Dirty Juice

Tonight, Liam asked me for more Dirty Juice.  We had already made a good 56 ounces this morning and had devoured it between 4 of us throughout the day.  And still, Liam wanted more.  So, I cut up the veggies and fruit and give them to Liam to put in our Vita-mix.  As I was cutting some carrot, I turned around to find Liam (2.5 years old) creating his own Dirty Juice Recipe!  He was going wild adding extra cabbage and spinach to the mix.  And, at the same time, asking for more beet - smiling with pure excitement.  So, I went with the flow.  We blended up our Dirty Juice, and Liam promptly drank two small glasses with pure excitement and enjoyment, before bounding off to play with Emma and Owen.  David and I also drank a glass surprised that it was so yummy with all of the extra spinach and cabbage.  

I received a Vita-mix as a gift recently and I am currently in the process of leaning what a Vita-mix can do....and more importantly, finding recipes to add to our normal menu that we love and are healthy for us.  The Vita-mix is what I could term a super blender, of sorts.  One can throw in whole fruits and vegetables and the Vita-mix will puree them with ease.  


We decided that one of the first recipes we wanted to tackle with the Vita-mix was a smoothie with vegetables.  And, upon my first search to find a great fruit and vegetable smoothie, I stumbled across our beloved Dirty Juice.


Erika, at "A Little Insanity" Blog has created a wonderful recipe for a vegetable/fruit drink she has titled "Dirty Juice."  The basic concept for creating Dirty Juice is to throw 5 vegetables and 5 fruits into the Vita-mix, with a little water, puree and drink!  


The wonderful part about Dirty Juice, is you can really design the recipe to your own liking.  We began following the Dirty Juice recipe, however, we always adjust the recipe based on the available fruits and vegetables in the house.  Our general ingredients are Kale, Cabbage, Carrots, Beets, Broccoli, Spinach, apples, pears, bananas, grapes, strawberries and blueberries.


We have not changed our diet with the addition of Dirty Juice, rather we have simply increased our intake of fruits and vegetables.  The results have been amazing.  We all feel great, have more energy, and I find that our ability to remain calm and centered and unaffected by stress has greatly increased.  


I feel so good knowing we are "eating" so many additional fruits and vegetables daily.  And, I am even more excited that Liam LOVES Dirty Juice.  I actually now have to remind myself that, when he asks for a second serving, I can say "Yes."  Who would have thought?!

If you would like to try the Dirty Juice Recipe, check out Erika's Youtube Dirty Juice Video or view the recipe on her Blog.

Spirulina Power Balls

Have you ever eaten a Spirulina Protein Power Ball?  I have to say, they are yummy.  I was first introduced to them when I saw them at the check out of our local health food store.  I thought they looked interesting, and knew that Spirulina was very very very healthy for you.  So, at the check out, I decided to pick up three of them to try.  One for me, one for my husband D, and one for my friend Mary.

When I arrived home with my fair, the three of us sat down to inspect the Spirulina Balls and eat them.  I opened mine up and devoured it immediately - Raving how D and Mary will love them.  D and Mary were looking at the Spirulina Balls with disgust.  They were green and brown and did not look very appetizing.  In addition, the concept of eating Spirulina (Algae) was not really enticing for them.

So, with a lot of encouragement, jokes and laughter, they finally tried the Spirulina Balls. Mary was so excited.  She loved them!  She now eats them daily!  D, he like them, thought they were tasty, but can't quite get over the appearance to eat them regularly.  Especially if we buy them.

So, with Emma and Liam reaching an age where they can chew nuts, I decided it was time to find a recipe for these to add to our arsenal of healthy snacks.  A recipe that I came upon is by Teresa Cutter, The Healthy Chef.  Teresa posted a wonderful recipe and article about the nutrition benefits of all of the ingredients in her Spirulina Power Balls.  And let me tell you, they taste wonderful.

We make them according to the recipe, but we are also just beginning to venture out to twist up the recipe to include Chia Seeds for additional Omega 3's.

Emma and Liam love this snack - and I love that they love this snack because it is so healthy for them.  And I must say, D now will eat them with all of us as well, because he can't be left out!

I have posted Teresa's posting and recipe below.  I hope you enjoy them!  If you have a recipe for Spirulina Protein Balls, please share as I am always looking for additional yummy recipes!

