Eccentric WAHM Bloggers - Christa - Noel - Val » Noel http://eccentricwahm.com Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:23:47 +0000 en hourly 1 The Healthy Benefits Of Eating At Home:Make The Right Food Choices http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/the-healthy-benefits-of-eating-at-homemake-the-right-food-choices/ http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/the-healthy-benefits-of-eating-at-homemake-the-right-food-choices/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 05:00:44 +0000 Noel http://eccentricwahm.com/?p=2094
Most Americans consume too many calories and not enough nutrients. The typical American diet is low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar. As a result, more Americans than ever are overweight, obese, and at increased risk for diseases such as: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers. Make The Right Food Choices Eating healthier is a lot easier than people think. It's simply making the right food...

]]> Most Americans consume too many calories and not enough nutrients. The typical American diet is low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar. As a result, more Americans than ever are overweight, obese, and at increased risk for diseases such as: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Make The Right Food Choices

Eating healthier is a lot easier than people think. It’s simply making the right food choices. Proper meal planning, shopping smarter and eating at home, you can control the ingredients, ensuring a healthy dish for your family. 

Focus on Fruit: Eat a variety of fruits–whether fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. Whole fruit has more fiber, it’s more filling, and it’s naturally sweet. Some juices, such as orange and prune, are a good source of potassium.

Make Half Your Grains Whole: The words “whole” or “whole grain” must be the first ingredient listed in the ingredients list on the package. ” Whole-grain foods cannot necessarily be identified solely by their color or name. 

Portion Sizes: What One Serving Looks Like

1 cup of cereal flakes The size of a fist
½ cup of cooked rice, pasta, or potato ½ of a baseball
1 slice of bread A cassette tape
1 cup of salad greens or piece of fruit A baseball
½ cup of raisins A large egg
1 ½ oz. cheese 4 stacked dice
1 cup serving of milk or yogurt The size of a fist
3 oz. meat, fish, and poultry Deck of cards
3 oz. grilled/baked fish Checkbook
2 Tbsp. peanut butter Ping pong ball1 teaspoon of oil The size of your thumb
 

It starts at the grocery store!

Studies show that the typical American consumer hits the grocery store at least twice a week. If the average supermarket stocks over 40,000 items, why does it feel like we never have anything to eat at home? Here’s how to shop smarter:

1. Buy fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood and less prepared, boxed and canned foods.
2. Shop the perimeter where the fresh foods is then go into the aisles for staples like beans, tomato sauces and pastas.
3. Target store areas that are safe to browse through like the produce section and steer clear of dangerous sections filled with junk food.
4. Shop with a list or have your husband go for you. Men typically buy only what’s on the list.
5. Food-shop with a full stomach.
6. Buy produce before it’s peak ripeness.
7. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables in season.
8. Buy organic when possible. Studies show that organically grown fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of cancer- fighting antioxidants than conventionally produced foods.
9. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables. They are often flash-frozen at the source, locking in nutrients in a way fresh or canned aren’t.
10. Stock up on canned tomato products — . the one major exception to the “fresher is better rule. Studies find that tomato sauces and crushed and stewed tomatoes have higher amounts of the antioxidant lycopene than fresh, because they’re concentrated.

Those are just a few ideas on moving your eating habits in the right direction and making the right food choices at the grocery store. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

As always, my quick and easy recipes for Busy Moms can be found on my website Noel’s Kitchen Tips.com.

Visit my new Kitchen Store  for some of my recommended  appliances, storage and kitchen needs along with some of my favorite cookbooks and aprons to help you with your family meal planning. For great high quality kitchen tools for your kitchen, visit www.NoelsKitchen.com.

Would you like to join our growing Family Cooking Club? Share recipes and tips with others? Join the Family Meals Matter Cooking Club on Facebook.  

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]]> http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/the-healthy-benefits-of-eating-at-homemake-the-right-food-choices/feed/ 0 Tools For Making Quick Meals! http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/tools-for-making-quick-meals/ http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/tools-for-making-quick-meals/#comments Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:26:47 +0000 Noel http://eccentricwahm.com/?p=2081 The Silverstone Classic, 24 July 2010

photo credit: MC One R  In one of my previous newsletters, I shared with my subscribers a list of my favorite kitchen tools that can assist with your everyday meal planning and making quick and easy meals for your family. If you're one of my subscribers than you know that one of the things I share are different tools you can use in the kitchen that are not only affordable but easy to use, even for kids. Here's my selection of Tools for Making Quick Meals to...

