- add wheatgerm or flax to things for added fiber and omega 3's (buy it whole and then grind it with your husbands coffee grinder - oops, that's what I do...but be prepared for him to get mad at you!)
- use whole grain (bread, pasta, tortillas, frozen waffles, rice) whenever you can. Usually they're about the same price, and I don't really see that big of a taste difference
- not buying/eating meat will improve your health and save natural resources. You won't even notice...Beans, tofu, even a little less meat in every meal and it will make a big impact in the long run if you want to live until you're 100!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Cooking Peanut Butter Banana Spirals for Meatless Monday
I like her. I think she's really cute, plus gives a lot of fun food facts in a clear and concise way. Get your kids to help make their snacks, and take baby steps in improving the everyday ingredients that you're used to.
Amazing Pinterest Kids Food Ideas!
It never ceases to amaze me the ideas people come up with in terms of food and creativity! Pinterest is a site that has interested me for a few years now for design related inspiration, but there are all sorts of healthy kids snack and meal ideas. If you're looking for super cute, look no farther.
You can search the site for specific terms like "Healthy Food For Kids" and get photos and ideas for all kinds of cool stuff. Since my son loves "Cars", he'd go crazy for this Mater sandwich. Whoever creates these things, still blows my mind! It's like part edible and part art. No kid could ever get bored with a mom that makes him a sandwich like this.
Had to add these Bert and Ernie fruit snacks. Super adorable! Who knew what you could do with a plain orange, a boring old banana and some raisins.
Check out a whole bunch of ideas here.
You can search the site for specific terms like "Healthy Food For Kids" and get photos and ideas for all kinds of cool stuff. Since my son loves "Cars", he'd go crazy for this Mater sandwich. Whoever creates these things, still blows my mind! It's like part edible and part art. No kid could ever get bored with a mom that makes him a sandwich like this.
Had to add these Bert and Ernie fruit snacks. Super adorable! Who knew what you could do with a plain orange, a boring old banana and some raisins.
Check out a whole bunch of ideas here.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Food Rules in Stop Motion!
oh, my love of stop motion. this is a great stop motion vid, made with fruits and veggies...telling the food rules narrated by michael pollan. it does give a pretty visual picture and good depiction of the story behind the food we consume:
"Food Rules" by Michael Pollan - RSA/Nominet Trust competition from Marija Jacimovic on Vimeo.
the animation itself is actually better than the storyteller. i think his point of view is wonderful, but the way he gets them across to the public, could be more "digestible". pun intended. enjoy!
"Food Rules" by Michael Pollan - RSA/Nominet Trust competition from Marija Jacimovic on Vimeo.
the animation itself is actually better than the storyteller. i think his point of view is wonderful, but the way he gets them across to the public, could be more "digestible". pun intended. enjoy!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Gaming + Food = Foodzy
No more blaming video games for the proliferation of sedentary kids!
Site uses gaming to reward healthy eating choices. Foodzy uses gaming to reward healthy eating choices We’ve already seen an element of gaming brought to consumers’ daily chores, public transport and recruiting — to name just a few examples — and recently we came across a new one. The spotting this time? Foodzy, a site that turns healthy eating into a game, with rewards for those who do it well.
Amsterdam-based Foodzy aims to help users keep track of what they eat during the day and then reward healthy and fun eating habits with badges. Users check into the site periodically to register what they’ve eaten — Foodzy maintains a list of food products specific to the country they live in — and those who regularly eat vegetables, fruit or fish win special badges for their healthy eating habits. Foodzy hastens to point out, however, that its primary goal is not only health or weight loss. Rather, in recognition of the belief that the best diet is a varied and enjoyable one, the site also rewards eating cake on one’s birthday, for instance, or barbecuing multiple meals over the course of the summer. In any case, badges are awarded to reflect participants’ healthful and enjoyable eating choices, and users can view detailed statistics of what they’ve eaten over time. They can also compete against friends on the site.
A mobile app is on the way, and in the future, Foodzy’s API may also offer the possibility of connecting the service to hardware devices like WIFI scales, Nike Plus or XBox Kinect for an even richer experience, the company says. In the meantime, using Foodzy is free with a Lite account, but the user’s food history is kept for only 30 days. Pro accounts, on the other hand, cost USD 15 per year in exchange for an unlimited food record, detailed insights into food statistics, more badges and the opportunity to start diet plans.
The motivational challenges that face dieters have been the subject of many innovations over the years, and using the latest technology to incorporate gaming mechanics seems like a logical next step. Where can you apply these mechanics to get consumers fired up?
Website: www.foodzy.com
Contact: business@foodzy.com
Article from Springwise.
