This morning, I had to drive my daughter to school. I decided that since I was already out, I might as well treat myself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. I’ve really enjoyed these lattes in the past. They are made with a pumpkin-milk base and pumpkin pie spices. I made my own version last year….. I’ll share my recipe as soon as I find where I put it. 
I had my boy in the car, so we hit the drive-thru. It took forever. Seriously. I think I was in that line for almost 10 minutes and my coffee cost …read more

Organic Green Mommy is a little off-putting at first (for some reason I hate the whole “Mommy” title) but it’s actually a super useful site for green parents. Organic Green Mommy was started by Lauren Davison in 2008. Davison, is a mama, an organic lifestyle coach, yoga teacher, holistic nutritionist, and documentary filmmaker. Organic Green Mommy is an interactive site that provides tools and tips for eco-conscious parenting and green living.
The site is pretty darn cool, my favorite two features being the customized registry section which features a green baby registry and a green kid’s birthday (and other gear) registry. …read more

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.

We all know that almonds taste good and many studies show that they have heart-healthy benefits. A new study now shows that almonds may combat obesity as well. Just by chewing them, a study presented this week at the European Congress of Obesity in Amsterdam shows, almonds make one feel full and less likely to overeat.

In addition, the study revealed that those who chewed two ounces of almonds longer, around 25 or 40 times before swallowing, absorbed significantly more good, unsaturated fat, than those who chewed the almonds only 10 times before swallowing.
Almonds are also a good source …read more

Sarah and I tried Pete’s Soyganic Smoked Tofu today.
I found it in the refrigerated part of the vegetable section at the grocery store – next to the regular tofu. This was the first prepared smoked tofu product that I’ve tried, so I don’t have anything to compare it to. Usually I think, hhmm, no, too pricey, but Pete’s was on sale so I grabbed it.
Pete’s smoked tofu has a firm texture and a good flavor. I liked it, but Sarah did not. She kept trying to get me to eat hers. She said, “I’m not sure, but I don’t think …read more

According to the American Optometric Association, better nutrition could prevent millions of aging Americans from developing vision loss due to macular degeneration or cataracts. They maintain that by eating foods rich in six nutrients–antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E, and the mineral zinc–you can help protect your vision.

Where to find these nutrients. Here are a few clues:
Lutein and zeaxanthin – Colorful fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, green beans, peas, oranges and tangerines
essential fatty acids – fish like tuna, salmon, or herring as well as whole grain foods, chicken, and …read more

My son has been drinking coffee since he was a toddler. When he turned 3, we finally made him have his own cup. I most enjoy giving him a double-dose and then dropping him off at preschool.
Shortly after my son turned 4 we went to Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans and my son ordered a cup of the chicory coffee. Perhaps it was the elegant Frenchman who served the coffee from a silver pot, but my son just couldn’t get enough of the stuff. We had to cut him off after five cups.
Truman’s coffee habit has raised eyebrows, no doubt …read more

Vitamin D deficiency in the United States is being called a national epidemic, according to registered dietitian and Food Network host Ellie Krieger.

Even though we have the ability to make our own vitamin D when the ultraviolet rays of the sun hit our skin, many Americans fail to get enough vitamin D. In fact, vitamin D deficiency in this country is being called a silent epidemic. The prudent use of sunscreen, sun-blocking pollution and long, cold winters indoors are partially to blame.
Says Krieger, “It’s alarming to see so many people fail to get enough vitamin D, especially when milk is …read more

My entire life when I’ve heard “5 servings of fruits and veggies every day,” I have always thought 5 servings of fruits and/or veggies in any combination.
No problem.
But, when I was taking the Real Age test I started noticing the grammar read more like 5 servings of fruits and 5 servings of vegetables every day.
Could I have been doing it wrong the whole time?
And what exactly is a serving? See that salad up there? How many servings of vegetables are in it?

6 large cherry tomatoes
1/4 avocado
2 small cucumbers
2 handfuls of different lettuce
3 baby carrots

Does that salad count as my 5 servings …read more

Isn’t McDonald’s something else? The word insidious comes to mind.
Their brilliant solution to our ever-widening youngsters in this country is to put fancy work-out areas in some of their outlets. To my way of thinking this is very disturbing.
What’s next, Cardiac Stress Testing at Pizza Hut?
I can understand offering salads…maybe…but fitness and fries?
I’m hoping nutritionists, dietitians, heart doctors, and fitness gurus will be all over this one.
Shouldn’t we be communicating that exercise is part of a balanced lifestyle — not a way to mitigate poor dietary choices?
In the McDonald’s scenario it seems as if the message is: burn …read more