Over the weekend I read a really interesting article by Dr. Mark Hyman called Three Hidden Ways Wheat is Making You Fat. At first I thought it was a weight loss article, then as I started to read it I thought maybe it was promoting the gluten-free diet, but by the time I was done and had some time to digest it, I realized that what I really took away from the article was something more.

Throughout the course of time, scientists and farmers have been working on ways to feed the masses more efficiently – to eliminate hunger, reduce malnutrition, and to keep food affordable. On one hand, they have done that, but on the other hand, the changes that have been made to our food supply are now making us sick!

According to Dr. Hyman:

“In fact, there are three major hidden reasons that wheat products, not just gluten (along with sugar in all its forms) is a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia, depression and so many other modern ills.

This is why there are now 30 percent more obese than undernourished in the world, and why chronic lifestyle and dietary driven disease kills more than twice as many people as infectious disease globally. These non-communicable, chronic diseases will cost our global economy $47 trillion over the next 20 years.”

He goes on to explain that wheat, which is in everything from crackers to lipstick, parallels the chronic illnesses of society over time.

“The history of wheat parallels the history of chronic disease and obesity across the world. Supermarkets today contain walls of wheat and corn disguised in literally hundreds of thousands of different food-like products, or FrankenFoods. Each American now consumes about 55 pounds of wheat flour every year.

It is not just the amount but also the hidden components of wheat that drive weight gain and disease. This is not the wheat your great-grandmother used to bake her bread. It is FrankenWheat — a scientifically engineered food product developed in the last 50 years.”

I highly recommend you read the ENTIRE article Three Hidden Ways Wheat is Makes You Fat and then see what small changes in your family’s diet can be made. Personally, I am going to try removing wheat/gluten from my own diet and see what differences I notice over the next few weeks. Since the celiac gene is in our family, I have a feeling that removing the wheat may do my body a lot of good. I’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, if you are looking for good sources for gluten free cooking and living gluten free, check out these blogs:

• Celiac Family
• Celiacs in the House
• Gluten Free Homemaker
• Gluten Free Mommy

Guest Post

It’s no secret that obesity is on the rise, and some studies show it may be due, in part, to more people eating unhealthy or over processed foods. There is a misconception, too, that eating healthy is complicated and expensive, or just a plain hassle. In fact, there are many easy ways to add healthful foods to your every day diet, and you can even save money in the process with some smart planning and good choices. With a few simple tips and tricks, eating healthy doesn’t have to be a bland tasting, boring or expensive food experience.

There are many products available both online and at a local grocery store that can make composing a nutritious, healthy diet relatively easy. For instance, every day products like oatmeal, whole grain breads, fruits, vegetables and even just water from your tap can make a huge difference. Instead of buying canned vegetables, which may contain a lot of sodium, buy frozen vegetables, or, better yet, buy fresh if you can. If these products are too expensive at a grocery store, many towns and cities have farmers’ markets that provide fresh produce at a very low cost.

Whole grains are also very healthy in proper quantities. Oatmeal is a much better way to start the day than a muffin or doughnut, for example, and you can add your favorite fruit as a topping, or a stick of cinnamon for added flavor. If you like your oatmeal or whole grain cereal sweet try adding a few drops of organic honey. Plain yogurt with fresh berries or honey is also very good for breakfast, or just as a snack, and it tastes great. Plus, it’s more filling than a candy bar and some brands cost about the same.

There are many healthy drinks available, too. Water is always a sure stand-by, but organic tea is loaded with antioxidants. Monavie, which contains antioxidant rich acai berries, blueberries and other fruits, comes in a great variety of flavors to enjoy. Because Monavie and other healthy products are made with natural ingredients, they can be a great addition to a new, healthier style of eating.

Adding fish to your weekly menu can also be a practical, affordable source of protein. Canned tuna makes wonderful sandwiches and salads, and fresh or frozen wild caught fish is a very healthy alternative to more processed types of food.

