Anyone Stressed? Take a bath.

By ellenbriggs | February 22, 2012

bubble bath

Relax in that warm "sudsy" filled bath and feel your stress melt away. Feel comfortable taking a soothing bath at least once a week and especially when you are wired up so tight you feel like you could break or explode. Your kids also deserve this simple stress remover.  Offer them baths before bed, before a big test, after a big game or when they need relief from social pressures.  Add some bergamot or lavender oils for added relaxation benefits. I love baths. Since I was a kid, I have read many books while soaking. (Gone with the Wind took several baths to finish.)  We suggest you turn off the TV and computer, fill up your tub and enjoy a bath break.  Rest.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Have you ever toasted Cinnamon Raisin Bread?  Enter to win a case of organic by Rudi's Organic Bakery so you can serve some to your family.  Use it to make grilled PB&J sandwiches. Please, go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. Enter more than once to up your odds.

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Breakfast, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Fast and Easy, Food Manufacturers, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Protein, Recipes, Shopping, Supermarkets, Vitamins, children, contest, dads, family, food, kids, moms, prize, recipe, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes   |   Leave a comment

Grocery List: Bunny Classic Buttery Rich Crackers, Organic

By ellenbriggs | February 21, 2012

Annie'sButteryRichCrackers  Kids Kritics logo with R

This is soup and crackers season!  There are so many crackers out there containing unhealthy ingredients… the ones altered in food laboratories. And then there are those made with real food.  When you are going to have crackers which are really crunchy fillers usually lower in nutrients, pick the better ones.  The Kid Kritics went bonkers over Bunny Classic Buttery Rich Crackers (organic) by Annie's Homegrown. These are so good.  The operative word is 'buttery."  Since all the ingredients are organic, the source of buttery is a better for you.  And, boy, does this make the tasty difference.  These crackers are sensational plain, with soups, as cracker sandwiches using nut & seeds butters, hummus, meat and cheese fillers, as the base for toppings such as egg salad, tuna salad and cheese, and as dippers for spreads.  My mouth is watering just thinking about how good these taste.  Put any of these combinations in lunch boxes.  Serve them as snacks.  Why not for breakfast, too?  FYI: the sizes and shapes are perfect for kids. Put these on your grocery list!

… for the health of your family,
ellen
 

Who wants to Win a Case of Organic Cinnamon Raisin Bread by Rudi's Organic Bakery?  If you do, please enter our Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes today: www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

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Breakfast, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Fast and Easy, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Party Food, Performance Food, Protein, Recipes, School Lunches, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Vitamins, children, contest, dads, family, food, kids, meat, moms, parents, prize, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes   |   Leave a comment

Recipe. Creamy Chicken Soup

By ellenbriggs | February 20, 2012

DSC_0523Creamed Soup 

DSC_0531 Before Creamed

You may want to cream this soup or skip this step and eat the chicken chunks with sour cream stirred in it – like a stew.  Basically, all you do is saute onions and garlic in olive oil, water, and tamari sauce in a pot.  Then add chunks of chicken cooking them until done.  A combination of chicken broth, northern white beans, some cumin or curry, and parsley completes this pot of soup.  Placing an immersible mixer into the pot will make it creamy.  If you prefer to bite into the chicken chunks, then pass on the puree process.  Just before serving, stir in some sour cream, parsley flakes and salt to taste.  This is a hearty filling soup.  Serve small portions to kids with some crackers.  Add a salad on the side and you have a wonderful inexpensive lunch or dinner.  Recipe Details: http://www.kidkritics.com/recipes/Creamy-Chicken-Soup/209

… for the health of your family,
ellen

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Pineapple. Performance Food of the Week

By ellenbriggs | February 20, 2012

pineapple-smaller

Pineapple is your magic winter fruit.  It not only feeds your Brain, Ears, Eyes, Mouth/Teeth, Nails and Nerves – there's More! 

Bromelain, found in its fruit and stem, actively helps you digest protein and on an empty stomach is a potent anti-inflammatory.  It is known to loosen up and dissolve mucous.  If you or anyone you know is battling a cold or cough, turn to fresh pineapple for help. (I drank away a cold-filled head with 100% pineapple juice.)  It even helps with nausea.  The abundance of manganese supports growing healthy bones and tissue.  And, it is fat-free, low in calories and its thiamine converts is natural complex carbohydrates into energy. 

