Bob’s Red Mill Giveaway

Have you read the February Newsletter on Ancient Whole Grains yet? I hope you enjoyed it! One of the best ways to be sure you incorporate more whole grains you’re your diet is to learn how to cook with them. Which is why we’re giving away Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grains Cookbook! 1 winner will receive the cookbook,  AND a bag each of Whole Wheat flour and 10 Grain Flour!

• To enter this giveaway  leave a tip in the comment section below on your favorite whole grain product.

• Gain an additional entry by leaving a comment on our Facebook Wall about your favorite Bob’s Red Mill Product.

• You can also enter by tweeting: “@SUPERMARKETSAVVY is giving away @Bobs_Red_Mill #WholeGrains #Cookbook http://tinyurl.com/6qzxwwa”

This contest is open until 11:59pm February 26^th, 2012. I will pick one winner via Random.org and publish the winner next Monday (the 27^th). Please leave a valid email address with each comment so we can contact you if you win! Good Luck!

Ancient & Alternative Grains

Whole grains have become a priority for health conscious consumers due to the 2010 USDA Guidelines and the MyPlate program that emphasizes the importance of eating at least 3 servings of whole grains (48 g) each day. Wheat, corn, rice, and oats represent the largest market share of whole grain food sales. However, various ancient and alternative grains are gaining the attention of savvy
consumers and the food industry. These include amaranth, buckwheat, flax, Indian rice grass, millet, teff, quinoa, and sorghum.

Several of these ancient grains have become common on grocery store shelves in the form of flours and flakes although few consumers know how to prepare and incorporate these grains into their diet. More of these ancient grains are showing up in prepared foods such as bread, cereal, crackers, chips, and side dishes.

This month’s SUPERMARKET SAVVY Newsletter searched the grocery shelves for foods that contain these ancient and alternative grains and provides information on buying, preparing, and eating all types of whole grains. Read reviews of Nature’s Path Ancient Grains Granola, Progresso Barley Soups, Kashi 7 Whole Grains and more. Enjoy recipes for 10 Grain Yogurt Quickbread and Tangy Quinoa Salad among others. Find a Whole Grain Tip Sheet and Comparison Chart. Read more about the current issue.

Let me know your favorite whole grain product or give me a tip on how you get your family to eat whole grains and you will be entered into a contest for a free Bob’s Red Mill Cookbook: Whole and Healthy Grains for Every Meal of the Day.

Fish Stories at the Supermarket

Kids are like human sponges soaking up fun nutrition tips at the supermarket. Really. Jake learned that tilapia is a vegetarian fish that loves to eat algae. Jackie was interested in how wild salmon is caught in the waters off Alaska, flash frozen and transported to her home town. Their younger brother, Rocco, was most interested in watching the live lobsters in a tank at the other end of the seafood department. Fish is a powerful protein food that can add quality to kids’ meals and snacks and it’s not hard to cook as many moms and dads may think. My favorite teaching point for the entire family is to explain how to cook fish directly from frozen. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Association, in fact, has a cool website feature where they offer simple video instruction on cooking fish from frozen – grilling, sautéing, baking, broiling, roasting, steaming. Kids can get involved in family meal prep with fish, too. Whether they catch it themselves or choose it from their neighborhood supermarket, kids will have a good time making up their personal fish stories!

There are fun nutrition facts and tips for kids to soak up in every single aisle of the supermarket. Savvy Kids at the Supermarket are one-of-a-kind learning kits and party planners that will excite and ignite kids to choose fun and nutritious foods because they taste great, are easy on the wallet and bring the family together around the meal table.

Cindy Silver, a registered dietitian in North Carolina, created the Savvy Kids at the Supermarket learning products to help parents build a healthier home kitchen with nutritious and easy choices available every day. Her website is www.marketbasketnutrition.com.

Winner of Gluten Free Vegan Cookbook is…

Thank you to all that entered this month’s Gluten Free Vegan Cookbook Giveaway! There were over 30 entrants through comments and tweets and using Random.org the winner is…

Cheri O who said her favorite gluten free item is:  “Rice! Any shape or form.”

Thank you to all that entered! Don’t forget to check out Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking by Julieanna Hever, M.S., R.D.,C.P.T. , and Chef Beverly Lynn Bennett!

Gluten Free Vegan & Vegetarian Giveaway

This month’s SUPERMARKET SAVVY Newsletter focuses on healthy items for the Gluten-free Vegan and Vegetarian. Undoubtedly you have noticed the recent increase in number of gluten-free products available in supermarkets. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation 1 in 133 people in the US have Celiac disease, for which the treatment is complete elimination of gluten from diet. An additional six percent of the U.S. population, or 18 million people, may be classified with gluten sensitivity, according to the Center for Celiac Research, University of Maryland. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Vegetarians and vegans rely more heavily on grains for macro and micronutrients, making it essential that you provide them with the tools to maintain a nutritious gluten free diet. January’s newsletter focuses on healthy products and tips for those restricting gluten, dairy and eggs in their diet.

