Friday Blog: SQ1 Superfriend of the Month!

Each Month, we’re putting a Spotlight on a Superfriend.

Sunset Foods is a neighborhood supermarket dedicated to providing the finest customer service. They are small enough to get to know you and large enough to stock an outstanding selection of food, liquor, floral and other items at competitive prices. Thyme in the Kitchen is the in-house cooking school program offered at Sunset Foods to educate and entertain you on a variety of culinary topics.  Their friendly, competent staff work hard to make shopping and cooking at Sunset Foods a pleasurable experience!

Download the February calandar here and post it to your fridge.  Thyme in the Kitchen has some great events coming up that you don’t want to miss!

We were thrilled to sit down with Director and Instructor of Thyme in the Kitchen, Mary Kay Gill for an exclusive SQ1 interview.  Check it out below!

Mary Kay, tell us a little bit about how and why did you came to your current position at Thyme in the Kitchen at Sunset Foods?
I was a Sunset Foods customer for many years because of their strong emphasis on outstanding service and quality. I went to Kendall College to receive culinary training for my “encore” career as an instructor for home chefs and enthusiasts. It was a perfect place to share my passion, deliver the Sunset customer attention I received through the years and showcase the broad array of products available in the store.

How has working with Thyme in the Kitchen and Sunset Foods impacted your life and what about your job brings you the most joy?
I love the collaborative learning environment that we create in the cooking studio. We help customers feel more at ease with the cooking process and trying new foods and flavors. I am inspired to learn more through their questions and experiences.

What’s the one thing that you now know that you wish you knew when you were growing up?
“A’s” are highly overrated in the grand scheme of life. “Good enough” really just fine and more enjoyable.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Treat others as you would like to be treated.

What is your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest recent accomplishment is the initiative and courage it took to reinvent my career in my forties. I applied skills learned in culinary school and developed in my previous work experience to build the Thyme in the Kitchen cooking program at Sunset Foods. In the process, I am growing as a person and being a strong role model for my kids.

If you could say something to the next generation what would it be?
Life is a journey with unexpected bends and curves. Be open to the growth that comes through challenges and try to enjoy each day.

Wednesday Blog: Check out the SQ1 Buzz!

Thanks Inspired by Savannah for this fantastic review & giveaway! We are so excited to present a SQ1 fan with our Organic Goodies! Make sure you are following us on twitter and you like us on facebook to win!!

 

Square One Organics Mission Statement:

Every food in the Square One® line is a Super Food. We choose organic foods because we believe that what you don’t give a child is just as important as what you do. Organic foods are free of pesticides and harmful chemicals. The only ingredients you will find in our Square One® Purees are organic fruits, vegetables, grains and water. Our cups are #5 recyclable polypropylene one of the top three healthiest types of plastic for food containers. Number 5 polypropylene does not contain Bisphenol-A and has not been shown to leach carcinogens or endocrine disruptors.

My Thoughts:

I was recently sent a sampling of the Square One Organics baby food to try with my daughter, Savannah.  Square One Organics are available for 6 months and up, 8 months and up, and 10 months and up, so depending upon your child’s age and stage of eating (firsts, more complex and finger foods).  Even though Savannah is eating more finger foods and “people foods,” I find that if I give her organic baby foods as part of her lunch and dinner, it helps with her digestion and keeping her regular.  So, when I received my box of goodies to try with her, I couldn’t wait to see what she thought.

First, I was surprised at the little serving containers the organic baby food came in, and how you had to keep them frozen.  Then, I read the packaging and saw that these foods only contain organic fruits, vegetables, grains and water.  I didn’t have to worry about nasty preservatives or additives that are found in most of the other jar and pouch baby foods on the market.  Also, there were no harmful chemicals or pesticides used with the growing of the fruits and vegetables used in Square One Organics products, so really but my mind at ease.

Over the course of a week, I had Savannah sample each of the Square One Purees.  Based on her reaction and request for more, I have to say she enjoyed the mango, spinach, butternut squash, and peas. She was not a fan of the papaya or broccoli purees, as she quickly spit them out of her mouth with the few spoonful’s I gave her.  In addition

to these flavors, Square One purees also come in Quinoa and pumpkin flavors. I ended up mixing the quinoa and mango together for a thicker consistency, which Savannah loved.

