Join the Kids Nutrition Blog as we share news, tips and ideas on the ever changing world of health and nutrition for the entire family (without breaking the bank)!
1. Become a Fan of FAMILY HEALTH AND NUTRTION. (This is probably the best way). We can all talk there!!
2. "This Week's Healthy Deals", "Monday Meal Planner" and "This vs That Thursdays" all have a Leave A Comment section at the bottom of the page.
3. If you have a direct question send it to me via the CONTACT button on the left side of the page.
Mar 9, 2010, Exercise Tip Tuesday- FREE pedometer and DVD
This week's Exercise Tip Tuesday is a bit different.
Remember last fall when I gave myself the pedometer challenge to see if I was taking my 10k steps a day?
Remember how much easier it was for me to get those steps in on my at home days than it was on my work days?
Just wanted to remind everyone to get up and walk! Get those steps in!!! Go talk to co-workers instead of e-mailing or calling, park farther away in the parking lot, or take your kids on a walk!
Anyway, go to the link below and sign-up for the JUST KEEP MOVING campaign sponsored by Tylenol and get a FREE pedometer and DVD so you can track your steps!!!
Do it fast. I'm not sure how long this promotion will last!!
Mar 8, 2010, This Week's Healthy Grocery List and Monday Meal Prep!
I was out of town all weekend, so I JUST got back from the grocery this morning, so I'll just give you the highlights:
1. I only spent $72 this week!! YAY!
2. Cascadian Farms Organics are on sale again at Kroger this week for $2.49. Plus, most of the boxes from the last time had save $1.00 off of 2. So, I got 2 boxes of cereal for $2.00 each and 2 boxes of fiber bars for $2.49 each. (They are normally around $5 for these!)
3. I found 3 containers of the Stonyfield Farms Organic yogurt on Manager's Special for $0.69 each(expiration dates are March 15)
Everything else was pretty standard this week.
Also, here is my Monday Meal Prep for this week!
1. Boil organic chicken and use the chicken AND the broth with a bag of frozen mixed veggies, cup of barley, and one can of diced tomatoes to make chicken veggie soup for later in the week.
2. Hard boil eggs for dear daughter's breakfasts this week.
3. Quick soak, cook and puree garbanzo beans for fresh hummus to go with our black bean nachos this week.
4. Steam carrots, cook whole grain pasta and chop for my sons finger foods for this week.
Mar 5, 2010, It's WE TRIED IT! Friday. This week: Wholesome Soy Yogurt
Since we love regular yogurt AND greek yogurt (it has become our new favorite!), I decided to buy the soy yogurt this week as well.
If you read yesterday's WHEY vs SOY comparison (see below), then you know there are many health benefits to soy protein, especially for women.
Kroger had the individual containers for $0.59/each. So, I bought a couple.
I have to say, it was not my favorite! My daughter didn't like it at all. But, my son at the entire container. (He is NOT a picky eater!)
It has a much different taste than regular yogurt. It is a stronger taste. I think we could get used to it, but I will probably just go back to the greek yogurt since my kids and I all love it and it is packed with healthy protein.
But, for those of you who can't or don't do dairy or if you have decided to add more soy protein to your diet, then it might be something you would want to try. It wasn't awful, it would just take some getting used to.
Mar 4, 2010, This vs That Thursday: Whey vs Soy Protein
PLAN YOUR ROUTINES IN ADVANCE! Know whether you are a person who should workout in the morning, during your kids naps or lunch break or in the evening after dinner and plan what you will do for EACH WORKOUT. Just like with healthy eating, it requires thinking ahead to achieve your goals!
Want some ideas on free and easy ways to workout? Click on the link below:
A few weeks ago I shared that I was using Mondays to prep my meals for the week and I planned on posting each Monday my plan.
Well, February was less than a terrific month for us around this house (SNOW, canceled birthday party, re-scheduled birthday party, stomach virus, and a few other crazy things), so I didn't really get to prep on Mondays.
But, it is a new month and a new outlook!
So, here is my prep plan:
Last night I sorted, washed and placed my dried red beans and garbanzo beans in pans of cold water to soak. My red beans are now boiling with garlic, sea salt and pepper. The garbanzo beans are boiling in regular water.
