A Good Gummy - Just What the Doctor Ordered

Fun Food Friday

This week proved to be a challenge in stamina.  The music played throughout the house, only the tune was that of coughing, sneezing, and, at times, kids craving nothing more than to be cuddled.  The flu I had last month finally caught up to the rest of the family.  We adorned the couch with pillows and blankets.  The perimeters were lined with t.v. trays serving up liquids for hydration, backup tissues for....well, you know.

I went to the store to stock up on body cleansers - you know, meds to clean out the gunk running rampant in my family's bodies and, consequently, in our home.  I lost myself for a moment strolling through the aisles.  It almost calmed me to forget about the sounds sadly ringing at home.  When I "came to" I remembered that our pediatrician had recommended vitamins for Lyla, once all of her molars had moved in. 

I found L'il Critters Gummy Vites.  The picture to the right shows the American flag and just underneath it is written "Made in the USA".  Lyla eats it without hesitation.  That is a great statement since she is two years old.  The lack of hesitation may come about from a group dynamic, though, since the rest of us take vitamins as well.  What's the old expression - The family that eats together...?

How do get your kids to take medicine or vitamins?  I would love to hear (or read) your thoughts.  Let me know.

Karina

Hummus Among Us

Fun Food Friday

I was just giving Lyla a snack of hummus on toast.  I love hummus.  It's already made so all I have to do is add vegetables to dip in the hummus or add it to crackers or toast.  It's such good stuff AND easy.  What mom doesn't love easy?  I sometimes carry carrots and hummus with me when I'm on the go and use the hummus for Lyla too.  

As I was putting the container back in the fridge, it occurred to me to look at where it was made.  It is a product of the USA.  This is one of my favorite brands of hummus.  It is really delicious and has different flavors to try.  I like to expose Lyla to different tastes so she gets accustomed to them and, hopefully, lets her become less of a picky eater.

What's your favorite snack?  Do you have a grab-and-go snack?  Please share.  I am always on the lookout for grab-and-go (and easy) snacks.  I would love to hear (or read) your thoughts.

Karina

The Flu Craves Pancakes

Fun Food Friday

During my bout with the flu, I craved pancakes so I am sharing a recipe that I made with Lyla.  Actually, I think she did half of the work and, thank goodness, since I was not feeling well.  These turned out to be VERY kid-friendly pancakes, as you will see in the last photo.

Sweet Potato Pancakes

1-1/4 cups flour (I used whole wheat.  You can use whatever you have on hand.)
1 tbsp sugar (I use dark brown.)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup milk (I used soy milk.)
1 cup pureed sweet potatoes (These are from NC.)
 *(Note: You can leave out the sweet potatoes to make regular pancakes.)

                                     *This made more than a cup so I used the leftovers to make Bina some baby food.

 What To Do
1.  Heat pan over medium heat.  If you don't have a nonstick pan, brush some butter or oil or use nonstick spray on the pan so the pancakes don't stick.
2.  Pour batter by spoonfuls (or whatever size you want them to be) into the pan.
3.  Cook until edges look dry.  (These didn't bubble like pancakes usually do.)
4.  Flip and repeat.

This is what the pancakes looked like when they were done.

This is what Lyla's plate looked like when she was done.  Completely kid-friendly.

Enjoy!  Let me know if these were as kid-friendly (or big-kid friendly) for you as they were for us.

Karina

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What Are Your Flu Traditions?

Fun Food Friday

Welcome to Fun Food Friday.  I have had the flu all this week and have not had the energy to post anything or do anything for that matter.  I apologize for not bringing information on these wonderful products we make in the USA.  In my quest to get better (and my husband's to get me better), I did come across some great products that I learned are made in the USA and might help get you through a bout with the flu.

