Way too many overlook eggplant as a regular guest in their kitchen.  In so many other countries, eggplant is a frequent visitor on dinner plates.  Eggplant fuels your heart, skin and nose (olfactory – sense of smell.)  Ninety percent of the reason we decide to taste a food is based on our sense of smell.  Along with your need for a healthy heart and skin,  this another reason to add eggplant to your grocery list.  Kid Kritics recently awarded our Eggplant Parmesan recipe their seal of approval.  Most of these kids had no idea what an eggplant was, and they loved it.  So branch out and buy an eggplant next time you shop. 

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Katrin and Liz, moms of twins, each have 2 ways to feed their kids vegetables.  Katrin relies on soups and sauces to sneak in cauliflower, squash, and some greens.  Her sauces are red based.  Liz has several mac and cheese and smoothie recipes where she adds orange, white and green vegetables.  Her kids’  favorite “power” smoothie is a combination of berries, especially the blue and dark red ones, bananas, carrots and spinach.  Both moms are sending us their recipes which we will have taste tested  by the Kid Kritics.  Then we’ll share them with  you.  In the meantime, get brave and disguise some phyto-nutrient filled vegetables in your favorite recipes.  (For more go to iTunes!)

… for the health of families,
ellen and sally

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

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

This week’s Performance Food is  GREEN BEANS.  They provide nutrients for healthy muscles, nerves, joints, lungs, eyes, hair, blood and brain.  Look for thin fresh picked while in season.  Go for the organic when and where possible.  While lightly steaming them in one pan, saute garlic and almond slivers in butter or olive oil in another. Combine them when done, sprinkle with a little sea salt and serve.  A slight squeeze of lemon adds a nice touch.  Kids like them with a light crunch so try not to over cook them.    Enjoy the fruits of summer!

… 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

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally