7 Winter Foods to Eat More of This Season

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj7kcn6TQfrl1V6IeGrK4AKaaCjReeuLjyS4fqjrab3OGQSDO8XlQy_AVwxxD2_lp2H6CarAkgEL9ULwlOCF1odv4zuMbNukTU5_dqSm1S28zlBl8JaxIPe4dDqJRFn8FYBcMm-kwnmr8/s1600/winter_foods.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Collage of winter foods including root veggies. " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj7kcn6TQfrl1V6IeGrK4AKaaCjReeuLjyS4fqjrab3OGQSDO8XlQy_AVwxxD2_lp2H6CarAkgEL9ULwlOCF1odv4zuMbNukTU5_dqSm1S28zlBl8JaxIPe4dDqJRFn8FYBcMm-kwnmr8/s1600/winter_foods.png" title="Winter foods" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">The winter blues can often leave us hungry and thirsty for warm foods that will fill us up and make our bellies happy. But sometimes, this can turn into eating lots of fried, high carb and high sugar foods that offer temporary relief. It’s difficult to notice the unhealthy habits until the pounds start stacking up and energy starts to decrease. Well, I’ve made a list of winter foods I like to eat, that make me feel happy and full yet are still healthy so I can stay fit and active. Start incorporating them into your meal planning for a healthy, satisfied winter!</span></span></div> <b id="docs-internal-guid-8ea59118-df12-e03a-17b1-f2f34e79adac" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">5 Winter Foods to Eat More of:</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>Winter Squash -</b> At the top of my favorite winter foods list is winter squash, so delicious! There are a variety of squash in the winter family, including butternut, acorn, and spaghetti. Squash are full of vitamins, particularly A and C, but are low in calories so you can enjoy the goodness guilt-free! I love cooking squash and eating it warm with a few spices, or adding a fresh basil pesto to spaghetti squash for a healthy version of pasta. SO good!!!</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Root Vegetables - </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another group of winter foods that I can’t get enough of is plant roots. These are vegetables that are the root of the plant, so they are pulled from underground. The most common root vegetables are carrots, parsnips, radishes, sweet potatoes and yams. They are chock full of vitamins and nutrients, not to the mention the amazing flavor! A mixed root vegetable medley is the perfect side dish for any meal, just bake with butter and spices and you’ve got one of the best side dishes made from healthy winter foods! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Pomegranates - </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay, let’s talk about a winter delight that doesn’t need to be warm to be enjoyed, the pomegranate! This is one of those winter foods that is bursting with antioxidants and is a great dessert or snack option. I love opening up a pomegranate and eating it as a movie snack, it’s a huge upgrade from milk duds :) Oh, and did I mention </span><a href="http://www.afitnurse.com/search/label/Winter%20Salad" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">winter salad</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">?</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Oatmeal - </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the reasons I love oatmeal so much is because it’s one of the most versatile winter foods. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy oatmeal, from savory to sweet, like this </span><a href="http://www.afitnurse.com/2013/10/almond-joy-oatmeal.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">almond joy oatmeal</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; doesn’t get much tastier than that! It is one of the best breakfast options because it’s full of fiber and vitamins, plus there’s even some protein in there to keep you full and satisfied until your next snack or meal.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>Honey - </b>Well, I suppose this isn’t necessarily one of the winter foods you would enjoy on it’s own (unless you really love it) but honey is a great way to add some sweetness to your winter foods to satisfy that sweet tooth. Drizzle it over some yogurt for a sweet afternoon snack, or put it in your tea or coffee to sweeten up your morning or evening beverage. </span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Homemade Soups and Stews - </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The great thing about soups and stews are that you can add as little or as much to them as you want. Make a light veggie soup for a great side dish or add some ingredients like lentils and chicken for a hearty main course. Winter foods are the best when you can customize them to what you feel like eating that day!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 4pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Eggs -</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The staple breakfast ingredient is also in my favorites for winter foods. Okay, so I obviously love winter foods that are versatile and eggs are something you can enjoy in a variety of ways. A nice omelet can be as simple or extravagant as you would like, or a hard boiled egg can top a nice salad. Eggs can be whisked, scrambled, and added to a delicious sweet potato hash or served with bacon. Try these </span><a href="http://www.afitnurse.com/2013/01/line-muffin-tin-with-slices-of-ham.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">egg and ham breakfast cups</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for a quick on-the-go option.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">Don’t let fried foods and sugar dipped treats entice you too much this winter. Instead, try incorporating these winter foods into your daily meal plan for delicious and nutritious dishes that are sure to please your stomach and help you stay healthy and fit this winter! </span></span>

abs, diet, fitness, habits, health, healthy habits, lifestyle, nutrition, Recipes, Tips, vegetables, veggies, winter, Winter foods

7 Winter Foods to Eat More of This Season

The winter blues can often leave us hungry and thirsty for warm foods that will fill us up and make our bellies happy. But sometimes, thi...

