Healthy Tips and Recipes for Families from Ellen Briggs of Family Food Experts & Kid Critics #WorldHealthDay

As a mom of 4 I know all about picky eaters! I totally get the time, effort, dedication and enormous amount of patience it takes to get kids to eat a variety of healthy foods. While I sometimes "sneak" healthy foods into our meals I much prefer to have fruits and vegetables openly visible on our plates so that my children can recognize them and eventually, hopefully have a better appreciation and knowledge about what healthy foods are. We are trying to raise health minded adults after all. 

So when I was contacted by Ellen Briggs, founder of Family Food Experts and author of several books geared towards families eating and being healthy I was excited to share some of the fun ideas and great tips with all of you. For instance, we all know that smell has a lot to do with how we perceive and even taste foods but did you know that you can easily remove the strong odors that many sulfuric veggies naturally have? 

How to REDUCE NASTY SULFUR SMELLS: Do your kids run away every time you cook broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage or brussel sprouts? Reduce their offensive odors by adding a piece of stale bread or 2 celery stalks in the cooking water. 

I'm loving all of the really simple recipes, tips and games on the Family Food Experts and Kid Critics website, I hope you will add them to your reading list!


Here are 5 tips inspired by the Fuel Your Dreams^TM program to help families with small children to choose and eat healthier foods. 

Teach your kids about the connection between what they eat and drink and what happens inside their bodies. Once they learn that 100 billion neurons in their brain send thousands of messages so they can run fast, they are totally motivated to eat avocados and sweet potatoes so they can be the best they can be.  Kids will eat healthy foods that taste good.

Don’t make broccoli a 4-letter word.  Find ways to include fruits and vegetables in creative and varied ways, and your kids will love to experiment and add it to their menu.

Be transparent with your kids – they’re too smart.  Rather than hiding, pureeing, masking vegetables, if you prepare and present them properly, kids will embrace vegetables and create healthy, lifelong habits.

You become what you eat and drink.  However, kids need a reason to eat healthy food beyond “your mom said so.”  So, for example, if a kid wants to be an NFL football player (a popular choice among boys) or a veterinarian (the number one pick among girls surveyed), educate them on what specific foods can “fuel their body for success.”

Don’t “dumb it down.”  Kids are critical thinkers (love to ask and understand the “why”); they love to vote (power); and they appreciate being heard. Further, kids are egocentric, focused primarily on their own desires. Once kids understand WHY nutrition fuels success, they will crave it.

The Family Food Experts^TM team is dedicated to providing healthier food solutions that kids love to eat so they can become the best they can be.  The team developed the Kid Kritics Approved^TMSeal as a way to make food purchasing and meal preparation easier for families by identifying foods that are “kid approved” that also pass firm ingredient standards.  

Fuel Your Dreams^TM uses a variety of educational and online tools to motivate kids to want to eat healthier so they can optimize their potential, and empowers parents to understand that kids will eat healthy foods as long as they taste good.

Founder Ellen Briggs authored “Are Your Kids Running on Empty?” and “Mom, I’m Hungry.  What’s for Dinner?”  Briggs hosts the "Family Food Experts TM Kitchen" radio show, and along with co-host Carolina Lima Jantac, MS, RD, LD, and Manager of Healthier Recipe Moms, hosts “Better Food Choices,” both found on iHeartRadio.  Briggshas been featured on Fox and Friends and on NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, and more. 

Some of my favorite recipes that get kids to eat their veggies:



Bubble and Squeak has yummy brussel sprouts, potatoes and cheese, yum!

Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos with South Western Black Beans are one of my kids favorite dinners.

Almost Meatless Sloppy Joe's

Baked Parmesan Eggplant Dippers

Share your tips and tricks on getting kids to eat healthier.

What is your child's favorite veggie? 

How do you incorporate veggies into your family's diet?

Ginger-Pear Popsicles

Have you ever heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder 'SAD'? According to the Mayo Clinic it is described as a very real condition which is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. Usually symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.

Usually people who are affected with this live in a part of the Country or World where there is less light during the day such as in Washington State or the East Coast here in the States. This being said, my husband is convinced he has SAD. He's not the type of guy to complain or even mention that he not feeling well and has 'jokingly' said he must have SAD when I ask him why he is so sullen lately. The fact that we live in Phoenix, Az., the Valley of the Sun makes it harder to wrap my head around the possibility that a native Zonie can have a condition that is primarily caused by a lack of light. (light therapy usually helps treat this condition).  Maybe a vacation to the Bahamas is in order! I've been feeling a bit moody or as I like to say "hormonally unstable" lately as well. Then again, I'm used to it. ;)

Maybe a V-K isn't possible right now but I'm pretty sure popsicles cheer up most everyone, right?

