Coconut is full of Good News

By Kid Kritics | March 23, 2012

Pure Coconut Water is "nature's great re-hydrater" – its full of sodium, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium making it an excellent placement for energy and sports drinks. Plus it has just enough sugar to make it taste yummy and as well as refreshing. Tropical countries have been serving it to their very young, growing children, and adults for years. It even has been used for electrolytes (minerals) and hydration replacement for the sick, especially those with stomach bugs.

Coconut Oil is also a winner. It's medium chain fats are smaller and thus more easily digested, immediately used by the liver to produce energy avoiding spikes and fat storage. And, it contains important anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Thus, not all saturated fats are the same. This is one you want to include in your food mix. The other good news is that is has a high heat tolerance making it the preferred oil for cooking.

As with any produce, organic is better. We are currently researching the brands we would recommend. Be sure to avoid coconut waters that are "sweetened" and have added flavors. Buy it straight and serve on ice. Delish!

Thanks to our team member, Carolina Jintac, MS,RD,LD, for this in depth interview about coconut products. To hear all her good news: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familyfoodexperts/2012/03/23/coconut-craze–how-good-is-it-for-you.

You will be so glad you did!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

No time like the present. Enter to Win a Case of Gluten-Free Organic Brownie Mix by Simply Organic. Makes yummy Birthday and Holiday treats for those with or without wheat allergies! www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

Better Food Choices Radio, Budget-saver, Cooking, Drinks, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Fat, Food News, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic, Organic and Natural, Party Food, Performance Food, Podcast, Produce, Radio Interviews, Shopping, Supermarkets, Wheat-Free, beverages, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, immune system, kids, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, viruses, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Summer Camp Solutions

By Kid Kritics | March 16, 2012

"Make camp a good fit, " says Amy Smith (www.MomTiniLounge.com). Evaluate your kids. Then evaluate the camps. Do they fit your children's interests? Is it the best environment for them? How are campers managed – how are problems dealt with by those in authority? What camps fit your budget? Amy pointed out that many day and sleep away camps have scholarships, deals and promotions. Look for them in family magazines, on the internet, and in your community news offerings. These and more ideas poured out of Amy's mind as we talked today. Listen on www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com, archives. Or, go to www.iTunes.com, Podcast, Better Food Choices. It is worth every minute. Instead of being overwhelmed with finding the best solutions for you children's summer, you'll get excited with all the opportunities before you, including low budget ideas.

… for the health of families,
ellen

Win a whole Boneless Turkey Breast Roast by Plainville Farms. Have until Sunday night to enter. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes

Better Food Choices Radio, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Dinner, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, 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, Performance Food, Podcast, Protein, Radio Interviews, Shopping, Vitamins, Wheat-Free, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, meat, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Starter Plants: Sweet Peas & Zucchini

By Kid Kritics | March 2, 2012

Once you fill you pots or small plot with organic rich soil in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of sun light with access to water, you are ready to grow your own food. For beginners, start with Sweet Peas (time to plant now), and zucchini. Both grow easily boosting your green thumb confidence. Leafy greens such as baby spinach, Swiss chard and kale grow well in pots too. So do strawberries! Try finding a place for a wild raspberry bush. Nothing like picking them fresh when ripe and popping them in your mouth. Herbs don't take up much space. Italian parsley and chives are recommended for new gardeners.

The bottom line, good soil reaps good produce with less effort. Important: what is in that soil ends up in your food so please stay away from compost available from unsuitable sources, like the dump. These tips and more were shared in our interview with Stacey Antine, nutritionist and founder of Health Barn USA. From the planting of the seed to taking a bite of the finished product, Stacey covers it all, and it is all good. Listen to her on today's show at www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com (archives, 3/2/12), or on www.iTunes.com, Podcast, Better Food Choices, today's date. You will be inspired to add green to your life, involve your kids, and grow your own!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

If you love popcorn, especially organic popcorn, then you'll want to enter this week's sweepstakes found at www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. Someone will win a whole case of Organic Popcorn by Good Health Natural Foods. Will it be you?

