Happy National Nutrition Month!

Did you know March was dedicated as "National Nutrition Month"?  It kind of makes sense, actually.  By now the luster of New Year's resolutions have worn off, and we are getting a peek at warmer weather-which makes it easier to think about possibly eating a little healthier.  Trees are beginning to bud, flowers are starting to spring up, and it seems more plausible that vegetables can be grown here in the Northeast!  :)

I just had my kitchen renovated.  For six weeks I had a hot plate, a coffee pot, an electric griddle and a microwave.  I have to confess, my family DID NOT eat too healthy for those six weeks.  Now that we at least have the stove back, I am making more of an effort.  And I think "effort" is a funny word for it.  Because most of what I need to do is buy and prepare healthy foods.  Does it take more effort to open a bag of Goldfish crackers or to peel and apple and put some peanut butter on the side?  Maybe the apple takes 30 seconds longer...but really?  How can I justify that it "takes too much time/effort/makes too much of a mess".  These are all the deep dark excuses I use when I give my kids some processed food (like mass produced cookies or crackers).  I do feel guilty though.  Looking and learning these past few years, I know that those foods are not good for my kids, that they really don't count as food.  So, again, I am making an effort.  How do you get your family to eat healthy?

I recently found a page on Facebook that features a 7 year old girl who is encouraging kids to eat healthy and stay active.  I "liked" the page, and every day or two I am treated to the sight of a young girl who is trying all these great, whole foods.  It is SO COOL.  I look at it, and realize if she can do it, my kids can as well.  I admire her mom for encouraging her, preparing the foods for her, and cultivating the interest in staying healthy.  I am still working at doing the same.

As you can tell comparing my first post to now, I do believe eating healthy is a loooooong process, changing little habits along the way to overall make a healthier lifestyle. 

Good luck!!

So, a funny thing happened in the kitchen...

I wanted to make a carrot cake for my husband for Valentine's Day.  He loves carrot cake, but is a purist, and doesn't like anything else in it (coconut, nuts, pineapple, etc...).  So, most times I make it from scratch.  We are having our kitchen renovated, so it was going to be a challenge.  I opted for pre-shredded carrots (one less step and a LOT less mess than with the Cuisinart!)  I hand mixed it at home, put it into pans, and borrowed an oven to bake it in.  I was so proud of myself for getting this done!  Then I didn't get to see the final result because I had to go to work.  Friday afternoon I sat down to try my masterpiece...and there were GREEN carrot shreds throughout it!!!

GREEN CARROT SHREDS!!  I was supposed to bring the rest of the cake for my family to eat that night, but refused because of the appearance.  I have to confess, I DID eat some (it couldn't already be moldy, right?) and it tasted fine.  I sheepishly explained to my family why I didn't bring the cake, but we still couldn't understand what happened.

Saturday morning I got up and googled (thank goodness for Google!) "preshredded carrots turning green".  DID YOU KNOW:  Sometimes a chemical reaction occurs between the carrots and the baking soda in the recipe, and the end result is a baked product with green shreds in it!!  Amazing!!  You can read more about it here http://www.thekitchn.com/food-science-when-good-carrots-52210

Who'da thunk?!? 

Anyway, have a great week--we have school vacation week up here, so we will be taking full advantage of some family time (and hopefully get our kitchen back to normal soon!) 

Thank you!!!

So, I was re-reading my blog this morning, and it occurred to me that there was a lot of "I" in it.  So, today is the day to clarify. 

"I" could not have done ANY of this without Lisa Akoury-Ross and my fantastic publishing company SDP Publishing Solutions http://www.publishatsweetdreams.com/. 

"I" could not have done it without the numerous friends and family members that bought a lot of my 300+ books. 

"I" could not have done it without great business owners like Lori Burton from Serendipity in Hudson, http://www.serendipityinhudson.com/, who not only agreed to help support me by selling my books, but continues to reach out periodically with new marketing ideas.  The same goes for Elizabeth Almeida of Fat Moon Farm http://demo010227.hgsitebuilder.com/.  You guys are amazing!

"I" could not have done it without the Maynard Farmers' Market, the Wayland Winter Farmers' Market, Sustainable Westford Winter Farmers' Market, Simon Malls (YES-I did readings at the MALL--how cool is that?!?)

"I" could not have done it without the amazing teachers at our local elementary school, who welcomed me in, let me read, and even allowed me to become an "Enrichment Program".  I am honored.

"I" am eternally grateful to everyone who has helped me through this past year.

"I" am looking forward to an amazing 2013. 

Thank you so much to all of you!!!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Wilbur's birthday!  He is official one year old today (and if he was actually a true one year old, would probably be pushing around different foods on his plate, completely afraid to try them). 

