*Feed your family high quality, nutritional food challenge*

[TinkerbellMama]

Just thought of some snacks my little one LOVES:

Hummus with just about anything to dip in it...especially whole wheat crackers, carrots, bell peppers. He calls it "dippers"...

Raw onion. I am not sure why he likes this, but he does!

Applesauce. The unrefined, natural stuff. My SIL has a professional apple peeler and makes this for Christmas. I don't think she uses organic apples, though, which makes me nervous. I know they are one of the fruits most affected by non-organic farming methods (pesticides, etc.). Usually we just buy him the biggest jar or organic at Whole Foods.

Corn. He will ignore everything else on a plate to eat corn, no matter how it's prepared!

Green beans. He eats this like most kids eat Doritos. He tries to steal mine when he's through with his.

Oatmeal with a tiny bit of honey or brown sugar.

"Macaroni pasta" (his name for mac n cheese)--I make this with nutritional yeast flakes and whole grain or quinoa or spelt or rice pasta and it does taste cheesy!

Peas. He eats tons of these. They are like kiddie crack to him!

Bananas. He ate four of these at his 1st birthday party. I'm glad to say he's never repeated that feat...although he sometimes eats 2 or 3 before anyone notices.

Those Whole Kids chicken taquitos they sell at WF. He loves these!

Slices of 12-grain bread with Earth Balance. He can even prepare this snack himself.

Blueberries (fresh).

Okay, this one I'm not excited about...peach/mango blend juice. I don't typically buy juice for our family, but dh wanted to try this flavor, and now ds is HOOKED! He says it's his favorite!

Tortilla chips and salsa.

 

[Imzadi]

Love this thread. I was intrigued by the cheap eats threads but ultimately disgusted by what some people are feeding their families. I would love a focus on how to eat healthy and frugally. I love trader joe's for healthy organics and have noticed how more affordable organic food has become. Or maybe we just have more to spend on it. Ten years ago when I was investigating organic and healthy eating we were young and broke. It was hard to find and outrageously priced.

I belong to a couple couponing forums and have gotten savings with the best of them. There have been some items I have gotten free, nearly free, or almost walked out of the store with a zero balance from couponing. That being said, I do agree with you, most of the food products that can be gotten cheap or free with coupons are NOT healthy.

However, having learned the basic concepts of couponing, I also learned to be choosy about what I want to be frugal about. While I might pass over many foods & snacks, I found I can get real savings on health & beauty aids & cleaning products like free toothpastes, free shampoos, deodorant, toilet paper, etc., and I also save on free office, school & computer equipment & supplies from coupons combined with rebates. The money I save there allows me to be able to spend on the healthier foods I don't want to scrimp on.

 

[TnTWalter]

Healthy is a very subjective term. We don't buy any beef. Someone else might buy low fat ground sirloin and consider that healthy. Neither one of us is wrong. It is just a question of what one deems healthy.

Lisa

NO need to split hairs, I think we agree that I'm talking about less processed junk food and fruits and veggies in the diet and whole grains....protein of some source...we can agree on the basic idea of healthy.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'm going to give this a try- We really eat the same things over and over and over. I could feed my family spaghetti 4 times a week and they would eat it. I need some new ideas.

Someone posted about eggplant.... I have always said I don't like it....but the truth is, I have never tried it. Anyone else care to share their favorite eggplant recipe??

 

[LisaR]

NO need to split hairs, I think we agree that I'm talking about less processed junk food and fruits and veggies in the diet and whole grains....protein of some source...we can agree on the basic idea of healthy.

I'm not trying to be flip, if that is the way you read my response. What is healthy to one person is not in the same ballpark with someone else.

Personally, I would never use pasta if it wasn't whole grain, rice if it wasn't brown or wild, bread if it wasn't 100% stone ground whole wheat. However, if you are still eating white pasta, rice & bread, than switching to half & half would be a much better way of going so it isn't that much of a change all at once.

How do you eat less junk food? Stop buying it! Of course, that is the easy answer and it isn't that simple when you have established habits that aren't the healthiest. Again, go slow. Take small steps. If you only eat ground hamburger; try ground sirloin. If you already eat ground sirloin; try ground turkey. If you eat sirloin; try veggie crumbles. If you use veggie crumbles, try some meatless meals. There isn't one easy answer to "how do I eat healthy" since there are so many choices available and everyone has a different definition of what healthy is.

Lisa

 

[left210]

Hummus with just about anything to dip in it...especially whole wheat crackers, carrots, bell peppers. He calls it "dippers"...

What kind of hummus do you buy/make? I bought some yesterday - Garden Vegetable flavor - and I didnt like it at all. I havent even tried getting my son to try it yet. Any recommendations on brands to buy or recipes for it?

