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

Friday, December 30, 2011

Resolutions


Tips on sticking to your New Years RESOLUTION

The Facts:
  • If you make a resolution you are 10 xs more likely to make the change.
  • 75% of people who make a new Years resolution will make it through the first wee but 6 months from now only about 40% will be sticking to their resolution.( John Norcross, physiology professor University of Scranton)
 
  1. Start with one realistic resolution! If your goal is too big or over whelming you may give up and not accomplish anything. Many resolutions require multiple behavior changes.
  2. Make your resolution very specific. Plan the how-tos! Focus on positive To-Do behaviors!
  3. Challenging but manageable!
  4. Enlist the support of friends and family. Bring others in on the resolution so you have a support group to help you accomplish your goals.
  5. Don't let yourself quit. Even if you slip up once or twice, you shouldn't abandon your resolution.
  6. Track your progress: Monitor your progress it will dramatically improve your success rate.
  7. Get a new calendar and set your goals!
  8. Focus on a positive behavior change. Ex. I will go to the gym 3 xs this week vs. I want to lose 10lbs this year.
Happy New Year,
Always Healthy Mom

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Picky Eater?

The No-Cry Picky Eater Solution:  Gentle Ways to Encourage Your Child to Eat—and Eat Healthy

"Night after night we struggle with dinner time!" Does this sound like you or your family? You often wonder ~Could there really be help out there? The answer is YES!
So many parents experience the stress and struggle of trying to get a picky eater to EAT!
Elizabeth Pantly takes the stress out of eating by showing you step by step how to work with a picky eater! She also includes popular recipes from cookbook authors including Missy Chase Lapine author of the bestselling Sneaky Chef! The book is full of real life advice that can help any parent raise and nourish a picky eater! So stop struggling night after night! Get her book and start enjoying family dinners again!

Even if you feel you have eating and family dinner under control in your house everyone can take away a few helpful hints! Definitely gave me some perspective on why kids do the things they do when it comes to choosing foods!

Check out her site http://www.pantly.com/

Friday, December 23, 2011

Mini Holiday Pizzas


Mini Holiday Pizzas
Prep Time: 15 Min
Total Time: 30 Min
Makes: 12-16 mini pizzas depending on their shape
INGREDIENTS
1 can (13.8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated classic pizza crust
1/3 cup refrigerated marinara sauce
1 package of peperoni
1 green pepper
1 tomato diced
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, garlic and Chopped fresh
chives, if desired
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on work surface. Press dough out with ngers to form 12x8-inch
rectangle.
With -oured 2-inch holiday-shaped cookie cutters, cut dough into shapes. On cookie sheet, place shapes 1 inch apart. Bake 5 to 7 minutes or
until light golden brown.
2. Spread each crust with marinara sauce. Sprinkle each with desired toppings. Sprinkle each with cheese.
3 . Bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Serve warm.
Just before baking, sprinkle them with chopped fresh basil or parsley.To make Spicy Marinara , add a sprinkling of crushed red pepper -akes
or a few drops hot pepper sauce to the marinara sauce. Use Genoa or cotto salami in place of the bacon.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Look what came today...

Look what came today...
I received a delivery today, and I will be honest I LOVE getting surprises!! I am worse than a kid! Chobani sent me 3 NEW containers of Greek yogurt with 3 fabulous holiday recipes! See below...

 
I love Greek yogurt it is... 
  •  healthy lean protein
  •  low calorie
  • high protein
  • great snack
  • perfect for baking
 I am absolutely ecstatic that they have a variety dedicated to children too! ~CHOBANI CHAMPS!
I love that the containers know give you a great recipe! I have cooked and baked with Greek yogurt and it always turns out fabulous! Typically when using Greek yogurt in a recipe you are replacing something something that was not as healthy, so I always feel good about that!

 

 
I definitely know what I will be making for my Christmas dinner, Thanks Chobani!
Stay tuned for a giveaway of this Chobani fun pack in 2012!

