Food Is Fuel Fridays Week 4 - Craving Buster: Hempy Smoothies

It all started with lunch yesterday afternoon. I made a lunch that I KNEW he would love. He normally loved everything on his plate (turkey and cheese sammich and salad) Infact, he ate off my plate a little, but he wouldn't eat and he was hungry.

So....yesterday we made Hempy Smoothies. I suppose, you could use anything under the sun that you want. You can disguise anything in it. It's great for Seth. We have always made smoothies, but this was the first time we'd tried our new Hemp Protein + Fibre powder.

Going into it, I thought it'd be green tasting, like Hemp Milk. But NO. You can't even tell. The texture of the smoothy is a little more grainy and the appearance takes on a brownish/green colour. But all in all, it's just a yummy added benefit to this craving buster snack.

For our smoothies yesterday, we used strawberries, bananas, almond milk and yogurt. Here is our recipe:

Hempy Fruity Smoothies

5 large, ripe organic strawberries

2 large organic bananas (ripe is better. Don't use green bananas)

1/2 cup of yogurt of your choice (we used what we had, which was raspberry Activia Probiotic)

3 1/2 tbsp. Organic Hemp protien + Fibre powder (by Manitoba Harvest)

1 cup to 1 1/2 cup of Almond Milk

Blend it all up together in the blender until smooth and thick. This recipe gave my husband and I a big glass each and Seth an 4-6oz bottle sized serving.

The great thing about it is that we wanted for nothing afterwards. We were totally fulfilled. Not hungry 15 minutes later. No munchy cravings. No kitchen boredom trips. Seth was great with it, he sucked on that for a while. Put it down, picked it up again. All the while giving mommy and daddy big smiles. He did not ask for a snack for over an hour after wards. That's a record for my little line backer.

Food is Fuel Fridays - Week Three

Today, I am preparing to invade the family home of The UrbanMomtogrpaher with MY family. This lovely lady has offered us the joy of eating her wonderful cooking tonight for dinner. So I thought, what can I write about, hmmm... Eureka! I shall write about a snack that I make from time to time. It is close to my heart and my Greek heritage. HUMMUS

Hummus is one of my favorite snacks. I love to make it. I love to eat it. I love to share it (Because, if you don't you'll be the only one in the house with garlic breath, and that's just not pretty)

Hummus is a very healthy snack. It is simple to make and it contains both carbohydrates and protein. There's not too much fat in it either, which is nice. The only fat, really, in hummus comes from the Olive Oil. Olive Oil is one of THEE healthiest cooking oils. I will do a whole thing on that one day. *As a side note, I used to have roommates who didn't understand or care for the value of Olive Oil... they used to use about half a bottle of extra virgin Olive Oil, which they Burnt to fry their potatoes, which they threw out half way through... every Sunday morning....glad those days are gone*

Anyways, back to the hummus. My recipe is very very simple. I throw it together lots for family gatherings or whenever I am bored and hungry.

Keep in mind, when I cook, I tend to eyeball *unless I'm baking*

1 can of Chick Peas, drained
1 large clove of garlic
about 1/2 to a tablespoon of Olive Oil (I prefer Extra Virgin)
the juice from a half a lemon
a pinch of Cumin to taste
a small handful of fresh spinach

I start with the chick peas in the the food processor until I can't break them down anymore. Then Add the garlic and Olive Oil and Lemon Juice. Pulse and mix this until smooth-ish. Sometimes you have to get in there with a rubber spatula and mix things up the old fashioned way to get all the big pieces blended. Start adding the spinach and cumin a little at a time. I always recommend tasting all the way through to make sure that you have a pleasant taste. Hummus should be a little spicy.

I always pair hummus with fresh celery and carrots. It digests faster that way and it tastes super good. Also, a nice addition if I may add are the Hemp and Sesame Toritlla Chips from Presiendt's Choice's Blue Menu.

This is a super tasty and effective snack to end craving. Little ones even love it. Here's a quick nutritional breakdown:

Chick Peas = Protein and Carbs
Olive = Monounsaturated Fats (AKA to good kind for you heart AND your butt)
Garlic = a great immune system boost
Spinach = a great source of Iron

Enjoy your Friday and enjoy your food. The best part about eating health consciously is not feeling guilty later. So indulge in some homemade healthy goodness today!!!

Of Issue - "fat" babies

Today on my twitter feed a read a comment that set off a little bomb inside my brain. Someone had said that "a fat toddler is a form of child abuse" This statement incensed me for a couple of reasons.