As a kid, no sooner had I mentioned that I had a sore throat, that my grandmother would already have the big soup pot creating some wonderful chicken noodle soup.  I'm not sure what chicken noodle soup does in reference to the flu, but it sure did taste divine on my palate and coat my throat.  Unfortunately, my grandmother is no longer available to make me that chicken noodle soup, so my husband decided to buy me some at the store.  He brought me back some Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup.  What I found to be endearing was the fact that on the side of the can it doesn't just say "Made in the USA."  No, no.  It says, "Cooked with care in the USA."  It's always nice to know that someone cares for us when we're sick, even if it is on the side of a soup can.
Another craving I get when I am sick is for hot coffee.  It feels so good on my throat when it is sore.  My grandmother was famous for her coffee, but probably not for the reasons you are thinking.  Was it delicious?  Yes, of course.  Her coffee was screaming hot.  It burned.  Bless her heart.  She made that coffee with so much enthusiasm, that it would break anyone's heart to tell her it was slightly less than perfect.  In my quest to promote products made in the USA, I found coffee from the USA Coffee Company.  It's made in Hawaii.  I drink decaf so I was pleasantly surprised at the selection of decaf choices.

That's my flu-food gift basket.  What are your flu traditions?  I would love to hear (or read) your thoughts.  Take care.

Karina

Wife Presents Husband with Early Christmas Gift

Fun Food Friday

PickYourOwn.org

Just before Thanksgiving, my husband and I talked about beginning holiday traditions of our own with our children.  I told him about this website that I had found where we could go pick our own produce.   We just click on our state and location within the state.  The site gives information on local farms where we can go pick our own produce.  I was very excited because what a great field trip for kids of all ages, even the grown ones. Lyla can learn about where food comes from.  Although, knowing her, I may have to bring one of those fruit and vegetable washing solutions because she may eat the pickings as she goes. 

As if picking your own produce wasn't exciting enough, the website even has a link to find a farm to go pick out our Christmas tree.  YES our very own (natural) Christmas tree!!  What a wonderful tradition to have - go pick out our Christmas tree.....at the farm! Talk about Made in the USA. That's more like made in my backyard!  Oh and it gets better.  During our conversation, my husband's expression changed.  It turns out he has never had a natural Christmas tree, but always wanted one.  He thought it was so funny that I mentioned starting this new tradition with our children when, in fact, it would be a new tradition for all of us.  It may seem that God works in mysterious ways, but as we pay attention, the only mystery is what's coming next.

What holiday traditions do you have?  I would love to hear (or read) your thoughts.


 

Karina

A New Food Group....Pizza?

Move over pomegranates!  Pizza is taking over as the new vegetable.   At least that is according to a recent Senate vote on school lunches.  If I may sound a bit more emotional than intellectual for just a moment.  Are you kidding me?!  The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed that pizza have a total of a 1/4 cup of tomato sauce per slice on it in order to qualify as a serving of vegetable.  Since when is pizza or tomato sauce even considered a vegetable?  Put some sauce on it and call it a day? 

Another part of the bill called for a limit on starchy vegetables such as white potatoes, peas, and lima beans.  I understand from the perspective of a farmer and producer of these vegetables how this proposal could limit their income.  The pizza makers want to keep their income as well.  Who is lobbying for the kids?  The USDA's proposal also called for a reduction in sodium in the foods the children consume.  I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies also love that this bill was turned down.  If children are kept overweight and obese and continue to learn that pizza is a vegetable serving, they become patients earlier in life. 

My kids are nowhere near school age so this does not apply to them.  For some reason, though, this story got under my skin.  As a mom who wants the best for my kids, my jaw just drops that a 1/4 cup of tomato sauce is being counted as a vegetable serving so that frozen food manufacturers can continue to serve their food to kids.  Kids deserve better than that. 

If this story frustrates you, upsets you or just makes you down right mad, check out this petition to improve school food.  One million signatures are needed.  Jamie Oliver began the Food Revolution.  This revolution is about teaching us all the importance of learning basic cooking skills, cooking  healthy, fresh food and getting everyone involved to make this the norm and not just a great thought or t.v. show.  Please sign the petition so our kids don't grow up thinking that pizza is a vegetable serving.