(I prefer buying dried beans over canned because dried beans are less expensive, don't contain sodium and other chemicals and I don't have to worry about BPA in the lining of the cans!)
My plan is to take half the red beans and add carrots, tomatos, celery and onion to make some veggie soup for the week. The other half I will freeze for later.
I am going to take the garbanzo beans and mix with tomato, garlic, and lemon juice for some yummy hummus.
Also, I am planning on organizing all the ingredients for my meals for the week so things will go more smoothly at dinnertime! (I also am boiling eggs for my family's breakfasts as well.)
The only other plan I have is to steam some carrots and broccoli, cook some whole grain pasta and chop all of it into tiny pieces for my son's dinners this week.
Good thing all I have to do today besides meal prep is laundry and clean my house. Fun times!
MONDAY MEAL PLANNER will be posted this afternoon!
Let me know what your plans are for this week! Click on the link below and share your ideas on Facebook!
I have to admit I did not do well this week at the grocery store. Partly because my printer is out of ink, so I had no printable coupons and partly because my dear son is eating us out of house and home. (It will be nice when baby food isn't on the list anymore!)
Anyway, I did find Earth's Best Organic jar food at Big Lots today for $0.30 a jar. What a great find on accident!!! So, I bought what they had and my parents went to their local Big Lots and bought what they had as well.
I shopped at Kroger this week and spent $110 (GULP!) and saved $35. Not very impressive, but hopefully I can start doing better again next week now that I don't have baby food to buy!
1 box Fiber One Bars $1.50 (on sale for $2.50 plus I had a $1 off coupon)
3 packages of Kroger brand frozen broccoli $3.00 total
(**side note- you will notice I don't buy much canned food. This is due to BPA in the lining of cans and the often high sodium content of canned vegetables, beans, etc)
4 Healthy Choice lunches $1.38 each ($1.88 plus I had a couple of $1 off 2 coupons)
1 dozen organic eggs $3.65
1 package whole grain tortillas
20 jars of Naturally Preferred organic baby food
1 block of Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese $2.50
1 bag of organic apples $3.49
2 lemons $0.88 total
1 package organic green onions $1.60
1 package organic carrots $2.65
1 container Kroger brand instant oatmeal $1.05
1 cantaloupe $1.25
2 containers Soy Yogurt $0.59 each (on manager's special)
1 bag whole grain rice $1.49
2 Zone bars $0.59 each (normally I don't get these, but I love them and they were on sale!)
1 jar organic applesauce $2.50
A few other items like All detergent for $.50 and Wisk detergent for FREE!! (used the eCoupon and a manufacturer's coupon on both of these.)
Also got baby cereal, baby water, TP, shampoo and conditioner.
Click on the link below for helpful shopping tips and links to all the great couponing sites!
Feb 26, 2010, It's WE TRIED IT! Friday. This Week: Minute Maid Fruit Falls Water Beverage
This week I purchased MINUTE MAID FRUIT FALLS Water Beverage for my daughter. From the packaging they looked like a good way to get her to drink more water. It said it was filtered water with a splash of fruit juice.
Looked good to me! It didn't contain high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors, so it seemed like a good choice.
Too bad I didn't see one of the ingredients close to the bottom of the list! SUCRALOSE. (I didn't follow my own rule of carefully looking at food labels!! Maybe that was because I was breaking another one of my rules and took both of my angels with me to the store! Anyway...)
SUCRALOSE is the same chemical compound as SPLENDA. And I personally avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague. Especially for my children!
BOTTOM LINE:
I will just continue to give my children milk or water (with a splash of REAL fruit juice straight from the fruit itself) and stop trying to trust all these "convenience foods".
Feb 24, 2010, Getting more protein in my child's diet!
My daughter (like many young children her age) does not like meat. She will eat fruit, most veggies, pasta, and all of that. But, she will not eat meat. In fact, she won't even touch a chicken nugget at McDonalds (not that I would want her to anyway!)
But, I really feel like she doesn't get enough protein in her diet.
So, I tried giving her Greek yogurt this week. I thought she would tell me she didn't like it because it tasted different from her normal yogurt. But, to my surprise, she LOVED it.