Overall, Savannah enjoyed this new brand of organic baby food purees, and now I have some great recipes, which incorporate these foods, to serve Savannah.  Just tonight, I made her the Vegan Mango Coconut Panna Cotta Pudding for dessert, and she devoured it in minutes! And, the other day, I added a container of peas to her mac and cheese to make Square One Organics recipe, Green Mac and Cheese.  Savannah loved it!

Click here to check out some other recipes you can use Square One purees with.

So, if you are looking to start your little one on stage 1 and up baby foods/purees, why not consider giving Square One Organics a try.  I have tried various other organic brands, and have to say that these not only looked and smelled good, but were also more pleasing to my daughter’s palette than others she has tried.  Every time I warmed up a container, she asked for me. And, she is a picky eater, so I know from her reaction, that this brand is a winner!

—BUY NOW—

Click here to buy Square One Organics at Amazon. You can buy 24 individual 2 oz. servings for only $23.88, in a variety of flavors.

—-GIVEAWAY—

 

The kinds folks at Square One Organics graciously offered to provide one lucky reader a Square One Organics Prize Pack, which consists of:

• A 12 pack of Square One Organics Superfood Purees
• A Two week supply of SQ1 Daily Journals
• A Square One Organics Children’s CD featuring 2010 American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze
• Shipping and Handling

 

This giveaway is a $50.00 value.

To enter this great giveaway, please complete the MANDATORY ENTRY first, and then as many EXTRA ENTRIES as you like.  Make sure to include your email address with each comment, so that I can contact you if you win. 

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Head on over to Facebook and “Like” the Square One Organics Fan Page.  Then, leave a comment on their about either their products, or a comment about my blog.  After you have done this, head back to my blog and leave a comment below, making sure to include your Facebook username, so that I can verify your entry.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

(Please leave separate entries for each, along with your email address)

1) Subscribe to my blog via email (1 entry)

2) Follow me on Facebook (1 entry)

3) Enter any of my other giveaways, leaving a comment with the name of the giveaway (1entry per giveaway entered)

4) Blog about this giveaway. It must include a link to this specific post, as well as a link to my blog, http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/. (In your comment, please leave a link directly to your post – 3 Entries)

5) Follow me on Twitter (1entry)

6) Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per tweet, per day; please include link to tweet in comment below)
Enter to #win a Square One Organics Prize Pack @SqOneOrganics @rmccoy1234 http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/ #giveaway (Ends 1/29)

7) Vote for me on picket fence blogs (See button on right side of blog — One entry per vote, per day; Note:  You can only your one vote per day on ONE giveaway; duplicate comments on other giveaways on the same day with be void)

8) Add to a Giveaway Linky site  (5 entries)

9)  Follow Square One Organics on Twitter (1 entry)

10) Subscribe to the Square One Organics E-newsletter (1 entry)

Open to US residents only. Please note that Square One Organics is currently not shipping to Alaska, CA, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, so if you live in these states, please don’t enter giveaway.

 

Giveaway ends on January 29, 2012 at 11:59PM EST. I will then use Random.org to choose a winner. Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond to my email to claim prize. If I don’t hear back from selected winner, I will draw another winner.

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from Square One Organics in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

Friday Blog: Kid-Friendly – Gluten-Free on the Road

This month’s “What’s Up Doc?” article comes from Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP.  Amie is a Manhattan based Private Chef, Culinary Marketing Consultant, Whole Living Expert, Professional Recipe Developer and Food Writer specializing in simple Gluten-Free ‘Clean’ recipes for the home cook.  Amie is also the Publisher and Marketing Director of the online gluten-free magazine, Easy Eats.  Chek out Amie’s blog: The Healthy Apple!

Some say it may be tough.   But I find traveling ‘gluten-free’ pretty fun and easy.  It’s not so hard when you’ve been prepping snacks for flights, road trips or a day of on-the-go business meetings for many years.  I’ve been packing food bags for my travel adventures for over ten years now.  Who knew my methods also work well for traveling with kids.