What are your thoughts?  I'd love to hear from you.

Karina

Thanksgiving Menu Thoughts

It is Fun Food Friday.  Yesterday, I ran up to the market to purchase our "Date Night" cuisine.  I confess I got a bit distracted while at the store.  Before going to the store, we talked about Thanksgiving so it was still on my mind when I got there.  I began looking around for ideas for our Thanksgiving menu.  On a box of beef broth, I noticed that it said Distributed by, but nothing about made in U.S.A. or product of U.S.A.  This is where the distraction stepped in.  I checked several well known brand name items and no made in the U.S.A.  Surely, I could find something in this market that was made in the U.S.A.  Alas, I did.  Here's the list of some that I found:

• King Arthur All Purpose and Whole Wheat flours - "Milled from 100% USA wheat."  Yay!   
• Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, yep you got it - Product of U.S.A. 
• PET Evaporated Milk - Product of U.S.A.
• Carnation Evaporated Milk also Product of U.S.A.  
• Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil stamped its "Foil made in U.S.A." seal right on front.

After an aisle or two of searching for U.S.-made products, I did remember that I had a date to get to.  My husband cooked us a wonderful meal.  We ended up eating and then cuddling with the kids.  I know, I know.  What kind of date is that?  We joked about it, thinking that these moments are priceless and as long as we have them, hold on to them - the moment and the kids.  Go hug your loved ones!

Karina

By the way, my purchase created another 70,514 jobs.  (See this previous post to see where that figure came from.)

Homemade Baby Food

Fun Food Friday

It is Fun Food Friday.  Bina is still learning about different tastes.  Exposing her to a variety of flavors is important to us.  I decided  to make her baby food myself.  It, truthfully, seemed like the natural course to take.  I also love to buy produce, especially since I can find lots of local varieties and many "Product of U.S.A." labels.  Good to know we can support local farmers and the good work they do. 
Making baby food turns out to be much simpler than I expected.  This is a picture of homemade apples.  I peel the apples, cut them into small pieces and put them in the microwave oven for about three minutes.  Then I mash them with a fork.  This is what they look like.

 

 

If the apples are not especially juicy, I boil them until they are fork tender.  Once the apples are cooked, I mash them with a fork.  The apples can also be put in a blender with about a tablespoon of water and pureed.  Once they are pureed, I put them in an ice tray, using a tablespoon scoop.  Each individual cube fits about two tablespoons which is one serving of fruit.  That makes it easy for me to know that Bina is getting the amount she's supposed to be getting.

I actually make a list of what foods she will be eating for two weeks, like a menu.  I make the food all at once.  While one is freezing, I make the other.  Once the cubes are frozen, I put them in a resealable freezer bag and mark them with the type of food inside and the date they were made.  The process facilitates having to think about what to feed her.  Grab a cube, heat it up and enjoy watching her try something new.

Karina

Fun Food Friday

Today is what I have deemed Fun Food Friday.  I celebrate one of things that brings us all together – food.  The most exciting part is that my baby, Bina, officially joined her big sister, Lyla.

The process differed so much from when Lyla began eating solids.  With her, I researched what to give her first and I was so afraid of what to give her.  I, literally, stressed myself out over what to feed her.  In my defense, though, I grew up with food allergies so I did not know what to expect.  This is what I got with Lyla.



Oh and let's not forget.....

Did the pictures make you spit food?  Don't worry.  You find yourself in good company because so did she!

I look back at that moment and think that this was God’s way of making me relax about the whole situation.  Bina, on the other hand, let me know she was ready for solids and so began the process all over again.  Oh and I got plenty of, what has been deemed The Apple Face. 

 

 

We enjoy Fun Food Friday.  Our table always welcomes these opportunities.

Karina