Apples and Grains

Had a yum-o apple-bok choy salad for lunch and a side of salmon. Then for dinner I got creative and made red bean and rice with tons of veggies and cornbread.

Red Beans and Rice

Underneath all that goodness is whole grain rice. Filled up on fiber and flavor with plenty of leftovers for the next few days.

Apple picking!

We went apple picking a fall family tradition for the third year in a row. After what seemed like forever we got to the orchard. After a few bad apples and a handful the ate of the tree we officially picked 24lbs of apples this year. We then enjoyed Apple cider slushes and drove home.

The Family



Apple and Bok choy Salad

Red Delicious

Left the apples on the table and the kids have been helping themselves to all that fiber.They have been eating them left and right as snack and who am I to complain they are good for you.Now i have to stop being lazy and bake a pie. I already have a request for a homemade pie too!

Friday Fun Fact!!!!!

Did you know?

That a Red Pepper has twice as much Vitamin C and 9 times more Beta Carotene than Green Peppers.
(They also make great veggie dippers)

Wheat update.

I officially give up on my goal. I just do not eat enough grains and the ones I do are usually whole grain minus the bread at panera yesterday. I have been on a huge granola kick and have been making my own at night to eat with milk or yogurt. So I guess it's time to start thinking about next month.

Here's a hint as to what it might be..............

American Dietetic Association

A quick link to ADA in the news a quick read on Hunger in America.

 http://www.eatright.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=6442458731&libID=6442458727

Canceled Memebership

I HAVE DECIDED to cancel my membership in the "Clean Plate Club". I never do meet the expectation of the membership and have food left on my plate.I have no hard feelings when I throw out food. I figure the cost of it is less than buying a BIGGER wardrobe. I know it's a membership passed down from generation to generation but I would rather eat till I am full than fill myself to the brim. (Everyday is not Thanksgiving)

Friday Fun Fact!!!!

Did You know..................

That 9 carrots have as much calcium as one glass of milk...

IRON!!!!!

Everyday people ask me about iron what is it?Is my child's iron low? What can I do to raise my child's iron?So I Have decided to simply answer these questions. Iron is found in many foods we eat. The body uses iron to carry oxygen in the hemoglobin (red blood cells) throughout the body.The cells  use the oxygen to produce energy. When our iron levels are low we feel weakness and fatigue.
There are two types of iron Heme and Non Heme.  Heme is found in animal sources liver,red meat, poultry and fish. Non Heme is found in plant based food and is not as easily absorbed as Heme. Good sources of Non Heme are spinach, kale, whole grains, cooked dried beans and dried fruits.

Catching up!

I've been busy went to the 12th annual Obesity Conference. Learned very useful information (will share later) and picked up some nutritious snacks. This month has had a rocky start and I can say I am not doing so well on whole grains, well grains in particular. I will admit almost every grain this month has been a whole grain. I have been eating wheat berries and quinoa on a regular basis too.

Also have been working on paper work for my internship application I want to finish it all soon so I have don't feel pressured around the holidays.

Preschool!

Today was the first day of preschool for my oldest. She got a very healthy start to the morning with trail mix for breakfast her choice not mine.

No whole grains for breakfast for any of us but I did pack her a sandwich with whole grain bread. We have been eating more of the grains. Probably not as much as we could but it's a work in progress can't change a habit in a week (that's why we have a month).

This week I am unsure what new grain we will try but I have been snacking on shredded wheat.So we will see what happens.

Grains

Okay, so the 1st was a bit rough did not get to make the wheat berries the night before. Skipped breakfast all together and almost lunch. I did get in some homemade granola and raspberries for lunch. (September is Fruit and Veggie Month you know) Then some whole grain bread with my bruschetta I made with homegrown tomato's.

Today has started off great breakfast was shredded wheat and coffee a staple in my families diet. Lunch is undecided yet since breakfast was so late. Oh and I did make wheat berries last night the kids were so excited cause of the word berries I think lol. They will be included in my dinner later.