How to Eat for Energy

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhvRfXgUlDpXD25GxyiX5y7l_-Zcb2gbMfm_lSpqHrTHWpqKpjPbe71NCAzqnKjh7ejA-Tby6f2SzfASYqjPlnsGBJWvVj36CO_mdDBQ1H3dp2a8-_l27LlaCWHrJQhxhNH_p3yfpf7Xw/s1600/energy_foods.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Healthy foods like apples are something you should eat for energy." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhvRfXgUlDpXD25GxyiX5y7l_-Zcb2gbMfm_lSpqHrTHWpqKpjPbe71NCAzqnKjh7ejA-Tby6f2SzfASYqjPlnsGBJWvVj36CO_mdDBQ1H3dp2a8-_l27LlaCWHrJQhxhNH_p3yfpf7Xw/s1600/energy_foods.png" title="eat for energy" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">We’ve all been attacked by the afternoon energy blues and they can be tough! Turning to sugar or caffeine is not the answer, it’s going to give you false energy that will cause you to crash later on. So, I’d like to share with you some foods that you should eat for energy to help your body naturally ward off those wary afternoon blues.</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">Foods to eat for energy:</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Veggies</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. If you are trying to eat for energy, veggies are amazing! Some vegetables have protein, complex carbs and good fats that will keep you energized. I recommend bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers and broccoli. Iron deficiencies can cause fatigue, so eat foods like spinach that are full of iron to rev up your energy.</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Healthy Starches</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. These are typically full of fiber and protein to keep your energy high and stomach satisfied for hours. I love to add a little brown rice, lentils, beans, granola or quinoa to my afternoon snacks as I eat for energy. </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fruits.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Besides being absolutely delicious, fruits are an awesome source because they are chock full of antioxidants, natural sugars and complex carbs that turn into energy. Some of my favorites are apples, berries, melons, pears and coconut. Add a little lemon to your water and you’ve got a tasty burst of liquid energy!</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Proteins</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Add a protein to your snack or meal as you eat for energy; it will help sustain energy to keep you going strong all day. Good sources of protein are almonds, yogurt, protein bars, hummus, salmon, eggs, beans and lentils. </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Water</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Sometimes it’s not all about how you eat for energy, staying hydrated is important too! Drink enough water throughout the day or dehydration will slow you down. Remember, caffeine is even more dehydrating so try drinking more water for energy before sipping some coffee. </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dark Chocolate</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. My favorite! Grab a piece of dark chocolate when it’s time to eat for energy. Make sure it is dark so that it is full of antioxidants and doesn’t have all the added sugar of milk chocolate, which can cause a sugar high and crash later on.</span></span></div> <span style="color: #666666;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5d93883e-11e3-6ea4-5d30-671473b48f7b"></span></span><br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aside from eating the right foods, general health is so important for staying energetic the whole day long. Be sure to eat real, unprocessed food. Choose food that is local and in season to get the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients and eat a balanced selection of foods to feel good all day long. Don’t forget to get enough sleep - it’s difficult to eat for energy if you aren’t properly resting up during the night.</span><span style="background-color: #f0fcff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s not always about the shots of caffeine and bursts of sugar. Be healthy as you eat for energy and stay alert the whole day by eating these delicious foods throughout the day.</span></span></div>

Dark chocolate, energy, fitness, food, fruit, general health, health, healthy choices, healthy eating, nutrition, Protein, veggies, water

How to Eat for Energy

We’ve all been attacked by the afternoon energy blues and they can be tough! Turning to sugar or caffeine is not the answer, it’s going t...

