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Well I broke out the Excalibur from it’s box and began the two process dehydration of my raw, unpasteurized almonds.  I soaked them overnight, dehydrated for approximately 6 hours today and will toss a nice mixture from a Green Smoothie Girl recipe in a few moments and then dehydrate for another 16 hours.  This will be a healthy, savory snack.  Next go round I will try the sweet almond recipe and make my decision on which I like best.  Most likely I will love the sweet while dear hubby will prefer the savory!  Next on my dehydrator “agenda” will be fruit roll ups or fruit leathers. My kids love those for snacks, but at $.50 a pop they tend to be a little pricey.

Technorati Tags: almonds, dehydrate, excalibur

Driving home from picking up my kids from preschool today we made a quick stop at a neighbor’s “home grown veggie” stand.  I was delighted to see fresh broccoli and my kids squealed with glee.  My eldest Angel (4.5 yrs old) insisted on helping me prepare lunch so we started with grilled cheese sandwiches.  She is mastering the knife and spread the coconut oil evenly on the bread.  A quick rinse of the broccoli and into the steamer got all of our mouths watering.  A handful of grapes for each of us, grilled cheese sandwiches and fresh from the garden steamed broccoli…I love it when a meal comes together.

I enjoy watching my kids develop a love of food….REAL food.  They often follow me into our own garden to pluck swiss chard for a green smoothie or tomatoes for sauces and soups.  Most recently I have noticed they like to smell everything before they taste.  They understand that food is meant to nourish our bodies and that an excess of sugar is an unnecessary part of a nutritious diet.  I am thankful for the growth I have made in the food choices for our family.  It has been a struggle at times, but baby steps and repetition seem to be the key for me.  I embrace the learning and sharing these lessons with my children is a gift I hope we will continue to receive for many years to come.

P.S. After my Angel finished her lunch, she informed me that she only likes broccoli that comes “fresh from the ground”.  Now who could deny such a request?

This is an awesome recipe! Same texture as Mickey D’s but with REAL chicken…can you believe it?  I use Panko Japanese bread crumbs instead of the flour.  I make an extra big batch so I have some to keep in the freezer for a quick reheat later.  Click here for the recipe.

Happy eating!

I must admit a quick run thru McDonald’s was a frequent event about one year ago when I over scheduled the day and realized the kids needed lunch.  I knew in my heart this was not good nutritional teaching to my then 3 and 2 year old.  After reading the ingredients list on what chicken nuggets actually are, well it really grossed me out!  I did find a great homemade nugget recipe that the kids love just as much.

Food Matters.tv has a great artilce on why we should avoid those 4 for a $1 chunks of –chicken?

Happy eating!

Choose better personal products.  Just because a label says ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it’s kidsafe.
Spy before you buy at www.ewg.org/healthyhome
Eat fresh plant-based foods: Opt for organic fruits and vegies.  Choose milk and meat without added growth hormones. Limit canned food and infant formula, as can linings may contain bisphenol A (BPA).
Pick plastics carefully: Some plastics contain BPA, which is linked to cancer. Avoid clear, hard plastic bottles and choose baby bottles made from glass or BPA-free plastic. Don’t microwave plastic containers.
Filter your tap water: Use a reverse osmosis system or carbon filter to reduce your family’s exposure to impurities in water. Mix infant formula with fluoride-free water.
Wash little hands: Frequent hand washing reduces kids’ exposure to chemicals. Skip anti-bacterial soaps, since they can contain pesticides that are absorbed through the skin.
Skip non-stick: When overheated, non-stick cookware can emit toxic fumes. Cook with cast iron or stainless steel instead.
Use a HEPA-filter vacuum: Kids spend lots of time on the floor and household dust contains contaminants. HEPA-filter vacuums capture the widest range of particles and get rid of allergens. Leave your shoes at the door for obvious reasons.

FAQ: What is a HEPA filter?
HEPA stands for ‘High Efficiency Particulate Air’.
A HEPA filter that can trap the majority of tiny particles that slip through a regular filter and simply recirculate back into the air of your bedroom, kitchen, car etc.

Source: MiTime 005 ONE Group

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