I bought the Cabot of Vermont Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt. It isn't quite as thick as some of the other Greek yogurts and she thought it tasted the same as the Stonyfield Farms I normally buy.
The best part is that it has 18 grams of protein per serving plus calcium and all that good stuff :0)
She asks for a bowl every day!
If you have a non-meat eater, it might be worth a try!
Feb 23, 2010, Exercise Tip Tuesday!
Use the restroom on a different floor from the one you are on at home or at work. The stairs are a great workout for your tushy!!!
This week I spent a bit more than usual at Publix, but that was because I found some great deals that should care us through for next week! I spent $120 and saved $37.92.
(All in for the month of February, my grocery bill was $$387. Not bad!)
Here is what I purchased:
3 cans Progresso Black Beans $2.00
30 jars of Earth's Best organic baby food $24
whole turkey breast $12.69
1 quart Cabot Greek yogurt $3.99
2 half gallons Organic Valley milk $2.50 each (on sale for $3.50 each and I had a $2 off of 2 coupon!! The expiration date isn't until March 28)
Stuffed beef kabobs with veggies $5.79
1 can Muir Glen organic canned tomatoes $1.50
2 Whole Grain Batons from Bakery $1.89 each
2 boxes Mueller whole grain pasta $0.79 each
1 loaf Publix whole grain sliced bread $1.69
1 bag organic apples $4.99
1 cantaloupe $2.00
1 bag organic romaine lettuce $3.99
1 container of strawberries $2.50
6 cans of Progresso Chicken Noodle soup $0.75 each (BOGOF plus I had coupons!!)
Check out the link below for all the great coupon match-up websites!!
I know with the weather these days not being great, it's hard to get outside and exercise.
BUT, spring is coming!!! (I say it everyday 3 times. LOL!)
Here's a grat tip for when the weather starts to warm-up:
AFTER DINNER FAMILY WALK at least 3 times a week.
Instead of collapsing on the couch after dinner, grab the kids and go for a family walk. Make it something the whole family will look forward to by playing games like I SPY or bird watching during your walk.
Feb 16, 2010, Dr. Oz's Green Drink Recipe!
Remember when he made this for Oprah? I have been wanting to try this and now they posted the recipe!!!
Feb 13, 2010, It's WE TRIED IT! Friday. This Week: FOOD FOR KIDS DVD
I was approached a few weeks ago about reviewing a new kid's DVD called FOOD FOR KIDS with Chef Joseph Ciminera.
Here is what my family thought:
The DVD is actually full of some really great recipes for healthy meals and snacks that generally my daughter liked. (That's saying something.)
Chef Ciminera walks you through many of the recipes on the DVD and you can download the recipes online.
THINGS WE LIKED:
Many of the recipes were very delicious and all of the are healthy for you.
I liked some of the substitutions made for a healthier meal (like using low-fat cream cheese instead of mayo in the chicken salad.)
I also liked the daily meal plan that included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and 3 snacks. Gave us lots of variety (and more food than we could eat some days!)
THINGS THAT MIGHT NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE:
You have to be willing to be in the kitchen and prepare meals. I personally cook every night and prepare ahead for the week on Mondays. If you aren't into cooking, this might seem overwhelming. But, it really is the only way to have healthy meals for your family.
I don't own a dehydrater, so some of the recipes I couldn't fix. For example, I just bought granola in the health food section instead of making it.
Some of the ingredients could be somewhat expensive. I had to wait and find sales before having all the ingredients for a few of these recipes.
There are a few things my 5 year old WILL NOT EAT. Olives being one of them. She wasn't a super huge fan of the spinach in the chicken breast either. So, I only put the cheese in hers. (Sorry. I have to do what I have to do! She wouldn't have eaten the chicken at all otherwise!)
All in all, I really like the healthy recipes. I plan on using them again!!!
If you live near an Earth Fare, head over to Twitter and follow them (link below). They send out a "Tweebie" coupon each Friday for something free. (The coupon is only good that day)
Great way to save money on healthy foods! Wish I lived near an Earth Fare!
Did you know in a study done by the University of California, San Diego, dog owners walked more than other people?
Because of this, they tended to have lower body fat and were overall healthier. So, if you own a dog, get out there and walk! It will make you and your dog happier and healthier.