How great it is that this very sweet fresh fruit is so good for you!  (Please, stay away from canned.) Buy it whole.  When ripe, slice off the sides, cut out the stem and devour some right then and there. Later add some to salads, yogurt, fruit cup, smoothies, on pizza, pancakes, waffles, and cereal or roast it. You get a lot for your money with fresh pineapple.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

New Sweepstakes Prize!  A whole case of Organic Cinnamon Raisin Bread by Rudi's Organic Bakery. Makes the best toast.  Try grilling some with PB&J in the center.  This bread freezes well so a supply will keep until your are ready to use it.  To enter, please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

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Antioxidants, Brain, Breakfast, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Drinks, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Food News, Fruit, Fruit Juices, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Phytonutrients, Produce, Protein, Shopping, Snacks, Vitamins, beverages, children, colds, contest, coughs, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, prize, recipe, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes   |   Leave a comment

Steps to Picking Your Food Oil – the Good Fat

By ellenbriggs | February 17, 2012

Here's what food oils to buy and how to use them to get the most for your money.  Buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil and non GMO Canola Oils in dark green or brown glass jars.  The rest , including "Pure Olive Oil" have been processed enough to remove their health benefits and add unwanted ingredients – chemicals. Store in a cool dark place, away from your stove and burners.  These oils should be good for 18 months to 2 years.  Hopefully you use them up before then – your brain needs it!  The best have a bite in the back of your throat.  The bigger the bite, the better it is. If you open a jar and it smells like Play-Doh, it 's bad – take it back or throw it away.  Please, stay away from those sold in plastic containers or cans that are now being lined with BPA. 

Use your non-GMO, organic Canola Oil for everyday cooking.  Save your EVOO for drizzles over vegetables and salad dressings, though it is also good for sauteing as well. 

One more thing:  Those bright store lights degrade oils.  Pull out a bottle/jar from the back of the shelf where it has not been exposed to the light.  (I do this when buying produce as well.)

For more good facts on food oils, please listen to Food Expert and Author (Reading Between the Lines), Kimberly Lord Stewart,  on www.iTunes.com, Podcast, Better Food Choices dates 2/17/12.  She is worth every minute!

… for the health of your family,
ellen


You have until Sunday evening to enter to win a Case of Enchilada Sauce Mix by Simply Organic.  If you want a stash of this quick fix for a delicious healthier family dinner, please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up your odds.

 

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Better Food Choices Radio, Brain, Budget-saver, Chemicals, Cooking, Dinner, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Fast and Easy, Food Manufacturers, Food News, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Podcast, Radio Interviews, Shopping, Supermarkets, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes   |   Leave a comment

Kid Kritics Cooking

By ellenbriggs | February 16, 2012

Two adorable Kid Kritics are making Creamy Turkey Spinach Pinwheels (Kid Kritics Approved).  Here they are measuring some Italian Seasoning to be added to their yogurt and cream cheese mixture.  Then they'll add parsley flakes and paprika.  Most important is they learned this recipe will Fuel Their Dreams since it is full of nutrients that feed their brain, muscles, eyes and more.  What are their dreams?  The one on the right wants to be a doctor.  The other an actress.

Help your kids Fuel Their Dreams.  Help them help you!  This recipe is found here http://www.kidkritics.com/recipes/Creamy-Turkey-Spinach-Pinwheels/37. Enjoy!

... for the health of your family,
ellen

Is this your week to win the Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes?  A whole case of super delicious Enchilada Sauce Mix by Simply Organic may be shipped to your door. To enter, please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

 

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Brain, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Fast and Easy, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Performance Food, Produce, Protein, Recipes, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Throw-Together Meals, Vegetables, Vitamins, children, contest, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, prize, recipe, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes   |   Leave a comment

Food Inspector Replaces Pre-Schooler’s Homemade Lunch with Cafeteria “Nuggets”

By ellenbriggs | February 15, 2012

school_lunchin NC  Photo of cafeteria lunch with chicken nuggets
 

If you haven't heard about and read this news story, here it is:

http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/homemade-lunch-replaced-with-cafeteria-nuggets.html

In short, a girl brought her lunch to school.  It contained a turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, apple juice and potato chips.  The state worker took it away saying it did not meet the new USDA requirements.  She was charged $1.24 for the cafeteria lunch.  Only three chicken nuggets were eaten by her as she bypassed the sides of vegetables and fruit. This situation raises all kinds of questions and concerns.  What is your gut reaction and opinion?

