Important snack tools to last throughout the year

This month I have been posting daily snack ideas for after school, sports and classrooms. Along the way, on my quest for healthy snacks, I was introduced to a really fun Popsicle maker and snack cup. Two products both made by a company called Fresh Baby.The So Easy Popsicle Maker and So Easy Snack Cup were easy to use, easy to clean and not to mention super cute in bright orange and green colors.
The So Easy Popsicle Maker and Snack Cup are Bisphenol-A (BPH) free and simple to use. The fact that the product is BPH free is a plus for me. BPH is currently being studied and may be linked to causing potential health effects on the brain and the behavior. The less chemicals I can expose my family to the better off I think they will be.

Making the pops was easy. The Popsicle maker stood up on its own and was an easy, non-spill fill and an easy seal with the pop on  lid.

We made our Popsicle from prepared smoothies that we purchased (to save some time). Normally I would blend up my favorite smoothie concoction but lately we have been on the go a little too much. We ended up making delicious Mango Madness and Green 

Goodness smoothies which were easily removed from the Popsicle maker (another plus because I hate fighting with the Popsicle maker to release the pops) and enjoyed a healthy after school snack! 

I had to seek out an adorable baby to test out the Fresh Baby So Easy Snack Cup. Thankfully my friend Kim has the cutest 20 month old in town, Natalie. Natalie loved the colors on the snack holder and easily reached for the snack inside. Kim commented that the snack cup was great because with her toddler being always on the go it was nice to see that snacks were kept in their place (instead of spilled all over the floor). 

Check out the So Easy Popsicle Maker and So Easy Snack Cup by clicking the words above. You will not be disappointed! 

And...don't forget to check out our series on snacks and just all around healthy eating for kids and families by "liking" our Facebook page: ABCD Eat Right and visiting our web page www.ABCDEatRight.com 

Let's Move Boca

This weekend I have the opportunity to participate with Let' Move Boca. This interactive and exciting event will include: Live taping of Dance walking Boca Raton, Zumba, kickboxing, hip hop, yoga, healthy cooking demonstrations, expert nutrition education, mobile Wii, XBOX360, and Playstation3, bounce houses, obstacle courses, mini workout stations and so much more! 

If you are in the South Florida area I encourage you to stop by the Royal Palm Place Shopping Center in Boca Raton, Fl from 10-3 on October 21. All of the proceeds will go towards FLIPANY whose mission is to empower youth and adults through physical activity and nutrition programs! 

For more information visit: Let's Move Boca.org

What would your super power be?

Children dream about being super heroes everyday. Super heroes can run fast, fly, jump high, are invincible and of course save people when they are in harms way.

If I had to choose a super power it would be the power to convince every child to eat all of their vegetables!

The green, red, orange, yellow and especially the white vegetables would be gone in the flash of a super hero KAPOW! Every parent would be happy to see me swing in from the sky. I would happily escort the villains diabetes, heart disease and obesity out of town. And, every child would cheer at the new super powers (well lets say energy) that they have from all of the phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals that are now circulating through their bodies.

Want to hear more healthy tips, recipes or activity ideas for parents, schools and children? Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter today! www.ABCDEatRight.com



Cooking with kids- Health and safety in the kitchen

This week I teach a class for parents and kids concerning cooking with kids. I love to bring my kids into the kitchen with me so they can try new things and have new experiences. I often find myself getting frustrated with the mess and their whimsical ways in the kitchen. So lately I have been thinking about how I can make it more fun in the kitchen.

I decided that I would divide my kids up (Jackson- age 5) and Olivia (age 2) into stations. After granting each one a special name as Sir and Madame Sous Chef I send them on their way of small, defined tasks. I also decided that I needed to have them help lead the way a little bit more. By asking them what was the next ingredient or by allowing them to make the next step they seemed more excited about cooking and the end product.

