Healthy and Economical Eating

It is very rare that a week goes by and I don't get anxious about what to feed my family. We are always in a hurry and it's hard to get to the store. I am not home at night. So I have to plan dinner in the morning-or at least attempt to. I saw this article on CNN about how to eat healthy when you can't get to the store every three days for fresh, organic produce. I do a lot of the tips presented. So it make me feel a little less guilty. We do buy fresh fruit every week, but I use frozen vegetables. Most of the time the veggies go to waste at our house. It's just easier for me when they're frozen and I can use them whenever I want instead of feeling like I have to use them by XX date.

Here are the tips I really liked:
1. When using canned fruit or vegetables: Avoid the ones that have added sugar and get the low-sodium option when available. Always drain the vegetables and wash them thoroughly because that will remove a lot of the sodium. (I didn't realize that.)

2. When cooking frozen vegetables, don't put them in water. Steam them instead to lock in more nutrients. I always steam them, but I don't know if I knew why.

3. Stock up on whole grains. I have been slowly implemented whole grain pasta into our menu. It really depends on the brand whether they will eat it. A lot of the time, I do half whole grain/half white-especially when it comes to chocolate chip cookies. I just add more brown sugar so they aren't too bready(I can't think of a better word.)

4. Get some protein. You can add it to smoothies, milk and oatmeal. I like this idea. We tend to go on protein kicks now and then. I like Shaklee vanilla and chocolate. Hmmm good!

Here's the story on CNN article with some more tips. Please share yours by commenting below.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Persuading Picky Eaters

I am still struggling to get my kids to eat vegetables. They no longer will eat peas. So, we are down to corn on the cob and green bean casserole. I think my kids live off strawberries and watermelon. We are going to go broke over the winters paying for all the off season fruit! But at least their favorite foods right now are healthy!

FROM MEDSTAR: The way your child eats today could determine whether or not they’ll have serious problems with food in the future. Helping them develop healthy habits starts with making food and meal preparation a fun learning experience.

Ask a kid what they don’t like to eat and you’ll probably hear something like..

Haley Harp“I don’t really like cauliflower.”

Kendall Schroeder“Sardines and brussel sprouts or whatever.”

Clive Berkman“I think we struggle with hearing about our kids. They won’t eat broccoli, or cauliflower or Brussels sprouts because it’s more of a mind thing than a palate thing.”

Clive Berkman is a chef, cookbook author and pastor who’s preaching healthy eating ideas to kids.

Clive Berkman“In a certain way they’re willing to experiment. If you will lead them down that path.” Leading them down that path that starts with menu planning. Clive Berkman“Sweet potatoes. What else would you suggest? Edamame.”

Armed with their own grocery list, kids “buy in” to better, even economical food choices.

Clive Berkman“Number one is through education. Talking about what happens to this vegetable. How is it unique?”

Clive to kids“Something about a carrot, what are they good for?” Clive and kids“Eyes. Eyes.” Clive to kids“You see your eye? You’ve got your pupil.”

Clive Berkman“You need to bring it to the cookie shelf level.” Clive Berkman“You can’t be too complicated. You have to be basic.” You may even get your kids to eat their brussel sprouts.

Clive Berkman“Look inside. It looks like a little cabbage.”

Kendall Schroeder“When I learn how it’s made and how it’s healthier than other foods we made, it’s just good to know that you’re eating something that’s good for your body.”

Clive and kids“Let’s go home and cook.” Teach your kids that food and cooking is an experience to be enjoyed, instead of the chore it may appear. This is vince sherry reporting. Clive berkman is the author of a cookbook called “empty bottle moments.”

For more information, go to www.cookingwithclive.com the webpage has recipes and a blog with more tips for cooking with kids.

FAST FACTS: Picky eating often starts in the toddler years.At least 20 percent of children have serious problems with picky eating.Making mealtime fun and educational may encourage many picky eaters to choose foods they otherwise won’t eat.

What works with your kids? How do you get them to eat healthy?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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4 Best Inexpensive, Healthy Foods

I don't know anyone who isn't trying to scrimp and save right now. I think about every dollar I spent at the grocery store and I am trying very hard not to waste food.(even when my toddler throws it on the floor-5 second rule, right?)I love this information from Media Source It really does help me out at the grocery store!

If you spend any time at all in the grocery store, chances are you’ll spend a lot of money. The price of food has jumped 7.5% in the last year alone, more than twice the rate of medical costs.

Even though food costs more, you don’t have to sacrifice nutrition. Experts say there are plenty
of low-cost highly nutritious foods, and a few you should put on your next grocery list. Like most of us Kelly Urse has felt the bite of her budget when it comes to fixing food for her family, which means she and her daughters have to plan their meals more carefully than ever before. “We shop the ads, we look for those flyers that come every week in the neighborhood newspaper, and we’re certainly looking for coupons,” says Kelly.

Experts say in an effort to save a little money, many of us often buy cheaper, more processed
foods, which can be unhealthy. So scientists and dietitians from Ohio State University Medical Center have identified some of the top foods for staying healthy on a budget.

It all starts with the TOMATO. “Always cheap, no matter what time of year it is. You can buy tomatoes already canned with a lot of extra herbs and spices in them,” says Shirley Kindrick, PhD at Ohio State University Medical Center. Researchers at Ohio State have found that cooking tomatoes concentrates their power to fight diseases like cancer.

So registered dietitian Shirley Kindrick says, tomato soups, pastes, or spaghetti sauces are a cheap healthy idea, and if you want to cut down on the price of meats... “One of the first things that comes to mind is BEANS. Beans are an excellent source of protein and what’s our highest-cost item in the grocery store? It’s our meats,” says Kindrick.

Next, an inexpensive item you may not have considered, but Kindrick says cooking STEEL OATS in a crock pot is a great meal anytime. “We often overlook the importance of oatmeal, but that’s a whole grain. One that we know will lower our cholesterol,” says Kindrick.

And lastly, buy cheap, DRY PASTAS, even macaroni and cheese, to make the most of leftovers.“So throw in that broccoli, maybe you have some leftover meat, throw that in there and you’ve got a great meal for not very much and it didn’t take you very long,” says Kindrick.

If you are a savvy shopper, please give us more tips! What do buy at the grocery store that is inexpensive and healthy?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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