Pinterest- Healthy Lunch Ideas

Like most of you, I am obsessed with pinterest.  I thought it would be fun to show you what I am pinning this week.  I have been thinking about new, creative, healthy lunches for the kids. It has to be something easy and something that I know they will eat too. 

 

Sprinkles make everything better, right?

Source: wendolonia.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

My kids love sushi. 

Source: shine.yahoo.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

I would like this in my lunch box.

Source: None via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: athomewithrealfood.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice twist on a traditional sandwich.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: wendolonia.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Anything on a stick is sure to be a hit.

Source: afewshortcuts.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

I have tried this before.  It works!

Source: athomewithrealfood.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

This is a good way to get the kids involoved.

Source: tipjunkie.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

I actually have this sandwich cutter.  I guess I should use it.

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Mmmm.  Yummy.

Source: food.yourway.net via Jennifer on Pinterest

What have you been pinning this week?

My Favorite Veggie Burger Recipes

In my opinion, veggie burgers are a staple in a vegan or vegetarian's diet. They are versatile, tasty, filling, and healthy.

I have been eating veggie burgers for 14 years now, so I have tried a lot of recipes. To date these are my 2 favorite veggie burger recipes.

The Vegan Bean Burger by Daily Garnish. This recipe uses black beans, but you could easily use any type of bean. You can also change up the spices if you like. I like making a big batch to have in the freezer. Since every one else in my family eats meat, it is nice to be able to grab a veggie burger from the freezer.

Yukon Gold White Bean Basil Burgers by Mama Pea. These burgers are SO yummy. I did not have any white beans on hand so I used pinto beans instead and they came out great. These are different from your typical veggie burger. The recipe makes 4 patties. I did not have to use my food processor, which was a plus. I just mashed up everything with a fork. The only problem is they did not last long. Next time I will have to make a bigger batch.

WARNING:

Once you make veggie burgers from scratch it is really hard to go back to the frozen kind.

So do you have a favorite veggie burger recipe?

Banana Split Snack

When my kids get home from school, they are usually so hungry. But the only thing they want to eat is candy or sweets. This is our compromise. They gobble it up and feel like it is a major treat.

I take a banana cut it in half, then cut it in half lengthwise. Each child gets half of a banana. You could definitely use a whole banana, but this seems to work for them. Then I put a scoop of greek yogurt on top of the banana. Our favorite is Chobani. The kids like the honey banana and the strawberry flavors. I sprinkle wheat germ on top along with a tiny bit of chocolate syrup and a cherry. You could also used chopped nuts or peanut butter. The options are endless.

Mmmm. Now I feel like I need a snack.

Team-Up Thursday- In Season

This week Cara and I chose In Season as our theme. We do have a tomato plant that is producing a few tomatoes in our yard, but none of our tomatoes looks as good and juicy as Cara's. I decided to take a photo of a plum that I picked up at the grocery store. There was a big sign displayed that said "In Season" . I took it as a sign.

Join in on the fun over at Mental Inventory.

Team Up Thursday- Lunch

This week Cara and I chose Lunch as our theme. I say that we chose the theme, but in actuality Cara's son chose for us. She asked him what he thought our theme should be for this week and he said lunch. So there you go.

I went to the grocery store on Sunday. In an attempt to clean out some leftovers to make room for the fresh food, I set out a bunch of random foods for lunch. I couldn't resist taking a photo of the bright, colorful fruit bowl. Doesn't Cara's photo of the sushi roll look so yummy? Mmmmm.

Visit Megan's for more Team-Up Thursday.

Banana Nut Bread Oatmeal

I have been on a major oatmeal kick lately. It has been my breakfast of choice for the last several weeks. This morning I decided to make oatmeal for me and the kids. I usually throw in frozen berries for Miller. The berries cool the oatmeal down and Miller loves blueberries. Harper just prefers brown sugar. In an effort to change things up and serve the same thing to everyone, I came up with this recipe. I served it with a side of walnuts and chocolate chips. I thought the kids would enjoy adding the goodies and mixing it all up.

