Product Review: Squooshi February 18, 2013 15:49

I haven’t gotten this excited about a new product since we dreamed up the SlumberSling. Squooshi is my new favorite thing for so many reasons – which is why we’re now carrying them on the site, and including them in one of the few product reviews we do here on our blog.

I’ve always been frustrated with finding healthy, affordable on-the-go snacks for my kids. String cheese, apples, fruit leather and homemade fruit/nut bars tend to be my standard choices, but none of those are typically filling enough to make a full snack for my big eaters. Reusable sandwich and snack bags started to make packing snacks a little easier, but I still feel like I’m always lugging around 10 pounds of food everywhere we go.  

My kids love the food pouches and applesauce pouches from the grocery store. The problem is they are not cost effective, and every snack just creates more trash for the landfills. This is where Squooshi comes in and saves the day.

According to the Squooshi founder, over 2 billion single use food pouches end up in landfills every year. So, facing the same snack challenges most moms are familiar with, she was inspired to create an affordable, reusable version.

Some of Squooshi’s awesome features: BPA-free, Phthalate-free, PVC-free, and Lead-free, money saving (pre-filled pouches cost $1.50-$2.25 each), save energy (pre-packaged food travels over 1,200 miles before it reaches you), less mess and less for mom to tote around in her bag.

Here are a few snack ideas I’ve used in our Squooshi pouches.

·      Strawberry-banana puree

·      Green smoothies (which can be frozen in batches)

·      Applesauce

·      Plain yogurt (SO much better than the sugary, artificial Go-Gurts)

·      Mashed avocado

·      Peanut butter, cooked oatmeal and banana mush 

·      Hummus to squeeze on crackers packed in a reusable snack bag

 

I think you’ll love Squooshi as much as I do! And please share your favorite Squooshi recipes with us on Facebook!

 

-Ashley

Clean and Delish January 21, 2013 14:30

I LOVE food.  I have yet to meet a person who feels differently.  I have a true appreciation for those delicious concoctions that talented chefs create, especially as someone who can never successfully “wing” my own recipes… even though I try. 

Unfortunately, more often than not, all of these tasty inventions are on the not-so-good-for-you side. As I am sure readers might have picked up my now, Ashley and I are advocates of eating clean.  We believe you can eat delicious and eat clean.  SO we’re sharing our favorite simplest, cleanest, easiest recipes. 

In addition to these, I’ve discovered how to make my own chocolate with no added sweeteners. Simply mix soft coconut oil with equal parts organic cocoa powder. Once mixed, spread the paste on wax paper and freeze. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Salmon

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Mexican Haystacks

Vegan Kale and Quinoa Minestrone

Bon appétit!

-Alyssa

Hitting the Reset Button for the New Year January 4, 2013 12:37

I run.  I am active. I go to this awesome gym called Amenzone and get my butt kicked every week.  I also make a conscious effort to eat clean.  But the holidays, visiting family, eating Christmas foods and spending the afternoons watching movies on the couch just because I am on vacation, have my routine all in a funk.  It can be hard to bounce back from these two full weeks of “off the wagon” as Ashley likes to say.  Don’t fret.  I have the cure.

A few months ago my friend and I decided to do a cleanse.  I am not a believer in diets, but this cleanse was a commitment to eat PERFECT whole foods for 10 days with the goal of resetting our eating habits and changing how we thought about food.  And it worked.  It makes you very aware of what you are eating and what you should be eating.  The actual program that we followed calls for a 30-day commitment, but as one who eats very limited meat, it was hard to get enough protein and I started adding in other foods after 10 days.   

The cleanse makes sense.  It’s a no mercy, no excuse, no cheating, you can do this mentality, and if you can muster up the will power to eat strict for the 30 days (or 10 as I like to do it), you’ll be able to tell the difference. 

