I am not a big vegetable eater so trying a dish with broccoli wasn’t exactly my idea interesting. I think if you are making an attempt to eat more vegetables, this isn’t were to start This classic Asian  beef and broccoli is easy to prepare with Sun-Bird Seasoning Mixes. These Seasoning Mixes can be found at your local grocery store in the Asian food section. My closest store is Kroger and they sell them and are really cheap.  If you don’t eat beef or broccoli, substitute chicken and fresh cut green beans for beef and broccoli.

The ways that children differ in the way they eat these days is insane. I often go to school and have lunch with my sons and it’s very hard not to notice what other kids are pulling out of their lunch boxes. I’ve seen everything from carrots to candy bars. To each their own but there is no way I would send my sons to school with a candy bar in his lunch box. On occasion I will sneak a little something in there as a surprise. Maybe a “Kiss” or something as a treat. My son’s are not extremely picky eaters as a whole, but, they just are not big on vegetables. It’s not for my lack of trying.

As a kid I remember my parents forcing us to eat our vegetables. I think the purpose of that in the long run failed because today, I still don’t like most vegetables or seafood. I decided long before I even had kids that I wasn’t going to force them to eat things they didn’t like. However, I would make them try everything, and I do. You can’t force someone to like something no matter how many times you make them eat it.

Once a week I let the boys pick anywhere they want to go for dinner. They have a few favorite places which include a pizza buffet and a Chinese buffet. Now do I think a pizza buffet is good for them 7 days a week? Of course not but a few times a month is okay. I don’t let them eat until they are sick. They know how much they are allowed to have and even when they hit the dessert end, they know they are each only allowed to have one item. I also take weeks where we will go over what will be cooked for the week. I have found that giving them some input rather than telling them this is it, eat it or like it, has gone a long way.

The best example I have of the fact that my boys can make good choices without me is, we were at a well know Italian restaurant in our area, (that may or may nor have something to do with olives) and the boys both ordered broccoli as their side. Now of course they didn’t lie it after 2 bites but I was proud of them for choosing on their owns to try it.

I think one of the downfalls with children these days not WHAT they are eating but the amount they are permitted to eat. Ironically, my 4 year old just told me about 5 minutes ago how he had 3 granola bars as a snack while he was away from home. Most people would agree that is ridiculous for any 4 year old. I don’t permit the kids to eat chips, I almost never even buy them unless it’s for a gathering of some sort. I do bake a lot but the boys are only allowed to eat it once a day. If they eat something else somewhere else, that’s it, they had their “junk” for the day. Speaking of snacking. This is a excerpt from the book Food Fights that I recommend every parent should read. I am about half way through it.

One of the biggest problems with snacks is, quite simply, that they typically consist of high-calorie, unhealthy foods rather than nutrient-dense, healthy foods. With fresh fruit all too frequently replaced by juice and other sugary drinks, more candy, less milk, and the prize for the largest increase in snack foods over the past 30 years going to chips and crackers, what’s clearly not lacking in snacking is salt, sugar, and fat.

So now that you know what not to serve for snacks, we wanted to make sure to impress on you the fact that snacking can and still should play an important role in your child’s daily diet. Simply put, the right approach to snacking can help keep kids from getting hungry and cranky while also giving them added energy and (if you plan it right) added nutrients. By following simple, smart snacking advice like the tips below, you can ultimately help your child grow better, think better, and stay active throughout the day and throughout childhood.

While reading this book, it was nice to see that I was already doing many of the things that they suggested. For me, it is sometimes difficult since the boy spend their time between two homes. I don’t have a very good relationship with my ex-husband so it is difficult at times to be sure who is eating what at who’s house. Children are of course not going to turn down any yummy treats they get to eat no matter where it is.

Snacks should not be the exception to the rule that food, in general, should have nutritional value. Make sure you commit to applying the same noble goals in choosing your snacks as you (hopefully) do for your child’s meals. Keep finger foods on hand. Finding foods that are quick and easy to grab and serve is actually quite easy. Simply cutting up some fresh fruits or veggies is a good place to start.  I try to keep whole grain crackers, pretzels, or ready-to-eat  cereals on hand. Once a month each of the boys are permitted to pick a box of any cereal they want. Don’t be fooled by packaging. Labels on snack foods for kids, along with sugary children’s cereals, seem to be the most commonly misleading when it comes to nutrition. Don’t let creative labeling such as “fruit snacks” or “low-fat” lead you to believe that sugary treats are necessarily healthy.

