Value Meal Scams

If you think that when you go out to eat with your kids and buying something off of the Value Meal is a good idea, guess again. Often times we think that because something is cheaper and smaller, that it isn't as bad for you as the regular size.

Well, there is some restaurants that are doing better with reducing fat content and what they are frying their food in, such as McDonalds and Wendy's. However, even these "health conscious" restaurants have food that still isn't the best for you.

One of the best books that I have read lately is the "Eat This, Not That!" book. I'm not sure if you have heard of it or seen it.



This book is really neat and a great reference for people, and kids, to see exactly what the healthier alternative is in the fast food industry. I like this book for the fact that I sometimes think I am eating healthy when I am really not.

If you are a person that is on the go for work all the time and find yourself eating meals out a lot, then you should at least check this book out. You might, WILL, be surprised at what you find out about your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant.

Since I have begun to exercise more and watch more of what I am stuffing my face with, I have begun to really feel better and notice a difference when I eat well versus when I eat "junk". You will notice a difference as well when you do also.

Frozen Healthy Snacks for Kids

With summer upon us in full effect, or so it seems, here are a few cool frozen healthy snacks for kids to keep them cool this summer.

Frozen Banana Pops

• 4 ripe bananas


• 1/2 cup heavy cream


• 1 tablespoon organic sugar


• 1 12-ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips


• 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped


• 8 popsicle sticks

Peel the bananas and make sure there are no "strings" left on them. Now, cut them lengthwise in order to make 2 banana pops from one full banana. Insert the popsicle sticks in the thick end of the banana and place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze the banana pop for 2 hours.

In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream and sugar to a low simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.

Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Add the heavy cream and stir until smooth. Remove from the heat. Place the chopped walnuts in a shallow dish or pie pan.

One at a time, dip the frozen bananas in the chocolate. You may have to spoon some of the chocolate over the banana and smooth it out. Sprinkle the nuts all over the banana, transfer to the lined baking sheet and freeze until ready to eat.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

This is one really simple and great smoothie recipe for the kids for summer. It is really easy and you can even make different types of it by adding different fruits, using regular milk or anything else you can think of.

• 1 cup very cold chocolate milk


• 1 ripe banana


• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter


• 2 ice cubes, crushed

Add all ingredients into a blender until smooth and serve immediately.

Healthy Apple Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

One of the classic cookie treats that most children enjoy is oatmeal cookies. Sure, they aren't chocolate chip cookies, but these Apple Oatmeal Cookies are pretty close!

Here is a quick and simple recipe for apple oatmeal cookies that are a quick and healthy snack for your children.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup margarine, softened


• 1/2 cup honey


• 1 egg


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


• 3/4 cup stone ground whole wheat flour


• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda


• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats


• 1 apple, cored and chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.


2. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine, honey, egg and vanilla until smooth. Combine the whole wheat flour, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture.


3. Mix in oats and apple. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
   


4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

For a more tart taste, you can use granny smith apples. You can also replace the oil with applesauce for a more moist cookie.

Asia'h Epperson is Great

Asia'h Epperson is simply a stunning woman and an amazing talent that was voted off American Idol too soon this year. Her beautiful looks and brilliant voice, Asia'h Epperson will be around a lot in the future.

If you don't know who Asia'h Epperson is, she was a contestant on American Idol this year. Her heart wrenching story will touch your heart and make you want to cry. But Asia'h Epperson's story will also make you want to stand up and applaud her as well.

Betty Crocker Cookbook

One of the best memories I have of my Grandmother growing up was her great cooking. I often remember going to their house and there was always something on the stove, or at least lots of leftovers!

One of her favorite past-times was to collect and share cookbooks and recipes from cookbooks. I found a great site on Squidoo about the Betty Crocker Cookbooks which she used to love cooking from.

Now, we all know that the southern style cooking from some Betty Crocker cookbooks isn't the most healthy, but with all of the healthy alternative foods and ingredients that are out there, we can make them a little more healthy.

I hope you like the Betty Crocker Cookbook page as much I did.

Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe

Here is a great and simple hot chocolate recipe for your kids on the cold winter days. When your kids are cold and want hot chocolate, don't buy the prepackaged stuff as they are usually full of sugar and other additives.


Here’s a great hot chocolate recipe to make and keep in your pantry for a moments notice, plus it's easy to make!


1 cup nonfat dry milk
3/4 cup light brown sugar
½ cup cocoa

FLAVORED VARIATIONS:
Add 2 teaspoons of one of these ingredients to the above mix:
Ground cinnamon
or
Ground cloves
or
Ground allspice

Combine ingredients and mix well. Store in airtight
container...no need to refrigerate.

To make the hot cocoa, whisk in 2 tablespoons of mixture into 1 cup mug of
COLD milk (for easier solubility). Microwave mug of milk/chocolate mixture
for 1 minute. Add mini marshmallows if you’d like.