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Breakfast Ideas for Healthy Teens [Part Four in Four-Part Series]

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Breakfast Ideas for Healthy Teens [Part Four in Four-Part Series]

You asked for it and here it is: breakfast ideas for healthy teens.

Remember what I said in the second blog? “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Healthy Teens

Without question this is true. For brain development, daily energy levels, ability to focus. Sugary meals give their brains nothing to function with, and the sugar spike and drop makes them sluggish and cranky. Not a good way to start the day.

If you are prepared, breakfast only takes 15 minutes in the morning. It can be a great way to spend a moment with your child and treat your family like the royalty you are.

  1. Bob’s Red Mill Rolled Oats. Just add hot water and wait two minutes. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, even berries for a sweet treat. You can also cook steel-cut oatmeal in your crock pot the night before so it will be ready in the am.
  2. Vital Farms or Cunningham pastured eggs. It is very important to get GOOD quality protein in them, keeping blood sugar levels even. Eggs are SOOO fast and easy to make. Try one over medium cooked in coconut oil. Serve them boiled with salt and pepper. Scramble them with spinach if your kids are open to the next level. And why pastured?
    • 2/3 more Vitamin A
    • 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
    • 3 times more Vitamin E
    • 7 times more beta carotene (according to my friends at Vital Farms)
  3. Applegate Farms Chicken Maple Sausage, scrambled egg and whole wheat English muffin–or try a Van’s GF waffle with it, like a wrap! No nitrates ever.
  4. Fresh smoothies made with frozen berries, bananas, almond milk, pomegranate juice, raw protein like Amazing Meals. Stock up on your ingredients. Keep cacao on hand too. Try the Blueberry Brain Boost Smoothie. Sneak in hemp seeds for extra protein.
  5. Make a SMOOTHIE BOWL! This is basically a smoothie with lots of other good stuff in it that you eat with a spoon not a straw. Check out this video and recipe from my friend Pamela Salzman.
  6. Vigilant Eats Oat Cereal if you are in a super rush. Just add cold or hot water and go. Spoon is already in the cup! Eleven grams of protein to start your day. Come get yours at The GEM!
  7. Healthy granola, like Hail Merry’s Cherry Almond Hemp with Malk’s vanilla almond milk. Add it on top of an extra thick smoothie for a Parfait!!
  8. Ezekiel Bread toasted with avocado, sea salt, lime and cayenne pepper.
  9. Organic peanut or almond butter and raw honey on a whole grain Van’s waffle.  Heavy on the organic nut butter.
  10. Breakfast burrito–whole wheat tortillas–the fresh ones from Central Market or Whole Foods, NOT the Mission ones with a gazillion creepy ingredients–mixed with scrambled eggs and pico de gallo. You can drain a can of black beans the night before and add those in the mix too.
  11. For the weekend: KING ARTHUR gluten free pancake mix with blueberries. This gluten-free brand is amazing!!!! The pancakes are really fantastic when cooked with coconut oil. They need almost no syrup! They make GREAT waffles too. Combine with #2 or #3 to balance with protein.
  12. Clean junk for the weekend: Cinnamon Rolls by Immaculate Baking Company: just like the Dough Boy, but without the chemicals!! They also have crescent rolls—make them with Applegate Farms chicken maple sausage links for a clean “pig in a blanket.” Winner!

And remember this important detail for breakfast: if it comes from a box, read the label. If it has a mascot, it is NOT an acceptable breakfast. Read your labels! If you don’t know what the ingredients are or how to spell them, toss it.

And as for YOU, dear parent, plan your mornings accordingly: get up early, revel in your morning routine and simply enjoy a few moments with your kids.


6 Snacks for School for Your Lil GEMs

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on 6 Snacks for School for Your Lil GEMs

Hopefully everyone is settled nicely into our new back to school routines. If your kids are anything like our own GEMs, that means It. Is. On.

Snacks for school day, after school sports, group projects, dentist appointments and social gatherings are making for some ravenous kids (and moms). They need proper fuel. The key is to be prepared. If not, the entire day can implode inside the corner 7-Eleven.

It’s critical to make sure your small, convenient, healthy snacks are taken to school for your kiddos and readily between healthy meals. Keep these in your car or purse to that you are always ready!

Check these out mamas and daddies:

The Gem RE-MIX – Yes! Deez NUTS are awesome. It’s our very own raw nut mix! Brain healthy fats and protein abound with walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil Nuts, mulberries and dried tart cherries. Super filling and packs a punch!

Sami’s Cinnamon Chips – These millet and flax crackers covered with cinnamon and sugar have been touted as “crack in a bag.” Just know you’ve been warned. Get two bags if you want to try, because once you pass it back in carpool, your chances are none. Deceivingly low in sugar, these chips are also great with almond butter or along side your coffee.