So, the rules.  First, and most importantly, NO PROCESSED FOODS. No processed foods of any sort.  All fresh, whole, real foods, no added ingredients.  Eat lots of veggies, fruits, eggs, organic and sustainable meats (for the carnivores), and almonds.  You cook with only Extra Virgin Olive Oil or coconut oil.  No dairy, no sugar, no sweetener of any kind (yes that means no honey or maple sugar).  No legumes (sooo hard for me) and no grains.  It’s hard, but it’s not that hard and it’s totally worth it. 

Ashley and I believe in everything in moderation.  You have to find eating habits that align with your beliefs, goals and personal preferences.  But, if you need something to jump start you and get you in the right mindset, this cleanse could be just what you need. 

Here is the link to the site with all of the information.  Highly encourage everyone to at least check out the site and read about the nutrition behind the theories.  Good luck and Happy New Year!!! 

http://whole9life.com/category/whole-30/ 

-Alyssa

We Don't Want SUGAR Plums - Healthy Holiday Treats December 19, 2012 16:07

Ashley and I have been known to be quite the sugar fiends.  We blame it on our genetics and claim that it runs in the family, which is totally legitimate right!?  Ok maybe not, but in our family it is typical for grandma to have her first bowl of ice cream by 8 am, meanwhile our mother is eating the tops off all of the cupcakes in the house. 

Ashley and I are determined to break the mold.  We refuse to be slaves to all of the delicious, tempting, delectable, insert more adjectives here, sugary desserts.  And we've gotten pretty good at maintaining restraint!! 

Once you cut refined sugars out of your diet, you simply can’t keep them in your home. Having it around but trying to tell yourself it's not something you can eat ‘today’ just doesn’t work long-term. This step is not easy, especially when you share a home with others who may not be on the same, no-sugar page, but it’s definitely doable.  Nobody’s perfect, but this step has definitely helped us make serious progress in eliminating sugars. 

The holidays get challenging though.  There is temptation everywhere and it gets much harder to be strong. So, we've gotten creative and come up with ways to have our cake and eat it to...literally.  Below are a few of our favorite 'not so guilty' treats that really are treats (except for in our mom’s and grandma’s eyes, but they believe in only sugar and butter, so we choose our battles)!  

Avocado Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients:

·      1 ripe avocado

·      1/4 cup cocoa powder

·      1/3 cup honey

·      1/4 cup coconut milk or almond milk

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together until creamy.

Creamy Cashew Pudding
Ingredients:

·      1 cup raw cashews, soaked*


·      1 teaspoon vanilla extract


·      1 teaspoon coconut oil


·      2 teaspoons raw honey


·      1/4 cup filtered water, or almond milk


·      pinch of sea salt

*To soak cashews: Soak 1 cup raw cashews in 2 cups of filtered water, so that they are completely covered in liquid. Lightly cover the bowl with a towel, and allow to sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Drain completely and rinse the cashews well before using. (Keep refrigerated if not using them right away.)

Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor, and blend until very smooth and creamy.

Fudge!!
Ingredients:

·      1 cup raw cashew butter (or nut butter of choice)

·      ⅓ cup coconut oil

·      ¼ cup cocoa powder

·      ¼ cup pure maple syrup

·      ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

·      1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

·      In a medium bowl, mix together the nut butter and coconut oil until smooth. (This works best if the ingredients are slightly warm. Alternatively, you could blend them together using a food processor.)

·      Add in the cocoa powder, maple syrup, sea salt and vanilla, and stir until smooth and creamy.

·      Transfer the mixture to a dish, lined with plastic wrap for easy removal, and smooth the top with a spatula.

·      Place the dish in the freezer, and allow the fudge to set for at least an hour before slicing and serving. Thanks to the coconut oil, this raw fudge will melt quickly if left to sit in a warm room, so it’s best served directly from the freezer.