]]> The Silverstone Classic, 24 July 2010
Creative Commons License photo credit: MC One R

 In one of my previous newsletters, I shared with my subscribers a list of my favorite kitchen tools that can assist with your everyday meal planning and making quick and easy meals for your family. If you’re one of my subscribers than you know that one of the things I share are different tools you can use in the kitchen that are not only affordable but easy to use, even for kids. Here’s my selection of Tools for Making Quick Meals to make your meals quick!

Micro-Cooker- Quickly and easily steam fresh or frozen veggies, make mashed potatoes, warm up soups or leftovers.

Roasting Pan-Cook 3 meats at one time, eating one and freezing the others for a quick dinner on another night, make a double lasagna or casserole- one to freeze, use on top of 2 stovetop burners for an extra large skillet.

Apple Wedger- Quickly core and slice apples or pears

Garlic Press- Quickly crushes garlic without peeling or getting the smell on your hands

Cookie Scoops- Quickly and easily fill muffin or cupcake pans or drop cookie dough, make meatballs, make equal size pancakes, and much more!

Egg Slicer- Quickly slice hard-cooked eggs, mushrooms, small cooked potatoes, strawberries, beets, kiwi fruit, bananas, and more

12″ Family Skillet- Cooked without adding margarine or oil because of non-stick surface, cook 4-5lbs ground beef or 7-8 chicken breasts at one time, make a quick skillet dinner with all ingredients- veggies, potatoes, meat, etc- in one pan, clean-up is a breeze!

Kitchen Shears- Quickly cuts up herbs or strips the leaves with handles, cuts dried fruit, uncooked biscuits for dumplings, green onions, opens bags in a snap!

Whisk Collection- Quickly whips and blends dressings and sauces so they’re smooth and creamy, the Silicone Whisk is great for sauces and gravies in the pan since they won’t scratch

 
Deep Covered Baker- Cook a whole chicken in the oven all day so dinner is already done in the evening, thaw or fully cook a chicken or pork tenderloin in the microwave without making the meat tough, make microwave dishes quickly and easily either in microwave or oven, convenient cover and properties of stoneware keep food warm for hours.
What are your favorite kitchen tools?

As always, my quick and easy recipes for Busy Moms can be found on my website Noel’s Kitchen Tips.com.

Visit my new Kitchen Store  for some of my recommended  appliances, storage and kitchen needs along with some of my favorite cookbooks and aprons to help you with your family meal planning. For great high quality kitchen tools for your kitchen, visit www.NoelsKitchen.com.

Would you like to join our growing Family Cooking Club? Share recipes and tips with others? Join the Family Meals Matter Cooking Club on Facebook.  

Like this? Also Read These:

]]> http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/tools-for-making-quick-meals/feed/ 0 How To Keep That Kitchen Clean:Go Green! http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/how-to-keep-that-kitchen-cleango-green/ http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/how-to-keep-that-kitchen-cleango-green/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:27:37 +0000 Noel http://eccentricwahm.com/?p=2065
How To Keep That Kitchen Clean There are times where we don't feel like doing those much needed chores in the kitchen. I've gathered a few tips to make cleaning the kitchen easier, not harder. The best kitchen cleaning tips are usually the ones that are most overlooked. In this respect, the bet tip I can give you is to take the trash out without fail everyday. Piled up trash is unsightly and foul odor in no friend to good hygiene. Sprinkle the bottom of your garbage...

]]> How To Keep That Kitchen Clean

There are times where we don’t feel like doing those much needed chores in the kitchen. I’ve gathered a few tips to make cleaning the kitchen easier, not harder. The best kitchen cleaning tips are usually the ones that are most overlooked. In this respect, the bet tip I can give you is to take the trash out without fail everyday. Piled up trash is unsightly and foul odor in no friend to good hygiene. Sprinkle the bottom of your garbage bag or pail liberally with baking soda. This will suppress all those foul odors and keep your kitchen smelling clean and fresh.

