Yesterday we had a guest post that looked at the basics of Homegrown Organic Eggs. However, there are plenty of issues to consider if you want to raise backyard chickens and have fresh organic eggs. Many people aren’t totally on board. If you’re considering raising chickens, there are  lots of questions you may have regarding time investment, money, convenience, city regulations, and all that chicken poop. If you’re looking for answers, Marguerite Inscoe has some great advice and answers in the second part of this guest post series – Homegrown Organic Eggs.

Tending chickens, like any other pet, does take …read more

I’ve personally never given much thought to owning chickens but I have given a ton of thought to organic eggs. Although I like the idea of not having to pay for organic eggs and knowing where my eggs really come from I do have some issues with owning egg hens. First of all, I just don’t know enough about it, and secondly, it seems like A LOT of hassle for eggs; even organic eggs.
That said, chickens and having your own organic egg system might be for you, so today and tomorrow we’ve got a couple of cool guest posts to …read more

My friend Sheila was distraught that her son Ned hated vegetables. He wouldn’t touch a single leafy green, and not even brightly colored peppers interested him. When she asked him why he didn’t like vegetables, she was surprised by his response. It wasn’t “They taste icky.” It wasn’t “They’re gross!” Do you know what he said? “You don’t eat them. Why should I?”
True, she hated vegetables. And she expressed this in their household openly, not willing to touch any dish with vegetables because she hated how they tasted. Little did she know her four-year-old was absorbing this all, and took …read more

When you are looking to lose a few, is your first step a trip through the salad bar? Your instincts are good, but what you top your lettuce with might be impeding your progress. High fat dressings, cheese, bacon, fried croutons, mayonnaise-based potato or pasta salads add additional fat and calories.
For a smarter, healthier salad, use the following tips:
*Reach for the darker lettuce and cabbage. Darker leaves contain a higher amount of vitamins and minerals.
*Get as much color in that bowl as possible – carrots, broccoli, peas, tomatoes.
*Add protein with beans instead of bacon or cheese.
*Steer clear of creamy mayonnaise-based …read more

I’ve been working on living a healthier lifestyle.  I’ve noticed that in the last year, my metabolism appears to have slowed down. It takes a lot more work to lose weight. It’s frustrating, so I am always in search of tips to tweak my diet and exercise routine in a way that will translate to more successful weight loss and overall health.
I found a great list of diet tips from AOL Health. These tips are tried and true favorites of top US registered dieticians.
Some are no-brainers, like switch out your whole milk for 1% (I use Fat Free myself). Did …read more

This morning I went my local Farmer’s Market. I usually attend the weekend market, but it’s grown so crowded and I’m no fan of crowds. If you have a local market, try the weekday version. I had so much more time to check things out and chat with the vendors.  One farmer gave me advice for my garden. The only negative – no beeswax candles. If you want the bells and whistles, you have to stick with the weekend market.
I ran into this man who reminds me of a sort of hybrid version of my two Grandpas. He likes to …read more

Who doesn’t love Sesame Street? I was hooked on that show as a kid, and for good reason. The show does a wonderful job of teaching children and presenting new ideas in a fun and colorful way. Now, the Sesame Workshop is has distributed 13,000 “child care resource kits” to various child care providers across the United States.

The kits will help “integrate healthy eating and activity into daycare settings for preschool children.” If anyone can do it, the people at Sesame Street surely can. If healthy eating becomes a part of children’s everyday lives at …read more

Schools all around the country have been opening their doors during the summer to the children and not just for summer school either.
So what are they doing? The free summer lunch program, this is when many families that need it can show up at the school to get their free lunch during the week. Have you tried it? I know some schools offer a variety of services for this, some are free, reduced or just regular price.
Tampa Bay Online:
The program targets children 18 and younger who qualify during the school year for free and reduced lunches. But there are no …read more

Delish has created a new page where you’ll find dozens and dozens of quick, healthy, and inexpensive meals for your family!  You’ll find quick and easy pasta, heart-smart entrees, slow cooker and one-pot specials, and even low calorie comfort foods.  Now that’s really worth checking into!  I found a recipe for tuna noodle casserole from Eating Well which I’m going to use to update our family fave.

Are you addicted to YouTube videos?  Well if so, you might as well at least make them healthy ones!  Kelly Sonora, of Masters of Healthcare, has compiled a round-up of 100 YouTube Videos for a Healthier Kitchen.  She covers everything from breakfast treats to food safety and menu planning.