Another thing to take into consideration is the value for your dollar; healthier foods tend to make us feel full longer, so you don’t eat as often, thereby saving money in the long run. Seeing how helpful and affordable a healthful diet can be, adding some new, healthful foods to your diet just makes sense.

I have long relied on the dietary supplement Emergen-C for a boost of Vitamins B, C and other vitamins during cold season, when I feel a cold coming on or when I am traveling. The flavors are not too sweet and I really believe that the combination of the water and the extra vitamins and minerals make it easier for my body to fight off whatever little germs happen to come my way.

My kids, on the other hand, have never really been so excited about my recommendations for Emergen-C as a way to get more of the vitamins and minerals they need into their bodies. They didn’t really like the taste but knew that it would help boost their immune systems (because their busy lifestyles and picky eating habits make it more challenging to get what they need from their daily food intake) and make them feel better sooner.

When I was given the opportunity to try out the new Emergen-C Kidz I immediately agreed. I wanted to know if the new formulation, specifically for kids would be well received in this house of picky young people! When the samples arrived and I had the chance to check out the packaging, I was really happy to see that not only does the Emergen-C Kidz contain a kid size dose of Vitamin C (250mg) plus Zinc and other immune system support antioxidants, but they kept all the essential minerals and electrolytes as well as the energizing B vitamins like the adult formula. The electrolytes in the Emergen-C make it a great option for post-practice rehydration with only 5g of sugar instead of a sugary sports drink.

Now the real test – will they like it? Just like the adult formulation, Emergen-C Kidz is a single serve packet of powder that you add to a glass of water or a water bottle. Just a word of caution – Emergen-c Kidz FIZZES!!! Kids will think it is cool, but if you are pouring it into a water bottle, have your kids take a good size sip of water before you add the Emergen-c or you will have a mess on your hands!

My kids and I both think the new flavors of Orange, Grape and Fruit Punch are much nicer than the grown up formulation (even though I am still partial to my Raspberry Emergen-c) and they like all three flavors. However, if I asked them if I could only buy ONE flavor, which would they choose, the overwhelming response was the Fruit Punch. You can control the intensity of the flavor based on how much water you place the packet of mix into. When my son comes home from a sports practice he will add 2 packets to a 16 oz water bottle, but my daughter prefers one packet in a small water bottle.

Another thing I like about the new Emergen-C Kidz is that for every box sold, Emergen-C Kidz will donate 25 cents to Vitamin Angels to provide essential nutrients to one child for one year, helping reduce childhood mortality worldwide. If you visit the Emergen-C Kidz Facebook Page and take the My Emergen-C Kidz Pledge to commit to a fun and healthy lifestyle for your family another 25 cents will be donated.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Emergen-C and received samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

I have a very creative friend named Beth Savage who makes her son the most adorable bento lunches and as we look at going back to school one of the things I dread most is packing lunches. After seeing what Beth does, I realized I have been packing my kids lunches all wrong. Who knew lunches could be this fun?

I had to ask Beth how she came up with these ideas and here is what she shared with me.

Karen: Where did you get the idea to make these very creative lunches?

Beth: Mostly online. I remember when we switched daycares and I was told I would have to pack a lunch. Yikes! I of course turned to the internet (it solves all my problems! haha). I saw the idea of a “bento box” – it’s from the Japanese’s culture.  Google “bento” or search Flickr for “bento” and look at some of the pictures. They are amazing!

I also liked the idea that there is no waste. No plastic baggies, or wrappers etc. – I found it was also easier for my son to get to his lunch himself without having to rely on busy teachers to open things for him. There are MILLIONS of ideas online. I get most from a collection of websites. Google: “Bento for kids”

Karen: What was the initial investment you made on containers, reusable muffin liners, food writing pens and cookie cutters?

Beth: I don’t recall the initial investment. It was gradual. The first thing I bought was the containers – EasyLunchboxes 3-compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers (Set of 4)– I then found the silicone muffin cups at a store called “Nood” – the ones at Michael’s are crazy expensive and are pastel colours (kinda girly). You can generally find them at any baking store. I got a huge bin of 101 cookie cutters from Michaels with one of their 40% off coupons which made it pretty cheap.   I bought fun ice packs at Save On for a dollar (the 2010 Olympic ones). The icing eyes are the only ongoing investment; also bought at Michaels and I always try to use a coupon. Oh, and the markers – they were pricey, but with the coupon it was ok. Again, I did NOT buy all this stuff at once. It was very gradual.

