Healthy Eating
My Weight Loss Challenge…Do You Want To Join?
Posted on September 30, 2011 by Jacquie Danforth
Sure, you’ve got better-for-you baked goods, and they taste great, but do you have a better-you to go with it??
I was surprised, a week or so ago at a product planning meeting, one of my friends and strongest Nutrition First supporters leaned over and whispered to me… “So, do YOU have it in you to live what you preach in all these meetings?” For a minute I wasn’t sure what they were talking about.
My immediate thought was, huh?? Of course… I live it every day…
And then it hit me… what they meant was, “Hey, you’re not living up to your founding principles any longer and you’ve gained weight these past couple years. You’re running the show here… so what are you going to do about your lapse in lifestyle as a role model to keep us engaged and inspired”.
Sadly – they were right. My story is very likely the same as many of yours. After having my second child, with work, travel and family commitments, I let a few things in my normal weekly calendar slip right OFF the schedule. Like my morning workouts! First it was one missed workout, then another, and then… weeks at a time. Next it was my weekly meal plans! Sure I still planned healthful meals for the kids and of course, family dinners, but what was I doing about my meals during the day? Or at breakfast? Was I sticking to the guiding principles that had helped me get in shape, and ultimately had led me to my chosen career path? The answer was… NO. I had lost my “healthy lifestyle”. And with it, I had lost my healthy weight, high energy levels and my soap box.
That night I realized, I had to make a change, and quick! I needed to renew my commitment to a healthy lifestyle, not only for the well-being of Nutrition First, and everything it was founded for, but more importantly for my own well-being. Because, taking responsibility for my own health, committing to an active lifestyle and making smart meal choices, is the first major step to improved overall health and disease prevention. With two small children, a great career and so much ahead, what could be more important than that?
Sure, it’s a bit awkward to share that as the CEO of a company built on better nutrition and healthy lifestyle, I need to get back in shape. But then I thought… why not see who’ll join me? I can share my progress and my pitfalls. Together we can demonstrate that anyone, anyone can make a change, one healthier choice at a time. Better Choices, Better Living… Real Results.
So here I sit… at the outset of my journey, a journey I hope many of you will take with me and one that will last a lifetime. I am starting my mission to regain my active, healthy lifestyle and with it, my comfortable, healthy weight. Lower cholesterol, improved strength and more energy to spend on my kids, my day at work and my free time. Best of all, I can get back to setting the example I want to set for my most important critics… my children, and having the peace of mind knowing they will learn to adopt healthy habits in their lives now, and as adults.
So what do you say? I’ll share my plans, my progress, my successes and the challenges faced with you…
Do YOU have it in you?
Who’s Interested In A Weight Loss Challenge?
Break out the Better for you Banana Bread!
Posted on September 19, 2011 by Jacquie DanforthThis morning there was a chill in the air, and a few of our leaves are turning color already… so I asked myself, is it too early for Fall baking?
Nothing starts my weekend off better than a bit of Saturday morning baking with my kids. In particular my daughter is always eager to get out the bowls, spoons and ingredients and lend a hand. This lovely Saturday morning, though bright and sunny, had a decided chill, and with a couple overripe bananas on the hook, I thought, let’s make banana bread!
I decided on a high fiber banana bread twist that combines the comfort of the warm sweet bread with the last bit of summer citrus. We use lemon zest to give our bread a tangy kick.
Here’s the recipe. I use a smaller loaf pan and bananas that have turned nice and dark for full banana flavor.
¾ cups Nutrition First all-purpose bake mix
¾ cups of all-purpose flour
⅔ cups Splenda® for baking (or you could use sugar)
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup mashed banana (about 3 medium)
¼ cup canola oil
1 tbsp lemon zest
(½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional!)
Bring on the Summer – Bring on the fun! And Win a FREE Bread Machine!
Posted on July 12, 2011 by Jacquie DanforthIt’s finally summer time in my neck of the woods with the sun coming early and staying late! There is oh-so-much to do now that days are footloose and fancy free. Despite the summer off from school, and because the sun does arrive SOOOOO early, my kids like to get up and get the day started as soon as possible so they don’t miss out on any of their favorite summer activities. With all of us getting up a bit earlier than normal, I’ve a bit more time on my hands to whip up some fun breakfast options, including a particular favorite of late that we call “An Apple a Day”.