Banana Nut Bread Oatmeal

1 cup Old Fashioned Oats- not the instant or minute kind (I used the Greenwise brand from Publix)

1 cup water

1 cup almond milk (any milk will work)

1 banana sliced thin

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

chopped walnuts

chocolate chips (I used about 10)

Bring the water and milk to a boil. Add the oatmeal and reduce heat a little. Cook for about 4 minutes or until the oatmeal begins to thicken. Add the sliced banana. Mix until the banana incorporates into the oatmeal. Add the cinnamon and vanilla. Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes. Add the walnuts and chocolate chips.

Makes 2 servings (3 if you are feeding 1 adult and 2 kids)

Gone Fishin'

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Healthy Snacks on the Go

Snacking while traveling by tractor is not recommended

Eating healthy snacks on the go is one of my biggest challenges. When it's just me, I am fine with a piece of fruit and some nuts or trail mix. Most of the time the kids are fine with that too, but when you going on a long road trip (Did I mention we are going to Disney World next week?) you need a little variety. Since I am trying really hard to stay away from prepackaged foods, it is a bit more challenging.

Here's what I plan to pack. I divided it into two categories because I have a few prepackaged favorites that I am going to include.

Not Packaged
Energy Bars (recipe found in Eat Smart)
Chewy Granola Bars from Make and Takes (these will be treats)
Popcorn
Whatever fruit we have around the house that I can grab
Trail Mix made with nuts and dried fruit and maybe granola if I have time to make it

Packaged Goods
TLC Dark Chocolate Coconut Fruit & Grain Bars (these are my kids favorite)
Goldfish (we have a huge box in the pantry that needs to be used)

If you didn't figure it out already, we are driving to Disney World next week. We are leaving after work on Tuesday and we will be back on Sunday. I am really excited. I have only been once and the kids have never been. I might just have a photo or two to share when I get back ;)

Any healthy snack ideas anyone?

Food Rules

As further evidence that I am a bit obsessed with food, I am going to share some of the food rules that I have created for myself. These rules are always changing and evolving.

Please tell me someone else does this too? Is this normal?

Here are some of my rules:

1. Dinner must include one green vegetable unless we are eating something like pizza. Sometimes we add spinach to pizza or eat a salad though.
2. If I eat dinner out, I only eat half of my meal and take the other half home. I feel less guilty this way.
3. I limit my bread intake even if it is whole wheat bread. For example, if I know we are going to have pizza for dinner I won't eat a sandwich for lunch.
4. I limit my intake of soy to one serving a day. If I have soymilk in my cereal, I won't put it in a smoothie or drink it in my tea. If I know I am going to have tofu, I don't drink any soymilk.
5. If I am having fruit as a snack, I feel like I need to add protein to it so I will usually grab a handful of walnuts or almonds to go with it.
6. I try not to eat anything after dinner.
7. I will only buy organic apples. I feel like I can taste all the pesticides and wax on conventional apples.
8. I avoid all artificial sweeteners and anything that contains High Fructose Corn Syrup.
9. I try to only have cheese once a day if at all.
10. If I am craving something sweet, I will have a couple of squares of dark chocolate and a cup of tea.
11. I rarely leave the house without something to drink (water or La Croix usually).

Now don't get me wrong. Sometimes rules have to be broken and I am definitely not perfect, but I always have these rules banging around in my head.

What kind of food rules do you have?

Pink & Purple Potatoes

My husband and I had a date night last Saturday night. My parents took the kids for the night and we headed to Bosco's to sample some beer and eat some good food. We didn't have any real plans other than dinner. After finishing up dinner, we decided to go ahead and get our grocery shopping out of the way. Yes, you heard it right folks. We went to the grocery store on our night with no kids. As we were browsing through the produce section, I saw these amazing potatoes. It was an assorted pack of pink, purple, and fingerling potatoes. They immediately went into the cart. I mean purple potatoes. You have to try them at least once, right?