Make sure to tidy up your kitchen counter frequently.  Having a cluttered counter gives a very messy and disorganized look to your kitchen. The fewer things you keep on your counter top, the neater your kitchen looks. Keep only the most frequently required items on the counter top. All other items must be stored in the cupboard. Not only does this reduce clutter, but it also makes things easier to find.

Go Green!

Kitchens should always have anti-bacterial all-purpose cleaner for counters and surfaces and a standard glass cleaning product and paper towels. I use natural, homemade, non toxic cleaners for everything.  Not only are these ‘green’ but they are a huge money saver!  I use a variety of recipes depending on what I have on hand.  If you feel more comfotable cleaning with a regular glass cleaner, considering buying your window cleaning at an auto shop. You get more for your money. But if you want to stay away from the chemical based cleaners, simple white vinegar will do.

Make your own cleaning products right from your kitchen and laundry room. Some items you have on hand will work just like the chemical based cleaners do and sometimes better. Here’s a quick list:

Vinegar
Baking Soda
Lemons
Salt
Borax
Olive Oil

Now that you have your ingredients, gather up some old sour cream containers, salsa containers (or used glass canning jars with lids), a couple of empty sprayer bottles, some of those old articles of clothing that are in the rag bag, and maybe a green ’scratchie pad’ and newspaper.
In just a few minutes you can have basic, frugal, non-toxic cleaners that WORK to clean you rkitchen and home.  Let’s get these items all together and get going on a “Clean Green”!

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]]> http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-food/how-to-keep-that-kitchen-cleango-green/feed/ 2 Celebrate Summer With A Pool Party! http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-tips-tools/celebrate-summer-with-a-pool-party/ http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-tips-tools/celebrate-summer-with-a-pool-party/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:38:16 +0000 Noel http://eccentricwahm.com/?p=2040

Make A Splash This Summer! Nothing says summer to our family like taking a dip in the pool. Want to kick it up a notch? Add some friends, a few games, and some summer time tunes and you have yourself a full-fledged party in the backyard! Pool parties can make your celebration more memorable. Plus, it's a fun way to social with your friends and family while keeping cool. Celebrate Summer With A Pool Party! Want to make your pool party even better? Have a themed...

]]> Make A Splash This Summer!

Nothing says summer to our family like taking a dip in the pool. Want to kick it up a notch? Add some friends, a few games, and some summer time tunes and you have yourself a full-fledged party in the backyard! Pool parties can make your celebration more memorable. Plus, it’s a fun way to social with your friends and family while keeping cool.

Celebrate Summer With A Pool Party!

Want to make your pool party even better? Have a themed pool party! Decide on your theme before your party and decorate your backyard. Here are a some ideas for themed pool parties:

  • Hawaiian Lua Pool Party~Decorate with tiki torches, bamboo, tiki hut, lua party plates, palm trees, surf boards. As everyone arrives, great them with a Lei and for the girls a hibicus flower for their hair. Play Hawaiian Music
  • Beach Pool Party~Decorate with beach blankets, beach balls, seashells, straw hats, surf boards. As everyone arrives, greet them with a pair of fun sunglasses and a sunscreen. Play music by the Beach Boys.
  • Keep the Fourth of July celebration going and decorate in red, white and blue!
  • Mexican Fiesta Pool Party~Decorate with chile pepper lights, use colorful vegetables as centerpieces, sombreros, guitar, terra cotta planters, inflatable cactus and of course a pinata! Play Mexican-style music.

Giving out party favors will also help make your guests remember your party. Fun party beverage glasses, a beach ball and a pair of novelty sunglasses will help your guests feel great and have a memento to bring with them.

It’s The Fun Way To Beat The Heat!

What are some of your favorite themed pool party memories?

As always, my quick and easy recipes for Busy Moms can be found on my website Noel’s Kitchen Tips.com.

Visit my new Kitchen Store  for some of my recommended  appliances, storage and kitchen needs along with some of my favorite cookbooks and aprons to help you with your family meal planning. For great high quality kitchen tools for your kitchen, visit www.NoelsKitchen.com.

Would you like to join our growing Family Cooking Club? Share recipes and tips with others? Join the Family Meals Matter Cooking Club on Facebook.

Like this? Also Read These:

]]> http://eccentricwahm.com/wahm-tips-tools/celebrate-summer-with-a-pool-party/feed/ 0