Spirulina Protein Power Balls

Do you ever have those days where you’re just rushing around with no time to spare and in need of some quick nourishment.  I normally  grab a few pieces of fruit or nuts when I’m travelling, trying to munch it down in the car and often spilling my almonds everywhere, making a total mess.  This week I’ve been playing around in the kitchen and thought I’d make up a large batch of one of these yummy Protein Power Balls to take on road trips. They take around 10 minutes to make and end up being much healthier and more  cost effective then buying them in the gym or supermarket. I’ve thrown in some spirulina which add an extra boost of amino acids and combine well with the nuts and protein powder.

A spoonful of Spirulina is rich in iodine, which is needed for healthy thyroid for metabolism.  Spirulina is a member of the single-cell blue algae family and is about 70 percent protein to support a healthy immune system. Raw nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashew and brazil are full of good fats, protein, antioxidants and fiber.  Studies by the American journal of clinical nutrition found that eating a small handful of raw nuts per day can help control weight and reduce hunger,  food cravings as well as help lower cholesterol.  For an omega 3 boost you can swap all the nuts in this recipe for walnuts.  I also  love adding cinnamon to a lot of the food I cook because it has the power to help your body metabolize sugar and reduce insulin levels. Eating as little as 1/4 to 1 teaspoons of cinnamon a day  is all you need to see the effects as well as cut cholesterol from 10 – 25 percent. Feel free to add more when making this recipe.

This batch of power balls should last up to 4 weeks in the fridge and make a delicious healthy snack or meal any time of day.  Enjoy.

Makes 20 protein balls

200 g  (2 cups) whole raw almonds
200 g  ( 2 cups) whole raw cashew nuts
199 g (1 cup) pumpkin seed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 scoop (21 g) natural vanilla protein powder (optional)
1 teaspoon spirulina powder
16 whole fresh pitted dates
squeeze orange juice or lemon
coconut to roll

Combine all the dry ingredients into a food processor.  (almond, cashew, cinnamon, protein powder, pumpkin seed and sea salt) process until you get a crumb like consistency.  Add dates and vanilla and process again.  Squeeze the mixture and it should start to combine, if now add 2 more dates.  Squeeze over a little orange or lemon juice and process for the last time.  The mix should come together when squished with the hands.  Using a small ice cream scoop or teaspoon divide mix into 20 balls.  Roll in coconut and store covered in the fridge until needed.

Nutrition per ball:

Protein: 6 g
Carbs: 6.1 g
Total fat: 12 g
Saturated: 1.5 g
Fibre: 2.5 g
kilojoules: 665
Calories: 159

NOTE: you can also use sulphur free dried apricots or prunes  in place of the fresh dates.

Mealtime Preparation for Toddlers

Mealtime with toddlers is something that is always a surprise!  One day they eat, the next they don't, one day they like something, the next minute they don't!  But, no matter what the outcome, mealtime in our household is always an enjoyable and entertaining time.  We all sit down together to eat and enjoy our time together.

Many of my friends also have created a family mealtime in their household where they all sit down to eat together as well.  And, the methods of preparing the food differs from household to household, based on the time and priorities established by the parents.

Take us for example, we decided we would tackle the preparing of meals from scratch for our kids: such as Quinoa with squash and cauliflower followed by Avacado and banana pudding for dessert.  Then there are my friends Laurie and Steve.  They both work and decided that feeding their toddlers would consist of more mainstream food that was prepared to allow them more time with their kids when they get home from work.

When we get together, we always love to laugh at how different we are with the foods that we feed our kids.  Her children are eating Mac and Cheese and blueberries, where mine have some sort of veggie medley mash.  It is a sight to behold!

We enjoy sharing stories about different meal plans and how well they go over.  We embrace our mealtime diversity to the tee - with many great laughs and chuckles!  But the one thing that is the same is: we both enjoy sitting down to spend the most quality time possible with our children during mealtime.  That is our priority.

So tell us, how do you plan and spend your mealtime with your children?  Do you eat on the go, do you eat together, do you prepare your own foods, use already prepared foods, or are you somewhere in the middle?

There are so many variations based on the needs of the family and what works for your family.  The important part of it all is that you feel good about what you are doing and that it works for you.

I hope you enjoy your mealtime, and that your children enjoy it too!

~Claire