Quick Snack Ideas for Those Busy Days

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRcJwX5moUVD-AYkHTeMjuX6o3EeiRvEqB9YXwejI-p2R3HkjzHLDpPIxKZpdW-Jo8IIglsZgJmHYML8d0lA3evHUttfKuhMrYnOINJEsLOd0eApEdqKVHfJtrapwlTULbPOg6HDCx3DG/s1600/quick_snack_ideas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quick snack ideas - healthy snacking options." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRcJwX5moUVD-AYkHTeMjuX6o3EeiRvEqB9YXwejI-p2R3HkjzHLDpPIxKZpdW-Jo8IIglsZgJmHYML8d0lA3evHUttfKuhMrYnOINJEsLOd0eApEdqKVHfJtrapwlTULbPOg6HDCx3DG/s1600/quick_snack_ideas.png" title="Quick snak ideas for a busy day. " /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Snacking is an essential part of staying healthy in the midst of a busy lifestyle, so quick snack ideas are a must. Proper nutrition with minimal effort is key when it comes to quick snack ideas. I suggest planning a chunk of time one day to pack a bunch of snacks for the week. Or, make sure to plan a small amount of time in the evening to pack your snacks for the next day.</span></div> <b id="docs-internal-guid-d2317ec6-eae5-09d7-e137-ac6254bded27" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Here are my top suggestions for quick snack ideas.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nuts</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: A great source of protein, nuts don’t need to be refrigerated and don’t make a mess! Nuts are one of the best quick snack ideas. My favorites are almonds, cashews and walnuts. You can pack them raw or coat them with coconut oil and brown sugar, and then bake for a sweet snack.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Veggies</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Obviously veggies are a great way to snack. I suggest pairing them with a protein like hummus to make sure they fill you up. Celery with almond butter is a great match too! Quick snack ideas are all about finding the right combinations of healthy and delicious.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eggs</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Hard boiled eggs are easy to make and a perfect addition to quick snack ideas. They are an awesome source of protein, so add them to your list during the busy season.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leftovers</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Pack up a bowl of leftovers from dinner the night before so all you have to do is reheat and enjoy. Sometimes quick snack ideas are just packing smaller amounts of something you have already made - simple!</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fruit</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Quick snack ideas include a plethora of fruits. I like to pair fruits with something else, like apples and cinnamon or bananas and peanut butter. These are great for the afternoon when you just need a bit of sweetness to get through the rest of the day :)</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cottage Cheese </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cottage cheese is great to eat plain or you can enhance the flavor by adding fruit, cinnamon, honey or pure maple syrup. Great to eat while answering emails or waiting for the kids to get off the bus.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lettuce Wraps </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quick snack ideas sometimes means wrapping tasty delights in lettuce. You can wrap bacon and tomato for a quick BLT or find a lunch meat with no nitrates or preservatives. I’ll sometimes even wrap up some stir fry from dinner the night before and it is delicious!</span></span></div> <span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">Quick snack ideas are essential for a healthy on-the-go lifestyle. Take my ideas and make them your own. Don’t let your busy lifestyle keep you from eating and snacking healthy, stay active and stay strong!</span></span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>

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Quick Snack Ideas for Those Busy Days