Apple French Toast
It’s just my same old recipe using Nutrition First All-purpose Bake Mix and whole grain flour to make bread in my Breadman bread machine. But this time, I like to cut the prepared French toast slices into “apples” and decorate the plate with fresh leaves and fruit to keep the kids interested in eating right.
Sure, we don’t do it every day, but I can tell you, nothing starts our summer mornings off better (AND keeps us going ‘til snack time!) like a few slices of “An Apple A Day” French toast. Sometimes I even toss a few raisins into my favorite bread recipe for an extra dose of delicious.
Give it a go in your home and see how great a balanced breakfast and an early summer morning can be.
Enter to win a FREE bread machine from Nutrition First!
How to Enter:
- Comment on this post and tell me your favorite summer activities or favorite healthy breakfasts. (2 entry)
- Post a comment on our Facebook wall about your favorite Bread Machine recipe (2 entry)
- Tweet and mention @Nutrition_First on Twitter (2 entry)
- Become a new follower of Nutrition First this week on Twitter. (1 entry)
- Like “Nutrition First” on Facebook. (1 entry)
- Comment on this weeks Contest Post on Facebook. (1 entry)
- Like this week’s Contest Post on Facebook. (1 entry)
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and to our Moms Club (recommended so that you don’t miss exclusive deals and contests just for mom club members)
Ingredients with a Health Twist
Posted on July 11, 2011 by Hope WarshawYou’re constantly on the hunt up and down supermarket aisles for healthy and quick-to-fix foods for your family. You’re likely spotting a growing group of products which take advantage of ingredients with a health twist to raise the roof on fiber and lighten the sugar load. Perhaps Nutrition First’s bake mixes have found their way into your shopping basket, from Pancake & Waffle Mix and Blueberry Muffins to make your breakfast favorites a wee bit healthier to Chocolate Chip Cookies and Brownies for a sensible afternoon or evening sweet treat.
But, as you peruse the ingredient list on Nutrition First bake mixes you may wonder what a few of the foreign sounding ingredients are, what are their health benefits and whether you should wave any yellow caution flags.
 |
 |
 |
Get to Know the Nutrition First Ingredients:
Let’s look at a few of the ingredients about which you may be unfamiliar – inulin, resistant corn starch, maltitol – where they come from and their functions in foods and the body.
My Summer Grillin’ favorites: Martha Stewart Recipe
Posted on July 8, 2011 by Jacquie DanforthMy Summer Grillin’ favorites!
This recipe is one I found on the Martha Stewart website and I LOVE it. My simple twist – I serve it up on a thick slice of Multigrain bread made with Nutrition First all-purpose bake mix to up the fiber content. If your kids are picky eaters, instead of zucchini salad, try a quick and easy veggie kabob hot off the grill. My kabobs include cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, squash and peppers, lightly oiled with tarragon infused olive oil. A festive and delicious accompaniment to any grilled meal.
Tex-Mex Turkey Burgers with Zucchini Salad (from www.Marthastewart.com)
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower, plus more for grates
3 medium zucchini or yellow squash, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (93 percent lean)
2 teaspoons chili powder
4 ounces pepper Jack cheese, thinly sliced
4 thick slices country bread, halved OR Nutrition First Multigrain bread
1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced
Store-bought salsa, for topping (optional)
Directions:
- Heat grill to medium-high; lightly oil grates. In a medium bowl, combine zucchini, onion, lime juice, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Let zucchini salad marinate at room temperature, 15 minutes (or refrigerate, up to 1 day).
- Form turkey into 4 patties (4 inches each). Using thumb, make an indentation in center to prevent burgers from rounding on top. Sprinkle with chili powder; season with salt and pepper. Cover and grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted in center of a burger reads 155 degrees (about 4 to 5 minutes per side).
- Top burgers with cheese. Cover and continue to grill until cheese has melted and internal temperature reaches 165 – 2 to 4 minutes more. Meanwhile, grill bread until lightly charred. Place each burger on a piece of bread; top with avocado slices, salsa, if using, and remaining bread. Serve burgers with zucchini salad.
