Kids Gourmet Squoosh for the Picky Gourmand

As you probably know, I love food. 
Call me a foodie, epicurean, connoisseur... I love to explore different kinds of cultural cuisine. I do restaurant reviews often and every now and then my family and I love to enjoy eating out.
But of course I always enjoy a warm home-cooked meal and experiment with different recipes often to find things that my entire family will love.
Kids are way more simple.
They just know that whatever tastes or looks good - that's what they want.
My eldest 5 year old daughter is very food-finicky right now, and now that my son is a brand new toddler, we are now introducing more food variety to him and yes, the imminent persnickety monster is peeking through.
I fell in love with Baby Gourmet's selection of products when my son was a baby because it was fast food done the healthy way for growing babies!
Now they have introduced their Kids Gourmet Line which includes Squoosh™ -- an organic snack that delivers one full serving of fruit and vegetables in every pouch.

All four Squoosh™ flavours have no added sugar or salt, are kosher, and are nut-free and gluten-free!
The flavours include:

• Squoosh™ Banango - Tasty butternut squash is blended with a fruit medley of banana, mango, and apple and sprinkled with a natural organic coconut flavour
• Squoosh™ Beetberry - Delicious banana and apple are mixed with super-nutritious beet and topped off with juicy blueberries and strawberries. 
• Squoosh™ Squabbleberry - Naturally sweet and delicious apple, blueberries, and banana are swirled together with tasty butternut squash for a healthy and nutritious snack.
• Squoosh™ Orangobango - The exotic summer-time flavour of mango is blended with the goodness of carrot and the natural sweetness of banana and apple for a delicious treat.

And let me tell you, they really are very tasty!

I myself enjoyed the Banango! Yum! I love the tasty medley in each flavour.

Both my kids enjoy it and it's a sigh of relief during hectic days for me when I'm rushing in and out of the door with both kids - I just pop a few in my diaper bag and we're good to go!

Note the concentration? Quiet kids sitting side-by-side is a rarity these days! :)

It's also good to know that Baby/Kids Gourmet Founder, Jennifer Carlson is also a mother.

I loved this part of the write-up on the website about Jennifer: 

"Jen oversees every aspect of Baby Gourmet with the passionate and watchful eye of a mother and a business person.

Founded on a mother’s love and fueled by an unwavering commitment to quality, we make great tasting healthy, organic baby food."

Thank you for creating something real, something good, and something oh-so-appetizing for my future lil' gourmands. And how FUN is it to say the word Squoosh?! 

You can find Kids Gourmet and Squoosh Products at most major grocers.

To learn more about Kids Gourmet and Squoosh Products here: www.babygourmet.com/our-food/squoosh

They're also social!

Find them on Facebook and Twitter.

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Disclosure: I received product samples for a complete review; however as always, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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Sweet & Spicy Holiday Cocktail California Walnuts

If you're looking for a quick, easy and delicious (not to mention healthy!) appetizer to serve for your guests for the upcoming Holiday gathering, why not try walnuts?

They're the perfect pairing with wine and cocktails and won't be overly filling so your guests still have room in their tummies for more delicious holiday goodies.

Let's face it, as busy moms we don't have the time on our hands to whip up Martha Stewart-esque goodies when want to, especially for me now having a 13 week old baby and a pre-schooler that keep me more than busy.

These California Walnuts in particular are amazing!

They have a sweet mellow flavour and not at all bitter (unlike some I've tried).

Walnuts from California are harvested between August and November each year and then stored in temperature-controlled environments and shipped on demand, year-round. 

The mild flavour and soft texture of walnuts make them a versatile ingredient for flavour profiles in a variety of recipes.

In addition to baking with walnuts, other usage tips include:

• Adding toasted walnuts to stir-fry or sautéed vegetables or as a garnish on desserts for added crunch, flavour and nutrients.
• Adding chopped walnuts to salads, sandwiches, wrap fillings, pasta or rice dishes.
• Mixing ground walnuts and breadcrumbs to encrust salmon fillets, chicken breasts or pork. 
• Spicing walnuts for a great snack.
• Adding finely chopped walnuts to sauces for texture and taste.
• Adding ground walnuts to pie or cheesecake crumb crusts.
• Using walnuts to complement to both mild and aged cheese.