Lots of fresh veggies, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, Greek yogurt, hummus, organic salt-free turkey slices and salsa.  Create kale and nori wraps with these ingredients, roll them up and take a bite.  You can also cook up a large batch of gluten-free grains such as brown or wild rice or quinoa.  Toss them into containers and drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs for an easy and quick eat.

Not in the mood for grains? How about some beans? There are more beans out there in the food stores than you’ll know what to do with.  Cook them up; toss them into a separate container, mix with salsa and guacamole and serve wrapped in your kale leaves or nori wraps –   Simple, easy and healthy. You can also slice or chop up some sweet potatoes, place them onto a baking sheet with cinnamon, then bake to create your very own potato chips or fries.  Serve with a side container of hummus or Square One Organics mango puree and you’ve got a great snack to hold you over during a lay-over.

How about packing a few toasted gluten-free tortillas with an individual packet of nut butter?  When you’re tummy starts rumbling, simply spread the nut butter onto the corn tortilla, sprinkle with chia seeds and wrap for a protein-packed nosh anytime of the day.

My Ziploc bags of veggies shown consist of leeks, fennel, sweet bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, zucchini, jicama and lots of fresh, flavorful herbs.  I bring a separate plate, fork and knife with me when I travel so I toss these veggies onto my plate, top with some avocado, chia seeds, salsa and Greek yogurt and have a nice little feast with myself and my kids.

My other traveling staples are fresh lemons (for hot tea and salads), Traditional Medicinals roasted dandelion root tea, Amazing Grass Wheat Grass packets, green tea, Navita’s Naturals Maca powder and Stevia.

Before I head out on a trip, whether it be for pleasure or business I always hop on the internet and search for the nearest Whole Foods Market, get directions and make a plan to stop there before hitting the hotel.  Then, I call my hotel to request a microwave and fridge in my room; gotta love eggs and veggies in the micro and I keep my perishable goods chilled in the fridge to make sure they last throughout the trip.  Sometimes there’s a small fee associated with these amenities, but they’re usually on the house.

My best advice to you or someone you know who suffers from food allergies or intolerances is to jot down a list of the foods that you enjoy eating and make you feel good. This is likely to be veggies and fruits, possibly nuts and seeds, nut butters and lean proteins such eggs, poultry and tofu.

Sometimes it can be tough to find a gluten-free protein source when you’re stuck at the airport, on a train or in a car…plus, unless you have a cooler, those eggs, Greek yogurt and turkey sure aren’t going to last long.  What do I do in this case?

I simply bring a large bag of chia seeds with me and sprinkle them atop my snacks n’ meals.  It’s a whole lot easier than carting around hard-boiled eggs, yogurt and poultry in a cooler. That’s for sure.

I’ve been laughed at, looked at funny and smiled at a whole lot while we snack and travel, especially when the person sitting next to me catches us eating our ripe avocado with a spoon. Hey, it’s good and ya know what? My tasty avocado is a heck of a lot better than what they’re eating…the processed cookies and burger served in the snack car sure takes a lot more guts to eat than a pure avocado.

Wouldn’t ya say?

I’ll stick with the avocado.

Here are some more of my favorite gluten-free snacks and gluten-free munchies.

Thursday Blog: Supergreen Smoothie Machine

One of our favorite websites, Babble.com just released their 25 Healthy Foods to Add to Your Diet in 2012.  With the New Year just days away, we’re all thinking of how we can live healthier, and this list came just in time!

Babble suggests that instead of forcing yourself into a state of deprivation, try a different approach for 2012. Try adding in a handful of healthy foods that are nutrient dense. Foods that feed your body what it craves. Vitamins, enzymes, fiber, minerals – and flavor. You just may find that when you feed your body what it truly craves, all that excess junk food simply won’t look or taste so appealing anymore.

Check out #1 on their list – Green Smoothies

Love smoothies? Try a green one! Green smoothies may look grassy green, but they taste sweet and sassy with a blend of fruit and veg. Packed with nutrients, this sweet, green sip is one to try in 2012.

Our spin on this tasty treat?  Check out Square One Organic’s Supergreen Smoothie Machine made with SQ1 spinach.  Don’t let the spinach scare you it is really good!