Site uses gaming to reward healthy eating choices. Foodzy uses gaming to reward healthy eating choices We’ve already seen an element of gaming brought to consumers’ daily chores, public transport and recruiting — to name just a few examples — and recently we came across a new one. The spotting this time? Foodzy, a site that turns healthy eating into a game, with rewards for those who do it well.
Amsterdam-based Foodzy aims to help users keep track of what they eat during the day and then reward healthy and fun eating habits with badges. Users check into the site periodically to register what they’ve eaten — Foodzy maintains a list of food products specific to the country they live in — and those who regularly eat vegetables, fruit or fish win special badges for their healthy eating habits. Foodzy hastens to point out, however, that its primary goal is not only health or weight loss. Rather, in recognition of the belief that the best diet is a varied and enjoyable one, the site also rewards eating cake on one’s birthday, for instance, or barbecuing multiple meals over the course of the summer. In any case, badges are awarded to reflect participants’ healthful and enjoyable eating choices, and users can view detailed statistics of what they’ve eaten over time. They can also compete against friends on the site.
A mobile app is on the way, and in the future, Foodzy’s API may also offer the possibility of connecting the service to hardware devices like WIFI scales, Nike Plus or XBox Kinect for an even richer experience, the company says. In the meantime, using Foodzy is free with a Lite account, but the user’s food history is kept for only 30 days. Pro accounts, on the other hand, cost USD 15 per year in exchange for an unlimited food record, detailed insights into food statistics, more badges and the opportunity to start diet plans.
The motivational challenges that face dieters have been the subject of many innovations over the years, and using the latest technology to incorporate gaming mechanics seems like a logical next step. Where can you apply these mechanics to get consumers fired up?
Website: www.foodzy.com
Contact: business@foodzy.com
Article from Springwise.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Little Spork is a Readers Favorite!
What Readers Have to Say:
I love this book…
When I was a kid I had this book called “The Biggest House in the World” about some snails that lived on a cabbage, it was my favorite book and this book makes me feel the same way that book did.
I was so sad when they broke Little Spork’s bowl, but happy to see what happened next. The illustrations are great and the whole idea is so original and cool.
On a personal level it appealed to my affinity for all things culinary, my occasionally frequent difficulty fitting into various environments and an innate familiarity with a number of Spork-enabled establishments.
I ordered this copy for my little nephew; though I’m gonna have a hard time giving it up. Repeat business is inevitable. Thanks for making a search for the word “Spork” so rewarding.
Buy the Book on Blurb.
Easy Lunchbox Ideas and Inspiration
More lunchbox ideas from real people with REAL kids.
EasyLunchboxes - the Best Lunch Containers and Coolers, a group on Flickr.
Mix and match to your hearts desire! You don't have to be a top chef, or a stay-at-home super parent to give your kids a lunchbox that gives them a tasty nutritious lunch.
Healthy (and practical!) lunchbox ideas
Be a healthy hero—not a nutritional zero—by opting to pack lunch for yourself and your children. Choosing to forego putting your kids in the cafeteria line or hitting the drive-through in favor of brown bagging it can help reduce your overall intake of sodium, saturated fat, refined grains and sugar. You’ll save money in the long run, too.
Most school lunches are processed foods prepared in ovens or fryers that lack whole grains and contribute a disproportionate amount of calories and sugar to children’s diets. “Eating out at lunch for the parents can mean a whopping dose of sodium. Most restaurant foods average about 1,000 mg. per dish. That puts mom and dad at risk for hypertension, heart disease and stroke,” says Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D., YouBeauty Nutrition Advisor.
Every packed lunch, whether for mom, dad or junior, Kirkpatrick says, should include these five health-conscious staples:
1.100-percent whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, pasta or brown rice
2.One fruit
3.One vegetable
4.Protein, such as yogurt, string cheese or chicken breast
5.Nuts
When preparing children’s lunches, Kirkpatrick advises parents to pay attention to portion control and to include a vegetable or a fruit, preferably both. Join the Healthy Lunch Idea Flickr Group.
Most school lunches are processed foods prepared in ovens or fryers that lack whole grains and contribute a disproportionate amount of calories and sugar to children’s diets. “Eating out at lunch for the parents can mean a whopping dose of sodium. Most restaurant foods average about 1,000 mg. per dish. That puts mom and dad at risk for hypertension, heart disease and stroke,” says Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D., YouBeauty Nutrition Advisor.
Every packed lunch, whether for mom, dad or junior, Kirkpatrick says, should include these five health-conscious staples:
1.100-percent whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, pasta or brown rice
2.One fruit
3.One vegetable
4.Protein, such as yogurt, string cheese or chicken breast
5.Nuts
When preparing children’s lunches, Kirkpatrick advises parents to pay attention to portion control and to include a vegetable or a fruit, preferably both. Join the Healthy Lunch Idea Flickr Group.
