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Archive for the ‘Healthy Eating’ Category

Fruit on the Go

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

I admit I’m not much of a fan of pre-packaged, convenience foods.  Except, maybe, when it comes to things like granola bars…and even then I like to make (and package in little wax paper bags) my own.

You see, in my mind fruit is the perfect convenience food.  Take bananas and oranges.  They come loaded with vitamins and minerals like Vit C and Potassium and they come pre-packaged in their own individual little wrappers.

Perfect!

But, I’m willing to admit, with a baby on the way myself, that there are times that busy moms needs the convenience of little cheddar fishy crackers and, even, squeezable fruit.  If it’s still healthy, free of preservatives and other junk, then why not?

41nNcxZyNiL._SL160_AA115_This is where GoGo squeeZ fits the bill.  GoGo squeeZ makes 100% fruit (no sugar added), squeezable applesauce.  And they have a cute history.

Story has it that in the 19th century, a very loving grandfather was determined to craft a special snack for his grandson. Using delicious apples from his backyard orchard in the Val De Loire region of France, near the Chateau Chambord, Monsieur Materne created a delicious and simple applesauce. The Materne company was born and would go on to become the most popular applesauce company in France.

Known as Materne Pom’potes in France, the brand has become the favorite fruit snack of children with more than 1 billion pouches consumed to date.

Materne GoGo squeeZ was launched in the US in June 2008 to offer American families the opportunity to enjoy the no spoon, no mess, all natural squeezable applesauce when on the go! Each pouch contains the equivalent of one fruit serving and supports the GoGo squeeZ mission: Helping parents feed their kids better foods when they are on the go!

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Flavors include apple-suace, apple-banana, apple-cinamon, apple-peach and apple-strawberry.  Each pouch equals one serving of fruit and comes with a built in straw and resealable cap.  GoGo squeeZ is available at retailers around the country as well as on Amazon.com.

Also on SaraSnow.com

The Green Pregnancy Diet

Friday, February 19th, 2010

417oCyGc2XL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_Author Radha McLean was a lifelong vegetarian who didn’t overly think the foods she ate – until she became pregnant with her first child.  Suddenly she was buying only organic foods and taking supplements to help both she and her developing baby.

These changes were the inspiration for her new book, The Green Pregnancy Diet, an accessible, you-can-do-it approach to eating green when pregnant.

The book contains:

  • Guidelines for a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly diet
  • Nutrition during pregnancy
  • 20 easy, nutritious, flavorful recipes
  • Organic, vegetarian ingredients with dairy-, gluten-, nut- and wheat-free options
  • Tips for creating a green kitchen

“There is no doubt,” says Radha, “that you and your baby are better off if you eat a green diet.”

This book makes doing just that easy.

Also on SaraSnow.com

A Vegetarian Feast for Valentine’s Day

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Valentine’s Day is a day to shower the ones you love with love, but it doesn’t require an expensive or energy-intensive rack of lamb or roast tenderloin.

Here are recipes for Roast Vegetables in Phyllo Pouches and Olive Oil Cake – two of my favorites.  Pair the phyllo pouches with some lightly dressed greens and serve the olive oil cake with fresh raspberries or strawberries and some dark chocolate shavings.

Light the candles, pour the organic wine, and let the festivities begin!

Roast Vegetables in Phyllo Pouches

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for pan
  • 2 small onions – diced
  • 3 cloves garlic – minced
  • 2 zucchini – diced
  • 3 carrots – diced
  • 10 mushrooms – diced
  • (Could also use artichokes, celery and/or squash)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • additional rosemary sprigs for garnish
  • S & P to taste
  • Freshly grated Romano or Parmesan Cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a sauté pan, lightly cook the onions & garlic in olive oil.

Add zucchini, carrots and mushrooms.  Add herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer, stirring often, until vegetables are cooked but still firm.  (Do not cover)

While the vegetables are cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Lay 2 sheets of phyllo dough out on a flat surface.  Place a healthy scoop of vegetables in the center and sprinkle with freshly grated cheese.

Fold the four corners in and secure with a toothpick.  Lightly grate another small layer of cheese on top.  (If you’re having a hard time getting the corners to stay in place, you can flip the pouch and bake it flat side up).

Place pouches on the parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Top each with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Enjoy!