Chocolate Caramel Brownie Cups
Ingredients:

Brownie:

·      1 cup blanched almond meal

·      2 tbsp coconut flour

·      1/4 tsp sea salt

·      1/2 tsp cinnamon

·      1/4 cup cocoa powder

·      2 tbsp coconut oil, melted

·      2 tbsp honey

·      1 tsp vanilla extract

·      1 egg

Caramel Layer:

·      10 large (preferably soft) medjool dates, pitted

·      3 tbsp boiling water

·      slightly less than 1/4 tsp sea salt

·      1 tsp vanilla extract

·      1/3 cup creamed coconut

Chocolate Layer:

·      1/2 cup dark chocolate or chips

·      1 tbsp coconut oil

·      1/8 tsp sea salt

Directions:

For the Brownies:

·      Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a deep silicone muffin tin and set aside (If you don’t have a silicone muffin pan, I suggest using paper liners so as to not have to wrestle with it to get your goodies out).

·      Blend almond meal and coconut flour.

·      Add in salt, cinnamon and cocoa and blend with a fork.
Stir in the coconut oil, honey, vanilla and egg. Blend until completely mixed.

·      Spoon into six or seven of the muffin tin compartments.

·      Bake for 13-15 minutes. Remove and cool completely. (I use the freezer for speedier cooling, just don’t forget them in there.)

For the Caramel Layer: 

·      Place dates and boiling water in a blender or food processor and blend until liquefied.

·      Add in remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

·      Pour over cooled brownie layer and cool again.

For the Chocolate Layer:

·      In a double boiler or a small metal bowl placed over a small pot of gently simmering water, add the chocolate chips, ghee and salt.

·      Stir continuously until just melted.

·      Pour over cooled cups and spread around with your finger or a small spatula.

·      Cool completely before trying to remove.

Disclaimer: we do not take credit for inventing these satisfying substitutes—we're not that good—but we do love them.  We do encourage you to check out Detoxinista’s blog at http://detoxinista.com.  We are loving her recipes!! 

We'd love for any of you to share healthy treat recipes that you have. 

-Alyssa

Kids & Veggies : Creating a Lasting Love November 28, 2012 11:08

Getting kids to eat their vegetables seems to be a universal challenge among parents (though I’d venture that it is largely an issue faced by Americans). Everybody takes a different approach to this from bribing or force-feeding to disguising veggies in other food or giving up all together.

There’s no question that kids need to eat their vegetables as part of a healthy diet and moreover to build the foundation for a life of healthy eating. But while the concept itself is simple, the execution becomes seemingly insurmountable for many families.

Long before I became a mom, I proclaimed that I would be excessively strict about food when it came to my children. Healthy nutrition is a passion for me, and I have for many years believed sugar should have a very limited presence in anybody’s daily diet. At the same time, I love chocolate, baked sweets and frozen yogurt, and I come from a long line of sweet lovers, so I’m not always able to practice what I preach.

In the last few years, I’ve learned a few approaches that have helped in creating a love for veggies among my kiddos. Below is a list of my strategies, but as children’s palettes change with the wind, I’m always looking for new ideas. Take a look at this list, and let us know some things that have worked for your family.

·      Super Baby Food: With the exception of using store-bought organic baby rice cereal, all of the food my babies consumed in their first year was organic, homemade and free of anything processed. This included a strict no-sweets rule – their first birthdays were the first time they tasted anything with a sweetener.

·      Say No To the Sweet Tooth: Even after the first birthdays, we remained very strict about sweets. Some people may think this is depriving kids of the normal childhood enjoyment of treats, but I disagree. My kids still enjoy plenty of traditional treats, but they understand that those treats are to be enjoyed in moderation, and only as part of a balanced, healthy diet that is rich with fruits and vegetables. This has led to my children viewing their favorite fruits as treats.

·      Beverages Are The Enemy: For us, the first few years were largely void of juices. An occasional apple juice or orange juice is allowed in moderation. Fruit drinks and soda are off limits (and the adults in the family don’t drink these either). I can probably count on one hand the amount of times my kids have had chocolate milk – it is a very special treat, not the norm. As a result, they love water and plain old milk, and drink plenty of it.

