Archive for whole-foods
Cucumber Smoothie, Anyone?
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Trust me, when my four-year-old asked me for a cucumber smoothie the other day, I just about died and went to heaven! Really? I made sure one more time that he wasn’t yanking my chain, after all he can be a jokester. Oh no, he really wanted one.
I already had out the Magic Bullet and whipped up this very simple, refreshing snack. Brodie was hovering around the kitchen waiting for it. He saw me making my own vegetable smoothie, which he had witnessed many times prior. This was the day he decided to ask for his favorite vegetable in smoothie form.
What a great way to model healthy eating habits in front of your kids. I encourage you to get out your chopped veggies and try some different combinations of raw fresh vegetable smoothies. You can always add apple to the equation to help with sweetness or avocado if you like a creamier texture. Encourage your children to taste your concoctions. Sure, they might not approve at first, but if you continue, then I guarantee that they’ll eventually be open to trying your creations. Let me know what kind of veggie shakes work for you.
For your information, cucumbers have a number of trace minerals from folate, vitamin C, vitamins B1, B2, B5 and B6 and healthy enzymes (when eaten raw) that will aid in digestion and the uptake of those minerals & vitamins. Try it with a little mint for an extra zing and palette cleansing.
For optimal results with your improved nutrition, be sure to factor in an effective cardiovascular and weight-bearing exercise program. For more details on the best Cleveland fitness bootcamp for busy parents, be sure to check out TrainingByLiz.com.
Now, check out this simple cucumber smoothie recipe and Brodie’s reaction to it below:
Begin with about eight slices of cucumber and 1/4 cup of water.
Begin the blending process.
The longer you blend, the smoother the consistency (it will have some little chunks).
A balanced, quick lunch idea for the kids
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School is drawing near and heck, summer is just as busy (who am I kidding?). Isn’t it refreshing to be able to draw on some standard fare that you can keep in your kitchen for those rushed times of life and still give your family a healthy meal?
Here’s a lunch idea that I whipped up for my kids (ages 2, 4 & 6) that was simple, quick and nutritious. It helps to keep the ingredients on hand at all times. Of course, feel free to improvise with other healthy items.
Whole-grain Peanut Butter Sandwich
(my kids are little, so a half sandwich for each one suffices). I gave them tomatoes from the garden (harvest time is upon us!!), carrots or cucumber and apple slices and these neat potato and corn chips that I found at a health-food store. The chips are a bonus as I usually do not buy them, but the ingredients were few and did not have dies, preservatives, MSG, nor trans-fats.
I try to think in terms of balancing proteins, starches, fibrous carbohydrates (veggies/fruits) and healthy fats with every meal I feed my kids. There are times when they are not eating that way; however, I am less guilty and they are more healthy for my feeding them responsibly the rest of the time. The main reason I do this aside from general health is to keep their blood-sugar in balance. Ever notice that melt downs occur before mealtime or, hopefully not, during the time a meal should be happening?
If you want more ideas on staples to keep in stock for quick nutrition, then see my latest article called “Quick Ideas for Family Nutrition.” Start planning now how brown bag lunches to school or work can be healthier for your family.
What are some quick and healthy lunch ideas you recommend?