Kids Healthy Eating 101
Posted on June 27, 2011 by Jacquie DanforthSchool may be out, but that doesn’t mean learning comes to a grinding halt. With a little more time on our hands now that mornings are not such a rush, we’ve freed up a little time to teach kids about healthy eating 101. Here are a few tips to try out at home:
Keep the kids on a regular eating schedule, including between-meal snacks. We use the “Eat Five” rule around our house. That’s breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack and dinner. Sticking to regular eating schedule makes sure the body never runs out of fuel, keeps energy levels high and also puts a stop to mindless munching that can lead to weight gain. Keep the “approved” snacks in an easy-to-access spot in your fridge or pantry and make sure everyone knows what is and is not a good option between meals. Fruits and veggies rank high on our list!- Make meals together. I don’t mean every meal of the day but if you can prepare your breakfast or dinner together, the kids can learn what makes up a healthy and balanced meal. Use it as an opportunity to teach them about portion control and why you need some fiber, carbs, fat and protein on every plate. Show them which foods are good options and which need to be eaten sparingly.
- Read more…
Healthy Snacks Made Easy
Posted on June 25, 2011 by Jacquie DanforthIt’s important to have healthy snacks on-hand during the summer. If you prepare some in advance and store them, kids can make the right choice when they’re hungry in between all those summer activities.
I designate a shelf in my fridge and a basket in my pantry so that my kids can grab an approved snack any time of day.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Veggies and dip: Carrots, celery, broccoli and peppers are great for dipping in low-fat ranch dressing.
- Smoothies: Use plain yogurt, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and ice in a blender. If you need to watch the fat intake for your child or teen use non-fat yogurt.
Fruit kabobs: Dice up your favorite fruits and line them up on a wooden skewer. It’s a fun activity for you and the kids.- Baby carrots and a side of hummus.
- Slice a banana in half and smear natural peanut butter on top (try to use brands that have only peanuts on the ingredient listing).
- Baked tortilla chips with white bean dip or fresh salsa.
- Keep a bowl of fresh fruits clean and ready to eat on the kitchen table or front and center in the refrigerator so that the kids can reach it. Do the same for veggies – chop and keep carrot sticks and celery in water, or store cherry tomatoes and cucumbers for a quick and easy snack.
- Frozen blueberries or strawberries on top of non-fat or regular plain yogurt make a refreshing afternoon snack.
- Make your own frozen snacks using unsweetened fruit juice, water and fruit chunks. Pour into ice cube trays, add wooden sticks and freeze
- Good old fashioned cheese and crackers.
- Graham crackers with peanut butter.
Super Summer Snackin’ Cookie
Posted on June 22, 2011 by Jacquie DanforthWith the good weather and longer days, summer means lots of outdoor get-togethers and impromptu parties – and usually lots of snacking. Here’s a surefire snack recipe you can keep on-hand as a healthy alternative.
The Super Summer Snackin’ Cookie:
1 ½ cups Nutrition First Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix™
½ cup oats
1/8 cup dried cherries, cranberries, apricot pieces or blueberries
1/8 cup flaked coconut
2 tblsp no sugar added apple sauce
2 tblsp mashed ripe banana
2 egg whites
2 tbls canola oil
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine Nutrition First Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix™, oats, dried fruit, flaked coconut, apple sauce, mashed banana, egg whites and canola oil. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Drop tablespoons of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or silicone mat.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool and enjoy.
Nutritional Values are approximate and will vary depending on ingredients used
Each 1 oz (28g) serving contains: 80 calories, 3g fat, 10mg Cholesterol, 85mg Sodium, 12g carbohydrates, 4g dietary fiber, 6g sugars and 3g protein.
Experiment with chopped dried apricots or peaches for a fruit component with a real taste of summer sunshine. Sometimes I also add nuts to boost the protein. Even if you’re on the go this summer, feed your body often with small but satisfying snacks, and be sure to include fiber to help keep hunger at bay. The body functions best if you stick to small snacks at regular intervals so you never run out of fuel and keep your blood sugar stable.