Vending Contracts in Schools
What are they? Vending contracts give food and beverage companies selling rights in return for cash and non-cash benefits to the school or district. Schools and school districts can influence vending contracts in several ways. They can cancel contracts, not sign contracts, not renew contracts, or negotiate contracts that encourage healthy eating.
Many existing vending contracts require schools to allow the marketing of products high in added fats and sugars. Others provide incentives for schools to encourage their students to choose those products. Following are some of the provisions that have been found in school vending contracts.
When you see 8 year old kids making the choice to buy a bag of chips and a coke for lunch, there's a correlation between the need for corporate sponsorship in public schools. The money that coke is providing to that school is used to buy added necessities like football helmets or graduation gowns. Schools are dependent on big money to afford "more" for the "benefit" of their kids....but, it comes as an unquantifiable price farther down the line.
Get Educated about Vending Contracts in Schools.
Many existing vending contracts require schools to allow the marketing of products high in added fats and sugars. Others provide incentives for schools to encourage their students to choose those products. Following are some of the provisions that have been found in school vending contracts.
When you see 8 year old kids making the choice to buy a bag of chips and a coke for lunch, there's a correlation between the need for corporate sponsorship in public schools. The money that coke is providing to that school is used to buy added necessities like football helmets or graduation gowns. Schools are dependent on big money to afford "more" for the "benefit" of their kids....but, it comes as an unquantifiable price farther down the line.
Get Educated about Vending Contracts in Schools.
Monday, February 20, 2012
It's Hard to Be a Little Girl..When You're Not
It started with the denial of a growing health crisis.
Nearly 40% of Georgia's children are overweight or obese -- the second-highest rate in the nation -- yet 50% of Georgians don't consider child obesity a problem. What's more, 75% of parents of obese children don't think they have a problem on their hands, according to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the state's largest pediatric health care system.
In response, Children's Healthcare crafted an ad campaign intended to highlight the roles of parents and caregivers in the widening epidemic. The posters and TV spots of obese children with doleful eyes were as stark as their accompanying messages: "Being fat takes the fun out of being a kid," and "It's hard to be a little girl if you're not," to name a few.
Maybe people need to have an exaggeration of reality thrown in their face to finally do something about it. Maybe using kids to evoke feelings is too much? What do you think?
Read the full article.
Nearly 40% of Georgia's children are overweight or obese -- the second-highest rate in the nation -- yet 50% of Georgians don't consider child obesity a problem. What's more, 75% of parents of obese children don't think they have a problem on their hands, according to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the state's largest pediatric health care system.
In response, Children's Healthcare crafted an ad campaign intended to highlight the roles of parents and caregivers in the widening epidemic. The posters and TV spots of obese children with doleful eyes were as stark as their accompanying messages: "Being fat takes the fun out of being a kid," and "It's hard to be a little girl if you're not," to name a few.
Maybe people need to have an exaggeration of reality thrown in their face to finally do something about it. Maybe using kids to evoke feelings is too much? What do you think?
Read the full article.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Go Halfsies!
Halfsies is designed to help consumers eat less at restaurants, while helping to feed the hungry and minimize the amount of food that gets thrown out. Pay-what-you-can pricing is one way for a restaurant to help fight hunger during tough economic times, but recently we came across a different approach that aims to combat obesity and waste as well. It’s called Halfsies, and it’s essentially a program that’s designed to help consumers eat less at restaurants while helping to feed the hungry and minimize the amount of food that gets thrown out.
Halfsies is “a social initiative offering restaurant-goers a choice that provides a healthier meal portion, reduces food waste, and supports the fight against hunger,” in the site’s own words. Now gearing up for a pilot launch this spring in Austin, Texas, and New York City, Halfsies plans to partner with local restaurants for participation in its program. Those that do participate will then choose a set of meals on their menu to include in the program, designating them with a small symbol. Then, when a patron chooses to “go halfsies” on such an item, he or she receives a half-portion of the meal while still paying full price. Ninety percent of the proceeds are then donated to support the fight against hunger, with the remaining 10 percent used for Halfsies’ own operations.
The video below explains the premise behind Halfsies in further detail:
Halfsies: Connecting the Dots from Go Halfsies on Vimeo.
In this era of obesity, oversized portions and unbridled food waste, there are still roughly a billion people worldwide who don’t have enough to eat, Texas-based Halfsies says. The company currently seeks sponsors, partners, donors and volunteers — time to help combat three of the world’s most persistent problems?