1. Unless you are strapping your child down and force feeding them, I don't see how it can be abuse.
2. If your child thinks he's hungry, than he probably is. He would know a little better than you.
3. If you are feeding your child a well balanced diet that include healthy choices then there shouldn't be a fat or skinny, but just a HEALTHY label.

Putting these kinds of labels and stigmas on TODDLERS is very, very unhealthy in my humble opinion. I have been told my son is large at times. He is not giant or fat, but he has had moments. He was born a normal weight but has always been in about the 70th Percentile. Not abnormal for a child whose dad is 6 foot tall and while I may be a pip-squeak, it is quiet apparent that Seth takes after his father genetically. He looks exactly like him in every way. In fact, I struggle to see where he looks like me at all. He certainly has my temper. However, I digress.

Eating disorders start young in most and boys are not excluded from that. For my part, all I can do is offer him healthy choices. I cook from scratch, I avoid packaged foods and loads of preservatives. It's hard when you have a child that is starting to become picky about food. For snacks we do smoothies now because I can ensure that he gets all his veggies and fruits.

He won't eat them straight anymore. There is a texture issue there. But he will always eat fruit if it's pureed. He loves yogurt, he loves cheese and crackers and he loves all the things that kids love. We steer clear of giving him straight up sugar, but we will give him cake on special occasions and such. He is still a big boy for his age. He is a fricken line backer. And you know what... I don't see a problem with that. He is energetic and he gets lots of exercise. He certainly gives ME one heck of a work out.

So I ask, is it child abuse? Am I ABUSING my child? I think not. He is happy and healthy and that's all that matters from THIS mother's point a view. Remember, I'm greek and the most oft heard phrase from my family was "eat eat, you too skinny" my whole life. I am bread to eat. I am bread to breed children. I am doing something that all parents want - I am trying to make my sons life better than mine. My mom was great and she fed us well. In this day an age however, we have access to a lot more information than our parents had.

So there it is. My child is of a larger stature. He is loved. He is never ever neglected. He is well fed and healthy. He is NOT abused because he is bigger. And ma'am, you should be ashamed from making such a rash generalization. There. I said it. Now I feel better.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The new craze in my house are trains. Actually, anything automotive is the hip fad these days. Every so often (at least twice a day), Sethy runs up to me holding a train and says "choo choo, mama, choo choo"

The other day, he made a train for us out of all of his automotive toys. It was great! I love this age. I really do. I have days when I get so frustrated with his bad behavior, but those days are so far in between.

I still don't wane on my desire for a second child. Two is a good nice number. However, I won't lie to you all, I am thinking girl thoughts. I am putting energy into producing GIRL eggs and I told my husband that he oughtta do the same. It would be fitting that I would have two boys, but I think I'd really like a girl the second time around.

Food is Fuel Fridays - Week Two

Today is friday and isn't it a beautiful day. Today for my contribution, I am going to write about something that we do in combination with trying to eat healthy. Walking. In our family, walks are a paramount part of our daily routine. They exist for many reasons - for health and for happiness. They also serve as a way for our family to tune out and enjoy each other's presence in the beauty of nature.

But first, let's start with the good stuff ~ FOOD!

For tonight's meal we will be having healthy pizza with tangy greens salad. I must admit, I was inspired and drooling after reading the UrbanMomtographer's pizza dough recipe last Friday, so I decided to embark on it this evening. I'll let you know how that goes. The salad is super tasty and super easy. All you need are some spring greens, spinach, tangerines (or any in season fruit) and some of your favorite light dressing. We like a nice, easy and healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette.

I really love using the fruits and veggies of the season when I'm cooking. In spring and summer, that involves a lot of servings of fruits and veggies. Everything is fresh. Our fridge is full of colour and freshness. I love this time of year. It tastes great, but it's also an awesome way to get the much needed anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals that we crave.

*~* because you're mine, I walk the line *~*

Our family are big on walks. I'd say we spend at least 1-2 hours outside, every day. And we love it. Even in the poor weather, we dress appropriately and we walk. Most nights we walk down to the river and watch the planes as they take off and land. We watch the birds and the wildlife and we spend some good family time together. Which is just as important as eating healthy on my radar. I think they go hand in hand. The Garden that we are starting is a family project. We will all be involved. Even if Seth is just playing next to us in the dirt. He will have a taste at watching food grow. Eating and enjoying something knowing that we grew it ourselves from a tiny seed. It's pretty cool. So we walk. As a side benefit, we are getting ourselves fit again. I am in better shape than I have been my whole life and not only is hubs getting super fit, but he also quit smoking because of our walks *two weeks now!* He did that for his family. The least I can do for him and our son is make healthy choices everyday when I make dinner for my family.