 
Seasons Greetings,
Always Healthy Mom

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Healthy Holiday Gifts

Here are some of my favorite holiday gifts to give...

FRUIT BASKET! Come on this this is a "No Brainer"! The choices and sizes are endless, who would not enjoy a basket full of health? 


Nuts and dried fruit! These are great because they will not go bad and people can use nuts for a party, snack or baking!

A gym membership or your favorite workout DVD or personal trainer. Ummmmmm, lets just say the gift that keep giving!


I hope these will make someone you are  buying for very happy!
xoxo,
Always Healthy Mom

Sunday, December 18, 2011

I have one question for Pizza Hut!

Pizza Hut Big Dinner Box
I have one question for Pizza Hut...
WHERE ARE THE VEGGIES?

 
***And we wonder why we have an obesity epidemic!

 
As a mom on a mission to create healthier dinners and raise a generation of health conscious kids this is going in the wrong direction!

Here are a few suggestions...
  • add a salad
  • add veggies to pizza
  • take out the fried wings
  • skip the breadsticks
  • offer some grilled veggies
  • fruit salad


 
xoxo,
Always Healthy Mom

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Pancakes for your Baby Cake


Pancakes for your Baby Cake!
Does your family like pancakes as much as mine does?
Here are a few ways to make your pancakes a healthier treat!
  • Top your cakes with fresh or frozen fruits! Try strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples and bananas!
  • Add a dollop of low fat yogurt!
  • When making your pancakes use applesauce instead of oil!
  • Try low calorie cooking spray instead of butter or oil!
  • Use cookie cutter to make fun shapes and characters.
  • Add fruit to the batter like, mashed bananas or pumpkin puree!
  • Try to find 100% maple syrup, light sugar syrup or honey as a sweet topping!
  • I love to add a dash of vanilla or cinnamon for a special touch!
  • Look for maple extract or almond extract to make your cakes ones to remember!
Pancakes are not just a breakfast food. Surprise your family with pancakes for dinner or lunch any day of the week!


Sunday, December 11, 2011

A NEW kind of kids snack!

A NEW kind of kids snack!
A little help on the front line of lunch packing and kids snacks!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

NO Pudge! Really!

Original Flavor

No Pudge!
Original Flavor



This is probably my favorite sweet brownie by far!
My favorite part is the Ingredients:
  • Pure cane sugar
  • Unbleached wheat flour
  • Dutch cocoas
  • Egg whites
  • Cornstarch
  • Wheat gluten
  • Natural vanilla flavor
  • Salt
  • Baking soda
The only thing you need to add is the yogurt, stir and bake! My family loved them and they were a happy surprise in the kids lunch! No one knew these were a healthy sweet indulgence!

You & Your Health...did you know?
No Pudge! Brownies contain 0 grams of fat and only 120 calories per serving.
When using fat free yogurt, No Pudge! Brownies make the perfect fat free, low calorie chocolate treat for anyone.
No Pudge! Brownies are lactose free?By substituting yogurt with applesauce, soy yogurt or silken tofu and adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla you can enjoy fudgy delicious lactose free brownies.

You can find them at: Kroger, Giant Eagle, the Andersons, and Meijer.

Sweet Snacking,
      oxo
Always Healthy Mom

Friday, December 2, 2011

One good cookie

Just made this fabulous easy cookie recipe!
Mmmmmmmm so good!
Kids loved them! Heck I loved them!

Rolled Oats cookie

Ingredients

1 cup honey
3/4 cup earth balance
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg white
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 TSP CINNAMON
1/2 TSP BAKING SODA
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups rolled oats uncooked
1/2 cup raisins ( dried fruit of your choice)
handful chopped walnuts ( nut of your choice)

Directions

Oven 350
Beat honey, earth balance and vanilla until smooth. add egg white. Then combine flour Cinnamon,baking soda and salt, mix well,  Next add oats, raisins and nuts. Form on baking sheet, cook 9 to 10 min. Let cool and enjoy.
  oxo,
                           Always Healthy Mom