Food Borne Illness Fairy

December 3, 2011

Don't let the food borne illness fairy

dampen your sugar plum  festivities.

In order to have a safe and healthy holiday season make sure and follow the following tips:

1. Wash your hands and your child's hands often (especially if they make an onstage appearance in the kitchen as a helper).

2. Keep cold things cold (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and hot things hot (above 140 degrees Fahrenheit).

3. Invest in a refrigerator thermometer to make sure your fridge is functioning properly.

4. Always store your cooked food items above your raw food items (especially meats and egg products).

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Healthy Kids Snacks

This month I have been focusing on healthy snacks and packing a healthy lunch box. In the most recent Parents Magazine I ran across a recipe for Fruit Leather. I had memories of wrapping Fruit Roll-ups around my fingers and making fun shapes with my BFF Stephanie in Elementary School. Although we loved Fruit roll-ups as a kid, as a mom, I am more hesitant to buy the store bought ones for my kids. But making them at home...that's another story. I know exactly what goes into them: 4 cups of pureed berries and 2 tablespoons honey. Once I had this liquid mixture that, by the way, would also be tasty in a fruit smoothie, I laid down parchment paper on two  8x13 pans, preheated the oven to 200 degrees and slowly baked/dehydrated the fruit leathers for 4 hours. When it was done I cut up the fruit leather in strips and put them in the fridge. The kids enjoyed the healthy snack and it was super easy, albeit a bit time consuming on the cooking end. If you need a new way to present fruit to your kiddo try it out!

Breakfast basics

I wanted to post exerts from this weeks newsletter because it is such an important part of healthy eating for kids! If you don't get our newsletter make sure and sign up for it at ABCD Eat Right.com

Breakfast Basics

Do you eat breakfast? Do your kids eat breakfast? Studies have shown that children are more likely to eat breakfast when their parents eat breakfast. Sometimes parents are short on time and tend to skip breakfast as a habit. This habit leads to a day full of trying to catch up to achieve a better diet and higher energy level.

If we break down the logistics of breakfast we see that it has been roughly 8-12 hours overnight without food and now the day is about to begin. A long day of work or school is ahead, and it will be at least 3 hours until lunch. The body needs to refuel and get ready to face the day with a strong start. Breakfast provides the body with energy needed to sustain activity throughout the day. Without breakfast the brain and muscles may not have the energy that is needed to meet peak performance.

Research has shown that kids that do not eat breakfast have poor concentration and problem solving ability. Those that start the day with breakfast usually meet their protein, calorie and vitamin requirements throughout the day which leads to a more balanced diet. So start the day off right and remember...

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Here is a quick list of 15 Breakfast ideas: Hard boiled, scrambled or fried eggs; Nut butter and banana sandwich; Yogurt and granola and/or fresh fruit; Cottage cheese and fruit; Milk and fruit smoothie; Frozen waffles with nut butter, fruit and honey; Flavored milk (milk mixed with fresh fruit); Trail mix ( dried fruit, whole grain cereal, nuts and seeds); Cheese sandwich; Cereal with milk; Banana with nut butter; Pancakes made with bananas and flax seed; No cook muesli (see recipe below); Granola bars, nut bar or low sugar breakfast bars and milk; Oatmeal with raisins or frozen blueberries.

What do you serve your family for breakfast? Blog with us and share your favorite idea and see what others are saying on ABCD's blog.

No Cook Muesli

1 cup plain nonfat or 2% yogurt

1 cup quick oats

1/2 cup slivered or chopped nuts

1 Tablespoon flaxseed

1 Tablespoon honey or syrup

1 cup fresh berries or a banana

In a blender combine the yogurt, oats, flaxseed and honey. Blend until the oats and nuts are in small pieces (about 30 seconds), then divide the muesli among 3 bowls and top with berries or bananas.

A quick and cool alternative to hot oatmeal.