Who says popsicle season is over? IMHO it's the perfect time for a cold sweet treat especially when all of my favorite flavors are in season like pears, pumpkin and apples. Apple Pie popsicle anyone? Check back on Thursday for the recipe and a chance to win my new favorite toy, the Zoku Pop Maker. This cute little gadget is cord free and can freeze popsicles in about 5 minutes! Shazaaam!

Ginger Pear Popsicles

Simple ingredients: Fresh pears, ginger root, vanilla almond milk and honey.

Did you know that ginger is excellent for calming a sick tummy? If you or your kiddos have an upset tummy give them one of these popsicles, it will help with nausea. I wish I had thought of these

when I had morning sickness for months on end!

My favorite pear to snack on are Bosc's although they are slightly grainy and next time I won't use them in popsicles. As my 8 year old put it "It tastes like you put sand in these."

These are my other favorites:

Bartlett's  are the juiciest pears when eaten raw and, consequently, lose their shape when cooked, turning to pear-sauce quite easily with the briefest exposure to heat. They are perfect for making Pear Butter or any other recipe where you want the pears to fall apart when you cook them.

Anjou  pears have a mild flavor and a firm texture, while still being sweet and juicy.

Bosc  pears are crisp when raw and hold their shape beautifully when cooked. They have the best example of the soft, grainy texture associated with pears. They are easy to recognize by their brownish russet skin, classic pear shape, and heady pear aroma. Use them to make savaory dishes like Pork With Pears and Chiles and Bourbon-Glazed Pears, or in desserts like Upside-Down Pear Cake and Sparkling Pear Sorbet.

Asian  pears are super crunchy - more like crisp apples than other pears. They are great for eating raw, especially when sliced or diced into salads. They are so good raw, in fact, that people rarely cook Asian pears. If you have a glut of them, though, they work wonderfully in tarts and crisps, like this Asian Pear Crisp. 

Ingredients 

3 fresh pears (any kind should work)1 small piece of fresh ginger root (about the size of your thumb)1 cup vanilla almond milk1tablespoon local Organic honey1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon nutmeg1/8 teaspoon cardamom

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth, NO ice! I used my Vitamix so I even included the seeds and skins on the pears. Pour the mixture into the Zoku Pop Maker. Set timer for 7 minutes and watch while your kids peer over the top and watch the Popsicles freeze before their eyes!

The Results?

Jack ~ 8 1/2 years old "They taste kind of like nothing"  He's my cynic  

Nolan ~ 7 years old   "They're delicious! They kind of taste like chocolate but not really. Next time can we have chocolate popsicles?" He's my little sweet tooth.  

Mona ~  4 years old   "Mmmmmmm, these are sooooooo goooooooood! They taste just like a popsicle!"  She's my baby. ;}

Bottom line? I loved them! They were very refreshing with just a hint of zing from the ginger and a touch of sweetness from the honey.  Next time I might add a bit more honey to appease the kids. Perfect for sitting out on the back patio during the fall months with a cool breeze. 

Don't forget to stop by on Thursday for my Apple Pie popsicle recipe and a chance to win a Zoku Pop Maker!

happy snacking!

Greek Yogurt and Goat Cheese Tzaziki Roasted Red Pepper Zucchini Rolls with Pesto Dip A.K.A. Extremely Creative and Interesting Snacks for an Unbearably Boring Mom.

Let's talk about creative energy, or rather the lack there of. For instance, I'm pretty sure that I had something rather interesting to say 15 minutes ago but since then 1 million and 1 other extremely important things have happened. Such is the life of a mom of 4. Any mom actually, but I speak for myself (disclaimer numero uno).

Case and point. In the last 15 minutes I have:

Tried to console a very distraught 4 year old little girl about a broken crayon which her 8 year old very artistic brother absolutely had to have because it was  "Imperial Blue" and the exact shade he needed to finish his bird drawing and "NO!" another shade of blue from the enormous bucket of crayons wouldn't do and excuse me please but it in fact is not a crayon but a pastel! ..............................

Stopped 3 times to put on baby doll clothes. On the same baby doll.

Tried to reason with a dramatic 6 year old over why it's not the end of the world when someone touches him, looks at him, breathes on him.

Prepared myself for yet another night of over reactive drama and whining about how grosssssss dinner is before they even know what it is.

Tried to take a picture or two of for mentioned dinner when the house we moved into several months ago does not have ONE SINGLE north facing window, or any decent window for food photography for that matter.  (note to self, look for new house immediately. post note, be in complete denial that the housing market is yet again rising faster than my strategic abilities allow.)

Exaggerating? Who me? NO. Not this time my friends, not this time. Life as a mom, end of story. 

Again, I'm pretty sure I had something very creative or mildly interesting to say in regards to this post 15 minutes ago but alas, you will forgive me as my creativity has been sucked away over the years and replaced with the cutest of cute, adorable, little, needy monsters. 