Add a little punch of spice or a sprinkling of sweetness with these easy recipes from California Walnuts.

WARNING: If you thought walnuts weren't addictive to snack on by itself, just wait until you make these recipes. 

You won't be able to stop popping them in your mouth!

If you're Canadian, then you've definitely got a stash hanging around of our delicious liquid gold -- Maple Syrup!

Grab some sesame seeds and you've got all the ingredients required for some tasty Maple Candied Walnuts.

Maple Candied Walnuts

INGREDIENTS 

• 4 cups (1 L) California Walnut halves
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) maple syrup
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. COMBINE walnuts and maple syrup in a large bowl; mix until evenly coated. Stir in sesame seeds.
2. SPREAD on non-stick, or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 25 minutes, stirring twice, until walnuts are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet; walnuts will become dry and crunchy as they cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

MAKES: 18 servings, approx. 8 walnuts per serving. Total 4 cups (1 L).

This is my  personal favourite! Even my picky 4 year old enjoys snacking on them. 

I make them all the time now and even make small batches for family and friends wrapped nicely in packaging or mason jars with a bottle of wine.  They LOVE them!

Advance planning, prioritizing and organizing along with creating homemade gifts can help curb holiday spending and shield your finances, restoring holiday spirit this year.

I personally always prefer when I receive treats that are home made than store-bought.  Not only do I trust it to be a little more healthier, but also more thoughtful!

Another great recipe that will get your taste buds buzzing with flavour is the Sweet & Spicy California Walnuts.

This can get quite spicy so this may not be the best to serve to young children.

If you've got friends and family with adventurous palates, they will surely enjoy this.

Definitely a great match with cocktails.

Sweet & Spicy Walnuts

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) water
• 2 cup (500 mL) California Walnut halves and pieces
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) sugar
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) allspice
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 F (170 C) and line a large shallow baking pan with foil. 
2. Combine egg white and water; beat until foamy.  Add walnut halves and pieces and toss to coat.  Pour the mixture into a strainer and let drain 2-3 minutes. 
3. Combine sugar, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne and salt in a plastic bag; shake to mix.  Add the walnuts; hold the bag shut and shake vigorously to coat the nuts.  Spread the walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.  
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring twice. Cool completely, stirring occasionally and breaking nuts apart if stuck together. 

Don't worry if they stick to the foil, it is easy to peel them off.

Store in a tightly-capped jar. 

Makes 2 cups, about 8 servings.

Aside from the deliciousness, walnuts have so many great health benefits too!

Check them out:

• Walnuts are the only nut with a significant amount (2.6 g per ounce) of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. 
• Eating a handful of walnuts (one ounce) each day - that’s about 8 -10 walnut halves – may contribute to improved heart health, weight management, bone health, cognitive function,  type 2 diabetes control and enhance male fertility. 
• A handful of walnuts have almost twice the antioxidant content as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut.
• The fat in walnuts is 72.4 per cent heart-healthy polyunsaturated fat.
• Walnuts are naturally sodium, cholesterol and gluten free.

For more great holiday recipes ideas using California Walnuts, visit www.walnutinfo.com.

Happy Holiday Snacking!

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Breathe Better: 6 House Plants to Improve Air Quality

Aaaachooo!
Sneezes, stuffed up noses and congestion, watery eye, scratchy throats... sound familiar?
These are not just symptoms you get during a cold virus, these are also typical day-to-day symptoms you get in your home due to all the allergens and chemicals floating around in our living space.

In addition to the dangerous chemicals used to make carpets, couches, paint and dry wall, our homes can be filled with chemicals from everyday household items and products. Things like pressed wood, facial tissue, paper towels, plastic and rubber (to name a few) also frequently contain traces of chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

I always find that I breathe a lot better when I'm in my mom's home than my own because she has her space filled with an abundance of beautiful household plants.  She's the Green Thumb Goddess.
As for me... if you want your plant dead, I'm the one to call.  Did not inherit even a speckle of that green thumb.
Having little ones in the house, the quality of air in my home has become something that I am striving to keep at it's best. Thankfully I came across this list from NASA that offers the top air purifying plants that aren't difficult to maintain.

