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

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The LUNCH Conundrum


The LUNCH Conundrum
Until recently I thought my method of packing school lunches was working well and was efficient. Before I went to the store every Sunday I would ask the boys what fruit they wanted what lunch meat they felt like. I was pretty confident in the choices that I was making for them like...wheat bread, non sugary drink and so on. But what I thought was going all too smoothy soon game to a screeching halt!


Problem:
An e-mail arrived in my in box! (From my sons teacher to me!) She nicely informed me that my son was not eating all his lunch he said the grapes smelled like broccoli and he hated his sandwich! My heart was broken I was a deer caught in head lights of the LUNCH Conundrum! Always Healthy Mom, how could this have happened? You are packing a healthy lunch but the kids are not eating it, this is a problem, and I was very anxious to find a solution!

Take home message:
I don't think there is one way to raise  a healthy family! It has to be the way that works for your family! What I do might work some days and I might need to be open to new ways as well!
So of course you are asking what did Always Healthy Mom do?

My solution....
First the kids and I agree on everything that I pack, the meat, the bread, the fruit then I have decided to let the kids pick out one thing that I might not approve of for their lunch! This way 80% of the lunch is healthy and I know they are going to eat it and 20% is what they wanted within reason and appropriate portion size, of course!
My thought is  that children need to have positive encouragement but they also need some freedom to make descions on their own. raising a healthy family is a work in progress and I realize it is not going to happenn over night! My kids are learning what the healthy foods are and that they have a say in the foods they choose to eat. My goal is to raise healthy eaters and help guide them to live a heathy lifestyle!

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Know the facts!

Fact:
About 12,000 new food items are introduced each year! (WOW)




Q: How many of those items do you think are healthy ?
A: Not very many! Yikes!

Here are a few of my favorite not so healthy items from 2011...




Taco Bell Triple Steak Stack

KFC Cheesy Bacon Bowl

Burger King Triple Whopper
These new food items could scare anyone to eat healthier!
Love,
Always Healthy Mom

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Ideas for your valentine

Cute and fun ideas for your Valentine...

Pinned Image
A chex-mix for your lovely friend!

valentines day  rice krispie treats
Shapes make any food fun!

valentines

valentines
A candy goes a long way!

valentines
A fun kids treat has many uses!

valentines treats
Your gift does not have to be food!

valentines
A fun personal picture!

Fruit and cheese kabobvalentine fruit
My fav heart shaped fruit!

heartsFor your favorite Valentine.....
A great breakfast for your valentine!

pancakes
Love this!


marshmallow pops

Marshmallow Pops
Not so healthy but fun and cute!

STRAWBERRY RISOTTO
Pink risotto! I am in heaven!

strawberry bruschetta
Strawberry Bruschetta! Yummy!

Strawberry lemonade
And last but not least Pink lemonade!

XOXO,
Always Healthy Mom

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

51 positive things to do instead of eating!

51 positive things you can do instead of eating...



  1. Take a walk
  2. Ride your bike
  3. Read
  4. Read to you kids
  5. Rake
  6. Swim
  7. Garden
  8. Meditate
  9. Decorate
  10. Volunteer
  11. Study
  12. Crossword
  13. Sew
  14. Knit
  15. Yoga
  16. Jog
  17. zumba
  18. Play with your kids
  19. Blog
  20. Write
  21. Shop
  22. Mani
  23. Pedi
  24. Treadmill
  25. Draw
  26. Wii
  27. Call a friend
  28. Sweep
  29. Dust
  30. Clean
  31. Pluck eye brows
  32. Shave your legs
  33. Organize your closet
  34. Weed
  35. Mow the lawn
  36. Get the mail
  37. Take pictures
  38. Get your hair done
  39. Get a message
  40. Listen to music
  41. Dance
  42. Jump rope
  43. Laugh
  44. Lift weights
  45. Journal
  46. Shower
  47. Scrapbook
  48. Watch a movie
  49. Tai chi
  50. Do laundry
  51. LIVE!