·      Variety: Every meal, even their first meals, included lots of variety. This is a pillar of nutrition plans suggested for children by dieticians. Each meal includes a whole grain, fruit and/or veggie and protein, accompanied by organic milk. There are many times when my kids refuse to eat the veggies they are offered, but there are just as many times when the green stuff is the first thing they eat. The point is that the more you offer a variety of healthy foods, the more they will grow to enjoy and favor many of them.

·      Stick to the Classics: We’ll go through a phase when carrots are the only acceptable veggie, or cauliflower or broccoli, or whatever. Nobody ever overdosed on carrots as far as I know, so I just go with it. If my four year old refuses any veggie but carrots for a week, he simply eats carrots every day. Eventually he moves on and is willing to add tomatoes, beans and broccoli back into the mix. Another point on this is that I keep it really simple. Plain steamed veggies seem to taste better to my kids than roasted herbed carrots or Parmesan sautéed green beans.

·      What’s a Happy Meal?: We don’t eat fast food. We’ve gone more than four years, and the kiddos don’t even know what a Happy Meal is. I’ll be clear that we will pick up a grass fed cheeseburger, deli sandwich or a burrito from a fresh-mex place, and we order pizza. So I guess that qualifies as fast food. But McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC and the like just aren’t part of our repertoire.

·      I’m Not Above Bribes: At the end of the day, if nothing else is working, I remind the kids that if they want to earn their special treats, they need to eat their veggies. Sometimes a little nudge that if they finish their greens they might earn that ice cream they’ve been wanting, is all it takes for them to dig into the kale that remains on their plate. And usually once they do take a bite, they tell me how yummy it is.

-Ashley  

Braving Vegetarian and The Thanksgiving Turkey November 15, 2012 16:35

Co-Authored by Alyssa and Ashley

If you ask people what are some of their favorite things to do, one of the most common answers is “eating”.  I have yet to meet a person who does not claim to love food.  The majority of our society does not eat to live, we live to eat!  It is a social, traditional and cultural aspect of our daily lives. This is one key reason why vegetarianism is so controversial.

Alyssa’s Take

I have never been a big meat eater, but I have yet to make the full commitment to become a vegetarian.  I don’t think eating animals is wrong, but I do think supporting factory farming by eating animals that come from such tortured conditions is wrong.  I also think it is unhealthy, kind of gross, and on top of that, I only have this one body so I better take care of it. 

In my experience, most people cannot understand why someone would choose to become a vegetarian or be anti-meat-eating.  I think education and research on what we are actually consuming is a game-changer.  But this is my belief.  And, same as I feel about my beliefs in anything else, I know I have the right to think this way but I must refrain from forcing this opinion on anyone else or claim that ‘I’m right and you’re wrong.’ 

So when people ask me, “Why don’t you eat chicken? It’s good for you,” I usually respond with a simple “Trust me, I have my reasons.”  Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Eating Animals, would probably be disappointed with this response, as he would probably tell me that I am passing up a prime opportunity to spread the truths about factory farming.  And yes, he’d be right. However, I do often follow up with telling people to read Foer’s book or any other testimonial about factory farming to learn more about my reasons for not eating poultry, etc. 

The tricky part for Ashley, who has long been a committed vegetarian, is how to raise her kids in light of this issue. 

Ashley’s Take

So, yes, I’m a vegetarian and have been for about 10 years. Even before I fully gave up meat eating, I dabbled in ‘boycotting’ certain meats due to the way the animals were treated or what animal parts were in the food. For example, I gave up hot dogs as a young child, upon learning what was actually in them. I quit octopus (a sushi favorite) as soon as I became aware of the animal’s high intelligence.