So overall… maybe $60 for all the supplies…give or take. Then over time you get an eye for stuff at the dollar store for things that could work. I also love www.allthingsforsale.com.

Karen: How much planning do you put into your lunches?

Beth: Not much! I generally don’t think about it until I am doing it. I plan what groceries to buy for the lunch, but that isn’t any different from “regular” lunch packers. I put more thought into it is when it’s a holiday or a birthday or any special day, then I try to make the lunch reflect that day. TIP: go to Michael’s AFTER a holiday to get good discount on cookie cutters, picks, etc. then you have a stock for next year.

Karen: What tips do you have for others starting out?

Beth: HAVE FUN! Don’t worry about an “initial investment” – you can invest a lot or nothing, just be creative and use when you have. The dollar store has cookie cutters, fun containers, even cute shaped silicone mini bread loaf pans and lots of stuff to get you started!

I can not wait to make lunches this school year! I have gone through my cookie cutters, reusable muffin liners and need to pick up only a few items to get started.

I hope these ideas inspire you to re think your child’s school lunches as it did for me. I would like to thank Beth Savage for sharing with me her ideas and photos!

What goes into a bento lunch for kids? Easy to eat finger foods like mini-sandwiches, pre-cooked pasta, veggies, fruit, and other treats work best. If you are looking for even more inspiration, check out these resources:

• 21 Healthy Lunchbox and Snack Ideas
• O’bento Lunch 4 Kidz has the most beautiful pictures and creative ideas
• Laptop Lunches has ideas, recipes and an online store
• Our post on Fun Kids Lunches with Bento
• 21 Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

By Karen Owen of KarenMomofThree’sCraftBlog

Over at my friend Robyn’s site – Balance in Diet, she offered up some tips for getting your kids to eat more fruits and vegetables. Like Robyn, I don’t have any problem getting our kids to eat fruits and vegetables – we don’t even have to sneak them in. Here are four ways to encourage your kids to eat more vegetables:

1. The Help Yourself Zone

Create a “Help Yourself Zone” in the kitchen where you keep healthy snacks like fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts (if your kids are not allergic) within reach. Set out a bowl of sugar snap peas and some cherry tomatoes after school and you would be surprised how fast they go!

2. Use Veggies as an Appetizer

Offer up a fresh salad or a bowl of veggies as an “appetizer” like you get in a fancy restaurant while the kids are waiting for the finishing touches to be put on dinner. They will fill up on the good stuff making it less likely they will go for seconds or thirds of the starches or dessert.

3. Make Veggies into Toppings or Mix Ins

Next time you make a batch of pasta, pasta salad or serve baked potatoes, place bowls of fresh and leftover cooked veggies out as mix-ins. My girls love green peas mixed into pasta. Steamed yellow squash and zucchini are also a big hit for pasta toppers.

4. Get Kids Involved at the Grocery Store

Every time we are in the vegetable section of the grocery store I  have to be sure to assign veggie tasks simultaneously or an argument over who’s turn it is to weigh the veggies is bound to break out. My kids love picking out the vegetables, weighing them and printing out the pricing labels while we shop. Don’t ask why, but its something they think is so cool – so run with it!

 Do you have any additional tips for getting kids to eat more vegetables or try new varieties?

I love simple formulas, because as a Mom of three I do not have time for anything more. Anyhow, I recently wrote a piece on Kids and Fiber for the Kellogg’s Snackpicks website based on some really interesting information I found on the Kellogg’s Nutrition website.

The short of it – your child needs their age plus 5 grams of fiber each day. See I told you it was simple. Five plus their age. Got it?

Now head over to the article at Snackpicks.com to find out why fiber is so important in their diets and some easy ways to incorporate extra fiber into your kids’ diets – even for Moms like me who are constantly on the go.