Phew! Week two of #foodisfuelfridays officially under my belt.

The moral of the story, let your food (which is fuel) Fuel your day and go for a little walk. Look at nature. Or just walk around your block. Get outside, breathe some fresh air, let your cheeks get rosey.

Food is Fuel Fridays (Participation)

I have decided to join in on LindsayDiannes Food Is Fuel Fridays. So here's my contribution.

In my house, we are a take it as it comes kind of family. And as such, I haven't really figured out dinner for tonight yet. I mean, I have a general idea, but I am not the best planner. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants in that realm. That being said, I strive to always cook the healthiest possible meals that I can for my family. Even if that just means cooking from scratch to know what's in my food. Actually, I love cooking from scratch. I get a sense of pride and accomplishment when I cook from scratch and my boys lap it up and look for seconds.

As the clock struck midnight on our new year, I made a pact with my husband. 2010 will be our best year yet, and thus 2010=best year ever was born. That encompasses many things, but healthy eating and living was number one on that list. Last year, we grew many of our own vegetables in my veggie garden and this year we plan on doing the same.

For our part we've been talking about the switch for many months now. It all started with a free sample pack of shelled hemp seeds from a local market on the Drive. And when we found out our friends in LindsayDianne's home were on the kick too, we knew we were on the right track.

My husband and I are junk food junkies. No kidding, just harsh reality. When I became preggs with my pride and joy, hubs bought me "The Healthy Pregnancy Cookbook" That was a beginning. We wanted to get into healthy eating habits while I was still pregnant because we didn't want to have our son have the same addiction to refined sugar that we do. As he grew from an infant into a toddler who was eating solids, it was clear that we had a snacker on our hands. I indulged that a little much, I must admit. However, I tried to indulge it in things that didn't include candies or refined sugar. He sure loves crackers. But he won't eat a gummy bear or a fruit chew. He will eat almost any fruit, as long as it's pureed (still, at almost 2) but he will NOT eat junk food. And that, right there, is an small accomplishment in my house.

At this stage in the game, he is my inspiration. I have always loved baking. At home, I make healthy snacks. I make bran muffins with fruit, oatmeal cookies, banana breads and "healthy" cupcakes. It really works. I know what's in my food and I can sleep better at night. We drink smoothies with fruits AND veggies in them. Spinach too. They're good and even more fun now that the rugrat can drink with a straw.

So we take baby steps. I won't lie and say that everything we eat is super healthy, but we are starting to get there. When you open my fridge door you will find the following: Salads, fruits, vegetables and it's all fresh. When I shop, I rarely do so in the middle aisles of the grocery store. Everything my family needs can be found on the outside. Fresh produce, dairy, meat (yes, we EAT MEAT and we HEART MEAT and WE HEART ANIMALS TOO!) I try not to buy things that are pre-packaged if I can help it.

And as a testament to our new habits, we recently moved to a home that is (and I kid you not) half a minute away from a McDonald's and a short walk to pretty much ever fast food joint you can imaging... and we are eating out less than we ever have in our lives. And that my friend, that feels damn good.

So I guess this concludes my #FoodisFuelFriday contribution. I know, it may be all over the place, but bear with me, I am new to this whole blogging thing.

the good, the bad and the ugly

This is my inaugural blog post. I am new to this, so be kind. I wasn't sure if I had something to say, but it turns out that I do. Mommy-hood, as it turns out, is fairly inspirational. So, before I run to get groceries here's what's on my mind...

Being a mommy isn't always pretty. In fact, sometimes it's down right ugly. I always thought growing up if I ever have children, they will be super cool, because I will be the super cool mom. That mom, you know the one, that's just cool with anything. The fun mom.

Now, I'm all grown up. I have a child. He's almost 2 years old. FUN!! Almost everyday there is something new. He is smart and funny and cute. He is learning to talk and draw and play. Everyday is a milestone. However, with the good comes the bad and the ugly. Today was one of those days. The days where I have to drag him, kicking and screaming away from something he loves because of his behavior.

Hello terrible two's, you are not my friend. I am, however, learning to adapt. It's a slow uphill battle. All I can say is thank god for friends with kids that have just gone through this stage. I would be pulling out my hair without their help.

I love my son. I am longing for the day that he can rationalize his feelings. He knows that there are choices now and that his isn't always the same as mine.

"....and the beat goes on... the beat goes on. la dee da dee da la dee da dee dee...."