Thanks to a mom of two, we have another great muffin recipe, using our Kid Kritics Approved product of the week, Fair Trade Honey (Wholesome Sweeteners). How can you miss with Blueberry Lemon Muffins? The kids loved these. Click Here for this recipe.You and your kids will be so glad you made these for breakfast, lunch and snacks. They are great as pregame easy to digest energy food.  Make a bunch in the mini size.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

NEW Sweepstakes Prize this week: A case of Yummi Bears Organics Super Vision by Hero Nutritionals. Enter to win! New www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

These No Fry Chicken Nuggets are better than the best! So easy.  Key: buy taste chicken breasts from naturally raised chickens.  Cut them into nuggets sizes, sprinkle both sides with paprika, dip them in egg and then into a bag of  a crumbled crackers (used Annie’s Buttery Rich) mix with a little olive oil. Bake and Voila! Make a lot because you kids will be popping and chewing as many as they can. Recipe

Recipe creator, Healthier Recipe Mom, Shonda, said, “The chicken came out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The subtle buttery taste of the crackers added a nice flavor. My daughter LOVED them! We will definitely make these again!” Try them.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

New Sweepstakes Prize: win a Case of Sugar Free Coconut Cookies by Joseph’s Lite Cookies.  If you are going to eat sugar-free cookies, we recommend Joseph’s as he uses a proprietary sweetener formula.  www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up the odds!

The crunch sold these pretzels; kids love the feel and sound of crunch. In fact, we had fun with this and put a mike to their mouths for all to hear.  You could say kids love the taste of crunch. “Fantastic!”

We think everyone should eat less wheat so these Gluten Free Mini Pretzels or Sticks by the world famous pretzel maker, Snyder’s of Hanover, are great treat picks.  And, they can be used as dippers in nutrient filled dips such as hummus.  Try them!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

And why not win a whole case of these pretzels?  Enter the Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes today,  www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

Yummy trail mix you can personalize to your own family’s preferences … plus it is gluten free! Try it! RECIPE

… for the health of your family,
ellen

While you’re at it, enter to Win a whole case of Gluten Free Mini Pretzels by Snyder’s of Hanover. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

These kids not only made egg salad, they ate it!  Some confessed they never have eaten eggs… thought they were yucky.  But, they really liked these.  Want the recipe? CLICK HERE 

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Win a Case of Organic Bunny Classics Buttery Rich Crackers by Annie's Homegrown.  A mom used them to make No-Fry Chicken Nuggets that are so good, the Kid Kritics awarded this recipe their Seal of Approval. (Click Here for Recipe) Enter to win: www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

 

Mac & Cheese Muffins – what a great idea! "It was a fun way to eat Mac and Cheese. We had it for lunch but you can take it on the go for a picnic or as a snack!"(Fernanda, mother of 2)  This Healthier Recipe Mom was creative.  I've made them.  Super easy.  Kid Kritics comments: "Too good to be true. Gooder than real mac and cheese. Extraordinary. Supreme adventure!"  For recipe, CLICK HERE. Ask your kids to make them!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

NEW PRIZE!  Win a case of Organic Bunny Classics Buttery Rich Crackers by Annie's Homegrown. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

Lean on lemons to prevent disease, defeat free-radicals, cleanse your digestive tract, help lower blood pressure, increase your HDL (good cholesterol), while feeding your brain, blood, bones, ears, eyes, hair, lungs, mouth/teeth, nails, and skin.  All that and more in one lovely lemon.  Put thin slices in water, daily.  Use lemons to marinate fish and chicken. Squeeze some in baking recipes, over other fruit and vegetables such as asparagus, beans, peas, sweet potatoes and carrots.  Use it in salad dressings.  Add lemon juice to as many possibilities available to add flavor while caring for your body.  And, don't forget to drip some on a bite or sting to remove the poison and pain!  Always have a lemon or two in your kitchen.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Keep it simple.  Start with three, two or one pots, good organic soil, seeds and water.  That's it!  The soil is key to making gardening easy.  And, you must keep the soil moist.  No green thumbs required.  Jesse recommends that your first plants be lettuce, radishes, carrots, baby beets, potatoes… yes root vegetables as well. For herbs, first try thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, basil, parsley and chives.  Don't expect your results to be perfect, just do it and keep trying.  Get you kids involved.  You'll find that when they grow it, they will eat it.  For more of our interview with food expert, chef, cookbook author and organic gardener, LISTEN HERE.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Wouldn't you like a stash of Creamy Almond Butter with Omega 3s by Once Again Nut Butter to fill your cupboard?  Enter to win a case. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

90% of shoppers buy products not on shopping list, study finds.
A study by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research found that 90% of shoppers buy items not on their grocery list, with 66% enticed by promotions, 30% lured by coupons and 23% wanting to pamper themselves. The study also found that list-makers typically write down a product, not brand.*  Is this the way you shop for your family's food? 

Are you one of the 90% who makes buying decisions based on food companies directing with their advertising and marketing ploys?  I understand the desire to pamper yourself, moms, but basing 23% of your buying decisions are on this is excessive 'I deserve…'  thinking.  No wonder we have a serious health epidemic in so many diseases in this country. 

Yet, when talking to moms, I am reminded that you know better.  I know you want to feed your kids healthier foods.  So why do you let others, who bank on your emotional and easy way out impulses, drive you to spend your money their way?  Make your list, with healthier brands.  Buy fresh.  Spend less. (So many coupons are for highly processed, nutrient-empty, costly unhealthy products – watch out!  Focus on those for product that meet our ingredient standards.).  Use our Kid Kritics Approved Grocery List as a guideline.  CLICK HERE.  Make better shopping decisions using your thoughtful shopping list. TIP: Have a healthy core list of foods to always have in your kitchen. Then keep replacing those you use.  Take the reins and decide how you are going to spend hard earned money!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

* GMA@smartbrief.com, 4/19/12

Add this to your today 's To Do List.  Enter to Win a whole Case of Creamy Almond Butter with Omega 3s by Once Again Nut Butter. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

Do you want GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) food for your family?  GMO food has had its genes spliced with lab-replicated genes from other animals, plants, and viruses to make it resistant to insects, heat, drought and more so it will grow more easily for mass production.  This includes cross specie changes. 91% of soy  and 85% of corn are now GMO produce. Many scientists and health professionals are concerned about the long term health issues attached to the consumption of GMO food.  "In one study, traces of insecticide were present in the blood of 93% of pregnant women and in 80% of umbilical cord blood." * Others say time for more research is needed. 30 countries, including the European Union, Australia and Japan won't allow GMO farming. They didn't wait until health negative results surfaced. 

How would you know if you are eating GMO food?  You won't, unless the food companies are required to use a GMO label .Or, unless you buy all organic, stay away form the Top 8: corn, soybeans, canola, cottonseed, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya and yellow squash.  There is a Non-GMO Shopper's guide: www.nongmoshopping guide.com.

In 2 days, the FDA, who has a former Vice President of GMO producing leader Monsanto as their Deputy Commissioner for Food, must respond to the Petition to require GMO labeling.  To sign this petition, please CLICK HERE. Thank you.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don't forget to enter to win a case of Creamy Almond Butter with Omega 3s by Once Again Nut Butter. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

*"GMO", Prevention Magazine, April 2012, p. 89.