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Eating and kids

Have you ever sat down to eat with a salad while you fed your kids pizza, canned foods, or a box of mac and cheese? I feel that I hear a lot of people complain that their children don't eat healthy. I hear them say "oh, he/she doesn't like that". I also see, and have been guilty myself of feeding them something they would rather have, than what is a healthy choice for them. Everyone tells me I am fortunate because my kids aren't picky, of course they would rather eat fruit loops or things in boxes with spongebob or smiling cheesy noodles, but they don't have a choice 98% of the time. Our house rule is that everyone eats what mom or dad has made, no exceptions. They will not starve overnight and I know they like at least one thing we've made. If you mention they don't like something they will start to believe it without even trying it! Just like the rule when they first started eating, it will take them more than one exposure to accept a new food. Just stick with it!!

If you do this for your family more than 1 or 2 meals a week, we need to have a little one on one. The truth is it will get a little harder, before it gets easy, but it needs to be done! You need to begin, even if slowly, to give your kids whole, natural foods. Americans are feeding their children a TON of extra sugar, sodium, and fat. Our kids as young as 3 are becoming overweight and being diagnosed with health complications like high blood pressure and cholesterol that were only seen in adults a decade ago.

Have you seen the packs of Naan bread in the grocery store? We use that to make our own healthy choices on our homemade pizza night! Here is a fun, healthy recipe for your family to try as an alternate to high calorie takeout pizza.

1 naan (is about 190-240 cal depending on brand)
Add sauce and your favorite toppings. Using turkey sausage and turkey pepperoni and low fat cheese will decrease the calories.
Bake @400 about 10min.

Eat half with a side of veggies or a salad for a healthier option. Depending on the toppings, you could eat the whole thing without the guilt of delivery.

Our version was homemade pesto as the sauce, garlic grilled shrimp, thin slices of tomatoes, and low fat fresh and shredded mozzarella. And YES, my kids loved it, Wilson even ate 1/2 of mine!

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Brown rice made easy

I have been passing around my easy way to make brown rice to family and clients for a while and it is the one thing my dad calls ME about. It has made converters of the clients that swear they hate brown rice. I think making it this way makes it a little less course. You can also soak the rice for about 6 hours, but not longer than overnight, to help make it "softer".

Here is an easy way to make some delicious brown rice with LITTLE effort.

1 cup brown rice
1 3/4 cup HOT water- when I boil water to add bouillon I start with closer to 2 cups
Put in a casserole dish, cover, and bake for 50-60 minutes at 350*

Make it with 1/2 broth for a fuller flavor. I like using the brand better than bouillon. It comes in a small jar as a paste that dissolves in hot water. No MSG and makes about 10 qts.
Make a double batch and use for lunches or future meals, like a quick stir-fry. It makes a great cold salad as well (recipe another day).

I have added sautéed mushrooms, scallions, peppers, you name it. Make it your own.

We eat it for breakfast with cinnamon and milk (don't do this if you have added broth!)

I hope you enjoy it and add it to your healthy lifestyle!

Tonight we are making easy homemade pizza...comeback tomorrow!

Back on Track

Well I am back and plan on staying : ) I am in a friendly competition with my brother and I plan on winning!!!
Not sure if it is symbolic or just sad that it is almost a year to the day that I have finally decided to get this thing going!! I will try my hardest to stay focused and give you the best blog I can.  That may be a little joke for those of you that know me : ), and I do have 3 kids to take care of so all I can do is promise my best...
I have done this process before so I know what to expect: A lot of hard work and patience with a great reward!  Keeping an eye on the prize is difficult so let's keep the next few months positive and kick ass!

I would also LOVE some feedback and ideas. This is as much for others as it is to keep me on track. I will be doing a 12 week challenge Ending July 1st, please join in!

I love to revamp recipes into healthy, clean creations as well as find other great recipes others have already done. So any ideas will be welcomed. I will also try to post our workouts and give you challenges along the way. If you want anything let me know!!!

So I attempted to start yesterday and made a great stride forward. Nothing special.
We walked (with hills and a double stroller) and did some interval training at the PFT stations on base. Food was simple.
yogurt with cheerios
Salad with quinoa
beer butt chicken with sweet potatoes and zucchini
I did have a couple summer shandy's... it was hard to turn down in 75 degree weather hanging around the grill!

Here we go....
First challenge: How many push-ups can you do until failure (no resting)??
I did 7 regular and 22 modified (on knees) yesterday