An additional resource we recommend is Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking by Julieanna Hever, M.S., R.D., C.P.T. , and Chef Beverly Lynn Bennett. Julieanna counsels a variety of clients throughout the world from her Los Angeles, California-based private practice including elite athletes, adults, and children with various nutritional and/or medical concerns. an opportunity for Julieanna to bring whole food, plant-based nutrition to the forefront of efforts to improve the current global health crisis. This is a great resource if you or your clients are interested to practical applications of a gluten/dairy/egg-free lifestyle. And we’re giving away a copy of the book exclusively to Supermarket Savvy readers! First a couple of rules:

• Entering is easy: just leave a comment on this post on your favorite gluten-free item. Be sure to include your email address so we have a way to contact you if you win!
• Receive an additional entry by tweeting: “@SupermrktSavvy is giving away a copy of @plantdietitian ‘s newest #glutenfree #vegan #cookbook Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/7ltu39y”
• This contest will be open until January 31st at 12:00pm and is open to US citizens only.
• What are you waiting for? Enter now!!

Last Minute Tips for a Healthy & Blessed Thanksgiving

As the count down to the Thanksgiving meal evolves, take a deep breath and focus on the company rather than the food. Think of fun ways to interact that don’t involve food–take a walk, play a game, do a craft, etc.

When food is the focus, think about cutting the fat and sodium where possible:

• Try a fat free and reduced sodium stock or broth–try Swanson.
• Use a fat skimmer to rid the turkey drippings of fat and make a low fat gravy.
• Try a Soy Nog rather than regular Egg Nog to cut calories and fat.
• Use a low fat and sodium canned cream or mushroom soup for casseroles.
• Prepare stuffing with whole grain bread for added fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• Substitute egg whites for whole eggs and evaporated skim milk for cream in your pumpkin pie recipe.
• Serve cut up raw veggies with a low fat dip for an appetizer.

Enjoy your holiday! Count your blessings!

For more thoughts on Healthy Holiday Foods and to access a Tip Sheet on 10 Healthy Holiday Foods go to www.supermarketsavvy.com.

Fruits & Veggies Get Kids Excited About Eating Right

Jackie wants to be a strawberry because it’s her favorite fruit and so sweet. Jake wants to be cherries because they grow in a bunch and he likes hanging around with his friends. Rocco wants to be mixed vegetables so he can talk different languages with the other vegetables, and he doesn’t want to be eaten. Who knew kids could take on the ‘personalities’ of fruits and veggies so creatively? Amazing.

Next time you’re in the supermarket, try asking a child which fruit or vegetables she/he would like to be and why? You’ll be surprised to hear the answer, and you might be surprised at their excitement, too. There are so many questions you can ask kids to get them talking about fruits and veggies. Here are a few to get you started:

• What’s your favorite color for a vegetable?
• What’s your favorite flavor for a fruit?
• Which vegetable looks the most colorful on your dinner plate?
• Which vegetable tastes good for breakfast?
• What fruit makes the biggest crunch when you eat it?

In case you are wondering, two vegetables that Rocco wants to see on his dinner plate are tomatoes and salad. Jackie would rather see raw celery and carrots on hers, and Jake chooses roasted asparagus and plenty of raw onions for his plate. Luckily, these three delightful kids are siblings so let’s assume that eventually they will all expand their veggie horizons by sharing when the dinner bell rings. And, that goes for fruit, too!

For more creative and fun resources that help kids’ become family leaders for good nutrition, be sure to preview Savvy Kids at the Supermarket. There are Mini Kits, Party Planners and Kids’ Cards so every kid can learn about his/her favorite foods. It’s an affordable investment for a lifetime of great flavors and great health. And, remember, hands-on, fun education begins at your supermarket!

Cindy Silver, MS, RD, LDN is today’s guest blogger. She is the owner of Market Basket Nutrition, a nutrition education counseling and consulting business in North Carolina. Cindy’s weekly blog helps families with kids learn better skills with meal planning, grocery shopping and nutritious cooking at home. She is the creator and author of Savvy Kids at the Supermarket products.

Healthy Holloween Treats

Halloween and health may seem like an oxymoron but there are some healthier options for Halloween treats–popcorn balls, dried fruit products, trail mix and even reduced sugar candies are just a few suggestions.

Just as our latest newsletter focused on eliminating ‘Added Sugars,’ the focus on Halloween treats should be on lowering the sugar content. Some popular small sized candies with lower amounts of added sugar include Wonka Mini Laffy Taffy (4.2 grams), Hershey’s Assorted Miniatures (4.4 grams), Hershey’s Nuggets Dark Chocolate with Almonds (4 grams), Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (8 grams), and Skinny Cow Dreamy Clusters Candy (8 grams).