Tosi Bar and Bites – Just the right amount of crunch and sweet. Packed with protein, Omega 3’s and fiber, these bites are made of nuts, chia seeds, flax seeds and organic maple syrup. Cashew, Almond and the brand NEW Blueberry and Cappuccino Crunch flavors are super delicious and healthy.

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Pipcorn – Our version of popcorn. The mini kernels are from heirloom seeds–just like nature intended! It’s Non-GMO and has an addicting crunch. Comes convenient pre-popped bag and is sure to please even the pickiest little eater. Find your favorite flavor: Sea Salt, Truffle (my fave), Kettle, or Rosemary.

Alyssa’s Vegan Bites – When you need something sweet but you don’t want to overload on sugar, Mark Cuban’s new company has you covered. These little cookies have very low sugar (2 grams of sugar in 2 cookies) and are delicious. The tastiest oatmeal raisin cookie you will ever eat.

Hail Merry Sriracha Sunflower Seeds – Exclusive to us and beyond delicious, these gluten-free spicy seeds are perfect for the on-the-go kid.

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So don’t let back to life crazy take you down an unhealthy road. Plan ahead, stock up and send your little GEMs off with ready fuel for the school day and beyond.


12 Healthy Breakfast Options on the Go

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 5 Comments on 12 Healthy Breakfast Options on the Go

We’ve always heard, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Without question this is true, especially for our kids. For brain development, their daily energy levels, their ability to focus.

An apple a day...It can be a challenge with all of the over processed options you see in the grocery store.

Fruit Loops ARE NOT AN OPTION.

Getting your kids to eat a good breakfast in the morning is simple–if you just do a little planning. You need a few of these quick and healthy breakfast options in your arsenal.

Make a shopping list that includes all of the items below and plan out your week. If you are not a morning person, put out plates, glasses and put ingredients together ready to go from the fridge. If they take vitamins (which they should), place them in little ramekins at their place setting. Still plan to get up 10 minutes early. It makes all the difference.

Breakfast only takes 15 minutes, and it can be a great way to take a moment to set your intention for the day, spend a moment with your kids and treat yourself like the royalty you are.

Feed them royally (as our friends at Hail Merry might say) with some of the following options:

  1. Bob’s Red Mill Rolled Oats. Just add hot water and wait two minutes. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, even berries for a sweet treat. You can also cook steel-cut oatmeal in your crock pot the night before so it will be ready in the am.
  2. Vital Farms pastured eggs. It is very important to get protein in them, keeping blood sugar levels even. Eggs are SOOO fast and easy to make. Try one over medium cooked in coconut oil. Serve them boiled with salt and pepper. Scramble them with spinach if your kids are open to the next level. And why pastured?
    • 2/3 more Vitamin A
    • 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
    • 3 times more Vitamin E
    • 7 times more beta carotene (according to my friends at Vital Farms)
  3. Applegate Farms Chicken Maple Sausage, scrambled egg and whole wheat English muffin–or try a Van’s GF waffle with it, like a wrap! No nitrates, organically grown.
  4. Fresh smoothies made with frozen berries, bananas, almond milk, pomegranate juice, raw protein like Amazing Meals. Stock up on your ingredients. Keep cacao and agave on hand too. Try the Blueberry Brain Boost Smoothie. Sneak in hemp seeds for extra protein.
  5. Vigilant Eats Oat Cereal if you are in a super rush. Just add cold or hot water and go. Spoon is already in the cup! Eleven grams of protein to start your day. Come get yours at The GEM!
  6. Cherrybrook Farms (gluten-free) pancakes with blueberries. This gluten-free brand is amazing!!!! They really are fantastic when cooked with coconut oil. They need almost no syrup! Combine with #2 or #3 to balance with protein.
  7. Healthy granola, like Hail Merry’s Cherry Almond Hemp with vanilla almond milk or organic Greek yogurt. Add fresh sliced pineapple on the side.
  8. Ezekial Bread toasted with almond butter and their favorite jam (not the kind with food coloring and lots of chemicals. Read your labels!)
  9. Make a peanut or almond butter and jelly whole grain waffle. Heavy on the organic peanut butter.
  10. Breakfast burrito–whole wheat tortillas–the fresh ones from Central Market or Whole Foods, not the ones with a gazillion ingredients–mixed with scrambled eggs and pico de gallo. You can drain a can of black beans the night before and add those in the mix too.
  11. Quinoa Cereal.  It’s reminiscent of Cream of Wheat, but SOO much better.  Here’s a recipe.  Play with it–your kids just might love it!
  12. Bonus: invest in a citrus juicer. You can make fresh squeezed orange or pink grapefruit juice in a matter of seconds. It is AMAZING and a tremendous source of Vitamin C. Everyone thinks it’s cool to operate.

