Clean Eating 4 Kids 2

On this blog I will be keeping track of my workouts.  I have recently been following the Jillian Michaels "Making the Cut" workouts.  I am struggling with toning up and losing that last 10 lbs of baby weight.  I guess really I can't call it "baby weight" any more, as Jolie is now 4 1/2!  I am very aware that eating a clean diet with the right proportions of macro-nutrients is 90% of the equation; however, like many women, I struggle with "getting it".  I have to be very careful on what I eat because genetics is not on my side (sorry parents).  Plus now that I am forty, I find that I put weight on very easy.  I am not obsessive about it, I just want to live a long and healthy life and to set an example for my children.  I am also clearly aware that my wine consumption is not helping me reach my goals.  HOWEVER, since starting this routine in January, I am seeing results.  I don't necessarily follow the menu plans/diet in the book, b...

You know that catchy tune?  This past Christmas it seemed that every second commercial was for a Chia Pet (more specifically the Barack Obama one!)  Yes.  Chia Pets.  You know those crazy looking terracotta figurines with sprouts for hair/fur.  Ah.  The 1980s...... Since my last post was on the superfood Quinoa, I thought I would share a quick recipe on another superfood.  Chia Seeds. There's that word again.  Superfood.  I will post on that another time. Chia Seeds are native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala, and were cultivated by the ancient Aztecs and Mayans going back to 3500 BC.  A little of this food goes a long way; therefore, you don't need much to reap its benefits.  One ounce of these super seeds have 11 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein and 12 grams of carbs.  They are also high in Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids.   Chia seeds absorb nine times their weight in water; therefore, it is best t...

My kids love banana muffins. If you use the small muffin tins, these are the perfect size for their little mouths.  These two-bite morsels are great for lunches, after school snacks or for the quick bite when you are rushing out the door.  I have been playing around with the recipe to make it a little more healthy BUT I do add small chocolate chips!   For the adult version, I avoid the chocolate chips, but add pumpkin seeds.  Try it! A note regarding the bananas.  They MUST BE be overripe.  Nice and brown and sweet!  I purchase my overripe bananas at the local produce store, in their quick sale section.  Really, they can't ask full price for brown banana's!  I pay approximately $2 for a bag of 15 to 20 bananas.   And they are Organic.  I have seen other stores like Safeway and Superstore with a cart loaded with produce reduced for quick sale.  Overripe Bananas can be placed in the freezer for baking and shakes. So t...

When I go shopping, it takes me forever, especially if I am purchasing a new product.  So I am that mom you see standing there in the aisle, shopping cart blocking traffic (sorry)  reading the ingredient listing and trying to make heads or tails of the nutrition label.  I became very compulsive of this when it was time to purchase those quick snacks for my children's lunches.  You know the kind...something that they can hold in their hand, not be messy, requires no utensils and can be eaten in a flash so that they can enjoy their recess/lunch break.  And I am that mom that wants to make sure that they are getting "all the colors of the rainbow" in their daily eats and not too much unnecessary sugar.  I used to buy those lovely granola bars.  You know the kind.  As I too used to get them in my lunch when I was a kid.  There are so many brands and flavors out there on the shelves.  But if you look at the ingredients, no matter how many tim...

This is a quick one, as I am test driving how to blog.  As much as I want to do this, it does take time and I have Jolie at home with me.  Jolie is my four year old little girl, my little angel, and at times, my little fire cracker!  I also have two sons, Brendan (9) and Adam (6). This first post is to share two of my recipes that I posted on Facebook.  Having children at different stages of "taste bud"  development , it's hard to find that magic recipe that everyone enjoys. Well it just so happened that all three enjoyed this one.  So I am just going to cut and paste from my Facebook.  I won't worry about editing at this time but will focus on that as I get more proficient with this whole blogging thing.  Thanks! Sweet Potato & Tuna Cakes (without the sweet icing) Another Surprise Meal Hit....Sweet Potato & Tuna Cakes....just thought I would share! 2 med sweet potoatoes (I used the Korean Variety w/Purple skin) 2 cans Albacore ...