Dried fruit snacks come in lots of shapes and flavors and are like candy to kids. Since fruit is a natural source of sugar, the focus should be on finding those with no or little added sugar. Also check the ingredients for ‘partially hydrogenated oils’ and ‘artificial food colors.’ Some of our favorites are Betty Crocker Simply Fruit Roll-Ups (10 grams sugar), Sensible Foods Crunch Organic Dried Fruit Snacks (16 grams sugar) and Annie’s Homegrown Bunny Fruit Snacks (10 grams sugar).

Find more Healthy Halloween Tips on www.SupermarketSavvy.com.

Pumpkins and Breakfast and Kids, Oh My!

Make no mistake about the excitement kids feel as October moves into its second half. The leaves are changing and funny/scary costumes are on the horizon. Better yet, fall meals and snacks overlap beautifully with the season of bright orange pumpkins for a ‘perfect storm’ of good nutrition.

Pumpkin falls near the top of a list of the healthiest choices for kids. It has only 25 calories in ½ cup cooked and over 100% of the RDA for vitamin A. Let’s assume the family’s fresh pumpkin is made into a jack-o-lantern, seeds scooped out and reserved for toasting in the oven with a little oil and salt. There’s great nutrition in the seeds, with nearly 20% of the RDA for magnesium and zinc. What fits easier into the family pantry than a big pumpkin is a convenient and nutrient-dense can of solid-pack pumpkin. Its one ingredient, pumpkin, is wonderfully versatile and full of awesome flavor.

Pumpkin and breakfast? Why not? By pairing the morning meal with a highly nutritious fall squash, kids are in for a blast of good nutrition and a fun, new waker-up. Go ahead, try one of these totally simple pumpkin recipes, or try both! Kids can always learn from helping in the kitchen with adult supervision.

Pumpkin-Apple Pancakes: Mix together 1 cup Bisquick Heart Smart Baking Mix + 1 cup whole wheat flour + 1 ¼ cups nonfat milk + 1 large egg + ½ – ¾ cups solid-pack pumpkin + ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Cook into pancakes. Serve with warmed applesauce and a little cinnamon-sugar.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese and Bagel: Mix together until creamy 8 oz light cream cheese + ¼ cup solid-pack pumpkin + 1 Tbsp brown sugar + ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice. Serve with a fresh mini bagel.

For more creative and fun resources that help kids’ become family leaders for good nutrition, be sure to preview Savvy Kids at the Supermarket. The Mini Kit called, Power Breakfast, sets up kids and their families for breakfast success, every day. Or, check out the Party Planners or Kids’ Cards. There is nothing quite like hands-on, fun education that begins at the supermarket!

Cindy Silver, MS, RD, LDN is today’s guest blogger. She is the owner of Market Basket Nutrition, a nutrition education counseling and consulting business in North Carolina. Cindy’s weekly blog helps families with kids learn better skills with meal planning, grocery shopping and nutritious cooking at home. She is the creator and author of Savvy Kids at the Supermarket products.

Savvy Kids at the Supermarket

Would you like to serve up a health portion of food and nutrition to your kids? Do you need a new idea for a party

one that is fun and informative? Are your kids picky about foods and you would like to get them to try new fruits or vegetables? Give Savvy Kids at the Supermarket a try! Cindy Silver, a registered dietitian has spent the past 15 years entertaining and educating kid-focused activities in the supermarket in her role as a supermarket nutrition educator for Lowe’s Foods in North Carolina.

Savvy Kids at the Supermarket (SKS) is a series of 9 modules for parties, family dinners and tasting new foods. For instance, the SKS Mini-Kits focus on family meals and snacks with 3 themes–Power Breakfast, Sugar-Buster Snacks, and Fun Family Dinners. Each Mini-Kit includes 8 to 12 kid-friendly recipes, a colorful step-by-step guide of 5 pages and a fun activity sheet. Mini Kits sell for $11.99 each or al 3 for $29.99 (a $6 savings).

SKS Party Planners make birthday parties easy on parents and fun for kids. You guessed it…every party begins at the supermarket where kids prowl around to find ingredients for a simple party or meal and/or snacks. Afterwards, they head home for some fun in the kitchen and a party that serves up healthy choices. Choose from 3 themes–Pizza Party, Picnic Party, and Sleepover Party. Each Party Planner Kit includes 3 kid-friendly recipes, 3 party meal solutions, party favor suggestions, a colorful step-by-step guide of 3 pages, and a fun activity sheet. SKS Party Planners are $6.99 each or 3 for $17.99 (a savings of $3).

To encourage young children to try new fruits and vegetables, Cindy has 3 Kids’ Cards Themes–Tasting Apples, Tasting Vegetables, and A Supermarket Garden. Every card set starts with a hunt for one special food in the produce aisle. Kids learn by seeing, smelling, touching, and tasting. After checkout, they return home to think about how the food grows. Then, they help cook up a tasty and nutritious recipe. The Kids’ Cards are $6.99 each or all 3 for $17.99 ($3 savings).

Visit me at the American Dietetic Association Food & Nutrition Conference this weekend in San Diego. You can find me at the Member Product Marketplace on Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm. I will have sample SKS modules for you to preview.