Did you watch season 1 of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution?  We did – and even before the show had started my kid had been taking their lunches to school because they knew that the school cafeteria food tasted bad, but after seeing the show they knew WHY it tasted bad – it was all pre-processed junk. The one thing my 12 year old daughter took away from the series most  was how easy it is to put together quick, healthy meals from fresh ingredients we already have around the house.

Well, Jamie Oliver is going from one extreme to another in season 2. He is going from laid back, down home Huntington, WV to the hustle and bustle of inner city Los Angeles and boy, does he have his work cut out for him!!! Take a look at the trailer for season 2:

Did you see all the food that family eats in a week stacked in their house? Not a whole lot of healthy there.

Anyhow, the first episode of the season is Tuesday, April 12 at 8 Eastern on ABC. In this season, and again Jamie is asking the question, “Why can’t we do better for our kids?”

From his email: Jamie is still asking questions about the quality of school meals, and asks LA’s parents for support to challenge the LAUSD to do better. He cooks with LA teens and uses a science class to get them thinking about what’s in their food. They tell him they’re scared for their families – they’re sadly at risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease because of the processed food they’re eating. He also dips into the powerful world of fast food and industrial ingredients.

I’d love to hear your reaction of the show and I am going to DVR the whole season, just so I don’t miss anything.  And in the meantime, head over and sign Jamie’s petition to support the Food Revolution in the United States!

Ok Parents!! If you have school aged kids turn on the TV tonight and watch Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution – it will be a huge eye opener for you. I watched the one hour preview of the series and it totally confirmed why I gladly pack all three of my kids’ school lunches EVERYDAY. The food the kids are being served in school is crap. No other word for it.

The series starts tonight. British cook Jamie Oliver comes to Huntington, WV, also known as the most unhealthy city in the U.S., to plant the seeds of a food revolution. By going into the schools, Jamie hopes to change the culture of a city’s eating habits starting with the kids, but it may not be that easy. The grown ups in this town are so deeply set in their ways that Jamie is getting resistance at almost every turn.

What Jamie finds is kids eating pizza for breakfast at school, pouring bright pink strawberry flavored milk over their pre-sweetened cereal, eating faux mashed potatoes and super processed chicken nuggets for lunch, and a system that is so out of whack that the challenges ahead of him are enormous.

He also visits a family whose eating habits are just unfathomable (at least to me) – one where the deep fryer is used at every meal and the freezer is completely stocked with cheap frozen pizza.  He cooks up everything this family eats for a week all at once and sets it out on the table. It will truly make you ill looking at it. Luckily, the family seems willing to learn some new tricks and hopefully can change.

Check out the video preview below and then set your DVR for the show tonight!

What do you think of the show’s premise? Is the state of school food really this bad? I’d love to hear your take on it, too!

This winter has been tough on my kids and their health, specifically my 13 year old son who is growing so fast it scares me. He has been having a lot more difficulty concentrating in class, he is always tired, his body aches and he just hasn’t been himself. After doing a lot of research, having him tested for everything under the sun at the doctor’s office, and talking to a few other parents with boys, I came to the conclusion that there is something missing in his diet.

I have increased his overall calorie count (he’s a 6′ tall 13 year old boy who swims 3 times a week and is not all about food), doubled his protein, added a B complex vitamin daily, and added an Omega 3 supplement. The Omega 3 supplement was recommended by a mom who I was talking to about our boys and their ADD tendencies even though they are ridiculously smart. She said that the Omega 3 supplement was really helping her son be more focused and feel better overall.

After doing more research on Omega 3, I came to the conclusion that we all need to be taking it. Some of its recognized health benefits include:

• Heart, Brain & Eye health
• Healthy triglyceride levels
• Reduction of inflammation throughout the body
• Joint health and mobility
• Mental clarity and balance

Next the challenge was finding an Omega 3 supplement my kids would take. A large gel cap that smelled of fish oil was not going to go over well. Neither was a product that left an oily aftertaste. I found the Coromega brand which offers the Omega 3 as a Squeeze. The orange flavor squeeze comes in a single serve pack and tastes like an Orange Creamsicle – no fish or oily taste at all! You can mix it in yogurt or a drink, but my son and I both just squeeze the packet straight into our mouths and its done. Plus it is absorbed by the body faster than the softgels. Easy peasy orange squeezey!

