Barbara's Blog (June 2008)

2008 - June 26th
Party Food for Healthy Kids

Birthday parties are just about the most exciting occasions in the calendar for kids, but they don’t have to be synonymous with sugary cakes, artificially coloured sweets and fat-filled hot dogs.

On the contrary, there are loads of healthy alternatives, so there’s no reason why the food you serve up can’t be fun, interesting and nutritionally sound.

Here you’ll find some fun healthy alternatives to nourish your children and their friends, leaving them bouncing with health – not bouncing off the walls!

Fruit juice lollipops - are lollipops with a healthy twist as the spinach extract boost the nutritional content. They add some great colour and they taste great... even with the extract of spinach - honest!

Fruit kebabs with dairy free chocolate - these are great fun and encourage children to be creative as well as healthy! You can use raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cape gooseberries, grapes, melon.

Sandwiches with healthy fillings - try poached salmon with dairy-free mayo. Salmon is rich in Omega-3, an essential fatty acid. Another popular filling is egg and dairy free mayo. Eggs are a rich source of vitamin B12. Cream cheese rolls with asparagus in the middle. These are fun finger foods. Ham off the bone is also a better choice than the chemical-laden ham you often find in shops.

Healthy Goodie Bags - An essential part to any special party and all too often children are given a chemical concoction to send them hyper when they eat them at home. I don’t think this is a treat at all speaking as a Mum who has experienced this.

Fruitinas - these are 100% dried fruit leathers and they contain NO nasties at all. There are 6 delicious flavours to choose from.

Fruit juice Gummie Bears - these are a personal favourite. No added cane sugar, they’re 100% organic and bursting with lime, orange and blackcurrant.

Whizzers - are dairy-free, wheat free chocolate coated beans which are free from artificial colourings. They are a smart ‘smartie’ option.

To see these final three items (and a lot more), visit our online store.

Kids can have great fun making – and eating – healthy food

2008 - June 12th
Some Do’s & Don’ts for a Flatter Tummy

With Summer just around the corner, many customers are turning to Nutrichef in order to get in shape for the beach.

First and foremost, I recommend following one of our healthy meal plans, but why not also follow my tips for a flatter tummy…

Do’s…

• chew properly to help aid digestion and release all of the correct digestive juices
• eat non-wheat flours like those made from rye, spelt, rice and oat
• try non-dairy alternatives like soya milk, oat milk, almond milk, rice milk and quinoa milk
• use natural sugar alternatives like maple syrup, agave syrup and xylitol
• eat non-gassy foods are carrots, spinach, watercress, avocados, lemons and radishes
• consume healthy snacks like Nutrichef’s low GI, organic flapjacks, available in the following flavours: apple and ginger, fruit, date and seed, cherry and almond
• eat at regular intervals to keep your digestive tract working properly and your blood sugar levels stable

Don’ts…

• gulp food or chew too quickly as this can upset the digestive system
• consume wheat, which is a common cause of bloating
• consume dairy as this can make the digestive system sluggish causing constipation and bloating
• use sugar or sweeteners, as these can ferment in the digestive tract causing bloating
• eat gas-forming foods like baked beans, Brussels’ sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower
• drink carbonated drinks
• go to bed with a full stomach - eating too late can put unnecessary strain on the digestive system causing a range of problems

I hope you find these suggestions useful. For some extra ideas, you could:

Try a probiotic like Anti-Bloat (£7.99 from the Nutrichef online shop); or - if you have problems digesting certain foods that leave you feeling bloated and gassy - then try Food Enzymes (£16.95 from the Nutrichef online shop).

2008 - June 5th - Kitchen Table Tycoon

About a year ago I was contacted by a journalist called Anita Naik, who wanted to interview me for a book idea she had. I told her all about how I got interested in healthy eating in Japan, how I started Nutrichef and how I juggle running a business with being a Mum.

The months passed and I’d actually forgotten my conversation with Anita when I received a parcel at the front door. I opened it up and found a book called Kitchen Table Tycoon, with the sub-heading How to make it work as a mother and an entrepreneur.

I finished reading it last night and was really impressed. As well as providing lots of practical tips on starting and running a business, there are some really inspirational stories (including four pages about Nutrichef!) making it a great read for all, not just for ‘mumpreneurs’ !

It's available from most major book stores such as amazon.co.uk and Waterstone’s.

 

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