 

[tbrenk]

What kind of hummus do you buy/make? I bought some yesterday - Garden Vegetable flavor - and I didnt like it at all. I havent even tried getting my son to try it yet. Any recommendations on brands to buy or recipes for it?

it is so easy to make your own. In a food processor, mince some garlic and add one can of grabanzo beans. use the juice of one lemon. add olive oil while it is mixing around until you get the conistency you are looking for. It is so much better than what is in the store.

 

[TnTWalter]

I love hummus and this looks so easy!!

Trish

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I tried the Barillo Plus pasta this weekend and I can't believe how good it tasted. The downfall is that sodium is pretty high, but it did taste like regular pasta that I am use to eating. I wonder what other cons there is to Barilla plus?

 

[solferino]

it is so easy to make your own. In a food processor, mince some garlic and add one can of grabanzo beans. use the juice of one lemon. add olive oil while it is mixing around until you get the conistency you are looking for. It is so much better than what is in the store.

Do you rinse the beans when you make yours? I do because that slimey looking water just grosses me out. I do have to add a bit of fresh water to help make it smooth, but that canned water just icks me out.

Don't forget to add tahini if you have it on hand. It's not a necessity in my book, but does help give extra flavor. A little bit of parsley or chives snipped in is good too!

 

[solferino]

What is healthy to one person is not in the same ballpark with someone else.

One thing that I'm genuinely curious about is what do you (not specifically you Lisa, but general you) do for eating meals at restaurants, like when vacationing at WDW? I'm not intending to be challenging or snarky at all, but am really curious because there aren't a lot of super healthy, whole food, close to the earth options there. I'm a big believer in all things in moderation and have no problem with less healthy options occasionally, especially while on vacation, but wonder what others do.

 

[left210]

it is so easy to make your own. In a food processor, mince some garlic and add one can of grabanzo beans. use the juice of one lemon. add olive oil while it is mixing around until you get the conistency you are looking for. It is so much better than what is in the store.

Thanks for the recipe. I will have to try it because the one I bought yesterday was just a waste of $3. How much garlic do you put in?

 

[Bichon Barb]

Hello everyone. I haven't read the whole thread, but I'm to find some great recipes for tomatoes (which I can't use quick enough as they are ripening).

Here is one easy recipe I love. Sorry, I don't measure, so I'll try my best.

Combine in a bowl:

About 5 or 6 tomatoes chopped (I try to get some of the seeds out)
4 to 8 oz crumbled up goat cheese (depending on your tastes)
Bunch of basil leaves ripped into pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
salt (kosher preferably)
pepper
1 finely diced jalapeno (optional)

Cook a pound of pasta (whole wheat if you like), drain and throw back in the pot with the tomato mixture. Heat up until cheese melts.

It's a great recipe for a hot day.

 

[Imzadi]

I'm going to give this a try- We really eat the same things over and over and over. I could feed my family spaghetti 4 times a week and they would eat it.

You can STILL feed them spaghetti 4 times a week, simply switch to the Barilla Plus spaghetti.

Personally, I would never use pasta if it wasn't whole grain, rice if it wasn't brown or wild, bread if it wasn't 100% stone ground whole wheat. However, if you are still eating white pasta, rice & bread, than switching to half & half would be a much better way of going so it isn't that much of a change all at once.

---> Place ad for Barilla Plus pastas HERE. <---

it is so easy to make your own. In a food processor, mince some garlic and add one can of garbanzo beans. use the juice of one lemon. add olive oil while it is mixing around until you get the consistency you are looking for. It is so much better than what is in the store.

I make my own low garlic version. Store bought are way too garlicky for me. I add in chili powder, paprika, sesame oil and cumin seed into mine. The taste is fabulous.

 

[Bichon Barb]

My kids are pains in the butts about ww pasta. But they don't complain when I make the Barilla Plus. But I have to say, every now and then a person needs a big bowl of carbaliscious rigatoni!

Oh, I forgot to say what kind of pasta for my recipe above. Campanelle works well, fusilli, probably mini riggies--any short or shaped pasta.

 

[LisaR]

One thing that I'm genuinely curious about is what do you (not specifically you Lisa, but general you) do for eating meals at restaurants, like when vacationing at WDW? I'm not intending to be challenging or snarky at all, but am really curious because there aren't a lot of super healthy, whole food, close to the earth options there. I'm a big believer in all things in moderation and have no problem with less healthy options occasionally, especially while on vacation, but wonder what others do.

Personally, we only vacation away from home about 3 weeks out of the year so I am not concerned about it. We do try to make healthier choices (salads, grilled instead of fried, etc). but we don't stress about it.