Snacking is an essential part of staying healthy in the midst of a busy lifestyle, so quick snack ideas are a must. Proper nutrition with...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeo5ZBJ4OU5pWFCK8ENQ3mmOH-0n5qZ8_S0g-ZA8CnPv8qVLFGErJvAmdyaQp8f1eSJaNUuaf6nGgSBUBYrj60GF0OYgM04viAKGfZln6R7VrjDQ0-e26QmUbKBgiOLxOv87nnF1KE8QK/s1600/Eggplant-Parmesan-300x248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeo5ZBJ4OU5pWFCK8ENQ3mmOH-0n5qZ8_S0g-ZA8CnPv8qVLFGErJvAmdyaQp8f1eSJaNUuaf6nGgSBUBYrj60GF0OYgM04viAKGfZln6R7VrjDQ0-e26QmUbKBgiOLxOv87nnF1KE8QK/s1600/Eggplant-Parmesan-300x248.jpg" /></a></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; color: #2b5b61; font-family: myriad-pro, 'Droid Sans', Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, san-serif; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(219, 219, 219) 1px 1px 0px;"> <br /></h2> <h2 style="background-color: white; color: #2b5b61; font-family: myriad-pro, 'Droid Sans', Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, san-serif; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(219, 219, 219) 1px 1px 0px;"> Recipe for Eggplant Parmesan with Bulgar<span style="color: red;"> </span>and Pine Nuts</h2> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: myriad-pro, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="color: purple;"><strong>Ingredients</strong></span><br />Olive oil cooking spray<br />3 large egg whites, lightly beaten<br />3/4 c whole-wheat panko or bread crumbs<br />6 tbsp grated low-fat Parmesan cheese<br />1 1/2 tsp dried oregano<br />1 tsp garlic powder<br />1/4 tsp sea salt<br />2 globe eggplants<br />1 1/3 c low-sodium chicken broth<br />1 cup bulgar<br />2 medium tomatoes, cut into large chunks<br />1 tbsp tomato paste<br />2 cloves garlic<br />12 large basil leaves, divided<br />1 c shredded part-skim low-moisture mozzarella cheese<br />2 tbsp pine nuts</div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: myriad-pro, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <strong><span style="color: purple;">Directions</span></strong><br />1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat two rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray. Set aside.</div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: myriad-pro, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> 2. Place egg whites in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl combine panko, Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder and salt. Trim ends off eggplants and cut each eggplant crosswise into three-quarter inch slices. One at a time, dip eggplant slices in egg whites, then panko mixture, arranging coated slices on prepared baking sheets. Bake until eggplants are tender and golden brown, about 25 minutes.</div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: myriad-pro, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> 3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over high heat, bring chicken broth to a boil. Stir in bulgar, cover, turn off heat and set aside for 30 minutes.</div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: myriad-pro, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> 4. While the eggplant is cooking and the bulgar is softening, combine tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic and eight basil leaves in a food processor and pulse to make a chunky sauce. Transfer to a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened slightly, 8 to 10 minutes.</div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: myriad-pro, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> 5. Remove eggplant from oven and preheat broiler. Arrange an oven rack about 8  inches from heating element.</div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: myriad-pro, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> 6. Spoon tomato sauce over eggplant slices, dividing it evenly. Sprinkle mozzarella over tomato sauce, dividing it evenly. Use a spatula to place six eggplant slices on top of six others, making six two-slice stacks on one baking sheet. Broil until mozzarella is browning on top and melted in the middle, about three minutes.</div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: myriad-pro, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> 7. Meanwhile, chop or thinly slice the remaining four basil leaves. Stir basil and pine nuts into bulgar. Serve alongside the eggplant.</div> <div> <br /></div>

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Recipe for Eggplant Parmesan with Bulgar   and Pine Nuts Ingredients Olive oil cooking spray 3 large egg whites, lightly beaten 3/4 c...