NASA  investigated which household plants best act as natural air purifiers and found 15 common plants that effectively improve air quality. Based on ease-of-care, attainability, appearance and effectiveness, here are the top six air purifying plants:

1. Bamboo Palm: According to NASA, it removes formaldahyde and is also said to act as a natural humidifier.

2. Snake Plant: Found by NASA to absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldahyde.

3. Areca Palm: One of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness.

4. Spider Plant: Great indoor plant for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins or impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldahyde from the air.

5. Peace Lily: Peace lilies could be called the “clean-all.” They’re often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they’re known for removing mold spores. Also known to remove formaldahyde and trichloroethylene.

6. Gerbera Daisy: Not only do these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from the air, they’re known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen over night.


Credits: www.liveinthenow.com

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Food Lists for Weight Loss + Ready, Set, Sleeveless!

It's that time of the week again -- Skinny Sunday!  

Okay, I'm not sure why I decided to call it "Skinny Sunday", because I don't want to be skinny, I want to be healthy.  Anyway, you get the picture. :)

Here is a great Food List I found to aid in Weight Loss.  Also remember that it's much better to eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day than 3 large meals as eating/chewing gets the metabolism going. 

Don't forget to guzzle that H2O too! 

One of my trouble spots on my body (I thank my genetics - mom's side of the family), are my arms.

They are the first place fat seems to travel to and no matter how much weight I lose, they still never get as thin as I want them to.  I've come to terms with the fact that I will never have guns like Madonna (although I probably wouldn't want them that muscular).

The best thing to do to keep them in shape is on top of a proper diet, a proper exercise to target and tone that specific part of my body.  

Ready, set, sleeveless!

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{Skinny Sundays} 88 Unexpected Snacks Under 100 Calories

We’ve all been there: hunger striking before the dinnertime clock, a sudden craving for something sweet, the need for a quick energy boost before working out. The solution? A small and satisfying snack that won’t tip that calorie count over the edge. The problem with snacking is when a quick nibble turns into enough calories to count as a meal, yet our list of healthy, low calorie treats to please anypalate.

This list is filled with sizeable options enjoyable enough to devour guilt-free without any diet damage. And while most of these snacks pack a nutritious punch, a few are clearly set out to satisfy that sweet tooth (see #23!). But hey, at 100 calories or less, it’s worth the splurge.