Love,
Always Healthy Mom

Saturday, January 21, 2012

My idea of ~SOMETIMES FOODS

"SOMETIMES FOODS"


I love this term ( SOMETIMES FOODS) and I learned it from a kindergarden teacher (a  wise one at that). These are foods that we don't eat all the time ( for obvious reasons). These are not foods that are nessisarily good for you. But it's important not to put foods into good and bad categories for children.

Here is how I like to explain it...

We have All the time foods like apples, bananas, carrots, healthy snacks like struing cheese and yogurt, dinner foods like grilled chicken or fish and we have foods that we eat sometimes like...



Chips



Fruit Snacks


Ice Cream

Now~ you see what I mean?
We most definitly can't eat these foods all the time, but it's probably unrealistic to say we will never eat them. I do spend most of my time buying fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain breads and lean protiens but when the occasional ( and I mean occassional) Bag of chips makes a mad dash for my pantry I take comfort in knowing, that in moderation my kids can enjoys sometimes foods!
I know I did when I was younger!

**** It's important not to reward kids with SOMETIMES FOODS!
The only thing this does is create dislike for the healthy foods they are encouraged  to eat before they get a treat!

Love,
 Always Healthy Mom

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Not Your Mama's Pancakes

Warning: These are not your Mama's Pancakes!


Root Vegetable panckes


Feta Zuccini pancake from Taste of Home

Summer Veggie pancake from Eggs on Sunday

Vegetable pancake from taste.com

Corn Pancake from Food Thumbs
Quinoa Cakes with Poached Eggs
  Quinoa cakes from Annies-eats.com

Pumpkin spice pancakes

There are so many ways to make a healthy pancake!
Don't get stuck in the same routine, break out of your mold and try something NEW and Exciting!

Try this recipe http://weelicious.com/2012/01/17/green-veggie-pancakes/#_

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

Sunday, January 15, 2012

My dream pantry

My Dream Pantry

OK I admit I am a foodie! I love finding new healthy foods and sharing them with others! But a close second is an organized sexy pantry! SEXY, you ask? Yes, any pantry can be Sexy & Healthy with a little make over!
Here is where I would begin...


First these are the creme de la creme of all pantries, I will keep dreaming!
Maybe someday!

O'la la! It gets better! This sends goose bumps down my spine!


OK a little more realistic! I still love this!

What's not to like?
Pantry
Notice the use of clear containers for organizing!

Pantry & Countertop
I would most definitely use oxo containers like these!

They would be filled with...

  • Rice
  • Barley
  • Whole Wheat noodles
  • more Whole Wheat noodles ( my family loves)
  • Whole Wheat Flour
  • couscous
  • dried beans
  • coconut
  • nuts and seeds
  • dried fruit
  • oatmeal
  • popcorn
  • pancake mix
  • brown sugar
Challenge today:
Get rid of 2 expired items in your pantry and add 3 healthy items from the list!
*I double dare you to spend 10 minutes organizing it!
Have Fun!

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Sunday, January 8, 2012

If only...

If only my healthy energy could be more creative energy---think of what my kids lunches would look like! Hmmmm...

I  would definitely pack these lunches that totally ROCK!
Yes, I admit I am totally jealous!

Just look, you will be too!
Angry Birds
Yes! This would make me the COOLEST mom ever!

Feet
Too funny, but kind of gross!

Butterfly
A colorful creation with veggies!

Especially requested by Confused.com
My morning routine!

Shark
They would definitely take a bite out of lunch!

Chicken
Don't be a chicken, try it!

Spongebob Square Pants
TeHe
La-la-la-la-la-la-la~ Barnicle!
Hello Kitty
I would make this for my princess! But with Whole Wheat bread! Of course!

Piano
This would be music to my ears! Yummy!

Crocodile
A dangerously cute creation!

Lion
The kids would have a roaring good time with this!

Sandwich Wrap, Cherry Tomatoes, Sliced Mango, Strawberries
This is more like what my lunchbox love loos like!
Not as creative but definitely packed with love and nutrition!

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

P.S. check out theses sites for fun lunch ideas
http://www.laptoplunches.com/photo-gallery.php
http://www.funkylunch.com/gallery.htm
http://www.bentonbetterlunches.com/