Until I diced them up to roast, I had no idea the intensity of the color permeated the whole potato. In my mind it was just the skin that was various colors. The first thing I did, well after cutting a few pieces of rosemary, was to grab my camera. They just looked too pretty. I did not really know what to do with them so I tossed them in olive oil, chopped up the rosemary, and roasted them in the oven for awhile. I was pleasantly surprised. The purple ones were especially tender. I have about half of them left so next week I am thinking about using them in a frittata. Who knew potatoes could be so exciting?

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

I had a bunch of zucchini I needed to use so I decided to make some Chocolate Zucchini Bread. The first go around I used this recipe, which was very yummy. The kids referred to it as birthday cake. I still had some zucchini left so I thought I would try to make it a bit healthier. Here's the recipe I formulated based on the one above. I think it turned out just as good as the original one.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

2 oz Chocolate Chips (melted)
3 eggs
1 cup organic raw cane sugar
1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2 cups grated zucchini (I grated one large zucchini)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups whole grain pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips


DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a bundt cake pan. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, applesauce, grated zucchini, vanilla and chocolate; beat well. Stir in the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour batter into bundt cake pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a loaf comes out clean.

Planet Harmony Fruit Snack Review

I have been on a search for a "healthier" fruit snack for my kids. Don't get me wrong. There is no substitute for the real thing and my kids do eat fruit. My son will eat the fruit leather, but my daughter will not. Both like dried fruit, however, they both have a weakness for the packaged "gummies", as my youngest likes to call them. I searched the supermarket aisles for a better (naturally sweetened, organic) fruit snack, but came back empty handed. I noticed Amazon.com had Planet Harmony Fruit Snacks, but they were sold out. I signed up to get an alert when they received more in stock and waited.

A couple of weeks ago I received the notice that they had more in stock so I placed my order. (Along with the Smart Power Strip, but more on that in another post) I ordered right when I received the alert and there were only 2 left. So I am not sure if they are in high demand or if they do not get a lot in stock. I do not usually order snacks online and have actually tried to stop my online shopping altogether, but made an exception to try these.

The packages are 3 oz, which is 2 servings, but I have been making them last for 4 servings. The snacks are definitely yummy and taste more like candy (which I guess they really are) then I had expected, which my children like of course.

The ingredients include: organic sugar, organic corn syrup, organic white grape juice concentrate, citric acid, pectin, sodium citrate, natural flavors, colors added (including annatto, turmeric, grape skin liquid, and black carrot juice concentrate).

There were a couple of incredients that I was unsure about so I did some further research. Pectin is a gelling agent used to thicken foods to a jelly-like consistency. It is diluted with sugar and combined with citric acid to adjust pH. Typical levels of pectin used as a food additive are between 0.5 – 1.0% - this is about the same amount of pectin as in fresh fruit. The sodium citrate controls the acidity of gelatin desserts, jam, ice cream, candy, and other foods. Both are safe and occur naturally in citrus fruits and berries according to this website. I wish that they did not contain corn syrup, but at least it is not High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Here is an alternative to the traditional gummy bears: Planet Harmony Gummy Bears

Overall, I am happy with my purchase. I received 16 packages, which is more than I really wanted. I do think that they would make good party favors in lieu of candy, but we will not have a birthday party until June. Hmmmm, I am sure we will think of something to do with all of the goodies.

It's the little things

I know it is cliche, but I really do think it is the little things that you do in life that really make a difference. The picture to the left is Harper's dinner. She ate every bit of it. She usually does not eat beans, but she gobbled these up and even asked for more. I guess dinner just needed to be a little more fun.

Do you hate all those catalogs that come in the mail? They drive me nuts. Check out this website. You just sign up, enter in the code on the back of the magazine, and you are removed from their mailing list.

Are you constantly throwing out paper at work? Most workplaces have recycle bins these days, but before you throw it in the bin use it again. I just use the blank side of the paper to make notes instead of using a separate notepad. I also bring home paper for my kids to draw on. They don't care if there is print on one side. Then you can recycle it when you are done. Also, think twice before you print something. Is it really necessary? Do you need all of the pages?