1 (2 oz.) Square One Organic Spinach cup, frozen 

1 cup frozen organic blueberries or cherries or apples

1 cup Vanilla Rice Dream rice milk

½ cup Rice Dream organic vanilla non-dairy frozen dessert

1 tablespoon organic Agave nectar or 2 pitted organic dates (optional)

Run frozen spinach cup briefly under warm water to loosen.

Remove foil and pop spinach into blender container.

Add remaining ingredients.

Blend until smooth.

Yield: 1 ¾ cups

Tip: Smoothie Popsicles

If you have smoothie leftovers, these super Smoothie Popsicles are fun and easy to make!  Spoon any extra smoothie mixture into 3-oz paper cups.   Insert one baby spoon into each cup to use as the popsicle stick. Freeze until mixture is solid. Peel cup from popsicle. You can also use BPA-free popsicle molds.  Check out these cute popsicle molds from Land of Nod.  They are BPA-free!

The Children’s Book Pairing with this recipe is:  Handy Manny: Oscar’s House of Smoothies written by Marcy Kelman and Alan Batson

On the SQ1 Children’s CD rock out to the “Greens” song!

Make sure you sign up for our e-newsletter to see January’s recipe! 

Each month we put together a newsletter for our friends delivered straight to your email. At Square One® Organics we believe that every time your child eats it is an opportunity to make a positive impact on growth and development. We give you all the info to make life a little easier for parents.

We do a lot of awesome events all over the Chicago area. Sign up for our newsletter to see all of our events!

Sign up by following this link http://bit.ly/SQ1newsletter

In our e-newsletter we feature…

• What’s Cookin? A new recipe each month. These recipes are nutritious and fun to make! We love to have fun in the kitchen, that’s why we pair each recipe with a children’s book and song.
• Where’s the deal? As a mom, I know the importance of a good deal! Check this special section of the SQ1 newsletter to find out what great sales we’re having!Each month we send an e-newsletter to all of our friends!
• What’s up doc? We’ve worked with some fantastic doctors and experts from developing our baby food line to making superfood guides and food journals.
• Spotlight on a Superfriend. Each Month, we’re putting a Spotlight on our Superfriends! We sit down with a member of a great organization to get the inside scoop. This month we’re interviewing Lemon Tree Grocer in Downers Grove. Stay tuned for the SQ1 interview!

and much MORE!

Wednesday Blog: Christmas Breakfast!

We came across a super yummy recipe yesterday from Sixty Second Parent that is perfect for Christmas morning!

Sixty Second Parent offers a unique and fresh approach to obtaining practical parenting advice.  They have brought together experts in child development, child health and parenting to provide sound, practical parenting information within an online community network.

 

Butternut Squash Pancakes

Recipe Summary

Number of Servings: 4
Cups of Fruits and Vegetables per Person: 0.5
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Ingredients

2 cups butternut squash, mashed and cooked – Try using Square One’s 100% Organic Butternut Squash Puree!) 
2 Tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 sprays cooking spray
Directions

Beat the squash with the brown sugar, milk and eggs until smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir the dry ingredients into the squash mixture just until combined. Heat a griddle or heavy skillet lightly sprayed with cooking spray over medium heat. Preheat the oven to 250 °F. Drop the batter onto the hot skillet by heaping tablespoonfuls. Lightly oil a spatula and flatten the pancakes. When they are golden brown on the bottom, flip them. As they brown on the other side, transfer them to a baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven while you cook the rest of the batter

We recommend using Holiday pancake molds to make Christmas breakfast extra special!  Williams Sonoma has some great options:

 

Wednesday Blog: SQ1 Superfriend of the month!

Each Month, we’re putting a Spotlight on a Superfriend.

Amanda Skrip is a natural foods chef and nutrition counselor living in Chicago, IL with over 6 years of cooking and nutrition experience. She has long been interested in the connection between food and health, and minored in Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University in 2005. After graduation from NYU, Amanda went on to receive her culinary training at the Natural Gourmet Institute and her nutrition schooling at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, both located in New York City.  Amanda is a personal friend of mine and brillant at what she does.  Together we co-authored the Bump Club and Beyond Baby Food Making series at Whole Foods Markets in Chicago.  Keep up with the SQ1 Facebook page to know when the classes will run again.