Olive Oil Cake

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups organic sugar
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ cups organic milk
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or about the juice of 1 lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-10” round spring-form pan.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs and sugar.

Add oil, milk, lemon juice and zest and beat until smooth and consistent in color and texture.

In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, nutmeg, soda and salt.

Add the dry mixture into wet mixture, a little at a time, and beat until well mixed.  Be careful not to over-mix or the dough may become tough.

Pour into a 9-10” round greased pan.

Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.

Allow to cool in the pan, then remove and let the cake cool completely.  Serve with fresh raspberries or strawberries or sorbet.

Also on SaraSnow.com

Dagoba for Valentine’s Day Chocolates

Monday, February 8th, 2010

shopChocolate may be the most common Valentine’s Day gift.  And for good reason.  Rare is it to find a man or a woman whose heart can’t be turned with a dark chocolate truffle or bar.

This Valentine’s Day, go a little further and make your chocolate giving meaningful.

dag-cbseedDagoba Organic Chocolate was founded by Frederick Schilling in 2001.  He was on a cocoa mission of sorts, to create chocolate made from the finest ingredients, that would benefit both people and the planet.

In that vein, Dagoba strives to achieve high standards in Quality, Ecology, Equity and Community in pursuit of what they call Full Circle Sustainability.  They work with cocoa cooperatives in Costa Rica to sponsor re-forestation programs, partner with urban greening programs in the US, purchase green power for their manufacturing plant, and create recycled content packaging for their chocolate bars.

“That’s all fine and good” you say, “but how does it taste?”

Let me put it this way.  My husband is a bit of a chocolate connoisseur (seriously, the man loves chocolate) and he is a big fan of Dagoba’s dark chocolate bars.

dag-cbblueberryTheir award-winning collection includes 17 different bars made from sustainably grown, organic cacao.  In many they marry exotic ingredients such as pure essential oils, fruits and nuts.  Each bar is manufactured in small batches with great care.

This Valentine’s Day, check out their 12 Bar Alchemist Blend Box ($44.95), the Best Sellers Gift Set ($17.95) or the Drinking Chocolate Trio ($29.99).

Also on SaraSnow.com

How to Handle Chocolate Cravings Responsibly

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Here’s a little primer on handling chocolate cravings responsibly…..from a pregnant lady who knows!

I’m not going to tell you to drink some water and eat a piece of fruit.  Or to have something sour instead and hope the craving goes away.  No, my opinion is that if you’re craving chocolate, EAT IT!

But don’t eat a whole pound and remember that not all chocolate is created equally.

The three cardinal rules of indulging in chocolate

  1. Do go for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate
  2. Don’t eat a whole chocolate bar, tub of chocolate ice cream, or bag of chocolate chips.
  3. Do explore new ground

By eating dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate your sugar intake will be lower and your antioxidant intake will be higher.  Less of the bad stuff and more of the good stuff.  Excellent.

By not eating the whole kaboodle all at once you’ll save some for next time and you won’t be so overwhelmed by guilt, thereby allowing yourself a next time.

By exploring new territory you too might encounter a certain fantastic new little treat that just blissfully entered my world.

Q.bel Chocolates are the brain child of a husband and wife team who wanted to appease their 10-year-old, sweets loving son but wanted to do so in a natural and wholesome way.   So they created Q.bel Chocolates; all free of artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, free of hydrogenated oils, and free of high fructose corn syrup.  Q.bel opened for business in the beginning of 2009, and by the end of the year it was already the number one natural chocolate covered wafer in the country, selling over a million chocolate wafers!

They have two products: Chocolate Wafer Rolls and Chocolate Wafer Bars.

Here’s how they describe them:

rolls_darkDecadent but light. You’ll know from the first crisp and creamy bite that these filled and enrobed wafers hit the sweet spot. We start with a thin batter and form it into a roll while it’s still soft. We add just the right amount of all natural filling, and cover the whole thing in classic milk or semi-sweet dark chocolate. Getting the right balance of wafer, filling,and chocolate is an obsession for us. We think we finally got it, though.

wafers_darkWhen we set out to make chocolate wafers bars, we had no idea how many variables were involved. How thin should each layer of wafer be? How sweet should we make the batter? How many layers? How much filling? How much chocolate? Our quest was for a product that would gratify and satisfy with just the right combination of light and airy wafer, delectable cream filling, and exceptional Belgian chocolate covering the whole shebang.