Antioxidants, Better Food Choices Radio, Budget-saver, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Healthy, Herbs, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Podcast, Produce, Radio Interviews, Shopping, Snacks, Vegetables, Wheat-Free, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, moms, parents, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Lots of Minerals in Pure Maple Syrup

By Kid Kritics | February 24, 2012

Bet you didn't know that real maple syrup is simply maple sap minus a lot of its original water base. Nothing added. Because of its source, the maple tree and its surrounding soil, maple sap is filled with minerals such as zinc, manganese, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iron. You may even receive some copper and selenium. It is a high antioxidant source which is not high on the glycemic index. And, research says it has the "Umami Punch" – a good thing.

To learn more and get some recipes for fish, vegetables and baking, go to www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com and click on archives for "The Truth about Maple Syrups" with guest Dan Neale of the premier maple company, Citadelle Coop of Canada. Or, listen on www.iTunes.com, Podcast, Better Food Choices dated Feb. 24th, today. You have just been given the green light to make delicious sweet 100% pure maple syrup a staple in your home. Enjoy a little here, a little there frequently!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Time to enter to Win a Case of Organic Cinnamon Raisin Bread by Rudi's Organic Bakery. You have until Sunday evening when the prize changes. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

Antioxidants, Better Food Choices Radio, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, 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, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Podcast, Radio Interviews, Shopping, Supermarkets, Wheat-Free, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, moms, parents, prize, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Steps to Picking Your Food Oil – the Good Fat

By Kid Kritics | 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.

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 | Comment (1)

Dr. Heather Manley’s Healthy Heart Food List

By Kid Kritics | February 3, 2012

Since you heart is pumping hard to push blood through about 60,000 miles of blood vessels a day, wouldn't it be a good idea to feed this muscle its needed fuel? Dr. Heather shares what she feeds her family of four so all stay healthy and function at their best. Good fats (Omega-3s) were tops on her list. Putting flax seed oil with heart healthy blueberries and other fruit into smoothies is a daily event for breakfast or snacks. Avocados in salads or Guacamole are frequently consumed by her family. Grass-fed beef and eggs are commonly found on their plates for dinner and other meals. One of her young daughter's was making scrambled eggs with spinach and cheese for her breakfast while we were on the air. It's not that hard!

To hear all of Dr. Manley's Heart Health interview, please go to the www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com archived shows, or, www.iTunes.com, Podcast, Better Food Choices and click on the Feb. 3rd, 2012 show. PLEASE, avoid having any heart disease statistics in your family. Listen to Dr. Heather Manley.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Chocolate lovers, enter to Win a Case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar Free, by Joseph's Lite Cookies. This is a great opportunity for those diagnosed as pre-Diabetic or Diabetic, or for those who want to avoid either diagnosis. Joseph made them especially for you. Go to www. KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today. Enter more than once to up your winning odds.

Better Food Choices Radio, Breakfast, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Chocolate, Cooking, Dinner, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Fast and Easy, Fat, Food Allergies, Food News, Fruit, 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, Party Food, Performance Food, Podcast, Produce, Protein, Radio Interviews, Recipes, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Sweets, Throw-Together Meals, Vegetables, Vitamins, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, meat, moms, parents, prize, recipe, sugar-free, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Comment (1)

Nut Butter Buying Tips

By Kid Kritics | January 20, 2012

Yes, they are as good as they look!

How to Choose Nut Butters:

ADDRESS ALLERGENS by reading for peanut butter ingredients or exposure during processing. This helps those with and without PB allergies.

ORGANIC or NATURAL: Certified Organic means fields, plants/trees and processing meet strict organic standards… as good as it gets. Natural may or may not mean void of unhealthy ingredients. Know your source.

READ INGREDIENTS: one or two ingredients is enough for good nut butters. Avoid added stabilizers, sweeteners and oils.

RAW or ROASTED: Raw means no heat application which alters nutrients such as essential fatty acids – essential for your body's cellular production. Roasted uses heat for this adjusted flavor. The less the better which is why Lightly Roasted is a good choice.

