Popcorn!...Get your Popcorn!

Popcorn, it’s an American staple. In fact, I don’t know if I know anyone who doesn’t love popcorn! It really brings the party – even if it’s just you, a good movie and a bag of popcorn! But if you are popping in a bag of instant microwaveable popcorn, you are unintentionally inviting some party crashers!

Who are these party crashers? Here's the list of the uninvited. 

• GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms
• Partially Hydrogenated Oils- also known as “trans fats
• Diacetyl- Better known as artificial butter flavoring
• TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) - a chemical preservative
• Potassium Chloride- Can cause irregular heart beat and muscle weakness (No thanks!)
• Natural Flavor- Hardly anything “natural” about this flavor
• Artificial Flavor- these are man-made chemical concoctions

So now what? Don’t uninvited a good bowl of popcorn, simply put homemade popcorn with kernels and oil on the VIP list and ditch the instant bag! Homemade popcorn can be just as divine if not more. With homemade popcorn, you now know that it fresh and there is only two ingredients oil and kernels. Plus, there is something gratifying on making popcorn for kids and adults alike!

The list below are REAL natural ways (not “natural flavoring”, there is a difference!) to add to your popcorn party!

• CHEESY! (My personal favorite: butter or coconut oil, salt and nutritional yeast
• BBQ: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder. –Rachel Meltzer Warren,C R.D.
• Chocolate: Coconut oil or butter, honey, cocoa powder

Click here for more Popcorn flavors! http://bit.ly/1iage3e

Free Kitchen Help Anyone?

A little kitchen help anyone? By the time lunch roles around my kitchen sink and counter tops are already collecting cups of all sizes. While loading the dishwasher, the top rack is always the first to be overcrowded with these cups. There just isn’t enough room and what a waste time, water & overtime your money! My family of four goes through the water glasses on daily basis like crazy so I can’t imagine what a family of 4+ must go through!

A time saver tip: Create a designated area on the kitchen counter where half-filled coffee mugs that need to be reheated, water glasses to be can be used again later, or Sippy cups that need be refilled are welcomed! This special spot will cut down on clutter! But take it a step further. Band the cups, to make them identifiable for the day. Now, everyone has their own individualize cup to use for the day.

My personal experience: This quick tip is a simple and quick way to make you day just little more easier not to mention cleaner! Far less cups are scattered about the house and the dishwasher is not taking on extra work! Using less cups per day also adds up to being considered a GREEN habit! Your little sprouts will have a blast picking out there new band for the day to make there all day cup special! There are bands to specifically for this purpose to purchase on the market but you can also put the pocket book away and use the items listed below to get the job done as well!

Bands ideas:

• Use the rubber charity bands (my favorite band idea!)
• Rubber bands
• Colored tape
• Hair ties

Need more time saving ideas? http://bit.ly/OU7d2H

The Finest Dining for the Little One

As soon as my pediatrician gave the OK for my little “sprout” to start trying new foods, I raced to the grocery store to find those cute little baby jars of food. I was beyond excited to start this new food adventure with her. I quickly realized that the selections, flavors and brands are all part of a never ending list! As I began piling the cart up with the jars of baby food, I came across something like “turkey and spinach”. This gourmet meal for my little sprout’s first food adventure was turkey in paste form with spinach. Sounds appetizing right? No! So I thought, “How in the world could it sound appetizing to her?” Something about the meat protein in paste form didn't sit right with me. Back went the jars of baby food, and my grocery shop adventure was over.

Introducing foods is fun and exciting to your little one so why not start them off with something that is enjoyable…even to you! After my grocery store flop, I went home and did a little research. What I found is that MOST foods are OK for your baby to enjoy. Your little one is human so after 6 months (please check with your pediatrician first), your sprout can enjoy most wholesome foods which you also enjoy.

What did I do next? I became an unprofessional culinary artist. I simply started off with the colors as the doctors recommend doing; the greens, then oranges, then the blues/purples and so on and began blending them myself. As my little one began to have experience in her fine dining I was providing, I would start blending different fruits and vegetables together (i.e. bananas and strawberries, or boiled carrots and broccoli).

My experienced little diner was eventually ready to graduate from the basic fruits and vegetables to full meals. This is where my unprofessional culinary skills really took off! I would cook meals for my husband and I in which I knew that foods were baby friendly too. Spaghetti night would be served and a small portion would be tossed into the blender and served to my little one. Tuesdays are generally homemade taco night for my family so off went the black beans, rice, and corn into the blender and my sprout thoroughly enjoyed taco night.

Here are a few benefits of making homemade baby food:

•  Cost effective
• Time efficient (yes, this is true! Many times there is leftover baby food ready for the freezer)
•  You see first-hand & have control over the ingredients
• Elimination of additives (GMOs No Thanks!)
• Increase nutritional value

Be sure to check out more menu options for your fine diner HERE!