It has been one week and while I won’t say it has been a miraculous turnaround, I am seeing overall improvements in his energy, mood and he says this week at school has seemed better. Time will tell, but I think we are moving in the right direction.

You can find the Coromega brand of supplements at Amazon or through my favorite source, House of Nutrition. Click on the images below for product details and ordering information.

Coromega’s Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement 90 Daily Dose Packets (Orange Flavor) Coromega’s Kids Omega3 Brain and Body Squeeze Pkts Lmn-Lme 30Pkts Coromega’s CoQ10- 50 mg (Juicy Orange Flavor) 30 Squeeze Packets Coromega’s Omega-3 Squeeze Packets Lmn-Lme 90Pkts Coromega’s Prenatal OmegaBaby Squeeze Packets Perfect Peach 30Pkts Coromega’s Healthy Heart Omega-3 & Co-Q10 30Pkts Coromega’s Multi-V Multi-Vit & Multi-Min Gummy Fruits 60Gms

Part of the back to school fun for my kids is picking out a cool lunch box for the upcoming year. As my girls get older, they are wanting to move away from the traditional PBJ packed lunch and are more interested in having “real” food mid-day.  Last year I picked up a few cute bento style boxes and they were a hit, which has put me on a hunt for some new ones this year. (photo at right from Jennifer’s flickr stream)

So far, Asian Food Grocer has the best kids bento selection (just search Bento on their site), but I have also found a few on Amazon like the ones below. 
5″ long x 1″ deep x 2.75″ wide Hello Kitty lunch box

Snoopy 2-Tier Bento Box

Vivo Kids Bento Box, Orange and Pink

Kotobuki 2-Tiered Bento Box, Panda Face

So what do you pack in a bento lunch for kids? Easy to eat finger foods like mini-sandwiches, pre-cooked pasta, veggies, fruit, and other treats work really well. If you are looking for some inspiration, check out these resources:

• 21 Healthy Lunchbox and Snack Ideas
• Bento Lunches – Creative Lunch Box Love
• Search Flickr for a TON of photos of kids bento box lunches
• O’bento Lunch 4 Kidz has the most beautiful pictures and creative ideas
• Laptop Lunches has ideas, recipes and an online store
• 501 Bento Lunches: 501 Unique Recipes for Brilliant Bento
• Hawaii’s Bento Box Cookbook: Fun Lunches for Kids
• My Lunch Box: 50 Recipes for Kids to Take to School!

And I just found even more great eco-friendly, money saving, kid-friendly lunch containers and bento boxes (click on images for more information and where to buy):

Obentec Alien Bento System 2.0 Insulated Laptop Lunch Box System Red Blossom Bento Box Mario Brothers Bento Box Friend Bear Bento Box Friend Pig Bento Box The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide: Fresh Ideas for Making Wholesome, Earth-friendly Lunches Your Kids Will Love Obentec Laptop Lunches Eco-friendly Bento Lunch Box Set Black & Blue Obentec Laptop Lunches Power Bento Box Lunch System 2.0 Black & Blue Obentec Laptop Lunches Power Bento Box Lunch System in Black & Red Obentec Laptop Lunch Bento Box Kits 2.0 Obentec Black & Red Plaid Laptop Lunch Bento Box Kit 2.0 Obentec Blue Stripe Laptop Lunch Bento Box Kit 2.0 Laptop Lunchboxes Black & Blue Large Insulated Bento Carrier 2.0 Obentec Laptop Lunches Black Insulated Bento Sleeve 2.0 & Non-toxic Ice Pack Obentec Laptop Lunches Plaid Insulated Bento Sleeve 2.0 Obentec Mixed Berry Complete Bento Lunch Box System 2.0