1. Mini PB&F: One fig Newton with 1 teaspoon peanut butter.
2. Chocolate Banana: Half a frozen banana [this size] dipped in two squares of melted dark chocolate.
3. Frozen grapes (any color): 1 cup (about 28 grapes), stuck in the freezer for 2+ hours.
4. Honeyed Yogurt: ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt with a dash of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey.
5. Spiced Orange: One orange— about the size of a tennis ball— sprinkled with cinnamon.
6. Grilled Pineapple: 2 ¼-inch thick pineapple rounds (about 1 cup), grilled (or sautéed) for two minutes or until golden.
7. Berries n’ Cream: 1 cup blueberries with 2 tablespoons whipped topping.
8. Stuffed Figs: Two small dried figs with 1 tablespoon reduced-fat ricotta stuffed inside. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
9. Oats n’ Berries:  ⅓ cup rolled oats (cooked with water), topped with cinnamon and ¼ cup fresh berries.
10. Dark Chocolate: One block, or three squares.
11. Nut-Stuffed Date: One Medjool Date filled with one teaspoon natural unsalted almond butter.
12. Chocolate Milk: 6 ounces skim milk mixed with 2 teaspoons chocolate syrup.
13. Cinnamon Applesauce: 1 cup unsweetened applesauce (like Motts). Or, try this homemade version!
14. Citrus-Berry Salad: 1 cup mixed berry salad (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and/or blackberries) tossed with one tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice.
15. Maple-Pumpkin Yogurt: ½ cup non-fat regular yogurt (go Greek for extra protein!) with 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon maple syrup… like this!
16. Chocolate Pudding: One 4oz package. Try a fat/sugar free version or a homemade one!
17. Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Five strawberries dipped in two squares melted dark chocolate.
18. Tropical Juice Smoothie: ¼ cup pineapple juice, orange juice, and apple juice, blended with ice.
19. Vanilla and Banana Smoothie: ½ cup sliced banana, ¼ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, and a handful of ice blended until smooth.
20. MYO Banana Chips: One sliced banana dipped in lemon juice and baked.
21. Baked Apple: One tennis ball-sized apple, cored, filled with 1 teaspoon brown sugar and cinnamon, and baked until tender.
22. Fruity Waffles: One 7-grain frozen waffle toasted and topped with ¼ cup fresh mixed berries.
23. Skinny S’more: Two graham crackers with one roasted marshmallow and one small square dark chocolate.
24. Cinnamon Graham Crackers & Peanut butter: Two graham cracker squares with 1 teaspoon peanut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
25. Cereal and Milk: ½ cup rice krispies with ½ cup skim milk.
26. Milk n’ Cookies: Five animal crackers with ½ cup skim milk.
27. Warm Spiced Cider: 6 ounces apple cider with sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg, warmed.
28. Citrus Sherbet: ½ cup lime sherbet (about one standard-sized ice-cream scoop) with ½ sliced kiwi.
29. Café Latte: 8 ounces steamed skim milk with 1 shot espresso.
30. Jelly Beans: 25 of ‘em! Although we don’t recommend these.
31. Marshmallow Pear: ½ pear diced and topped with 1 tablespoon marshmallow fluff.
32. Protein Shake: One scoop protein powder with 8 ounces water (choose from tasty powder flavors like cookies n’ cream and chocolate peanut butter!).  
33. M.Y.O. Popsicle: 8 ounces lemonade frozen in an ice pop mold, or use a small paper cup as a mold.
34. Apple Chips: Munch on ¾ cup of kinds like these, or use this recipe!
35. Carrots n’ Hummus: About 10 baby carrots with 2 tablespoons hummus.
36. Pistachios: A couple handfuls— about 25 nuts (Crackin’ them open will take more time and avoid grabbing 25 more).
37. Cheese n’ Crackers: Five Kashi 7-grain crackers with 1 stick reduced-fat string cheese.
38. Dippy Egg: One over easy egg with ½ slice whole-wheat toast, sliced (to dip in yolk!).
39. Cheesy Breaded Tomatoes: Two roasted plum tomatoes sliced and topped with 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
40. Curried Sweet Potato: One medium sweet potato (about 5 inches long) cooked for six minutes in the microwave and mashed with 1 teaspoon curry, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
41. “Cheesy” Popcorn: 2 cups air-popped popcorn with 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast— it’ll taste like real cheese!
42.  Guacamole stuffed Egg Whites: Halve a hardboiled egg, remove yolk, and stuff the empty space with 2 tablespoons guacamole (avocado, lime, cilantro and salt).
43. Grilled Spinach and Feta Polenta: 3 oz polenta (about the size of a deck of cards) cooked with 1 ½ cups water and topped with 1 teaspoon feta cheese and a handful spinach.
44. Soy Edamame: ¼ cup boiled Edamame with 1 teaspoon soy sauce.
45. Dijon Pretzels: Two pretzel rods with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
