case of Chocolate Energy Bites by Greens+?  Then go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

Serve these “Top Super Foods for Super Immunity” to your family to prevent them from getting sick: Kale/collards, mustard greens, Arugula/watercress, Green lettuce/cabbage, Broccoli/brussels sprouts, Carrots/tomatoes, Onions/garlic, Mushrooms, Pomegranates, Berries (all types), Seeds (flax, chia, sesame, sunflower).  Thank you Joel Fuhrman, MD., from his new book  Super Immunity.

Now you are probably thinking there is no way my family will eat some of these, especially those at the top of this list.  It’s time to open your mind to buying kale and collards, rinse and chop them finely, then stir fry some with olive oil, onions, garlic and sea salt. Add it few squirts of lemon juice if you like.  The way you get around the texture issue is to slice these greens into little bits. Then serve just a little at first, maybe a tablespoon size.  Stir some into a rice dish  or casserole.  Be inventive and know your effort has a big healthy payoff.   Please don’t shy away from brussels sprouts.  They are best when bought still on their stem.  Slice them in half or quarters and again stir fry them as recommended for kale.

I suspect the rest of this list is not so foreign to you.  Do not overlook the delicious fun offered by Pomegranates.  Quarter them, then have your kids remove the white flesh and pull out the yummy little red “berries.”  They can eat them right away or you could save some for salads.

Bottom line,  Dr. Joel Fuhrman has given you the secret to avoiding sick days.  Use it!   (By the way, you will save money by eating fresh produce over processed foods.)

… for the health or your family,
ellen

Chocolate Energy Bites (Greens+) are loaded with Superfoods and kids love them.  Enter to Win a Case.  Please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!