Kellogg's commits to raising nutrition of kids food

I read this article with great interest the other day. Kellogg's the world's leading cereal producer has caved to public pressure and will be upgrading the nutrition standards of the cereals that it advertises to children under the age of 12. It will be revising the caloric content and salt and sugar content of it's cereals. While I applaud this development and agree that it's a good thing for lobbyists to push for a healthier food standard, I can't help wondering about a lot of issues the article raised for me.

The first thought of course was that they could meet those guidelines just by making the portion sizes smaller, which doesn't change anything but the label.

The other thing that it had me wondering however was why is it necessary to control advertising to children? Why is it the responsibility of the food producers to make kids food healthier instead of the responsibility of parents to make informed choices as consumers? Aren't parents the ones who purchase the breakfast cereal, and aren't they able to say no and explain to their children why they are making that choice?

Perhaps I don't understand because I don't let my kids watch commercial television most of the time. If they want Dora, I'll rent the DVD. They don't watch TV unless I'm there with them. Is Shrek really more of an influence for some children than their parents are? I doubt it but I want to hear your opinion about all of this.

The Saga Continues

It's time for an update on the weight loss plan I suppose. Well, the last time I weighed myself I was around 145lbs. I rarely weigh myself, I don't own a scale. But this week I pulled some snug pre-pregnant pants out of the closet and they fit once more. I am about 15 lbs away from the goal weight I had in January. I don't quite understand why my pants are fitting already when I'm still so far off, but I'm not complaining. I still have a bit of fat on my belly, but my hipbones have re-emerged once more so we're not that far away.

So, in the interest of full disclosure, here's how much I've been sticking to my plan.

1. Curtailing the snacking has been partially successful. I still have snacks but they are usually fruit these days. I only end up snacking about once a day.
   
2. I'm still eating while standing from time to time. I've learned something interesting though. I've been really aware of my posture since I gave birth because I don't want to turn into a hunchbacked old woman. When I sit up straight I pay attention to my food better, I eat slower and I'm generally more aware of what I'm eating.
3. I was doing really well with not eating while doing something else until recently. I've once or twice eaten my breakfast at the computer just this week.
4. My portion sizes are under control. I use a smaller plate, and I put my food in the middle of the plate being sure to leave a border around the outside. I find this rule of thumb handy,
   
5. Exercise every day. Well...my treadmill sits there gathering dust because it's in my bedroom where the baby sleeps, and I usually don't want to risk waking her when I have time to exercise, bad planning on my part. Here's what I've really been doing. When I take my children to the playground, I walk around while they're playing. I just keep walking and walking until they're ready to go home. (Unless one of my friends is there, then I usually stand around and talk to them instead.) I dance around with the baby when ever hits of the 80's is playing on my husband's i-tunes, which seems to be often these days. Why 80's? I have no idea, but we both think it's fun. I walked 2 miles for a fund raiser and raised almost $1000. I bench press the baby too, 10 reps at a time, she's getting heavier in direct proportion to my workout needs. I sit her on my belly against my raised legs and do crunches to play peekaboo. (I hold her so she doesn't fall.) I carry her everywhere. I walk to do all of my errands. I'm rarely breaking a sweat, unless it's really hot out, but it must be working a little since I'm smaller. I am stretching.
6. I'm eating leftover salad for lunch and after dinner.
7. I am still eating dessert a few times a week and squares of dark chocolate, but I'm not eating large portions, and I'm eating less challah bread too.

So, that doesn't look as bad as I thought it would when I decided to confess but I think the real reason I'm losing weight is because I eat the way I tell you I do, all the time. My breakfast is homemade meusli with homemade yogurt every day except Saturday. I really do eat salad everyday, and I don't eat junk food, hardly ever. The last Saturday snacking binge I was on included seasoned pecans and dried tamarind. (I know, I should really cut back.)

So there you have it, it's not that hard, and most of the battle is won when I'm finished shopping, the choices made there make the choices at home easier.

As I've been saying

I found this article via this post at Gastrokid. If you are not yet convinced of how important it can be to read labels and avoid additives in your food, this article may help you out. It includes a detailed breakdown of some common food additives and why they might not be that good for you. It's a handy reference.

Summer Salad

Those hot summer days can be unbearable if you have to spend them in the kitchen working over a hot stove to get dinner ready. Most people no longer have homes with a summer kitchen built into them, instead we have our outdoor BBQ grills to take the heat out of the kitchen. Another alternative for warm summer nights is to make the main course a salad.

Here is an excellent salad that makes a very satisfying meal.

Or try this recipe.

3 medium apples chopped

One half of a small head of cabbage, sliced and chopped coarsely.

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup raw shelled sunflower seeds

1/2 cup raw almonds

1-1/2 cups plain yogurt

1 squeeze fresh lime juice, (Not too much)

Combine all ingredients in a salad bowl and serve with crusty bread and perhaps some cold slices of chicken as well.

summer tips-revised

See bottom for update.

Why yes you are in the right place. Yes, we have rearranged things a little. I was getting bored with the old template this one is brighter.

Now that summer is here and hot days are upon us don't forget about water. It's a good idea to carry water with you at all times. If you buy a Nalgene bottle with a large lid you can put a ton of ice in it as well and keep it really cold and fresh. If your tap water tastes awful, now is a good time to purchase a water filter. They don't have to be too expensive and if it helps you to stay hydrated it's worth it.

One of the tricks to keeping cool in the summer heat is to eat lightly throughout the day. When you consume a large meal your body temperature rises as you metabolize the food. Eating a large heavy meal with hard to digest fats and animal proteins in the middle of the day can make you feel hot and sleepy. This is great for weight loss as you are less likely to feel like eating a lot when you're body is warmer so stock up on natural light snacks and enjoy the sun.

Summer is also the time to keep food simple. Fresh fruits are a great summer time snack. Cut up some cold watermelon and carry it along to the beach or poolside in a Ziplock bag. Don't forget about grapes and strawberries and peaches as well. This is the season for fresh berries of all kinds. Grab some almonds and sunflower seeds and you have to protein to go.

*After a. borealis commented about some Nalgene bottles leeching dioxins I remembered a very old post by Journey Mama where she mentioned a type of metal water bottle. After a long time digging through her archives I am proud to bring you the Kleen Kanteen the stainless steel alternative to plastic water bottles as their site proudly proclaims. I think I may get us a few of those this summer.

Apple Flowers

For a quick and fun snack for little ones try this.

Wash a large apple and cut it into thin slices.

Put a large spoonful of nut butter in the center of each child's plate. Arrange the apple slices around the butter all facing the same way like flower petals. (the nut butter is a dip for the apples)

Serve to excited toddlers who think you're amazing and then sit down and relax for the 3 minutes it will take them to eat their snack before they start pulling on you again.


(Also works with cottage cheese or yogurt)

What is Avocado Pie?

That's what Kate wants to know. This is an excellent question. (Warning, not low cal or low fat.)

Avocado Pie begins with a graham cracker crust.

1 2/3 cups graham cracker crumbs

2+ tbsp melted butter

mix together and press into a 9 inch pie plate. Bake for about 10 minutes in oven and allow to cool.

For the filling you need very ripe avocados and lemon juice and sugar.

Combine in a food processor until the avocados are really smooth and creamy. Add lemon juice and sugar until it tastes like dessert. (This will take a lot of sugar and lemon juice but tastes really good when you get it right.)

Spread avocado filling into the pie shell and top with whipped cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I know it sounds weird but it actually tastes pretty good. It's the only way I can get my kids to eat avocado.