That being said, my son has many allergies that make eating out very challenging. He can not have soy, eggs, dairy or nuts (plus a few smaller items). As he is getting older, he is able to handle a small amount of something (like soy lethicin as the last ingredient in an item without reacting). We try to only eat out one time a day while on vacation. We always get a condo with full cooking facilities. We eat breakfast and dinner in the room (usually) and eat lunch while we are out. This way we can still eat healthy most of the time. If it wasn't for my son's allergies we would probably eat out more but it isn't worth the hassle, puking, hives and hospital visits! However, his allergies have forced us to eat healthier so it is all good.

Lisa

 

[LisaR]

Y I add in chili powder, paprika, sesame oil and cumin seed into mine. The taste is fabulous.

Have you ever tried it with just dill? Yummy! I make it with cumin and paprika as well but occasionally I'll just do dill. Refreshing change.

I also make guacamole with dill as the main spice sometimes. I never thought that would taste right until a friend made it. Now we all love it.

Lisa

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Afternoon


Breakfast:
Raisin Bran Cereal
Cup of strawberries, cantaloupe & blackberries
Orange Juice (fresh squeezed!)

Snack:
Apple Slices & String Cheese

Lunch:
Grilled Shrimp
Mozzerella & Tomato Salad
Water with fresh squeezed lemon

snack:
Pretzels & raisins


Dinner:
Grilled Chicken, Mushrrom, tomato shish-ka-bobs
Baked Potatoes
Broccoli
Limeade (fresh squeezed)

Dessert:
Jello and strawberry slices

Today I'm on a juice squeezing kick as if you couldn't tell

And I have to agree what is healthy to one family is not to another we all have our own levels of healthiness! With toddlers, all I want to do right now is make sure they love and eat all kinds of veggies and fruits I want them to like it all!!

 

[canwegosoon]

This morning(on way to DR): Home made Waffles (from the weekend-frozen and toaster defrosted)
Lunch: Subway Fit and healthy lunches(Love the veggie sandwich)
Dinner: Fresh local corn on the cob, Oven roasted sweet potatoes with onion, and grilled steak. For dessert fresh fruit parfits or strawberry "shortcake" (just sliced strawberries-no syrup or sauce) and 1 tbl sp of fresh home made whipped cream
Snack: SF/FF pudding and fruit.

Dinner was great-no complaints!!!
***I have not skimmed the entire thread but tomorrow

Dinner
Spagetti (whole wheat) with sauce/grilled veggies(I purre the veggies and no one knows they are in there-it is the best-I use 1 zuchinni, 1 red pepper, 1 box of sliced mushrooms, an onion and some home grown tomatoes) and browned turkey.

Lunch -BLT with home grown veggies and peaches

Breakfast-French toast with bananas or strawberries
Snack: SF/FF pudding or ants on a log

 

[reginaastralis]

One thing that I'm genuinely curious about is what do you (not specifically you Lisa, but general you) do for eating meals at restaurants, like when vacationing at WDW? I'm not intending to be challenging or snarky at all, but am really curious because there aren't a lot of super healthy, whole food, close to the earth options there. I'm a big believer in all things in moderation and have no problem with less healthy options occasionally, especially while on vacation, but wonder what others do.

What a good question.

We don't eat out much anymore. I'm a server, and I hate going out to dinner too much anymore. I can't enjoy my meal b/c I am either not happy with the service or food ... or my daughter is misbeahving.

I try really hard to cook at home each night. I'm not going to lie and say we never have fast food, we do. However, I'm making a very serious effort to NOT do this. Also, when we go out, I usually order something pretty healthy, and share with Julie.

We go to Disney often, usually once a month *though ... I'm taking a year off, it hurts to say that!* and the food choices are appalling. Though, I must give credit were credit is due, they are working on the children's menu. I know buying my daughter the grilled chicken salad with applesauce and grapes isn't some people's first choice, but my daughter will eat it up. I also "splurge" with her ... I got her a cookie and let her get soda this last weekend ... something that's usually a big no no at our house.

I LOVE this thread though. I can't wait to try out some of the recipes. I am thinking about going vegetarian, but I am worried about preparing a healthy enough menu for a growing toddler, but you ladies had some wonderful meatless ideas. I am trying to go free-range, hormone free for my chickens, and never ever ever realized such bad things about milk. We go through a LOT of milk in my house, but my daughter doesn't have anything but juice or water to choose from. She'll pick milk, and I also buy hormone free milk. I will probably start buying soy within the next couple of months, slowly starting to work our way over.

Today for dinner, I think we are having baked potato soup. I buy all of our veggies and fruits from the local farmer's market. I don't know for sure that they are organic, but I've been told they are. Either way, I know what farm they've come from, and know they are a lot fresher than buying in the store. I'll be using turkey bacon in the soup since I am making a determined effort to not eat any pork.

I am SO JEALOUS of you ladies with Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. What they offer sounds exactly like what I am looking for .. but we don't have it here. I guess doing a little at a time is better than nothing at all.

Thanks for the inspiration!