Figure out some “free foods” that your child can eat at any time. It’s entirely appropriate to agree on some healthy “free foods” (such as fruits, vegetables, yogurt, or hard-boiled eggs) that your child can sit down and eat whenever he’s hungry. Remembering that your ultimate goal is to help your child learn to eat when he’s hungry and  refrain when he’s not, your role is to simply make very sure that the criteria you use for creating this list is based squarely on the food’s nutritional value. I usually have melons, (cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew) cut up and on hand for the boys to pick at anytime they want because they love it so much. I also keep yogurt and unsalted pretzels on hand.

Keep junk food out of sight and out of mind. This means not only limiting the amount of junk food you buy and allow into your pantry, but also the amount of television your child is allowed to watch. With literally thousands of television ads designed specifically to make your child’s mouth water over unhealthy snacks and cereals, turning off the television—not just when you’re eating but keeping it turned off throughout the day—can go a long way toward preventing unhealthy eating habits. I find more of these commercials appear on the local stations than they do on the ones we watch. All “treat snacks” are kept up high in a completely separate cabinet where the boys would need to grab a chair to get them. This works well for us because if they go to the pantry for something, they wont see the “treats” Sometimes we all even forget they are there.

Enter below to win a copy of this fantastic book!

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Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was compensated in some form (product, monetarily etc) for this post. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media network that may be mentioned. This post is the sole property of MAK Media, LLC. All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

I come from a big Italian family of mostly males so I am rarely left speechless. What I am going to tell you about today literally left me with my mouth agape.  When I received a box of 360 Cookware, I opened it up and thought, okay? What’s the big deal? Looks like every other cookware on the market.

Without even looking at any of the booklets or watching the DVD that came with it, my smartass decided to just go ahead and cook with it. Big mistake. I made Grilled cheese and it all stuck so bad. I stood there trying to imagine why something slathered in butter would stick to this pan. I was like what the heck? After watching a bunch of videos and looking at the book, I KNEW, this wasn’t my grandma’s cookware! I mean seriously, hard boiled eggs with only a damp paper towel?Real homemade lasagna in a pan on the stove? These people were crazy. No way you can do that! Right?….. WRONG! Before I show you my experiences, let me tell you a little about 360 Cookeware.

Simply put, 360 Cookware is unlike any cookware you’ve ever tried. It allows you to taste your food as it was meant to be  and get way more out of your meals. Their stainless steel cookware is made with the highest quality stainless steel, so it is built to last, and all of their products come with a lifetime warranty so you can enjoy the energy saving benefits of green cooking and better tasting food as long as you’d like.

The Vapor Technology behind their cookware is a revolutionary cooking method which is created by the design and high quality of the metals used. Vapor Technology allows you to cook utilizing a low to medium heat because the design and metal are so efficient that your food permeates evenly from all sides, allowing food to cook in its own natural juices without the excess water or grease other skillets and saucepans require. Learn how you can use 360 cookware to create healthier versions of all your favorite recipes for entrees, soups, vegetables, rice, sweets, and even frozen foods that your family will love.

Let me tell you this is just the first post of a few because I am crazy impressed with these pots and pans! Now, like I was, I bet you are going, “What? Yea, ok!” Watch How about hard boiled eggs using only a wet paper towel? Much more to come on this cookware!

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For flavor like you’ve never experienced before! The Vinegar used in this marinade has a sweet, mellow roasted garlic flavor that’s excellent for splashing on white rice and roasted, baked, mashed, and French fried potatoes. When making this recipe, make sure you use only the ginger called for. Ginger has a very over powering flavor if youy put to much. If you try it, come back and let me know what you thought!

Give this marinade a try! It will go great on a pork roast!

Per serving (1 Tbsp.): 25 calories, 0g protein, 4g carb, 0g fiber, 1g fat (0g sat. fat), 0mg chol, 250mg sodium

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Roasted Garlic
• 1/2 cup frozen apple juice concentrate
• 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 3 Tbsp. ketchup
• 1 piece (1×1-1/2 inches) fresh ginger, minced
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 lemon (grate the zest and juice the lemon)

As you can probably tell if you are a frequent reader of this site, I am in fact a chicken addict. This are probably the fastest chicken tenders I have ever made. Since our store seemed to have a run on Corn Flakes, I used a Toasted Corn cereal. It didn’t really come out as crispy as it should have so I do recommend making sure you use Corn Flakes. Next, The recipe calls for 6 to 1 on the Mayo and Honey Mustard sauce. I don’t think the flavor was there so I recommend using 5 tbsp of Mayo and 2 tbsp of Honey Mustard.

