Inspiration, Ideas, Tips and Strategies, by Always Healthy Mom

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Secret #1



#1 The Andersons

As a healthy mom I always shop at The Andersons. A local favorite, they always have the freshest produce and largest selection. I can't get enough of their new Fish Market and Oasis Mediterranean foods. I enjoy taking the kids with me to sample the local fresh fruit and veggies and even letting them select the foods for the family! Shopping at The Anderson's is not a chore but an experience that I welcome weekly!
 Check out the cooking classesAds & Party Planner

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Coming Soon!

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This week Always Healthy Mom's top five healthy secrets in Toledo!
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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Family Talk

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I love this idea! I have seen them sold at a local toy store and wanted to find out more! With a busy schedule sometimes dinners can get overlooked! This tool can help families connect and have fun! It also helps make family dinners a routine and positive experience. I want to go get one tomorrow!

This is what they say...

Around the Table games – Questions to get the whole family talking! Family Talk takes the dinner table discussions with you wherever you go!

Fun, Portable conversation game to keep today’s busy families connected

100 question cards attached to round carabiner clip for use anywhere – at home, at a restaurant, in the car, on vacation

Questions that get the whole family talking – even hard-to-talk-to Teens!

Portable, thought provoking, fun!

Ages 3+

Great gift idea

Go to fullsize image Family Talk - Engage your families in colorful conversations with this award winning set of 100 portable conversation questions. Simply pick a card, ask the question and get a surprising and often hilarious glimpse into the hearts and minds of family members. Diverse topics reveal surprising answers, even from hard-to-talk-to teens. The games ultra-portability allows families to play in the car, at the dinner table, on vacation or at a party! Great gift idea! 100 cards  per deck. Ages 3+
Family Talk

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Barley Makeover

Go to fullsize imageWhite flour, white bread, enriched pasta, you get the picture. Many of our "grains" could use a makeover!! Have you ever tried Pearled Barley? I am in love with this super food!
I replace my white rice and pasta with this little friend! Priced very well, and has many nutritious benefits! Full of protein and fiber, my friend barley can makeover any dish! Try cooking it in a low sodium broth or bullion and tossing it with veggies like tomato's, basil and baby spinach! It goes well with a light dressing like lemon juice, garlic and EVOO!

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  • Add barley to stews and soups or other dishes
  • Mix barley flour with wheat flour to make breads and muffins
  • Use cracked barley or barley flakes to make hot cereal
  • Toss chilled cooked barley into salads

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Barley and your health:
 One cup of cooked barley provides 193 calories, 6 grams of fiber and 3.5 grams of protein.
With less than one gram of fat per serving, barley is a virtually fat-free food and is also cholesterol-free.
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Barley FACTS...
Recent studies showed that barley helps lower blood LDL cholesterol. Barley may also help stabilize blood glucose levels, which may help people with diabetes.

Cooking Barley?
http://www.ehow.com/how_2210635_cook-barley.html

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                                      Healthful Eating!
                                                  Sincerley,
                                                      Always Healthy Mom

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Eating Healthy. Growing Strong.

Eating Healthy. Growing Strong.

Check out this great message!

Challenge Monday!

Go to fullsize image My challenge today is for you to go for a walk with your family! The conditions are beautiful and there is nothing more important than a healthy happy family!
Enjoy!
                              
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My favorite moment is when I talked my husband and kids into going for a family walk at a local park right after a 5 o'clock rain! It was the most memorable walk we have taken! So much wildlife  to take in! We ended up seeing over 5 deer and birds galore! We all enjoyed our walk that day!

Friday, March 18, 2011

PASSION

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Tomorrow is my Birthday! Yeah! The reason I'm sharing this with you is because I am pondering what I have accomplished the last 29 years of my life! I have a great husband, beautiful children, and I have found my passion! LIFE IS GREAT! People like to remind me "you are young, you have time"! But I have never done anything slowly! I became a nurse, I got married I had 3 children, I am on a mission! I feel I am passionate about health and wellness for a reason! I want to inspire and empower healthy living! It feels good to live your passion! What are you passionate about? I challenge you to live it!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Chip Chip Hooray by Always Healthy Mom

Barbeque Potato CHIP CHIP HOORAY!!!!
There is finally a great tasting crunchy treat we can all enjoy! I found these at the airport on my last trip! For a crunchy treat they take the spotlight. With a flavor to satisfy everyone, these Pop Chips are going to give the traditional chip a run for its money! You can typically find these in the chip aisle, and are pretty reasonably priced! My fav is the BBQ flavor! Only 120 calories for 19 chips!!! YEAH! Hello, Skinny Jeans!!!

