New products coming soon to join our Kid Kritics Approved List!

By Kid Kritics | March 27, 2013

A couple of weeks ago I went for the first time to Natural Food Expo West and it was AMAZING! Imagine one gigantic 3 floors the size of football fields conference hall filled with over 2,500 booths featuring brands dedicated to making the best all natural foods. They were presenting all their new products to try it and learn about it. Needless to say I ate well! We met up with some of our Kid Kritics Approved Brands to find out what new products they are coming out with that we can taste test and potentially award Kid Kritics Approved Seals.

It was easy to spot all the new trends! Popcorn was everywhere, flavored from sweet, salty all the way to spicy. Hemp hearts, oils and seeds as well as chia seeds are being added to several products to make it easier to integrate into our diets. Gluten free products are in full swing! It is no longer a huge challenge to go on a gluten-free diet, with so many brands and products dedicating full lines to the gluten free market you can eat pancakes, cakes, cookies, pasta, tortilla and even pizza. I also enjoyed the variety of new drinks incorporating teas, coconut water, natural juices without the addition of any sweetener at all! Letting the taste of the fruit, vegetable and natural ingredients be the star. We found many products that we are super excited to taste test and bring them to you to try! So stay tuned to our Facebook page, twitter and webpage as we announce products we award Kid Kritics Approved Seal.

… for the health of your family,

Carolina

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Breakfast, Calories, Chemicals, Cooking, Drinks, Eating Healthy, Food Labels, Food Manufacturers, Food News, Fruit Juices, GMO food, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health Food Stores, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Non-GMO food, Nutrition, Organic, Organic and Natural, Snacks, Uncategorized, children, family, food   |   Leave a comment

GMO Food. Yes or No?

By Kid Kritics | April 18, 2012

Do you want GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) food for your family?  GMO food has had its genes spliced with lab-replicated genes from other animals, plants, and viruses to make it resistant to insects, heat, drought and more so it will grow more easily for mass production.  This includes cross specie changes. 91% of soy  and 85% of corn are now GMO produce. Many scientists and health professionals are concerned about the long term health issues attached to the consumption of GMO food.  "In one study, traces of insecticide were present in the blood of 93% of pregnant women and in 80% of umbilical cord blood." * Others say time for more research is needed. 30 countries, including the European Union, Australia and Japan won't allow GMO farming. They didn't wait until health negative results surfaced. 

How would you know if you are eating GMO food?  You won't, unless the food companies are required to use a GMO label .Or, unless you buy all organic, stay away form the Top 8: corn, soybeans, canola, cottonseed, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya and yellow squash.  There is a Non-GMO Shopper's guide: www.nongmoshopping guide.com.

In 2 days, the FDA, who has a former Vice President of GMO producing leader Monsanto as their Deputy Commissioner for Food, must respond to the Petition for require GMO labeling.  To sign this petition, please CLICK HERE. Thank you.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don't forget to enter to win a case of Creamy Almond Butter with Omega 3s by Once Again Nut Butter. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.

*"GMO", Prevention Magazine, April 2012, p. 89.

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Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Eating Healthy, Family Food Experts, Food Labels, Food News, Food Safety, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Latest Food News, Medical Info, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic, Organic and Natural, Produce, Protein, Shopping, Supermarkets, Uncategorized, Vitamins, children, contest, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes   |   Leave a comment

Coconut is full of Good News

By Kid Kritics | March 23, 2012

coconut-milk-benefits

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


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Starter Plants: Sweet Peas & Zucchini

By Kid Kritics | March 2, 2012

vegetables-growing-in-a-sink

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?

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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

Teenage boys now swear by “Real Food.”

By Kid Kritics | January 27, 2012

junk-food-vs-healthy-food-1

They went from Junk Food to Real Food and now swear by it. One boy was 16 and always "starving."  The other was an overweight college kid.  And they have a dad with Type 2 diabetes.  Mom thought she was feeding her family good food but after a dinner with me, she realized Jello and other processed foods she was serving were counter-nourishing her family. Her turnaround story is brilliant. A first bit of advice is, "You can't tell them. You must show them."  If you want to be inspired and learn how overnight everyone of them voluntarily bought into her changes, listen to Vickie Peaire tell her story.  Go to www. BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com (date: Jan 27, 2012) and listen or find it on iTunes, Podcast, Better Food Choices.  You will be SO glad your did!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Save money and Win a Case of Classic Macaroni and Cheese by Annie's Homegrown.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes before Sunday night.