…  for the health of families,
ellen

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Happy Valentine’s Day – Love your immune system

By ellenbriggs | February 14, 2012

Everywhere I turn, someone is sick.  Loving your immune system is key to fighting bugs.  Today is Valentine's Day – Chocolate Day for many.  May I please encourage you to celebrate with immune system defenders, dark chocolate. The higher percentage of cocoa in a chocolate, the higher it lands on the ORAC scale, your antioxidant guide.  Antioxidants fight bad "bugs", free-radicals, living in your body.  You want an army of them defending your family and you at all times.  60% dark chocolate has about 7 times more than blueberries.  75% dark chocolate has about 11 times that of blueberries.  That's high.  And, they are lower in sugar on which viruses and bacteria thrive.

Groom your family away from milk chocolate and start offering them 60% dark chocolate.  The Kid Kritics Approved Bissinger's 60% Dark Chocolate 100 Calorie Bar.  I have given other kids chocolates in the 70 to 80% range and was surprised at their positive reactions.  Consequently, we will be taste testing more healthy chocolates.  Will let you know what works.  In the meantime, please set the example and turn your kids on to chocolate that loves their immune systems!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Would you like me to call you next Monday and say, "You Won a Case of Enchilada Sauce Mix by Simply Organic"? If so, please enter this Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes by going to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Enter more than once to up your odds!

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Antioxidants, Budget-saver, Calories, Carbohydrates, Chocolate, Cooking, Disease, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Food News, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Medical Info, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Party Food, Performance Food, Produce, Protein, Shopping, Snacks, Sugar, Supermarkets, Sweets, Vitamins, children, colds, contest, coughs, dads, family, flu, food, immune system, kids, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, viruses, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes   |   Leave a comment

Recipe: Pink Pancakes

By ellenbriggs | February 13, 2012

The Kid Kritics loved these.  They had no idea they were eating beets.  Thought they tasted like potato pancakes. Odds are you kids will love the idea of pink pancakes.  If your boys protest pink, use golden beets.  This recipe is simple, using Gluten-Free Baking & Pancake Mix by Pamela's Products.   Amy Roskelly from superhealthykids.com thought these would be perfect for Valentine's Day and we agree. For recipe details, please go to www.KidKritics.com.  It's to be posted as our featured recipe of the week – also can be found in the Breakfast group. Try them!

… for the health of families,
ellen

Want to Win a Case of Enchilada Sauce Mix by Simply Organic?  Imagine your cupboard being filled with this sure-bet fast dinner solution for your family.  Please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today!

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Breakfast, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Fast and Easy, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Produce, Protein, Recipes, Shopping, Supermarkets, Vegetables, Vitamins, children, contest, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, prize, recipe, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes   |   Leave a comment

Cocoa. Performance Food of the Week

By ellenbriggs | February 12, 2012

CacaoPowder

Performance Food for Valentine's Day and everyday! Cocoa Powder (dark chocolate)! It's nutrients feed your brain, heart, muscles, nerves, bones, hair, nails and skin! You can thank its concentration of minerals and omega-3 fats for this. This powder itself actually reduces your cravings for sweets. Plus it is loaded with antioxidants – 20% more than wine. And, you know it helps lift your spirits. Catch is, for these benefits, it has to be eaten as true dark chocolate. I enjoy a square or two of a 70% dark chocolate bar everyday. 85% is even better. Start your kids on 60% dark chocolate.  Most love it… and it loves them!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

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Antioxidants, Brain, Carbohydrates, Chocolate, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Food News, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kids & Teens, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Performance Food, Protein, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Sweets, Vitamins, children, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, www.KidKritics.com   |   Leave a comment

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