Amanda empowers clients to transform their relationship with food and health, and discover how delicious a healthy lifestyle can be. Amanda specializes in health supportive cooking techniques and dietary theories. Her clients include families and individuals looking to maintain or initiate a healthy lifestyle, as well as those with food allergies and special dietary needs. Visit www.amandaskrip.com for more information.

We sat down with Amanda to get an exclusive SQ 1 interview. We asked her some fun questions about herself; Check them out below!

Amanda, tell us a little bit about how and why you came to be a natural foods chef and nutrition counselor in Chicago?
My career stemmed from my fascination with how the food I ate had a direct impact on how I felt – both mentally and physically. As I began to understand that ‘you are what you eat,’ I started cooking more for myself and loved ones. I fell in love with the art of creating a meal – balancing colors, flavors and textures of food – all the while creating a nourishing experience. I decided to pursue my passion, attending culinary school and a holistic nutrition program. Since moving to Chicago, I have been inspiring others to achieve optimal health through my work as a private chef, cooking class instructor, and health coach.

How has working as a natural foods chef and nutrition counselor impacted your life and what about your job brings you the most joy?
Health is all about balance; my own health has been transformed through learning how food plays into the equation. My kitchen is filled with all sorts of fresh produce, tinctures, teas, and tonics; I love knowing what to eat when I’m feeling down, need an energy boost, or am starting to feel sick.

It brings me the most joy when I work with others that are open to learn and ready for change. Food is such an integral part of everyone’s life, and often it is just an afterthought: something we pick up at a fast food window, grab while we are on the run, or use to zone out from the stress of our day. When people make a shift and place the attention on food that it truly deserves, the results are amazing!

What’s the one thing that you now know that you wish you knew when you were growing up?
I used to get really stressed about small things when I was younger. I’ve learned to focus on the bigger picture; everything has a way of working out for the best, and worrying only complicates the situation!

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
‘It doesn’t matter what other people think of you, but it does matter what you think of yourself.”

What is your biggest accomplishment?
This is a tough one!  I still feel like I have a lot left to accomplish, but so far, I am most proud of having created a successful business based on what I love doing.

If you could say something to the next generation what would it be?
Follow your passion, work hard, be open to learn, and never give up.

Friday Blog: What’s Up Doc?

This month’s “What’s Up Doc?” article comes from Jasmine Jafferali, MPH, ACE-CPT.  Jasmine  is the Program Director for Healthy Results, Ltd, and Program Coordinator for Educational Fitness Solutions, Inc. She has a diverse fitness background with over ten years of fitness and wellness industry experience working in campus recreation, corporate wellness, and a high-end commercial health club setting. She has presented on a wide range of health and fitness topics for the community, at major corporations, and at national and international conferences. Jasmine specializes in Maternal and Child Health and Wellness focusing on pre and postnatal fitness and is a Master Trainer for Healthy Moms® Fitness and Resist-a-ball®.

It is the cold and flu season and germs are everywhere!  While the best way to prevent germs from spreading is by washing our hands with warm, soapy water for 20-seconds, most children and adults are failing to do this important step in cold and flu prevention.  Paired with hand washing another important way to ensure a healthy and functioning immune system is to eat a diet that is low in refined sugars, trans-fats and boxed, processed foods. Supplementing can be a great way to get some important vitamins and minerals needed to support our defenses.  However, not all supplements are created equal and many big companies just use fillers such as cornstarch, gelatin (often from hooves of animals), artificial sugars, dyes and other non-essential ingredients.  How do you know you are getting quality vitamins?  Well first, the important vitamins and minerals that support our immune system is:, Vitamin D3, probiotics, Omega-3/DHA and Zinc.  Here is what you need to know about each and how to shop for some good quality supplements:

Vitamin D:  Known as the “sunshine” vitamin is not actually a vitamin, but a hormone.  When we are deficient, studies show people have more frequent colds and flus.  Over 300 research articles have proved this is one important supplement we must take a closer look at in our diets.  The ideal way to get Vitamin D3 is from the sun.  This can be tough if you live in the Chicagoland area during the winter however, Vitamin D3 drops are the easiest and most effective way to supplement.  Drops can be added to all drinks and foods without altering the taste.   Recommended brands:  Support local and buy Carlson’s Vitamin D3 drops from Arlington Heights or Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 drops.  Read:  Family Health 101:  How much vitamin d your family needs

Probiotics:  Research has proven preventative probiotic use does cut colds and flus according to the Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics.  We all have a balance of good and bad bacteria in our gut that keeps our immunity in check.  Approximately 70 percent of our immune system lies in our large intestine and when it becomes imbalanced, we are more prone to getting sick.  A high sugar, processed and fast food diet can decrease our immunity.  Also those who have food allergies or food sensitivities have a decreased immunity because those immune systems have to work harder to digest foods not easily tolerated.  Keeping your large intestine healthy is the way to go!