46. Crunchy Curried Tuna Salad: ½ cup canned tuna with 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon chopped red onion, and two ribs celery (chopped).
47. Greek Tomatoes: One tomato (about the size of a tennis ball) chopped and mixed with 1 tablespoon feta and a squeeze of lemon juice.
48. Shrimp Cocktail: Eight medium sized shrimp boiled and served with 2 tablespoons classic cocktail sauce.
49. Smoked Beef Jerky: About 1 ounce— look for low sodium versions!
50. Cheddar and Tomato Soup: ½ cup tomato soup with 1 tablespoon shredded low-fat cheddar cheese.
51. Kale Chips: ½ cup raw kale— stems removed— baked with 1 teaspoon olive oil at 400° until crisp.
52. Sweet Potato Fries: One light-bulb sized sweet potato sliced, tossed with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and baked at 400° for 10 minutes.
53.  Cucumber Sandwich: ½ English muffin with 2 tablespoons cottage cheese and three slices of cucumber.
54. Turkey Roll-Ups: Four slices smoked turkey rolled up and dipped in 2 teaspoons honey mustard.
55. Mixed Olives: About 8 olives.
56. Antipasto Plate: One Pepperocini, a ½ inch cube of cheddar cheese, one slice pepperoni, and one olive.
57.  Pumpkin Seeds: 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, sprayed with oil (just a spritz!) and baked at for 400° for 15 minutes or until brown. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
58. Choco-Soy Nuts: 3 tablespoons soy nuts with 1 teaspoon cocoa nibs.
59. Wasabi Peas: About  ⅓ cup of these green treats.
60. Balsamic Veggies: 3 cups raw peppers (any color!) dipped in 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction.
61. Cheesy Roasted Asparagus: Four spears (spritzed with olive-oil spray) and topped with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, baked for 10 minutes at 400°.
62. Cucumber salad: One large cucumber (sliced) with 2 tablespoons chopped red onion and 2 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar.
63. Spinach and Feta Egg-White Scramble: Three egg whites scrambled and mixed with ½ cup raw spinach and 1 tbsp feta cheese. Cook in frying pan or zap in microwave until egg whites are no longer runny (about 1-2 minutes).
64. Crunchy Kale Salad: 1 cup kale leaves chopped with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
65. Chick Pea Salad: ¼ chickpeas with 1 tablespoon sliced scallions, a squeeze of lemon juice, and ¼ cup diced tomatoes.
66. Grilled Garlic Corn on the Cob: One small-sized ear brushed with 1 teaspoon sautéed minced garlic and 1 teaspoon olive oil, grilled until tender.
67. Pretzels & Cream Cheese: 15 mini pretzel sticks with 2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese.
68.  Bacon Brussels Salad: Seven brussel spouts thinly sliced and mixed with one piece lean bacon, chopped.
69. Rosemary Potatoes:  ⅓ cup thinly sliced potato tossed with 1 teaspoons olive oil and a teaspoon of chopped rosemary.
70. Spicy Black Beans: ¼ cup black beans with 1 tablespoon salsa and 1 tablespoon non-fat Greek yogurt.
71. Caprese Salad: 1 ounce (hockey puck sized) of fresh mozzarella with ½ cup cherry tomatoes and 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar.
72. Goldfish: About 40 fishies…try the cheddar kind!
73. Chips n’ Salsa: 10 baked tortilla chips with ¼ cup salsa.
74. Mini Ham Sandwich: Two slices honey-baked ham with 2 teaspoons honey mustard rolled in a lettuce leaf.
75. Lox Bagel: ½ whole-wheat mini bagel with two thin slices of lox.
76. Chocolate Trail Mix: Eight almonds, four chocolate chips, and 1 tablespoon raisins.
77. Apples and Cheese: 1 non-fat mozzarella cheese stick with half of a baseball-sized apple (any variety), sliced.
78. PB & Celery: 1 medium celery stalk with 1 tablespoon peanut butter.
79. Cottage Cheese Melon Boat: 1 cup melon balls with ½ cup non-fat cottage cheese.
80. Carrot and Raisin Salad: 1 cup shaved carrots with 2 tablespoons raisins and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
81. Tropical Cottage Cheese: ½ cup non-fat cottage cheese with ½ cup fresh mango and pineapple, chopped.
82. Blue-Cheese Stuffed Apricots: Three dried apricots with 1 tablespoon crumbled blue cheese.
83. Rice Cake and Almond Butter: One rice cake (try brown rice!) with 2 teaspoons almond butter.
84. Sweet n’ Spicy Pecans: Five pecans roasted with 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
85. Apples n’ Peanut Butter: ½ an apple, sliced and dipped in 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter.
86. Chocolate Hazelnut Crackers: Four wheat thins dipped in 1 teaspoon Nutella (or other hazelnut spread).
87. Strawberry Salad: 1 cup raw spinach with ½ cup sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon balsamic.
88. Cacao-Roasted Almonds: Pop in eight almonds like these!

Credits: www.greatist.com

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