Make the Most Important Meal of the Day the Healthiest Too

When trying to help your family eat healthier, like anything else in life, the best place to start is at the beginning. The first meal of the day is also the most important because without it our bodies aren’t fueled and ready for what the day may bring.

By starting out healthy you’re paving the way for more healthy meals throughout the day as well. Even if you, or your other family members, are prone to grab a high calorie snack or fast food style lunch, you’ll be one step ahead by eating a healthy breakfast. Just remember, skipping breakfast is one of the worst things you can do for your health. Instead of omitting breakfast or filling up on sugary foods each morning, try some of these ideas for a healthy breakfast menu in your household each and every day of the week.

1. Bagels – Low-fat cream cheese or your favorite natural fruit spread make bagels a quick breakfast when you’re pressed for time. You can even take them with you if necessary, but beware eating them in the car might be a little messy depending on the toppings you choose.

2. Smoothies – Blend your favorite fruits with a bit of low-fat milk or yogurt and drink your breakfast in the car or on the bus. The possibilities are endless as far as flavors go. You can even add some of your favorite vegetables to help get in the recommended 5 servings per day.

3. Non-Fat Yogurt – With fruit or without fruit, yogurt is a great addition to just about any breakfast. It’s full of calcium and fat free yogurt can actually work as a substitute for higher fat content foods such as mayo and cream cheese.

4. Fresh Fruit – Mix it up in a salad. Cut it up in your cereal, or eat your favorite kind by itself. Fruit is great no matter how you eat it. For those who like cottage cheese, mixing it with your favorite fruit is a great breakfast option that doesn’t take forever to prepare.

5. Cold Cereals – Whole grain cereals are what you want here. Skip the sugary coated kid cereals. The benefits include a healthier heart and decreased risk for diabetes, among many others.

6. Oatmeal – There’s nothing quite like a piping hot bowl of oatmeal on a cold winter day to get you started on the right foot. Top with your favorite fruit and enjoy!

7. Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Toast – Peanut butter is a great source of protein and the whole wheat is a healthier option than white toast. Most kids love peanut butter and will jump at the chance to eat it for breakfast instead of with jelly for lunch.

8. Omelets or Scrambled Eggs – Eggs are a great source of protein and mixing them with your favorite veggies or peppers give them a boost compared to just eating them plain or worse, frying them. Sprinkle with a bit of cheese for added appeal to little ones.

9. Granola – Granola is a great source of fiber and other essential vitamins. Be careful though some granola can be very high in fat. Eat in moderation and you’ll be just fine.

10. Muffins – Muffins are great because they can be made ahead of time saving lots of hectic mornings from become even more rushed. Mix fruits or vegetables in the batter and you’ll not only receive the grain from the muffin but your fruit and veggies too.

Start your family out right each and every morning with a healthy breakfast. It’s the most important, but it can also be the healthiest without a lot of hassle or time. Enjoy the variety that the options above, along with others give you.

To purchase my Healthy Family Eating book, please click on this link: Healthy Snack and Meal Ideas For Your Family Ebook

Healthy Eating Starts before Birth

Did you know that your preference for some foods could very well have started before you were even born? According to various studies over the years, babies develop the senses of taste and smell during the second trimester of their mother’s pregnancy. It’s also been shown that babies have a distinct preference for sweet things and can even tell the difference between certain flavors of food as it passes through the amniotic fluid that surrounds them during the time inside the mother’s womb.

Some might even go so far as to say that children develop their eating habits from the moment of conception, which may or may not be true, but it sure wouldn’t hurt to assume that what mama eats baby will too. So, here are some foods expectant mothers should be sure to include in their meal plan.

Fruits & Veggies – It’s no secret than many kids develop a bad taste in their mouth (pun intended) when it comes to eating fruits and especially vegetables. While a lot of the problem lies in the texture of these foods, if you want a better shot at having kids who actually enjoy them, eat lots of them during pregnancy.

