Adding More Good Stuff...

I posted last week about healthy eating and a number of people asked for specifics. Mainly I try to keep the food as normal as possible while adding some healthier ingredients so no one notices what I am doing! Here are some tips for you:

***Tomorrow I am going to post a couple of our new, healthy recipes. If you would like to post one (or two) on your blog please leave me a comment on tomorrow's post and I will link your blog from my post. Think of it as a bloggy-recipe exchange! If I am lucky I may be able to figure out how to do a Mr. Linky! ;)

--Be more creative when you make salads. Use green, leafy lettuces and spinach, and add shredded cabbage, sweet peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, etc., etc. Don't allow your kids to pick things out, just tell them to "scoop and eat".

--When making bread, pizza dough, or muffins substitute at least one cup of whole wheat flour for the white flour. No one will notice. You can gradually increase the amount until you are using at least half whole-wheat flour in your recipes.

--Instead of using packets of sugary oatmeal, make oatmeal from scratch using old-fashioned oats or a 7-grain mix. Add brown sugar, milk and a little butter for taste.

--Make fruit salad with your kids.

--Make smoothies using 100% orange juice and a variety of frozen fruits. Ripe bananas sweeten these up.

--In a stir-fry or casserole add half the amount of meat and double the amount of vegetables. Believe it or not, my hubby has never noticed that I do this!

--Did you know that you can make your own popcorn in the microwave? Just toss two handfuls of popcorn kernels into a paper lunch sack and fold down the top. Cook on high for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes or until the popping slows down. Be careful because it scorches fairly quick. Pour into a bowl and add butter and salt as desired. This is much healthier and cheaper than regular microwave popcorn.

--Try a new vegetable each week. Letting the kids pick a recipe is a good way to get them involved.

--Add extra chopped vegetable to spaghetti sauce. Mushrooms, grated carrots, zucchini, peppers, and eggplant all taste great. Be creative!

--Make an attempt to eat the recommended 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This is harder than you might imagine.

How do you add good things to your recipes?