This is actually so exciting for me.  In one year I have published a book, started a blog (ok, posted a few times, but I DO plan on getting better!),  watched my book sell over 300 (!) copies, read at libraries, preschools, farmers' markets and even elementary schools!  I have been recognized on the street as "the author that wrote that dragon book" and have loved every minute of it.  And that is just one year!  The beauty of Wilbur is that he is pretty timeless.  The topic of local eating is still a hot one, and trying to get children to try new foods is an age-old dilemma that I look forward to helping with. 

I am already looking forward to National Nutrition Month in March, and am setting up some readings in the area.  I will be sure to pass them along as they come up. 

Until then, it is my goal to continue to promote farmers' markets as a great source of community and wonderful food, and to pass along kid and family friendly recipes and tips over the next year.  I hope you will continue to join me on this journey...it truly is just beginning.

Before I go, a favorite Winter Farmers' Market of mine has started up again, and it is wonderful.  If you are local, check it out sometime this season--you will NOT be disappointed! 

http://www.russellsgardencenter.com/wayland_winter_mkt.html

One step at a time...again...

Life would be a lot less complicated if we all just liked the food that is healthy for us...isn't that true?  Regardless of how I want my children or my family to eat, I personally still gravitate towards the foods that I loved as a child--chicken nuggets, pasta with butter and parmesan cheese, french fries, pizza...you name it.  I am actually proud of myself when I "shop the perimeter" of the grocery store, and see all the fruits and veggies and "whole foods" I put in my cart.  It is evidence that even I can change my ways. 

My kids are not always as adventurous as I want them to be (I really can't blame them--I never tried anything new growing up!)  But, I am trying hard to change that,  to help them love healthy food, and encourage them to consider "treats", well...a treat!  Also,  I am making more of an effort to make those treats myself, so I know the ingredients going into them. 

The biggest change I am trying to make is to just include them in the prep work and decision making in the kitchen.  I have a hard time "letting go" and just letting the mess happen.  I've always been that way--I can't deal with all the cleanup associated with them "helping" me, but lately I have been able to let them make a mess while they are preparing a dish--and I have NOT had a nervous breakdown!

I recently read an article about the many benefits of including your child in your (and their) food prep.  http://www.portlandfamily.com/posts/kids-in-the-kitchen-10-benefits-of-cooking-with-children/  After reading this, I know I am making the right decision including them in the dinner-making process.

Also, for a great kids cooking/food magazine, check out ChopChop.  They are fantastic!!  Check it out here: http://www.chopchopmag.org/

Have a great week!

Continuing on my path

I admit, I am a HORRIBLE procrastinator!  Actually, I am really good at it...that is my problem.  That is why it has taken me almost 6 months to blog again.  I hope I am forgiven, and I hope to blog regularly from now on.

I missed blogging about the summer Farmers' Market season!  It was fantastic.  I, personally, did not get there nearly as much as I thought I would, but when I did I kept kicking myself for not going more often.  The whole culture of the market is different.  The farmers and vendors really love their product.  Yes, they want to sell it to you, but they have more often than not, put their hard work and blood, sweat and tears into what they are selling and it is reflected in their attitudes.  They are interested and engaged in potential buyers, and I have learned they are always willing to teach and there is NEVER a stupid question!

Onto the healthy eating front.  I am still trying to move away from fast food as a whole for my family.  I don't think my husband has had it in months, and neither have I.  The kids have occasionally, as a treat.  But even in this crazy, busy fall season I am making a huge effort to even just put out cucumber slices and grapes as a snack, and make dinner at home.  Even if it is sandwiches, I know where all the ingredients came from and I feel this is a healthier alternative than the drive-thru.  I am hoping all these itsy-bitsy changes will eventually turn into healthier eating as a whole for myself and my family.  Do I still buy cookies?  Absolutely!! Do I still eat ice cream?  Most definitely!!  But, overall I am trying to make healthier changes to our diets so treats will remain just that...treats. 

In the next few weeks, I will be posting some kid friendly meals, and also posting about different ways to get kids involved with the cooking.  If they are involved in the process, they may be more apt to try something new!

Thanks for reading--have a great week!!

Great opportunity for new/aspiring Authors!

I'm so excited to Join Lisa Akoury-Ross (my publisher from SDP) for the 2012 New England Author Expo, July 18 in Danvers, MA for a unique book show. She'll be speaking at this event and selling books for her authors (including ME!) Want t...o get published, or even just talk about the process? Go see Lisa!  It event opens to the public at 4pm TODAY!   For more info on the event, go to the following link...

 

http://peartreepublishing.net/events/2012authorsexpo.php