Halfsies is “a social initiative offering restaurant-goers a choice that provides a healthier meal portion, reduces food waste, and supports the fight against hunger,” in the site’s own words. Now gearing up for a pilot launch this spring in Austin, Texas, and New York City, Halfsies plans to partner with local restaurants for participation in its program. Those that do participate will then choose a set of meals on their menu to include in the program, designating them with a small symbol. Then, when a patron chooses to “go halfsies” on such an item, he or she receives a half-portion of the meal while still paying full price. Ninety percent of the proceeds are then donated to support the fight against hunger, with the remaining 10 percent used for Halfsies’ own operations.
The video below explains the premise behind Halfsies in further detail:
Halfsies: Connecting the Dots from Go Halfsies on Vimeo.
In this era of obesity, oversized portions and unbridled food waste, there are still roughly a billion people worldwide who don’t have enough to eat, Texas-based Halfsies says. The company currently seeks sponsors, partners, donors and volunteers — time to help combat three of the world’s most persistent problems?
Healthy Habits Plate
Cute dinnerware that reminds you the portion size and amount of each food that you should eat! What a great idea!! You can buy the healthy habits plate here, at Super Healthy Kids....a site that promotes good eats for the ones you love most.
I love the idea. Instead of constantly staring at Dora the Explora or Spiderman every time you sit down for a meal, why not have something that reminds you to be healthy to eat your dinner on?
This placemat with quizzes and info on what kids should eat is pretty adorable, too. Might as well get them to read something and learn a little bit since they sit down at the table 3 or more times a day. Get your own healthy eating printables right here!
This placemat with quizzes and info on what kids should eat is pretty adorable, too. Might as well get them to read something and learn a little bit since they sit down at the table 3 or more times a day. Get your own healthy eating printables right here!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Little Spork Plush - Ready to hug!
Now selling at several locations, Little Spork® Plush Toys. These plush toys will be a lovie staple for years to come. Oversized, soft, washable and safe for kids 2+ they will remind your kid that eating and food can be fun.
Six character options available with velcro chefs hat. Choose from Little Spork, Best Friend Knife, Mean Little Spoon, Mean Bigger Spoon, Professor Whisk, and Big Bad Fork.
Approx. 30 inches tall x 15 inches wide. Selling for $17.99 each.
Six character options available with velcro chefs hat. Choose from Little Spork, Best Friend Knife, Mean Little Spoon, Mean Bigger Spoon, Professor Whisk, and Big Bad Fork.
Approx. 30 inches tall x 15 inches wide. Selling for $17.99 each.
Little Sporks Big Cool App...Coming Soon!
Our new app will have healthy snack ideas on the go, for when your stomach is growling and you need to find something yummy, yet friendly to your tummy. Also, featuring games for kids ages 2 (baby prodigies) to age 100 (the kid at heart) that teach about making healthy choices about food.
Available for iphone, ipad and for all you other devices (you're coming soon!, don't worry)
Left: Little Sporks Healthy treats Icon, Right: App Main Page
Left: Little Sporks Recipes Main, Right: Little Sporks Games Main Screen
From Left: Breakfast Bonanza Game: Food Groups Game, Make Your Own Breakfast, Healthy Breakfast Quiz
Available for iphone, ipad and for all you other devices (you're coming soon!, don't worry)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Five Healthy Kids Recipes
Little Spork and his friends have surveyed a billion kids with picky taste buds, and have narrowed down some healthy yet tasty treats that they think you will love! Click on the recipe for a larger view.
Macaroni and Cheese Bites
Berry Yogurt Pops
Little Sporks Cool Pizza
Carrot muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting
Baked Chicken Nuggets
Macaroni and Cheese Bites
Berry Yogurt Pops
Little Sporks Cool Pizza
Carrot muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting
Baked Chicken Nuggets
Monday, February 6, 2012
Pizza is a vegetable? Congress says yes
Congress wants to keep pizza and french fries on school lunch lines, fighting back against an Obama administration proposal to make school lunches healthier.
The final version of a spending bill released late Monday would unravel school lunch standards the Agriculture Department proposed earlier this year, which included limiting the use of potatoes on the lunch line and delaying limits on sodium and delaying a requirement to boost whole grains.
The bill also would allow tomato paste on pizzas to be counted as a vegetable, as it is now. USDA had wanted to prevent that.
Food companies that produce frozen pizzas for schools, the salt industry and potato growers requested the changes, and some conservatives in Congress say the federal government shouldn't be telling children what to eat.
Read the full article here.
The final version of a spending bill released late Monday would unravel school lunch standards the Agriculture Department proposed earlier this year, which included limiting the use of potatoes on the lunch line and delaying limits on sodium and delaying a requirement to boost whole grains.
The bill also would allow tomato paste on pizzas to be counted as a vegetable, as it is now. USDA had wanted to prevent that.
Food companies that produce frozen pizzas for schools, the salt industry and potato growers requested the changes, and some conservatives in Congress say the federal government shouldn't be telling children what to eat.
Read the full article here.
Let's Move Initiative
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