•    All probiotics need to be stored in the refrigerator and adults need at least 15 billion cultures, children over 2-years of age, 5 billion, infants 0-2 years of age, 1 billion. Recommended brands:  HCL by Pharmax  (which is shipped locally from Wood Dale) or Renew Life.  Read: Considering probiotics? Consider the whole family

Omega-3′s/DHA:  Studies show Omega-3 fatty acids are not only good for the heart, but they also support a child’s memory, focus and learning.  This is a double bonus as it also increases the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria.  These fats are crucial as it decreases inflammation in the body that is caused by stress, but also helps strengthen the cell membranes thus, speeding up the healing process. Here’s what to look for when you are purchasing fish oils:

•  Choose fish oils that are “ultra-purified.” This means harmful contaminants, (such as PCB’s, mercury and dioxins) due to contaminated waters has been removed.
• Buy “pharmaceutical grade” which means it follows it follows the proper ratio of Omega-3′s and Omega-6 fatty acids and contaminants have been removed.
• Fish oil should be purchases in a dark bottle and needs to be refrigerated.  DHA is sensitive to heat and can go rancid fast.  Liquid form is best.
•  Try to avoid purchasing fish oil pills as they are filled with other oils such as soybean, partially-hydrogenated oils and other oil fillers.  Recommended brands:  Buy locally and purchase Carlson’s Fish Oils or purchase Nordica Naturals online.  Read:  The ABC’s of DHA

 

Zinc:  This trace mineral does a lot to keep your child healthy.  This is another double bonus nutrient as it not only supports the immune system, but it is important in helping the child to pay attention, their ability to process information as well as remember and retain new info. Kids and adults who have ADD/ADHD are often deficient in zinc and show improvement after four months of supplementation. Because 200 enzymes in our bodies rely on zinc, it is zinc’s ability to connect with our immune systems and brain to help fight infections and improve their ability to focus that is crucial for children.  A zinc deficiency may show up as white spots or bands on your fingernails.  It is best to get zinc through your foods, including oysters, raw pumpkin seeds, pine nuts (make pesto) and pecans, roasted and unsalted peanuts, toasted wheat germ, wheat bran, brewer’s yeast and low fat roast beef (not deli-meat), oatmeal and brown rice.

 

When you look at all of the evidence, finding the right dietary supplement to boost your child’s immunity can be easy as 1-2-3!

Suggested by the author:

• Family Health 101: Top five fall vegetables that help boost your family’s immunity
• Antibiotic overuse threatens modern medicine
• Keeping your family healthy during the cold and flu season part 1-Are hand sanitizers really safe?
• Keeping your family healthy during the cold and flu season part 2-Supplements that boosts immunity
• Everything you need to know about fast food

Continue reading on Examiner.com Back to school supplements to boost your child’s immune system – Chicago family health | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/family-health-in-chicago/back-to-school-supplements-to-boost-your-child-s-immune-system#ixzz1fg5CvUlB

 

Wednesday Blog: SQ1 Butternut Squash Cheesy Macaroni Muffins

Happy December everyone!  We’ve teamed up with Natural Foods Chef and Wellness Consultant, Amanda Skrip, to put together a scrumptious recipe that will warm you up as the days get colder.

Amanda Skrip is a natural foods chef and nutrition counselor living in Chicago, IL with over 6 years of cooking and nutrition experience. She has long been interested in the connection between food and health, and minored in Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University in 2005. After graduation from NYU, Amanda went on to receive her culinary training at the Natural Gourmet Institute and her nutrition schooling at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, both located in New York City.