What's the opposite of boring? These super cute snack containers from Planet Box. I. heart. their lunch boxes and so when they offered to send me one of their brand new sectioned snack boxes, 

"The Shuttle" with a perfect little dipping container I was waiting by the window for the UPS guy.  

This little snack container was much roomier than I imagined and perfect for my portioned, 5 a day small meals. As you can see it held my 'second' lunch quite nicely and I won't even mention the fact that my dear husband swiped it from me the  next morning. I did get a nice text message around lunch time about how fantastic my zucchini rolls were. Cudos.

I love Planet Boxes sleek and convenient  design and that the magnets were interchangeable. My boys loved this alien one and when mommy wants to take it to work I simply take the magnets off or I can switch them out for one of their other cute magnets. These cute space guys ended up on our fridge. 

Several different sizes to choose form with eco-conscience design and cute carriers. I love it!

Back to School Time Already! Time to get a sturdy lunch box that will last through the year! 

Planet Box sent me these items, all opinions are my own.

Coconut Crusted Baked Chicken Strips {gluten free}

I remember when I was in college I thought grabbing some chicken fingers at Wendy's was a healthier choice than grabbing a cheeseburger, I mean no bread right? Wrong, duh me. I'm not going to lie, I still love a good, crispy chicken nugget but avoid the drive through like crazy nowadays. It's a good thing, a very, very good thing that home made chicken nuggets happen to be one of the very easiest things you can make. Yippee!







Anyone can make these even if you don't like to cook or it's not really your thing. This is one of my "go to" weeknight simple dinners. I'm bored to death with plain baked chicken not to mention the whole humane issue with eating cooped up chickens. Of course eating Organic & cage free chicken gets pricey when feeding a family of 6 so we don't have it very often.

These would be a perfect appetizer at a party!

When we do I make sure it's gonna be tasty and serve it up with lots of fruits and veggies. In this case, an amazingly sweet and creamy mango yogurt dipping sauce! I could have eaten it by the spoonful. Not ashamed.



One of my nutty kids doesn't like coconut (the shame) but the rest of us loved these sweet and crunchy chicken tenders and were more than happy to swipe Jack's chicken nuggets right of his plate. Ya gotta be quick around this joint when it comes to protecting your food and making sure you get the very last chicken nugget from the pan.

6-8 pieces chicken tenderloins (preferably Organic free range)

11/2 cups almond or other nut flour 

1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

4 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons milk (dairy free if possible)

salt and pepper

1 tablespoon oil for coating pan 

2 ripe mango's + 1/2 cup yogurt = mango dipping sauce

peel mango and slice fruit away from pit. Discard pit, place fruit into blender or food processor. Add yogurt, blend.

Preheat oven to 400F

Arrange 3 deep plates on counter. Add flour to one,  beaten eggs to the second and coconut to the third.

Working one at a time, place chicken tenders into flour and dredge on both sides to coat. Using your other hand, dip coated chicken into egg to coat. Next, lay chicken in coconut and dredge to coat, flip, coat other side.

Place on a lightly oiled pan or one lined with parchment. 

Continue to do this to remaining chicken. 

TIP 

 Only put half of the flour and half of the coconut onto plates as they will become gooey.

Half way through your chicken, quickly rinse off plates if needed and dry.

 Add remaining flour to one plate and remaining coconut to the other. 

Cook at 400F for 4-5 minutes. Using tongs, carefully flip the chicken pieces over. 

Cook an additional 5-6 minutes until golden brown.

Don't over cook chicken as it will become dry and taste like cardboard.

Enjoy!

Do you cook less when the weather gets warmer? 

What is your favorite warm weather dish?

Preparing for Food Revolution Day with Jamie Oliver: Healthy Snacking

Let's get straight to it shall we? I am under the impression that most of you are busy peeps and don't have time to read about another "The importance of eating healthy" post. So am I, I totally get it! We live in a time where if it can't be done NOW, made NOW or instantly downloaded onto one of our many electronic devices which will tell us how to do it while we drive, change a diaper or get ready for work than forget about it!











Case and point, wait.

A picture is worth a thousand words.........

Totally me on some days.  We all have them.

Moving on.

So how do you teach people who are reluctant for various reasons to eat more healthy foods?

I hear it wherever I go. From strangers, friends and co-workers alike. 

"I just don't have time to make home made meals and snacks!"

"I have no idea how to cook, so why try?"

and when I give them some of my simplest (IMHO) recipes I often get:

"I've never heard of half of that stuff."

or

"My family would never eat that!"

and my favorite...... wait for it......

"But, where's the chocolate?"

While I honestly and truly do understand that the majority of us don't have the means or know how about eating healthy, home made foods it's the complete lack of interest in trying that tends to irk me. I am a work in progress, big time! I am by NO means the epitome of total health. I will always be learning and striving to better myself and teach my kids the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. I can only hope that more people will continue to try as well.

