How are the kids? – Week 2

A common question while we’ve been doing our cleanse is, “What are you feeding the kids?!?!?”  My answer is – whatever is easy!  While my kids are pretty good eaters, I wouldn’t feel comfortable restricting their food to the guidelines of our cleanse.  So what does that mean?  2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners – all the while fighting cravings, particularly during week 1.  So before we began we tried to make things as easy as possible.

A big batch of marinara and meat sauce – this can go over baked potato, broccoli, pasta, brown rice, or on an english muffin sprinkled with cheese (mini pizza).

Soup to the rescue.  The whole family loves this recipe from Weelicious and thankfully it is also cleanse approved.  The kids pair this soup with a generous doll-up of sour cream and fresh baguette with a creamy cheese.

Get them cooking!  At ages 6 and 8 my kids can do a bit in the kitchen, this week, they made pesto (with supervision), flipped egg omelets (with supervision) and made loads of toast (to then spread with whatever they love – like Justin’s chocolate almond butter spread) (that last one is all on their own – no way I could be in the kitchen while that deliciousness is going on!)  Whatever they make, or assist in making, they are 70% more likely to eat in my experience.

Chop it up – lots of fresh fruits and veggies on hand all cut and chopped for them to dip in guacamole, hummus, peanut butter, and the aforementioned Justin’s chocolate spread.

Breakfast for dinner – oatmeal with applesauce and cinnamon, eggs and toast, etc.

So while I couldn’t order pizza from our favorite neighborhood place during our cleanse, I seem to be okay making them a SMALL pizza at home (no left-overs).   And it is better to rid your home of all your favorite “pit-falls”, so think through alternatives.  If you are a cookie-monster, no cookies in the house, maybe they can get one from the bakery while you are cruising through the grocery store.  If it’s a bowl of ice cream every night, get the kids greek yogurt and sprinkle chocolate chips (my kids like this just as much as ice cream).  If it’s chips, try these rice crackers my kids love the cheddar ones.

Above all try not to cringe when your sweet little one offers you a bite of whatever contraband they are in the midst of enjoying!

Happy Friday,

D

 

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Daydreaming and hungry

photo via Roost

photo via Roost

I apologize in advance to anyone “detoxing” right now, cause this lady’s food photography is ridiculously tempting.  Short background, Caitlin, of Roost, married a guy who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.  She’s since committed to living a grain-free life, eating seasonally and cleanly and generously blogs about it all while showcasing her highly appealing pics….did I mention she’s also a food stylist?

Full disclosure, I have yet to try any of her recipes…..honestly the photography kind of intimidates.  BUT a little person in my house has been asking to make doughnuts and I think this Roost recipe, matched with this helpful tip from Weelicious (confirming I don’t need to buy any special equipment) makes the request hard to deny.  Mmmmmmmm, doughnuts.


Better than.

A small list of just a few things I believe are truly better than their less healthy versions.

1.  Cookie dough bites by weelicious for goop.  I’ve made these 4 times since GP posted this treat in October, a new family sweet treat favorite, sooooo easy and dairy free, gluten free, soy free!

2.  The breakfast taco – Sautéed spinach, mushroom and grilled onion breakfast taco.  The old egg, cheese, bacon stand-by is just boring in comparison.  Even better my Whole Foods opened a taco bar and I can get this tasty delight made to order….every Whole Foods has a suggestion box – take advantage!

3.  Chocolate milkshake from My New Roots – the dairy, sugar laden competition honestly does not do it for me any more.  My own spin – instead of her 1/4 cup hemp seeds, I use 2 TBS almond butter and 1/2 avocado instead of a whole, using a whole avocado makes it too thick IMO.

“Raw Chocolate Milkshake Miracle
Ingredients:
• ¼ cup hemp seeds (or use soaked almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds etc.)
• 2 heaping Tbsp. raw cacao powder
• 1 Avocado
• 1 very large frozen banana (or 2 small) 
• 2 Tbsp. raw honey, agave, or maple syrup
• dash sea salt 
• ¾ – 1 cup water
• 4 ice cubes

Directions:
1. Blend all the ingredients together; add water to thin if desired. It’s a thick one, folks! 
And although the urge to chug may take over, don’t forget to “chew” your milkshake for better digestion! Very important.”

4.  Cinnamon raisin Ezekiel bread, someone recently offered me the Sarah Lee version……nasty.  Slather on some almond butter and it’s one delightful treat.

5.  Hummus Chips – Simply 7 Sea Salt is my preferred brand, kind of like a Funnion but not as scary and super fun to crunch.  We add them to chili, salads, anything that benefits from some crunch. Boulder Canyon makes a good version too.

Happy (healthier) snacking and Happy Friday.