While doing research about cooking with kids I ran across a fun article written in the Vancouver Sun  that listed the top 10 kids cookbooks. I really liked the list and wanted to share the article with you. Click here to see the article. I think my favorite cookbook that was listed was Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes by Felicity Dahl! I will have to invest in this one soon.

For other fun and interesting activities visit: Nourish Interactive. This educational and fun website is a great place to go when you need more nutrition education that is fun for kids.

If you are in South Florida this Friday make sure and stop by the School House Museum for the Munch and Move series on Cooking with Kids. We are going to read a book about cooking in the kitchen, sort through healthy and not so healthy food choices, make our own pizza dough and chef hats and then of course make a healthy snack (this week it is a fruit pizza) !

Visit our website for more fun activities: www.ABCDEatRight.com

Designable changes- Increase your kids healthy foods intake

A few weeks ago my family purchased a new dining room table. Our previous table has been in our family for over twenty years and throughout the years we had gradually lost members of the chair family that accompanied the table. We were down to 3 chairs and a Roley chair from our office. Of course the table had been beautifully colored on with permanent marker by the kids but honestly, this Sharpie surprise was not really working for us.

This new table was like Christmas morning all over again. It was amazing and by far the most beautiful piece of furniture that we own. The kids were ecstatic and could not wait to sit and eat at it. Our son made up "rules for the table" and we all had to abide by them. He even chipped in and offered to clean the table after meals were served. It was a surprising bonus to an already exciting purchase.

Over the course of the last few weeks I felt like the kids have even improved their eating habits since the purchase of the new table. By no means am I insinuating that a new dining room table will solve all the problems in the world concerning improved eating habits, but in our house I am excited to announce that we have seen some slight changes.

So what does this mean for all parents? Maybe just a little change at the dinner table is all that a child needs. A new place mat, a new spoon, fork, cup or colorful plate. Something they could call their own and be considered special to them. Maybe it is time to move out of the baby bowls and plates ( I have plenty of those still left) and give it a try, you might find some surprising changes in your child's eating habits.

This week is "D" week at Abcd Eat Right.com. Do you have our newsletter yet? Don't miss out on the rest of the alphabet tips. Sign up today at www.Abcdeatright.com

Beans- Nutrition Art for Kids

 Beans come in an assortment of colors, sizes and shapes. Nutritionally speaking beans are high in fiber, B vitamins and protein. Here is a quick lesson in nutritional art.

Items needed:

1 cup of dried beans (black, pinto, white, black eyed peas or lentils)

Construction paper

Glue

Provide each child with a sheet of paper and 1/2 cup of each kind of bean. Have them make a pattern, sequence, shape or letter. My favorite is to make a giant "B" with the beans. Glue the beans in place. Let the glue dry.

Yea Beans!

Here are a few ways to incorporate beans into your diet:

Soups

Salads

Tacos

Casseroles

Dips (hummus and bean dip)

Brownie recipes

Click on the links above to bring you to the recipes.

What is your favorite way to include beans?

Healthy School Parties...Tip #5

It's back to school for three more weeks. There will be parties galore. Do the kids really need more red and green chocolate, candy canes or junk food? Most school's prefer that parents bring in store prepared products to decrease the liability and chance of a food borne illness. Most parties happen during snack time or just before school is out for the day. Make a change in your school and advocate for a healthy holiday party that won't load the kids up with unnecessary sugar. Try some of these store bought items to liven up your school party (without the sugar crash).

• Hummus with carrots, celery or pita bread
• Apple slices with caramel or nut butter for dipping
• Trail mix ( Dried fruit, pretzels, chocolate chips, marshmallows, small crackers)
• Pirate Booty individual bags
• Mandarin oranges, pears, peaches or other canned fruit (canned in water not syrup)
• Water or boxed milk for drinking
• Popcorn
• Granola bars
• Bananas, apples or pears

For more party ideas for other holiday parties sign up for our monthly newsletter- Nutribbles. It's only $12 a year and is geared for schools and community advocates for healthy nutrition. www.ABCDEatRight.com