Iron Rich Foods – Iron is a necessity for pregnant women. Most associate iron with red meats, but even if you’re a vegetarian, you can find iron in foods such as:

• Salmon
• Eggs
• Dried Fruits
• Tofu
• Dark Green Vegetables
• Grains

Calcium – We all know calcium is vital for healthy bones, teeth and skin. When you’re pregnant, you not only need this for yourself, but your little one as well. Great sources of calcium include:

• Low Fat Milk
• Pasteurized Cheeses and Yogurt (avoid raw or fresh cheeses during pregnancy)
• Almonds
• Spinach
• Kale
• Calcium Enriched Orange Juice

Folic Acids – Foods rich in folate or folic acid are what will help your child’s brain and spine develop correctly. It’s actually recommended that all women of child bearing age get plenty of these. Many doctors will prescribe a prenatal vitamin with folic acid just to avoid the possibility of neural tube defects that can cause things like spina bifida in the unborn baby. Some foods that supply this much needed nutrient are:

• Leafy veggies
• Poultry
• Nuts
• Grapes
• Oranges
• Beans and peas
• Whole wheat foods

Water – Water is extremely important to a healthy pregnancy. As a mom, you need more water to help you deal with the extra blood your body needs to make. Not to mention, it helps avoid dehydration which is not a good thing for you and can be even worse on your baby if it’s too bad. Many kids don’t like water and if you get him or her used to it before birth you might be able to stop that issue before it ever starts.

Whether you believe babies know what they like and dislike when it comes to food before they are born or not, you can’t argue how well the mother takes care of herself while pregnant has a direct effect on a child’s development. Although food cravings of pregnant women can range from what those of us who aren’t expecting would call simply gross to disgustingly sweet, it’s extremely important for an expectant mother to maintain a healthy diet for the sake of herself and her unborn child.

If you’re expecting a baby now, want to give your future children the best possible start, or know someone who is, it’s important to eat healthy in order for your children to do the same.



To purchase my Healthy Family Eating book, please click on this link: Healthy Snack and Meal Ideas For Your Family Ebook

New Shop Opening - The Magickal Ewe

these ACEO prints will soon be avaailable on The Magickal Ewe - my new store at Fuzzy Blue Slippers. Come and have a look at my new shop - The Magickal Ewe

Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival for January 5, 2009

CPSIA Law of 2008

This is my first blog carnival for 2009. It is appropriate that as the new year brings change my first blog should be about some big changes coming in 2009 for crafters and vendors of goods for children under the age of 12. These changes are legislated under the  CPSIA Law of 2008 (USA).

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was penned in response to the breach of consumer trust by the large toy manufacturers who contracted with Chinese firms to manufacture their toys. As many of us on both sides of the USA/Canada border are aware many of those toys contained toxic chemicals.  The new law stipulates mandatory third party testing for products intended for use by children under the age of 12 to determine if these items contain toxic chemicals.

The new law comes into effect February 10, 2009. Toy manufacturer Rick Woldenberg, President/CEO of Learning Resources, named this day the  National Bankruptcy Day.  He was referring to the thousands of dollars to be spent on third party testing. For many small toy companies in the USA, Canada and Europe, crafters and artists, the cost of this testing will be prohibitive leaving them with no choice but to close their doors.

This mandatory testing does not only apply to toys. It applies to all products marketed or which could be perceived as being marketed for the use of children under 12 years of age. It applies equally to toys, clothes, books, furniture, art and craft supplies, shoes, hair and jewellry accessories, glasses, and many more items.

Etsy.com is an online venue for crafters, artists and artisans to sell their goods. Many of these items are or might be perceived to be for the use of children younger than 12. Many of these products are unique, one of a kind items. The shopkeepers in question are too small to be able to absorb the cost of having each of their items tested.

This will affect crafters in the USA, Canada, Europe and elsewhere who sell to consumers in the USA from venues like Etsy.com.

For more information please visit this link to the Storque on Etsy:

 

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/

Free Holiday Guide Books

1. This twelve page Christmas Holiday Guide e-Book is chock full of ideas to make your winter break more fun for you and your family. There are menu and party planning ideas. Games for children and suggestions to keep them busier and happier over the holidays.

2. This twelve page Hannukah Holiday Guide e-book is also full of ideas to make your holiday season fun. You'll get recipes and party planning ideas. Activities for children to make their winter break more fun.

3. The third in the holiday guide series is about Kwanza. Again, you'll find plenty of holiday fun inside.

These holiday guide books are free for the asking. To get your copy please leave a comment on this post telling me about your favourite holiday memory.
May this holiday season be bright and full of wonderful blessings for You and Your family.