10 ways to get your children to adjust to a clean eating lifestyle

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know about you but, I really struggled and still do with getting my three kids on board with clean eating. My oldest Son Gavin was never a good eater! I mean he ate NOTHING! It was a very tough thing for my husband and I to go through watching our child refuse to eat food. My pediatrician had told us when he was two that we should not worry at this point about "healthy" foods but, just make sure that he is eating. I think his approach was anything is better then nothing. So, now that he is older and quite a good eater, I must add, we have really been working with our kids to eat healthy and make good choices when it comes to food. This is definetly a work in progress but, continue to educate my children because I feel like it is very important and want them to feel as good as I do from consuming whole, real foods!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw9GzSVJwMIa8EGfUm-M2CgVwcNcT4rZKveqtklRSjNwdY-l7qQfp1l-sZjeIl4zXCHuVDnWY2iGBpwr4R7PhohSBaHCB30exBNHEDkoa3-lKxK_1DwXDYZeaqngeBVa2ezNBgltM2w_7/s1600/How-to-get-your-kids-on-board-with-healthy-eating-and-living.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw9GzSVJwMIa8EGfUm-M2CgVwcNcT4rZKveqtklRSjNwdY-l7qQfp1l-sZjeIl4zXCHuVDnWY2iGBpwr4R7PhohSBaHCB30exBNHEDkoa3-lKxK_1DwXDYZeaqngeBVa2ezNBgltM2w_7/s640/How-to-get-your-kids-on-board-with-healthy-eating-and-living.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are some of the ideas and things we have been doing to incorporate our children into eating clean foods....</div>1. <strong>Serve vegetables as an appetizer.</strong> While you set out the rest of dinner, keep hungry kids occupied with veggies. (I love carrot sticks and fresh cut bell pepper.) When you serve veggies before dinner, they’re more likely to be eaten.<br /> <br /> 2. <strong>Offer control. </strong>Picky eating is often about control, not taste. Offer two options (“Shall we have peas or broccoli trees with lunch?”) and give your child the power to choose one.<br /> <br /> 3. <strong>Remember tiny tummies</strong>. Do you often think that your toddlers aren’t eating enough? But when they describe all the child ate that day, it’s really plenty of food. Children’s tummies are quite small, about the size of their clenched fist. What looks like a reasonable snack to grown-up eyes might be an overwhelming portion for little ones.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwfRKazprAfT_vzzsBsrH1tZAU0kDDY4RzNu0otLK1scgCtpQep6Ux5oV5nFWlwU_jWse4vVDSkqSww0Jd0Puuc_A_MbGt772ar-oKRkyNeWnbGVkUx7D3yPh6rCJpsKgVKbeW0ysjqfF/s1600/healthyfood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwfRKazprAfT_vzzsBsrH1tZAU0kDDY4RzNu0otLK1scgCtpQep6Ux5oV5nFWlwU_jWse4vVDSkqSww0Jd0Puuc_A_MbGt772ar-oKRkyNeWnbGVkUx7D3yPh6rCJpsKgVKbeW0ysjqfF/s320/healthyfood.jpg" width="320" /></a>4. <strong>Never underestimate the power of a silly face or use animal shapes.</strong> At snack time, try arranging cucumber slice eyes with a ranch dip smile and carrot teeth, or peanut butter eyes and a celery mouth on an apple slice head. And what kid can resist this BEAUTIFUL butterfly!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 5. <strong>Make it interactive.</strong> Who says you shouldn’t play with your food? Steamed artichokes with lemon butter for dipping, roasted asparagus with a little cup of grated parmesan, lettuce wraps for stuffing with seasoned chicken or beans and veg — kids love interacting with their food! For bonus points, give each component a cool name — “trees with snow” will add a dash of giggles to a dish of broccoli with parmesan.<br /> <br /> 6. <strong>Delegate sous chef duties</strong>. At the market, have everyone pick out one fruit or veggie they’d like to have that evening. Then, let them add their chosen food to the pizza, soup, or salsa. When children are involved in the cooking, they’re much more likely to try the result.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.tumblr.com/523b9617c80635ef92a6140b840530ed/tumblr_inline_mn0l3kjUl51qz4rgp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" class="toggle_inline_image inline_image constrained_image" height="400" src="http://media.tumblr.com/523b9617c80635ef92a6140b840530ed/tumblr_inline_mn0l3kjUl51qz4rgp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>7. <strong>Be a veggie pragmatist.</strong> As a busy mom, I know it is not always possible to browse the market with your children. And to be honest with three kids grocery shopping can actually be quite enjoying when I get the oppurtunity to go by myself. When that happens, reach for frozen vegetables. The nutrient profile on vegetables that are flash frozen are just as good  and frozen veggies are more forgiving of busy schedules and fickle toddler tastes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 8. <strong>Zucchini bread is not a vegetable. </strong>Quite a few recent books suggest ways to “sneak” fruit and veg into children’s meals. Boosting nutrition is all well and good, but it’s also important to teach children what things look and taste like in their natural state. Don’t just sneak a cheeky puree into the pizza sauce. Let them know it’s there, and let them see how it’s prepared.<br /> <br /> <br /> 9. <strong>Don’t give up.</strong> Studies show that children have to try a food 10-15 times to like it, and I’ve certainly found that to be true. Encourage children to play with a new food, touch it, smell it, and above all taste it, but keep things lighthearted. Remember your child isn’t just being contrary being suspicious of new food is an entirely reasonable instinct, especially for children.<br /> <br /> 10. <strong>The no-thank-you bite</strong>. If your child refuses outright to try new things, introduce a “no-thank-you bite” rule. With this rule, if a child doesn’t want to eat something, that’s fine  so long as she takes a small bite and says “no thank you.” If she still doesn’t like it, chalk it up to one of those 10-15 necessary new food exposures and move on.<br /> <br /> I hope you find these tips helpful! Remember it is a work in progress and your children will eventually start eating more real foods over time!<br /> <br /> Alyssa<br /> XXOO<div style="float: right; margin: 4px;"><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/green_tea/pin.jpg" /></a></div>

appetizers, bite, children, clean eating, cooking, food, healthy, interactive, nutrition, real foods, snacks, toddlers, vegetables, veggies

10 ways to get your children to adjust to a clean eating lifestyle

I don't know about you but, I really struggled and still do with getting my three kids on board with clean eating. My oldest Son Gavin w...