Amanda empowers clients to transform their relationship with food and health, and discover how delicious a healthy lifestyle can be. Amanda specializes in health supportive cooking techniques and dietary theories. Her clients include families and individuals looking to maintain or initiate a healthy lifestyle, as well as those with food allergies and special dietary needs.

Check it out the recipe below:

Ingredients:
6-2 oz cups Square One Organics Butternut Squash Puree, thawed
¾ teaspoon sea salt
8 oz. noodles (quinoa elbows are a great gluten-free choice)
3 oz. organic cream cheese
1 1/4 cups organic sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (optional)

Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350.
Grease a muffin tin with olive oil; set aside.
Cook pasta according to the package directions, being careful not to overcook.
Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking liquid, and drain pasta.
Return pasta to the pot and add squash puree, salt, and reserved cooking liquid.
Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes—until sauce is thickened and pasta is coated.
Stir in cream cheese, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and paprika (if desired); stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste

Spoon macaroni into prepared muffins tins.
Evenly distribute parmesan cheese (if using) & remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese over the tops.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tops are nicely browned
Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before removing from the tins.

Makes 10-12 muffins

Children’s Book Pairing: “If you give a Mouse a Muffin” By Laura Joffe Numeroff

Wednesday Blog: SQ1 Superfriend of themonth!

Each Month, we’re putting a Spotlight on a Superfriend.  We’re so excited to feature On The Go Chicago as SQ1′s November’s Superfriend of the Month!

On The Go Chicago was recently selected by Parent’s Magazine as Editor’s Pick for BEST Local Mom Blog and we couldn’t agree more!  We’re so excited to feature On the Go Chicago  as our November Superfriend of the Month!

We sat down with founding mom, Cindy McCarthy to get an exclusive SQ 1 interview. We asked Cindy some fun questions about herself; see her answers below…

Q:  Cindy, tell us a little bit about how and why you came to be the founder of one of our favorite sites, On the Go Chicago?

A:  Lets just say I don’t sit still well!  After I had my eldest daughter Grace, I was constantly on the internet researching fun things to do with her.  I loved living in Chicago before we had kids, and I fell in love with city life all over again when I rediscovered it through my daughter’s eyes.  Chicago is surprisingly kid friendly, and I wanted to share all the kid-sized adventures I had with other local families.

Q:  How has working with On the Go Chicago impacted your life and what about your job brings you the most joy?

A:  The two things I love the most is the additional time I get to spend with my two daughters and that I am doing something I am truly passionate about.  Although I still put in long hours, my schedule is flexible. I can work at night and on weekends, so that I can do preschool drop off and pick up or take the girls on an adventure in the middle of the week.  I love that my research is basically having fun with my girls.

Q:  What was your life like pre-parenthood?

A:  I had a great career at Hilton Hotels Corporation and enjoyed exploring the world with my hubby!  I LOVE to travel, and had to do quite a bit of it for my job.  My husband and I would meet up in New York or Los Angeles for long weekends.  We also did a lot of backpacking and camping.  We hiked Mt. Whitney, backpacked the Napali coast in Hawaii and took a four-day backpacking trip in Peru to Machu Picchu.  Believe it or not, we still do a lot of traveling and camping with our kids.  We rented a RV this past summer and took the kids on a road trip to Yellowstone.  It was amazing.

Q:  What’s the one thing that you now know that you wish you knew when you were growing up?

A: My favorite quote is by Maya Angelou, “If you don’t like something change it.  If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”  I wish I knew when I was younger that you are in control of your own happiness.  You have the power to change your life either literally, or, if that is not possible, at least you can change how you let it affect you.

Q:  What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

A:  Mind your manners.  At a dinner a few weeks before I got married, all the women at the table shared a piece of marital advice with me.  One said that on the eve of her wedding, her mother reminded her to “mind her manners” with her soon to be hubby.  We tend to take the people closes to us for granite.  Saying please and thank you go a long way in a marriage, friendship, child/parent relationship, etc.

Q:  What is your biggest accomplishment?

A: I hope when I am old and gray that I will look back at raising my children as my biggest accomplishment.  I hope that I raise two independent, self confident, kind and well-rounded women. If I had to answer that question today, I would say it would be following my dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

Q:  If you could say something to the next generation what would it be?