So, dig in and enjoy!

Trust me…I am!!

Also on SaraSnow.com

New Wave Enviro Goes to the Olympics

Monday, January 18th, 2010

teamNew Wave Enviro Products, makers of fantastic reusable bottles, lunch pails and more, has announced that they will be the exclusive and official provider of stainless steel water bottles for the U.S. Ski Team and the U.S. Snowboarding Team  at (and leading up to) the 2010 winter Olympics in February.

Both team logos will be available on New Wave Enviro Products’ stainless steel bottles beginning next month.

According to their press release, New Wave Enivro was the first company to introduce stainless steel drinking water bottles to the health food industry after their founding in 1993.  The company also boasts having developed and introduced the first BPA-free plastic bottles made from Eastar (a reusable yet recyclable bottle), the first reusable bottle made from corn resin (it degrades in 80 days in a commercial composter), and the first lunch bag made from 100% bamboo.

Using healthy (for the planet and for my body) drinking containers is something so important to me.  At home I drink from glass and ceramic cups and mugs and when I’m out and about I drink from reusable BPA-free plastic or stainless-steel bottles.  A few years ago I gave New Wave Enviro bottles as stocking stuffers to all of my family members.

Make the better choice and select healthy reusable bottles – better for you and for the planet.  It’s exciting to hear that two of the olympic teams are now on board!

Also on SaraSnow.com

Eat Cleaner in the New Year

Friday, January 8th, 2010

There’s a new product on shelves promising to help you reduce your risk of foodborne illnesses and prolong the shelf-life of foods.

Made with FDA-approved ingredients, Eat Cleaner, is the first all-natural, odorless and tasteless, lab tested food wash that can effectively remove pesticides, waxes and surface debris from that can carry bacteria from produce, seafood and poultry.

A father-daughter team (Colorado State University Professor,Dr. Shawki Ibrahim, and food marketing veteran, Mareya Ibrahim) created the line in response to concerns over growing E-coli and Salmonella scares, pesticide and produce exposure.  They had an independent laboratory test the effectiveness of Eat Cleaner products and found that they removed up to 99.9% of E-coli and Salmonella from contaminated produce.

Wipe with appleWith a proprietary blend of fruit acids and plant based cleaners, Eat Cleaner is able to strip surface waxes, debris and pesticides away that water is unable to penetrate.

“By the time it reaches our plates, most food has traveled around 1,500 and touched 20 sets of hands.  There are over 78 million reported cases of foodborne illness in the U.S. every year and an average of 30 different pesticides used on our produce,” says co-founder Mareya Ibrahim.  ”I have two young children and as a concerned mom, we created Eat Cleaner  to be affordable, effective and easy-to-use.  The great thing is it also helps prolong the shelf life of food up to 100% longer, helping consumers save money, and deters browning, boosting the appetite appeal of fruit like apples and pears that tend to turn quickly once cut.”

EAT CLEANERTM Attributes:

  • Effectively removes pesticides, waxes and dirt that can carry bacteria from commercially and organically grown produce.  Also removes surface debris that can carry bacteria from seafood and poultry.
  • Inhibits browning of light fleshed fruit and vegetables and prolongs shelf life, helping consumers save money
  • Safely cleans countertops and cutting surfaces around uncooked produce, seafood and poultry
  • Does not alter the natural flavor and smell of foods and leaves no residue
  • Available in a ready-to-use spray and innovative wipes
  • Low-impact packaging featuring recyclable plastic bottles, compostable substrate and concentrate refills

The Eat Cleaner product line retails for $4-$22 online at www.eatcleaner.com.  Products include:

  • eat-cleaner-wash-dryer-kit-Ready-to-Use Fruit + Vegetable Wash // Concentrate Fruit + Vegetable Wash Refill: Just spray and soak for 2 minutes, then rinse
  • Ready-to-Use Seafood + Poultry Wash // Concentrate Seafood + Poultry Wash Refill: Just spray and soak for 2 minutes, then rinse
  • Grab ‘n Go Fruit + Vegetable Wipes:  Cleans the surface of fruit + vegetables without the need to rinse with water.  Encourages healthy snacking on the go.
  • Wash + Dryer Kit: Features EAT CLEANERTM BPA-free ‘wash + dryer’ to clean and dry produce plus 4 oz. Fruit + Vegetable Wash Concentrate and an EAT CLEANERTM Scrub Brush to clean visible dirt

Also on SaraSnow.com

Great New Book: “I Feel Good: 10 Easy Steps to Better Health”

Monday, January 4th, 2010

I Feel Good: 10 Easy Steps to Better Health makes living healthy easy to do.