And remember this important detail for breakfast: if it comes from a box, read the label. If you don’t know what the ingredients are or how to spell them, toss it.

Do you have a whole food, protein rich breakfast favorite you’d like to share? We’d love to hear about it!


Hail to the Chief

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 3 Comments on Hail to the Chief

Most importantly, the mother of all healthy snacks: anything from HAIL MERRY.  My bestest friend Susan O’Brien makes these yummy snacks–almost too good to be healthy.  Macaroons, chocolate tarts, granola, kick ass nuts.  So good they will make your tongue slap your teeth out.  www.hailmerry.com


The Land of Conveniences.

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 2 Comments on The Land of Conveniences.

Now taking requests.  I may not use them and secretly scoff behind your back,  but I will graciously consider them.  Like today.  A new found BFF asked me to write about what to feed her kids for after school snacks.  She genuinely wanted some good options.  Not freaky, sprouted tofu options but enticing foods that kids would gladly eat.  Given this is the first week of school for many of us, I felt it fitting.  My post on sweaty back hair must wait til next time. (Certain to be a crowd favorite).

We live in the most convenient city on the planet.  We have everything at our finger tips.  And, for the right price, we can have it.  All wrapped up nicely in plastic wrap.  No extra work, no forethought, no preparation.  This power, my friends, can be deadly when used carelessly.  I’m talking about snacks.  Snacks for you, snacks for your kids.  It is SO EASY to go to the store and pick up the Frito Lay snak-pak of chips.  Cheetos, Doritos, Sun Chips.  Oreos, Nutter Butters, Lorna Doone. Food Coloring, Hydrogenated Oils, High Fructose Corn Syrup. Perfectly packaged for your kids.  An allergy and ADHD cocktail. Trust me, you aren’t doing anyone any favors–unless you are the Frito Lay rep.

The key to having your kids eat healthier snacks is to stay ahead of the game.  Make it convenient for better choices. That means plan.  Just a little.  Give them something to eat before they ask for it.  Have a plate of cheese, hummus, veggies and nuts sitting out on the table.  Or something yummy waiting in the fridge.  Here are a few of my (and my kids’ favorites).  Let me know yours.

Fresh Popped Popcorn in coconut oil. Back to my earlier ‘expose’ on the microwave kind, this popcorn is AWESOME.  You have to get a Whirly Pop  or one of those Cusinart machines. So worth it and fun to make.

ProBugs yogurt drinks are a favorite around here.  9 grams of protein plus probiotics.  They come in several different flavors.

HAIL MERRY! Chocolate Macaroons are amazing.  And made by my very BFF.  Addicting to say the least!

Frozen Grapes.  Just what it sounds like.  Grapes in the freezer.  They are addicting.  On that note, there is a Zoku popsicle maker  that you just pour in any kind of juice and it freezes it in less than 10 minutes.  Super cool.  http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/zoku-duo-quick-pop-maker/?pkey=cctlsptice

Edamame.  Easy to make (buy it frozen, boil for 1 min, add sea salt) and you can keep in the fridge for a quickie.

Tias Ranch flavored tortilla chips.  It is still junk food, but it is under the non-toxic junk food. These taste very much like their evil twin Doritos, but without the unrecognizable ingredients. REALLY yummy.  For that matter good ole Lays chips and Fritos are atleast free of additives and creepy stuff.  Add fresh salsa or guacamole.

Nitrate free beef and turkey jerky. Whole Foods has their own brand.

Frozen Lemonade.  Grab a blender and add some natural lemonade and ice.  Kids LOVE it!

Clif Bars.  They are almost everywhere–and are free from junk additives.

Quesadillas with organic cheese and beans.  Good stuff.

And the good old standby: Peanut butter and honey.  Except choose organic (regular peanuts are RIDDLED with toxic pesticides).  Almond butter is even better. On whole wheat bread, rice cakes,  sliced apples or Elvis style on a banana.

Have a great year!!
Now for the shameless, self-promoting plug.  I am walking 60 miles for Komen Walk for the Cure in November.  I would be humbled and grateful if you would consider a donation on my behalf.  Komen’s research on the drug Herceptin is THE reason I was able to kick that dreadful kancer to the curb.  And BTW, walking 60 miles AIN’T easy.  I thought it would be–but my feet are thinking otherwise.  Cheer me on.  With your mouth and your wallet!  Peace.

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2011/DallasFortWorthEvent2011?px=6183831&pg=personal&fr_id=1622