NUT VARIETIES: Almond, Cashew, Walnut, Pecan, Macadamia and even Coconut are alternatives to Peanut Butter. Those taste tested by the Kid Kritics were big hits!

This and so much more was shared by today's radio guest, Co-Founder and President of the Artisana brand, Santiago Cuenca-Romero. Listen to all he had to say, www.iTunes, Podcast, "Better Food Choices." Very interesting guy!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Be the one who Wins the Case of Chocolate Energy Bites by Greens+. Enter by going to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. They are perfect for kids… just ask the Kid Kritics.

Allergies, Better Food Choices Radio, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Chocolate, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Fat, Food News, 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, Podcast, Protein, Radio Interviews, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Just Two Tips will Cover It says Dr. Jonny Bowden

By Kid Kritics | January 6, 2012

You only need to do two things to make yours a healthier happier 2012 per Dr. Jonny Bowden. 1. TREAT YOURSELF BETTER… make good decisions about how to feed and care for yourself. 2. TREAT OTHERS BETTER… this makes you feel better as it stimulates the release of up beat hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. That's it. The result is everything works better when your follow these two tips. You can do this! Rather than wasting your body, stimulate yours to function optimally. To listen for more, please go to www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com or www.iTunes.com, podcast, Better Food Choices.

(Also, you may want to check our Dr. Jonny's new "Unleash Your Thin" program. Simply Google Unleash Your Thin.)

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Two and a half more days left to enter to Win a Case of Organic Lightly Roasted Almond Butter by Artisana. What a great budget saver! Go to. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. Enter more than once to up your odds!

Better Food Choices Radio, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Eating Healthy, Exercise, Family Food Experts, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Healthy, Hormones, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Podcast, Protein, Radio Interviews, Vitamins, Wheat-Free, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Take Five in 2102

By Kid Kritics | December 30, 2011

Moms, Deirdre and Vickie, say Take Five in 2012. These are daily New Year's Resolutions you can keep. 1. Take 5 minutes for yourself to be still. 2. Take 5 minutes with each of your children to talk with them. 3. Take 5 minutes to encourage someone. 4. Over time, build up to serving a combination of 5 fruits and vegetables. 5. Thank God for 5 blessings. You can do these. None require drastic changes nor do they cost any money. All will lift up you both your family and you. For more ideas from Deirdre and Vickie, listen to them on www.iTunes.com , go to podcast then Better Food Choices for "Moms Reveal New Year's Resolutions They Can Keep!" Or, go to www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com. Their resolutions are full of common sense and fun.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don't forget to sign up to Win a Case of Organic Spicy Falafel Chips – Gluten Free! They are a wildly delicious meal in a chip. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today. Enter more than once to up your odds.

Better Food Choices Radio, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, 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, Party Food, Performance Food, Protein, Radio Interviews, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Vitamins, Wheat-Free, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

“Keep it Simple,” says Chef Jesse Ziff Cool

By Kid Kritics | December 16, 2011

Chef Jesse Ziff Cool

You may be surprised to learn that chefs are known to keep it simple at home. Chef Jesse Ziff Cool explains how she creates two holiday meals for her family. All her recipes are easy to make. One family's favorite is her Scollop Potatoes. Steamed vegetables and turkey are two other menu items. She confirmed that her children and grandchildren are kitchen helpers. To learn more, listen on www.iTunes.com, Podcast, "Better Food Choices." This is an inspiring and animated interview. Simple is Cool!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

It's time to Win a whole Free Range Turkey by Shelton's Poultry! Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today.

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

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KID KRITICS APPROVED

Identifying healthier foods that your familiy deserves,

and your kids will love

Coconut is full of Good News

Summer Camp Solutions

Starter Plants: Sweet Peas & Zucchini

Lots of Minerals in Pure Maple Syrup

Steps to Picking Your Food Oil – the Good Fat

Dr. Heather Manley’s Healthy Heart Food List

Nut Butter Buying Tips

Just Two Tips will Cover It says Dr. Jonny Bowden

Take Five in 2102

“Keep it Simple,” says Chef Jesse Ziff Cool

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