515W4c2K9qLIn their new book, I Feel Good; 10 Easy Steps to Better Health, Alix Litwack and Deb McClure-Smith condense their decades of knowledge and hands-on experience into bite size, nuggets of wisdom for readers of all ages, shapes, and stages of health.  They pare down the vast world of nutrition information into the easy-to-understand building blocks of good health.

For years Alix and Deb have been a source of knowledge and inspiration to countless people walking through the doors of Good Earth, their (and my) neighborhood natural foods store. Now they’ve put that healthy living know-how down on paper. This book will be a first or final stop for so many looking for practical and workable real first steps to increasing their health, longevity, and happiness.

Included in the book are 40 delicious, easy-to prepare recipes that address specific nutritional changes. I Feel Good does not ask you to count calories, eliminate an entire food group, go on a diet or purchase any equipment. This snappy read does provide the simple path to make informed choices about the foods worth consuming. From planning, to shopping and cooking– readers learn how to be healthier eaters.

According to Ms. Litwack, “I Feel Good is a great way to begin 2010 by making positive changes at a sensible pace. We want our readers to enjoy their journey to better health.”

Start the year off right.  I Feel Good can be found on Amazon.com

Article also on www.SaraSnow.com/blog

GREENER WAYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: a Recipe for Apricot Pecan Bread

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Nothing is better during the holidays than homemade baked goods.  I made a double batch of this Apricot Pecan Bread last night and baked 6 mini loafs to share with those I love.

Ring in the holidays this weekend and get your bake on!

photoApricot Pecan Bread

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup chopped apricots

Sift together the flours, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg and melted butter until smooth.

Alternating with milk, gradually add the dry ingredients in until well blended.

Stir in the nuts and apricots.

Transfer to one large or 3-4 small greased loaf pans.  Press the batter into the corners of the pan to hollow the middle just a bit.  Allow the batter to sit in the pans for 20 minutes, then place in a 350 degree oven and bake for 55 minutes for a large loaf or 35-40 minutes for smaller loafs.

Cool in the pans 10 minutes, then remove.

Enjoy!

Also on SaraSnow.com

GREENER WAYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Keep Your Energy Up with Guayaki!

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Guayaki Lemon Elation to Kick Your Holidays Shopping into High Gear!

Energy low?  Are you finding it hard to drag yourself from store to store, or even drag your fingers across the keys, as you shop your way to completing your guest list?

200909151510012201_medGuayaki (many who know me know I’m a big fan of Guayaki’s Yerba Mate – see more on what that is below) has launched a new beverage in a can called Lemon Elation.  It’s a “flavorful tribute to the Aché Guayakí and their legendary beverage.”  It’s also delicious, highly effective at waking you up, and at only 54 calories per serving, it’s a low-cal way to drink yourself to elation!

And, if that doesn’t do it for you, try their organic energy shots.  I promise you won’t lack motivation after that.

More on Guayaki and Yerba Mate

Guayakí (gwy-uh-kee) Yerba Mate (yer-bah mah-tay) is made from the leaves of the celebrated South American rainforest holly tree (ilex paraguariensis).

For centuries, South America’s Aché Guayakí tribe have sipped yerba mate daily from a traditional gourd for its powerful rejuvenative effects.  These rainforest people find tremendous invigoration, focus and nourishment in yerba mate and revere it as the “drink of the gods”.

Guayakí’s Lemon Elation is a flavorful tribute to the Aché Guayakí and their legendary beverage.  Rise up with Guayakí and share in this powerful rainforest experience!

Guayakí’s mission is to steward and restore 200,000 acres of South American Atlantic Rainforest and create over 1000 living wage jobs by 2020.

Benefits:
Yerba mate is considered a powerful rejuvenator
High in antioxidants
Refreshing and energizing
Delicious lemon flavor
Organic, Fair Trade,  Kosher

Also on SaraSnow.com