Busy Mama’s Can Be Healthy!

As many of you know I have been taking a healthy cooking class. I have been learning so much about what the ingredients I read on packages really are.( I am going to share some of them here soon). I have always been amazed at how many parents do not understand the importance of feeding their children fruits and vegetables. And no, french fries though a potato, does not count. We can give our children supplements and that is good, but science is discovering how fresh fruits and vegetables are the best way to get these vitamins and minerals in you. Why? Because if you break down the vitamins and minerals in a head of broccoli you will find that the minerals help the vitamins be better absorbed, and vice-versa. God has the perfect balance in these natural products to work just right together in your body to create the optimal health benefits. If you eat whole wheat (nothing enriched) breads, the fiber in it not only helps our digestive system better, but it also causes the protein in the bread to stick with you longer. And protein is what makes you feel full longer so you do not need to eat as often. How about them potatoes?

There are so many things that I have to remind myself not to become overwhelmed. Baby steps are the keys to living healthy long term. For instance starting with a fresh fruit or vegetable at every meal is a great place to start. I have been eating a lot of salads because they can have as much variety to it as I want. Add some chicken or turkey pepperoni, a little cheese, you have a protein and a full meal.

One very easy salad that I like is a Spinach/ strawberry salad with a light Raspberry Vinegarette. It is so easy, bagged Spinach, cut up fresh strawberries, and add your vinegarrette. You just got a fruit and a vegetable in! 🙂 My kids like it, because it is sweet. Yesterday I had a fruit smoothie for lunch. And your kids will flip for this.
Use about 8-12 oz. orange juice, mix in any frozen fruits you like (I bought a tropical blend…My favorite so far) and blend. It is sweet, delicious, light, and you have just put in so many fruits, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals it is unreal! It is a fantastic snack as well, and takes no more time than pulling out the blender and opening the packages.

Kristy Shreve is a busy mom, and she has some other great and easy salad recipes. Check it out, I know you will find at least one you could like!