  • no trans fat
  • no saturated fat
  • no cholesterol
  • no preservatives



Here is what they are popping about...
Healthier, delicious, all-natural. Actually, we are all that and a bag of chips. How do we do it? Well, first, let's talk about how we don't do it. We never fry our chips. That just puts a lot of stuff in there that we could all do without. We never bake our chips either. That just takes a lot of flavor out, which, as snackers, we simply can't do without.
So we came up with a chip like no snack aisle has seen (or taste bud has tasted). That's because we found a way to pop all the flavor in while keeping fake stuff and more than half the fat of fried chips out. Thanks to the magic of popped.

all the flavor.
where's the fat?

We don't fry it (unhealthy). We don't bake it (undelicious). We take wholesome potatoes, add a little heat and pressure, and pop! It's a chip. The only thing added is a flavorful blend of seasonings for a snack so delicious and crispy, you won't even notice it's (we hesitate to say) healthier.
What's out? More than half the fat of fried potato chips, trans fats, and cholesterol. All gone. For good. What's popped in? Only what's natural, tons of delicious, and plenty of crunch.

all kinds of delicious.
all kinds of fun.

We make potato popped chips in lots of taste bud-popping flavors. Hallelujah, snacking is fun again.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Challenge Monday

Go to fullsize image Lean Proteins...

Lets talk!
So what kind of lean proteins do you enjoy? There are so many choices out there today! The average American is not lacking in the protein department! But it's sad to see some of the schools count burgers and hot dogs as proteins! So lets review some healthy choices!

  • Fish
  • Chicken
  • Legumes
  • Turkey
  • Low fat yogurt
  • Low fat cottage cheese
  • Veggie burger
  • Lean Pork and Ham

*When choosing these foods make sure you are eating the correct serving size! Look at the size of your fist or a deck of cards.

Challenge: Enjoy 5 sources of lean proteins today every 3-4 hours! They will help keep you full and satisfied! Plus they will aid in weight loss or weight maintenance!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz's

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Happy National Sleep Awareness Week!

National Sleep Awareness Week®, which takes place March 7-13, 2011, is an annual public education and awareness campaign to promote the importance of sleep. The week begins with the announcement of the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep in America poll results and ends with the clock change to Daylight Saving Time, where Americans lose one hour of sleep. The Foundation's Sleep Care Center members host events in their local communities throughout the week, providing sleep education and screening to the public.

As a busy mom myself, I sometimes struggle with getting enough sleep! There is always something I could or should be doing! But, I have tried to make sleep a priority for me and my family!



Are you getting enough sleep? And why is it important?
Read more...
Diet, Exercise and Sleep National Sleep Foundation - Information on Sleep Health and Safety

Monday, March 7, 2011

Challenge Monday!

Go to fullsize image I thought this picture was cute!
OK, so when was the last time you stretched out of your comfort zone? Really pushed? Is your routine comfortable and easy to pull off? Well think again! Today I challenge you to do 3 high intensity bouts of  physical activity in addition to your normal routine! So if you walk  make sure you have 3 bouts of jogging. If you jog have 3 bouts of running, you get the picture! Its time to push beyond the comfort of out routine and explore what we are really capable of!
 If you are not happy with your results is time to try a new method!
Have Fun!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Inspire

 NDA Career Day 2011
Career day at NDA! I loved talking with young women! It's never to early to start living healthy!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Back to the basics!



Always Healthy Mom back to the basics!
 With so many NEW and IMPROVED products I decided to look into an old favorite!
Nature Valley Oats 'N Honey bar! With two bars and 190 calories I really enjoy this snack! A crunchy and natural flavor. I'm pretty sure I enjoyed these snacks when I was in grade school! Where ever you are you can find these yummy snacks,( gas stations, hospital cafeterias, and Costco)! They are a little crunchy for real little ones but school age children can enjoy this one with you!


 Here is what they have to say...

Oat's 'N Honey

Nature Valley® Oats N Honey Granola Bars take real honey and brown sugar syrup, combine them with rolled oats, and produce a sweet, nutritious snack. The bars are full of classic crunch and whole grain goodness, making them a completely natural energy boost that's high in fiber and protein but low in saturated fat. Bite into one anytime, anywhere for an invigorating treat of quality whole grain.

It's Only Natural

Though much has changed since Nature Valley introduced the world's first granola bar in 1975, one thing hasn't: No matter how many new flavors we create, they're all made like the first, from wholesome, delicious ingredients. That way you can be assured that with Nature Valley you're always getting The Taste Nature Intended®.
 For more information and products visit http://www.naturevalley.com

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Toledo Area Parent - Super mom meals on the go

Toledo Area Parent - Super mom meals on the go

TODAY!

PB2 Powdered Peanut ButterToday is National Peanut Butter Day! So enjoy some healthy PB2 to celebrate!

****Always healthy Mom loves her PB2 with sliced apples, celery sticks, on a whole grain piece of bread and in a healthy shake!


Bell Plantation PB3 Powdered Peanut Butter and More