A:   Follow your dreams.  Take the time to explore the world and yourself.  Identify the things you are passionate about, and make time for them in your life.  No one lies on their deathbed wishing they worked more!

Q:  If there was a movie about your life what would it be called?

A:  Wow…hard question.  Not sure I have a good answer for that.  Maybe “The door opened, and I walked through it.” There is a great HBO movie about an autistic woman named Temple Grandin. It is a true story about her amazing life, and her mother who refused to give up on her.  She uses that line in the movie, and I have thought of it many times since.  Several times in my life the universe has presented me with an opportunity to make a big life change (opened doors), and even though I was not 100% sure I was making the right choice at the time, I have always been glad I had the courage to walk through those doors.

About Cindy & On The Go Chicago

In addition to being a mom of two toddlers, Cindy McCarthy is an urban explorer of kid-sized Chicago and founder of onthegoChicago.com, a website that highlights the best kid-sized places to go eat, shop, play and learn in Chicago. You can also follow on the go on Twitter and Facebook.

Wednesday Blog: A Healthy Holiday Season

As we gear up for Thanksgiving, many things come to mind – family, friends, appreciation, and last but certainly not least…food. Thinking about the holiday meal can make a mouth water – turkey, stuffing, yams with cranberries, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie…YUM!

But did you know that the average American gains 1-2 pounds over the holiday season AND these are pounds that usually stick?¹  This may not seem like a big deal, but over the years it increases our risk of becoming overweight and/or obese which can then increase our risk of other conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. And, this epidemic is now affecting our children. In fact, “in the past 30 years, the occurrence of overweight in children has tripled and it is now estimated that 1 in 5 children in the USA are overweight.”² Does that mean we can’t enjoy a delicious and satisfying holiday meal? By no means! On the contrary, not only can we enjoy such a meal, but we can do so guilt free knowing that what we are eating is contributing to our health not detracting from it.

How can we go about having a Healthy Holiday Season? The best way to approach this is twofold:

1) Reconfigure our plate focusing on whole plant based foods; specifically, fruits, vegetables (including starchy vegetables), whole grains, and legumes, and  2) eliminate extraneous ingredients that don’t add much taste but do add a lot of calories; items like oil, butter, and highly refined processed foods. In this way, we can create healthier versions of the foods we love: mashed potatoes (with nutritional yeast and nondairy milk rather than oil and butter), baked yams or mashed sweet potatoes (with nutritional yeast and spices over oil and butter), stuffing (using whole wheat bread or whole grains, nuts, and spices instead of highly refined white bread and butter), and pumpkin pie (using a date and nut crust, pumpkin, spices, and non dairy milk instead of refined flour, oil, and white sugar).

What are some advantages to making these modifications and including more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes? ^3,4,5,6,7,8 For starters these are the foods that not only provide us adequate macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) but are rich in fiber and very important micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals). These are also the foods that have been shown to promote overall health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of obesity and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.  And, making these changes applies to and benefits everyone in the family from babies to children to parents to grandparents.

So, as you get ready to enjoy the holiday season, make it a happy and healthy one for all of your loved ones by giving them the food that will allow them to thrive, not just survive!

Happy and Healthy Holidays to all.

 

By: Alona Pulde, MD.  Alona is one of the founders of the Whole Foods Market Wellness Club and a board-certified practitioner of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and Family Medicine Physician specializing in nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Pulde is lead author of the book, “Keep It Simple, Keep It Whole: Your Guide to Optimum Health.” She also developed the Lifestyle Change Program used for patients in the film Forks Over Knives, as well as in her clinic, Exsalus Health & Wellness Center. Dr. Pulde is currently working on the development of Wellness Clubs for Whole Foods Market as their Global Medical Executive of Health and Wellness.

 

¹N Engl J Med 2000:342;861-867

² http://www.obesity.org/resources-for/childhood-overweight.htm

³Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 50:193–208 (2010)

⁴J. Nutr. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.132944;

⁵J. Nutr. 140: 1932–1936, 2010

⁶Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.29106;

⁷Appetite. 2011 Aug;57(1):38-44.

⁸Epub 2011 Mar 22; J. Nutr. 140: 1932–1936, 2010.