Let's talk about snacks, kid snacks specifically. Why is it that kids seem to possess a superhuman ability to eat snacks? Well friends -- here's the deal. Kids are in the business of growing and being active which means their bodies need lots of fuel! Not to mention many grab and go snacks advertised to kids provide quick energy from carbohydrates, but offer little in the way of sustained energy from protein, fat or fiber. So if you're anything like me, you do your best not to leave the house without sustenance for your littles. And sometimes you want that something to be easy-to-grab and not-too-messy, ya know, the holy grail of all kids snacks. Though no kid snack is perfect, the following ones come pretty close to meeting that criteria. Plus they all offer some nutritional bonuses ... View Post
The Best Homemade Popsicles for Kids this Summer
Memorial Day weekend is over, schools are finishing up and the calendar says June -- it's officially summer! Whether you relish the summer sun or are constantly looking for new ways to beat the heat, one thing is for sure; Nothing compares to eating a cold popsicle on a hot day. Plus, kids love them! Seriously - they love them. It's incredible how quickly a box disappears from the freezer at our house. I'm always on the lookout for options with low to no added sugar (because kiddos are *sweet* enough) and these Cherry Lemonade Good Pops do not disappoint. They are nostalgic, amazingly delicious and are blue which is VERY important to a certain three year old I know. However, they are. not. cheap. While I did score a larger box at Costco a few weeks ago, sadly their supply has dwindled ... View Post
Produce Guide: Apples
Even though apples can be found in most grocery stores all year round, they are an iconic symbol of the fall season. Whether an apple reminds you of back-to-school, picking apples or a warm apple cider donut, come September, most of us can’t resist this crispy, crunchy fruit. There are about 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States, but the crabapple is the only apple native to North America. Apples come in many shades of red, green or yellow and are used for many different culinary applications depending on their taste profile. When purchasing apples, choose firm, smooth-skinned apples with intact stems. They should smell fresh, maybe even a bit sweet, but not musty. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks, storing them away from strong-odored foods like onions or ... View Post
Produce Guide: Blueberries
Sweet, juicy blueberries are a staple berry in many parts of the United States. In fact, 38 states grow blueberries commercially and the largest producers include California, Florida, Michigan and Oregon among a few others. While blueberries can be found in many forms, the fresh berries you find at the grocery store grow on bushes that can grow up to 12 feet tall. They blossom in spring, starting out hard and green transitioning to reddish-purple and then finally ready-to-eat blue! Dozens of varieties of highbush blueberries have come to flourish across the U.S. and globally, heavily dependent on growing climate. Each variety of blueberry is different in its size, shape, color and taste. When purchasing fresh blueberries choose firm, plump berries with a dusty blue color and uniform ... View Post
15 Books to Teach Children About Food & Culture
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 2020 will go down in history as a record year. The rise of a global pandemic and a spotlight on centuries-old racial inequality have moved us all to step back, re-evaluate, learn and adapt. And while I certainly don't have all of the answers to the issues we are facing, I know both of these major events will impact us for years to come. It is up to us to decide how we choose to respond, and I respect that. However, I've been listening, learning and evaluating how I can become a better ally in the stand against racism in this country. In part, because race is inherently tied to nutrition and health outcomes, ... View Post
How to Incorporate the Mediterranean Diet into your Family’s Meal Plan
Utilizing the Mediterranean Diet as part of your family’s everyday eating plan is one way to promote long-lasting health and well-being among all family members. The good news is choosing to follow a Mediterranean-style eating plan does not have to be all or nothing! Making just a few simple changes to more closely align with this type of dietary pattern can be beneficial now and for years to come. To get started, choose one or two of the suggestions below and try them out for a few weeks. Keep track of what works, what might work better and what else you’d like to try. Soon enough, the changes will start to stick. Don’t forget to check out the recipes at the end of this post for even more Mediterranean inspiration! Try Meatless Mondays: For many people in the ... View Post