Prep Time: 15 minutes     Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 Tbsp. Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Light Mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp. Honey Mustard
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1-1/2 cups finely crushed corn flakes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Combine Mayonnaise and Honey Mustard in medium bowl; reserve 1/2 for dipping.
2. Add chicken to remaining mayonnaise mixture; stir to coat.  Mix corn flakes with Parmesan Cheese, then roll chicken in crumbs.
3. Arrange on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve with reserved honey mustard sauce.

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Hellmann’s transforms your chicken into a juicier, crispier, more delicious meal that your family will love. Whether you’re trying to please picky eaters or create delicious meals on a budget, Hellmann’s provides tasty, juicy chicken recipe ideas, like this Parmesan Crusted Chicken, to help moms and dads solve every day dinnertime challenges. Hellmann’s “Chicken Change-Up” aims to help parents manage dinner dilemmas in kitchens across America – and they want to hear what it’s like at your house! Jump over to Hellmann’s on Facebook to participate in the Chicken Change-Up, where you can find ideas on managing dinner dilemmas and enter for a chance to win daily prizes. Had you heard of the Hellmann’s “Chicken Change Up” on Facebook? The Hellmann’s Facebook page will feature Celebrity Chef Tim Love providing his take on tackling these challenges in his own home. From now until April 30, 2012, parents across the country can participate in the Hellmann’s® Chicken Change-up by trying one of the featured Hellmann’s chicken recipes, sharing their recipe reviews and providing their own advice for managing dinnertime obstacles. After participating, consumers can enter into a sweepstakes for the chance to win a $5000 grocery store gift card and other daily prizes.

Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was compensated for this post in some form. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other mentioned social media network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC. All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

Ever just realize that it’s dinner time and you have no idea what to make? Ever just stand there looking in the pantry thinking that you are tired of making the same stuff? I get this feeling at least twice a week. It is so simple and easy to use Holland House products everyday in your cooking. You can easily stir it into soups and sauces for an enhanced flavor.

Need some extra help making over your meals? Jump on over to the Holland House Facebook Page and enter the Meal Makeover Moms Sweepstakes!  Who are the The Meal Makeover Moms? They are registered dietitians who want to help our families eat healthier. Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss say that kids will eat nutritious food without fussing about it if looks and tastes great.  Well of course! Who wants to eat something that looks gross and tastes nasty

Think you can’t cook? Do you watch those “30 Minute Meal” shows hoping to pick up something fast and easy? It’s true, you really can make something fast and simple in 30 minutes. I think this recipe would go great with some corn on the cob! It only takes 10 minutes to put together (It took me 7!) ans 20 minutes to bake. This is a much faster option to my previous Cajun Chicken recipe. I am loving these recipes so much for days when I don’t have a lot of time or I just don’t feel like getting into a long dinner process. My favorite part, not many dishes! I love these fast recipes because the chicken stays so moist. I hate dried out chicken.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Hellmann’s or Best Foods Mayonnaise
1-1/2 Tbsp. Cajun spice
1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
2 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 oz. ea.)
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs

Directions:
Combine mayonnaise, cajun spice and 1/4 cup of the cheese. Spread on chicken, then sprinkle with bread crumbs and parsley. Bake at 425°, 20 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; heat 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted. That’s it!

TIP: My sons found this a tad spicy so feel free to cut back on the Cajun Spice a little if you like.

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Hellmann’s transforms your chicken into a juicier, crispier, more delicious meal that your family will love. Whether you’re trying to please picky eaters or create delicious meals on a budget, Hellmann’s provides tasty, juicy chicken recipe ideas, like this Parmesan Crusted Chicken, to help moms and dads solve every day dinnertime challenges. Hellmann’s “Chicken Change-Up” aims to help parents manage dinner dilemmas in kitchens across America – and they want to hear what it’s like at your house! Hellmann’s on Facebook to participate in the Chicken Change-Up, where you can find ideas on managing dinner dilemmas and enter for a chance to win daily prizes.Had you heard of the Hellmann’s “Chicken Change Up” on Facebook? The Hellmann’s Facebook page will feature Celebrity Chef Tim Love providing his take on tackling these challenges in his own home. From now until April 30, 2012, parents across the country can participate in the Hellmann’s® Chicken Change-up by trying one of the featured Hellmann’s chicken recipes, sharing their recipe reviews and providing their own advice for managing dinnertime obstacles.  After participating, consumers can enter into a sweepstakes for the chance to win a $5000 grocery store gift card and other daily prizes.

Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was compensated for this post. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other mentioned social media network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC.  All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

Even if you aren’t living gluten-free, chances are you know someone who is. I watch posts go by on my Facebook feed from one of my friends who is on a Gluten-Free diet. It’s simply crazy and I really didn’t know that I could do it. I think I have this notion that anything that isn’t the “norm” for food just has to taste like garbage. I came across products from Udi’s and I slipped them into our daily eating to see if the boys would notice. Most of them they didn’t notice. But let me tell you who and what Udi’s is first!

• Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, the #1 gluten free baked goods brand, revolutionized the category when it introduced the first gluten-free bread that tastes and looks like “real” bread.
• Udi’s products are so delicious that you will wonder if they are truly gluten-free.
• Udi’s Gluten Free Foods are now 150 Wal-Mart stores across the country. I have also seen them at my local Kroger store.
• Walmart will carry 5 of Udi’s best-selling products (soft white bread, soft whole grain bread, plain bagels, chocolate chip cookies, and pizza crust) in the bakery department.
• To see if there is a Walmart near you that carries Udi’s, enter your zip code into our store locator: www.udisglutenfree.com/stores

What we tried were the Blueberry Muffins, Cinnamon Raisin Bagels, Snickerdoodle Cookies and the Pizza crust. To be quite honest, I found the muffins to be very dry. Even grabbing a glass of milk didn’t help. The boys each ate about a hald of one before they “decided” they did’t like it. I believe this was due to the part that I comments that I didn’t care for them.

The Cinnamon Raisin bagels, while so different that the bagel type I am used to, were not that bad. I don’t know that I could eat them all the time but much better than my experience with the muffins. Next I decided to let the boys make their own pizza. They had a blast and the crust was very good. It wasn’t dry like I had anticipated.I have actually purchased this product on my own to make Pizza with the boys since then.

I looked at this recipe and hesitated to make it. When I started making it, I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to like the taste of cooked mayonnaise slathered on top of my chicken. I gave it a shot and surprisingly, it was delicious. I make a lot of chicken and this has to be one of the fastest and simplest chicken recipes I have ever made. The boys even asked for seconds. I hope you will give it a try and let me know what you and/or our family thinks!

Prep Time: 10 minutes     Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Hellmann’s or Best Foods Real Mayonnaise (I used Hellman’s Light)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
4 tsp. Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°.

Combine Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise with cheese in medium bowl. Arrange chicken on baking sheet. Evenly top with mayonnaise mixture, then sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Time saving Tip: Try making this dish with thin-cut boneless skinless chicken breasts! Prepare as above, decreasing bake time to 10 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked through. TIP: Omit Parmesan cheese and have Magically Moist Chicken on table in less then 30 minutes.

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Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was compensated for this post. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other mentioned social media network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC.  All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

It is that time of year again where we all stock up on yummy Girl Scout cookies. I ended up with 15 boxes and had to find something to do with them other that grabbing 15 boxes and a gallon of milk The boys and I were making cupcakes and Royal asked if we could put cookies in them. I have had cupcakes with Oreo’s in them so I figured why not! The cookie get a little soft after baking and they were awesome.

Theses are so easy to make. Get the children involved and have a blast!

• Simply make a box of white cake mix as directed and drop some green food coloring in the batter. There is no right amount to add, just keep mixing it until you get the desired color.
• Fill your cupcakes liners about half full
• Drop a Thin Mint on top of each
• Cover the cookie with just enough batter to cover the cookie.
• Bake your cupcakes as directed on the mix box
• Frost and eat!

My boyfriends 9 year old daughter also made these. I have never met a kid who likes to cook and bake so much. She used chocolate cake, chocolate icing and dropped a Tagalong in the middle. She did a great job and they were delicious!

If you have some Thin Mint and want to give these delicious treats a little extra decoration, enter my giveaway below to win some items from McCormick to make them a little more fun! There will be 5 winners!

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Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was not asked to share this information and was in no way compensated for this post. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other mentioned social media network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC. . All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.