Don't have a dog? Volunteer at your local animal shelter! You will be making a dog happy, helping your community and getting the exercise you need!
I just added a great Coupon Database to the Resources section called Hot Coupon World. If you go to the VERY BOTTOM you will also see a link to organic coupons in small print!
We have family in town this weekend and are planning some yummy food for the Super Bowl. But, I still wanted everything to be healthy. So, here is my plan (and recipes!!)
If you really don't feel like exercising, try this tip:
Tell yourself that you will only walk, run, use the eliptical, etc for TEN MINUTES.
After ten minutes, see how you feel. If you still don't feel like doing it, then stop. But, 99% of the time you will want to finish you 20-30 minute workout.
It's all about getting started!!
Feb 2, 2010, Send a Friend Or Loved One Free Yogi Tea!
Sign-up and send a friend or loved one a sample of Yogi Tea and a message for FREE!
I sent my friend RELAX tea and a message that says "If you can't sleep, at least rest" since she is in nursing school right now and super stressed!
I will be posting my MONDAY MEAL PLANNER this afternoon during my dear one's nap time. But, I wanted to share with you my new plan for Monday's as well.
Kelly over at faithfulprovisions.com (link is at the bottom of this post) had a great idea for a "Prep Day" to make weekly meals easier. Her prep day is once a month, but for now I will be doing mine each Monday. Check out her blog for all the details!
So, here is my Prep Day Plan for this week:
1. Make vegetable and chicken broth to freeze for the week. It's cheaper than buying organic broth each week!
(I collect all the scraps from when I chop veggies in a big tupperware bowl during the week to make the veggie broth and I am boiling some of the organic chicken I have in the freezer from when it was on sale. I will take the boiled chicken and freeze it for meals later in the week as well.)
2. I am also going to soak and cook all my different dried beans today and then refridgerate them for later in the week. I like dried beans, lentils, etc better than canned because they are cheaper and I don't have to worry about salt, preservatives or BPA from the cans!
This week I attempted to purchase only organic and natural foods. I spent $116 and saved $38.20.
Sounds like alot I know.
But, I stocked up on things like frozen tilapia, organic cereal and organic baby food that was on sale. So I won't have to buy that again for the rest of the month.
Plus, I needed to buy a few extras this week for someone special's 5th birthday.
Also, don't forget to add your great finds this week by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post!
Anyway, here was this week's healthy deals:
1 Spaghetti Squash (find out tomorrow how I plan to use this!!) $3.33
3 Zuchinni $1.12
4 Yellow Squash $1.04
1 bag organic apples $3.49
1 extra large organic sweet potato $2.65
1 pack organic garlic $0.99
3 bunches green onions $0.65
1 organic cucumber $1.00
2 packages of frozen tilapia $5.98 (BOGOF)
2 packages of organic chicken tenderloins $3.18 each
1 lb Laura's Lean Beef $2.99
2 cans of Hunts Tomato Sauce No Salt Added $0.59 each
2 cans Green Giant Corn $1.00 each
1 Packet of Little Blends Organic Yogurt $2.35 ( I had a $0.75 off coupon from the package from last week!)
1 package of pearl barley $1.99
1 package of dried red beans $1.19
1 package of lentils $0.99
2 packages of Cascadian Farms organic broccoli $1.50 each (They were on sale 2 for $4 and I had a coupon from a prior package for $1.00 off)
Half Gallon Natually Preferred Organic Milk
2 packages of whole grain tortillas $2.29 each
4 boxes Cascadian Farms Purely O's organic cereal $2.50 each (these are normally $5.19 a box. They were on sale for $2.99 each and I had 2 coupons for $1.00 of two boxes!!)
1 dozen Naturally Preferred organic eggs
1 jar Kroger brand natural peanut butter $2.49
1 loaf whole grain bread $2.19
15 jars organic baby food $0.69 each (these are normally $0.95 each)
1 jar organic applesauce $2.50
I also got a few other items like toiletries and diapers. Plus, birthday cake, ice cream, and goldfish for my pretty lady's birthday!