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Recipe: Wild Blueberry Applesauce – even I can make it!

By Kid Kritics | November 22, 2011

From scratch sounds like a lot of work, but its not in this case.  Never thought I could make applesauce without making a royal mess of it. This recipe proved me wrong.  It is so easy, super delicious and loaded with antioxidants and other important nutrients.  4 ingredients: apples (organic please) , wild blueberry juice, lemon juice and cinnamon.  That's it.  All you do is cook apples in the wild blueberry juice then puree them. I used the "can't live without" Immersible Blender right in the pot.  Added lemon juice and cinnamon.  All done!  (Please go to www.KidKritics.com for details.) You can use any 100% juice – please avoid those with added sugar.  If I had known this was so easy, I would have made this years ago. Make some in quantity and freeze it for future use.  Save money with this kid favorite.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Your turn? Enter to Win a Case of Cornbread & Muffin Mix, Gluten Free, by Pamela's Products.  It's for everyone and everyone loves it!  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes.  Wouldn't this come in handy for holiday entertaining?

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Thanksgiving on the Radio – Menu and Recipes

By Kid Kritics | November 10, 2011

Talk about a great Thanksgiving Menu!  Friday, 11/11, at Noon eastern, meet the chef of this incredible meal, Amy Roskelly, of  "Super Healthy Kids."  She will walk you through the ease of preparing this feast.  www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com.  Tune in and have your pen and paper ready to make your grocery list.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Spelt Noodles can also be a great side dish for the holidays.  Win an entire Case or Wide White Organic Spelt Noodles by Vita Spelt.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

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

“Clean” Fruit & Veggie List

By Kid Kritics | November 2, 2011

Recently we blogged about the top three: Onions, Corn, Pineapples. Here are the rest. Avocado, Asparagus, Sweet Peas, Mangoes, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Cabbage, Watermelon, Sweet Potatoes, Grapefruit, Mushrooms.* Feel comfortable feeding these to your family without buying organic since they have the least amount of pesticides. Just watch out for imports from South America and Asia. I try to buy one avocado and one mango a week. These will help feed a family when you cut them into little pieces and add to salads or use as a side. We eat a lot of sweet potatoes and cooked onions. You will usually find a pineapple or some watermelon in our kitchen at any given time. Frozen sweet peas are a weekly must. The others are woven into our monthly menu though we have been staying away from cantaloupe lately. This list is your budget saver group. Ask your store's produce manager when they are going on sale, really  -  make him your "best friend."

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Free Food for you if you Win a Case of Tomato Basil Spaghetti Sauce by Simply Organic.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today.

"Clean Cuisine", Better Nutrition, 9/2011.pp/ 31,32.

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Top 3 “Cleanest” Vegetables and Fruit

By Kid Kritics | October 19, 2011

  Number One "Cleanest."

Onions, Corn and Pineapple, in this order, are the top three "cleanest crops." (foodnews.org)  Cleanest indicates they contain the least amount of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other unwanted chemicals.  It also means you can feel comfortable buying and eating commercially grown, avoiding the extra expense of organic. Notice how each has naturally protective skins.  That helps.  What they also have in common is they have nutrients that feed your brain.  Fuel you family economically with fresh onions and pineapple, and,  fresh or frozen corn all year round.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

A whole case of food is up for grabs.  Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter to win Almond and Rice Cheese Chunks and Shreds by Lisanatti Foods.  They look, cook and tastes like mild cheese. YUM!

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Performance Food of the Week. Sweet Potatoes!

By Kid Kritics | October 9, 2011

It doesn't get much better than a sweet potato – a sweet nutrient-packed vegetable!  It is filled with nutrients that feed your brain, ears, eyes, heart, lungs, nerves and skin.  From mashed to baked "fries" to homemade chips, there are so many ways to serve them so your kids will ask for more.  We often use them in recipes that call for white potatoes. You can eat cooked skins if you wash them first.  If you bake several in advance, say on a Sunday, then you can scoop out the potatoes and quickly heat them up during the week for a quick dinner veggie.  Put sweet potatoes on your weekly grocery list!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

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