But it hasn’t always been easy. Since becoming a vegetarian, I have had lapses. A bite of filet mignon at a high end restaurant, a taste of steak grilled by our Argentinean friend, a sip of chicken noodle soup during a particularly nasty bout with the flu. And while I could probably count the total of these lapses on one hand, they have been enough to make me reconsider my choice to abstain from eating animals.

Ultimately, I have a lot of reasons for remaining vegetarian. Health, animal rights, humanity, concern about the impact of factory farming on our Earth, genetic modification, hormones, cloning and so on. I agree with Alyssa that there is a humane and responsible way to consume meat, and it is becoming easier to do so. But for me, I don’t feel that I need meat badly enough that a pig or cow or chicken needs to be slaughtered for my dining pleasure.

That being said, my children are not vegetarians. I have grappled with this decision for years, and my oldest son did start out as a vegetarian. What I’ve learned from feeding my family (which includes a meat-eating husband) is that it can be difficult to feed a child a fully balanced diet without meat. I know many people do it, and I applaud them. But children are picky eaters, and many of the foods they need to consume regularly to replace meat are often foods they do not like.

So for now, my children eat meat as responsibly as I can possibly enable – free range, humanely raised, hormone-free meat from local farms. I know where their meat comes from and what’s in (or NOT in) it. We will educate them about what eating meat means for their health and the planet, and the risks associated with factory farming. In time, they will have to choose for themselves, and I will support whichever decision they make, (though I secretly hope they choose vegetarian!).

In light of Thanksgiving, we will be serving Turkey, and my family, not including me, will be eating it. But our Turkey will be from a local farm, and will have lived a happy turkey life before it is served at our table. It’s not perfect, but it’s the balance that our family has achieved.

How does your family balance traditional holiday foods with your moral beliefs?

-Alyssa and Ashley

Mom of the Month: Lisa Leake of 100 Days of Real Food November 13, 2012 15:51

Feeding your kids = a lot of work. Feeding your kids a healthy diet (and keeping it affordable!) =  a full time job. Feeding your kids exclusively a diet of whole foods and eliminating processed junk completely = seemingly impossible.

Lisa Leake, a mom of two and the highly followed blogger of 100 Days of Real Food, did what most families consider unattainable. On a quest to a healthier family, in 2010 Lisa and her family set out to completely eliminate highly processed foods, including all white flour and refined sugar, from their diet for 100 days. At the time when the family embarked on this pledge, Lisa had no prior knowledge of whole food nutrition and claims she had never before read an ingredient label, nor did she know there was anything wrong with that. Her children were ages 3 and 5 years at the time – which she points to as a testament that any family can change their eating habits to include only ‘real’ foods.

Lisa blogged through the entire process, documenting what the family was eating and the challenges they faced through the first 100 days. Throughout, her family maintained the pledge amidst birthday parties, travel, restaurant meals and school lunches. As a mom who shares Lisa’s passion for nutrition, I know how difficult and time consuming it can be to feed your family well for every meal, every day.

After successfully completing the first 100 days, the Leake family took on another 100-day challenge of real food on a budget, wherein they spent only $125 per week on food. For families who think they can’t afford to eat well, this is a great inspiration, and Lisa details on her blog dozens of tips for how to make a budget work for a real food diet.

Lisa’s blog has evolved since those first challenges, and is now a rich resource of information for readers from across the spectrum of food consumption – whether you are a die hard fast foodie looking for education about food or you already know all the ropes of whole food eating, you will find value in Lisa’s blog. She has hundreds of recipes, a list of kitchen essentials, ‘rules’ for anyone ready to take on the 100-day challenge, 14 mini-pledges for those looking for a slower transition away from processed foods, and new content every week with information, interviews and tips for healthier eating.  

So our hats are off to Lisa! We love your blog, and are so happy there’s someone out there taking such a firm stance on improving the way families approach nutrition. Take a moment to read her blog and tell us what you think!

-Ashley