In case you were wondering why I don't have an option for leaving comments on my blog, it is because of the way it is set-up with my website service. It isn't an option that is offered. (LOOONNNGGG story)
Anyway, here are a few ways to actually communicate with me:
1. Become a Fan of FAMILY HEALTH AND NUTRTION. (This is probably the best way). We can all talk there!! Click on the link at the bottom of this post to take you to Facebook.
2. "This Week's Healthy Deals", "Monday Meal Planner" and "This vs That Thursdays" will all have a Leave A Comment section at the bottom of the page starting this week.
3. If you have a direct question send it to me via the CONTACT button on the left side of the page.
Jan 29, 2010, It's WE TRIED IT! Friday. This Week: The BodyBugg
For those of you who are fans of The Biggest Loser know all about the Bodybugg. For those of you who don't watch, it is a small device on your arm that tracks calories burned throughout the day, number of steps, and you even enter your food intake so it can monitor your calories.
A few weeks ago a friend of mine purchased one. I asked her to give me a review of it.
Here are her thoughts:
(Disclaimer: she has NOT taken the recommended 45 training session, so her results may be different once she does that.)
LIKES:
"I like that it tracks my total calorie burn for the day. I have had my basal metabolic rate (the amount of calories I burn in a day completely at rest) tested before and it seems like their calculations are getting it pretty close to that."
DISLIKES:
"In the 5 days since I created my account they have e-mailed me three times and called me 3 times to set up my training session. When I created my account I was given the option to take advantage of the training session now or to come back to them later (they gave both a phone number and an e-mail address for me to contact if/when I decided to do the training session). I was not expecting to be bombarded daily with someone trying to set up an appointment. In the meantime, I had a problem uploading my info from the armband and e-mailed their tech support the first day I set everything up. It took them 4 days to respond to that e-mail (while in that same time period I received 2 of the e-mails and 2 of the phone calls trying to set up my training session)."
BOTTOM LINE:
"If I had it to do over again, I would not have spent as much money as I did on this. I feel it might be worth about $50 or $60 - not the $260+ that I spent. In their defense, I seem to remember reading a review where someone wrote that they weren't aware of all of the benefits of the BodyBugg until they took the training session which helped them tremendously. Their days and times that they offer the sessions are not convenient for me. And I'd rather them offer either a one time 45 minute session or 3 different 15 minute sessions. I would be able and willing to do the 3 15 minute sessions."
Again, this was a friend of mine and not a personal experience. Perhaps after her training session she will be happier with the Bodybugg.
I will keep you updated!!!
Jan 29, 2010, Plant Based Cleaner on sale at Bath & Body Works
Right now Bath & Body Works has their Caldrea line of plant based cleaners on sale.
Couple of things I saw were window spray for $4.50 and the petite sink set for $13.00.
Amazon is selling FOOD INC for $9.99 until Friday at midnight.
You also get a free digital download of the movie as well with purchase.
Jan 28, 2010, Michael Pollan Books
In case you are interested in an Michael Pollan books (I love them!!):
Jan 28, 2010, LOVED OPRAH TODAY!
LOVED Oprah today!!!
It has inspired me!
My goal for February is to try shopping only organically for less than $100 a week the entire month.
(Find out this Sunday how my first week went!! Join the challenge by leaving your organic grocery list as well!)
Jan 26, 2010, Exercise Tip Tuesday!
Welcome to the first installment of EXERCISE TIP TUESDAY!
Today's quick exercise tip is a simple one that I have preached over and over:
GET A PEDOMETER AND START COUNTING YOUR STEPS!! Try and get 10,000 in a day. Take your kids on a walk, use the stairs instead of the elevator, or park away from the store so you have farther to walk to your car.
There are so many ways to get your steps in each day.
(Remember my little perdometer experiment last fall? The days I was working I could barely get 7,000 steps. The days I was home with my kids, 13,000 steps!!)
Jan 26, 2010, Michael Pollan On Oprah tomorrow!
Set your DVR! Michael Pollan is on Oprah tomorrow!!! It's a don't miss if you enjoy eating healthy foods!!! He wrote the book I LOVE called "IN DEFENSE OF FOOD: An eaters manifesto".
(Note to self. I need to return that to my sis-in-law!!)
Go to facebook and become a fan of Family Health and Nutrition and join the Michael Pollen conversation tomorrow!