Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts

Thursday, September 16, 2010

An Apple A Day.....

September 16, 2010

As we mentioned before we generally try to feed our kids healthy food with good nutritional value. The challenge comes in that we love to eat Apple Pie, Apple Fritters, Apple Strudel Muffins, Apple Jacks and sometimes do so in front of our kids (not really, on..maybe occasionally). Nonetheless, we really don't like our kids to have such foods, we would rather them enjoy Healthy food. But sometimes that just does not happen....

("Buzz" getting a Sugar Rush from his Kolby Kakes Apple Pop)

So then we were at Costco, buying the whole store as always, when we came across the perfect Snack. One that we would like (did we mention that we love those Taco Bell cinnamon twist things too) and our kids would love. Have you seen these??


Oh my Goodness...They are Fantastic!!!! These Cinnamon Apple Straws are made by Sensible Portions. You may be familiar with the company, they are the makers of Veggie Straws (which are a staple in our houses). Anyways....this All Natural Snack has No Trans Fat, No Preservatives, is Cholesterol Free, Kosher Ou and above all Tastes Great!!!!

If that is not enough to make you Smile they are under $4 at Costco (in CA). We hope they make you do the mommy dance knowing that you are giving your kids a healthy snack that they will love.



Some Fun Facts about Apples....


Eating Apples regularly may help prevent Breast Cancer. Researchers find that it is the flavonoids which are the antioxidant property that is to be credited.

Get Glowing Skin by massaging your face for 3 minutes with an ice cube of frozen apple cider. The alpha hydroxy acids improve your skins texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Eating low-calorie, high-fiber fruit like apples 3 times a day were able to Drop a Dress Size


So maybe an Apple a Day does keep the Dr. AWAY!!!!

All facts found online. Referenced from Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Ole Henriksen. Nutrition Journal. Parents Magazine September 2010.


Smiles,

Amy & Bri

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Baked Apple Chip Recipe and Our 1st Giveaway!!!!

In each of our play dates we will have a yummy recipe to share with our followers. While for our “Apple of our Eye” play date we would have liked it to be Apple Fritters, Apple Pie, Apple Cookies or even Apple Pie Ice Cream (Have you tasted Dryers Apple Pie Ice Cream???? To die for) we again chose the healthy route thinking of our kids, and our thighs. So here is the Recipe for the

Baked Apple Chips….

You will need

Recipe calls for 2 apples….we recommend you double it and do 4 apples
Water
Sugar
Lemon

Apple Chips are a healthy snack that our kids love. These are so easy to make and a great alternative to running to the store and buying a bag of potato chips.
Not only do we try to be Savvy about cost and nutrition, we also think being “Savvy and Going Green go hand in hand”. So we started using
snack bags…..do you use them???? If so great, you will love our giveaway. If not, we hope you enjoy these adorable snack bags from Sweet Things. There are so many benefits to snack bags, they are pennies compared to plastic bags. They are reusable, washable, they are stylish (since they can be made in several fun prints and colors) and earth friendly!!!

To enter our giveaway and receive 2 apple themed snack bags you need to do the following.

  • Become a Fan on our Facebook Page. Comment on your “Savvy” Green Skills
  • Become a Follower on our Blog. Comment on your favorite “Savvy” find from the Apple of my Eye Play Date.

Be sure to enter by Sunday. Who knows you may be the only one who enters!!!!

Smiles,

Amy & Bri



Wednesday, September 1, 2010

"Apple of my Eye" Back to School Play Date

Webster defines a play date as~an arranged appointment for children to get together for a few hours to play. While this is true, we wanted more…. Since every play date is a party!!!!

The Savvy Moms play date is one that is creative, interactive, educational, fun, healthy and delicious, all at the same time. With Back to School (or rather our kids 1st day of school) on our minds Apples were the perfect theme. We narrowed down the craft, the recipe, and a great story and were ready to add the Sass. With dessert tables all the rage these days (at least in our own little blogging world) we thought it would be perfect to have a table centered around our play date. A table that would mimic the Desserts of Amy Atlas, and the classy stylings of Martha Stewart; but all with our own Savvy Selections. These Savvy selections included a perfect canvas from Lucky Girl, Edible Creations from Kolby Kakes and adorable attire from Sweet Things. And of course capturing the details of our day; Ella B Photography.

Class....please be seated for your lesson on our First Savvy Moms Play Date!!!!


Class is in session!!!! Let’s begin with art…a subject every child (and adult) loves. Especially when allowed to paint on one’s body without getting in trouble.


Apple Hand Prints are an easy and fun way to capture the memory of your little ones hand print while allowing them to get a little messy.

To complete the craft you will need the following:

Apple Template printed on cardstock . We cut off the stem.
Red tissue paper cut into squares (or your child can tear the tissue in strips if they aren't yet using scissors)
Glue Sticks
Paint Brush
Green Washable Tempra Paint, so you don’t need to bust out the Shout
Black Construction paper
Chalk (Optional) for child to write their name

Step 1. Glue the cutout Apple Template to the Black Construction paper
Step 2. Encourage your child to glue the red squares onto their apple
Step 3. Paint the hand green (which leads to the desire to paint other things…so watch out)
Step 4. Press firmly onto the top of the Apple creating the stem

We will admit that we are the moms that like to feed our kids healthy foods. Unless we are bribing them to behave, entertain, or “smile for the camera” at which point M&M’s, suckers, candy cookie and any other treat are acceptable. But in the spirit of nutrition and even more important aesthetic appeal we found this great Apple boat recipe….. Adorable right! And the best part is that they are a healthy and interactive snack for your child to enjoy

You will need:


2 apples
Provolone Cheese
Lemon
Toothpicks
A paring knife or Peeler
Basting Brush
1 lemon

Step 1. Slice your apples. Then notch out the center of each slice using a paring knife or peeler.
Step 2. Puncture a medium size lemon with a hole and place in the microwave for 45 seconds to juice it. Then baste the juice onto the apple slices. This will keep the apples from turning brown.
Step 3. Slice your cheese into triangular pieces.
Step 4. Allow your child to assemble the boat, sticking the toothpick through the cheese and into the apple. Be prepared you might have some samplers of the cheese or apple before the project is complete.

Now enjoy your delicious and nutritious apple boat (that does in fact float)

This activity/recipe was a great way to let our kids be hands on, to take an EveryDay edible object and create a fun and flavorful treat.


While the kids enjoyed their apple boats we thought it best to read a Book. And what better selection than The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. A classic story on the importance and reward of giving. Both of which are qualities we are instilling in our children.

While we hoped that the days activities would be remembered....and that our monkeys would take away the educational and moral aspects of the play date, we were not at all surprised to find that in the end, the most memorable part of the day was the delicious Apple Pops created by Kolby Kakes. These ultimate cake pops were really the Apple of our Kids Eyes.

Class is dismissed!!!


Smiles,

Amy & Bri