For years I've mentioned these points and tips to friends, family and co-workers with mixed reactions. Mostly I get the for mentioned comments. Many of these people eat fairly healthy given their circumstances, the economy etc. but can do much better!

I aim to teach people how to radically cut down in processed, packaged and sugary foods/snacks and help them gain an appreciation for healthy home made ones. At the very, very least remove the stigma that making things home made is such an unbearable chore.

I was contacted by a representative of Jamie Oliver's last week about getting involved in 

another one of his challenges & fundraisers. School will be coming to an end for my children but I thought this would be a perfect chance to bring some of my simple snacks into work along with the 

recipes for my busy co-workers. 

Cross your fingers for me!

Meanwhile here are a few of my families favorite healthy snacks. I make them in advance, freeze them and pop them out for school snacks, hiking, camping etc.

Gold Fish Crackers made w Cheddar and Sweet Potatoes

Banana Chocolate Crisp Granola Bars

Chocolate Hazelnut Chia Seed Pudding

Peanut Butter Craisen Millet Crispies

 

No resolutions this year, just letting go of "Mommy Guilt" and making a doable "Bucket List".

I never was one for New Year's Resolutions, which is good because word on the street is that they aren't in style at the moment. I did try a detox of sorts last year but that was only half hearted and lasted around 5 days..... sort of.  Of course that doesn't mean that this isn't a great opportunity to get back into healthy habits and make more of a commitment to working out. I also decided last night around 2 a.m. to make a "bucket list" of a few realistic things I have really been wanting to do but never get around to and also to let go of a couple of things that have been unnecessarily stressing me out and bogging be down.


I tend to worry about "the small stuff" in the middle of the night and feel guilty over things that many mom's do like not spending enough time with the kids, getting mad at them to often or for not doing enough monumental or extravagant stuff as a mom.






So, like I was saying, around 2 a.m  (1:37 a.m. to be exact - that's how crazy I am)   I had an epiphany of sorts:  Cut it out. Let it go. Start living in the moment. Jot it down so it feels real and you can stop worrying about it.

simple enough.



Except that while harnessing my inner chi and jotting down these ground breaking revelations on a new me, I snapped at my 3 year old for crying and made a smart ass comment to my husband who was trying to help me find a picture on this newfangled computer.


Onward and upward.....  sighhh.

2 lists,   One:  my Bucket List which will  not  include anything monumental like reorganizing the attic or taking a trip..... anywhere.  Keeping it simple.

Two:  my Toss it and forget it list which will include any and every silly thing that has been 

bogging me down lately. 

Basically, I really need to appreciate all of the many blessings that are in my life 

focus on the good things and toss the rest.

Gwen's Bucket List:

1.  Sign Mona up for a mommy and me dance class and be  grateful  that my job is flexible enough that I can go with her.

2.  Take the kids to a different park every week. There are a ton of parks around here and if I work it at the right angle it will be a huge treat for them.   Leave cell phone in car and PLAY with them.

3. Spend more 1 on 1  quality  time with each of my children  i.e.. a simple "Date Night", fun lunch or craft project,  including the one who thinks he knows everything because he is 18 and doesn't have time for quality time with his mom unless he is being financially compensated for said quality time.

4. {remember to add to Toss it and Forget it list to stop being so mean to for mentioned teenager}

5. Resume learning Spanish. I already have the complete Rosetta Stone program.... somewhere. It was important to me at one time. It still is. It will be a major accomplishment even if I only learn a little.

6. Resume tennis lessons or at least going to the park to play tennis with my husband.

7. Take secretive private tennis lessons from a cute tennis instructor so you can finally beat your smug  dear husband in tennis even though taking couples tennis lessons last year was your idea.

8. Hike more often!!! I live on the base of a mountain and it's one of my favorite ways to excersise and feel good. Make time to do it.

Snuggle my little snug bugs more! Sit on the floor and play with them. Draw with them, read to them, sing with them, dance with them and most importantly, listen to them. Every single silly little word that is mispronounced and every story that is so excitingly told. Cherish them and try to toss out the thought that they will soon be grown up and gone because it keeps you up at night and wastes valuable energy.

Gwen's Toss it and  Forget  it List:

1.  Don't  worry  about taking that big trip to Lego Land right this second. Take the kids to a different park this week, they'll have just as much time spending the day with you.  Feed the ducks, throw a frisbee, climb on the jungle gym with them.  Oh, bring a picnic and some change for the ice cream man.

2. Stop feeling guilty about spending a little bit of time on the computer writing on your blog!   Remember that it's therapeutic, just a fun hobby not a career and having a few minutes to yourself each week isn't really that much to ask for. 

3.  Continue to enjoy Pinterest but only if I can stop feeling guilty about not being able to do every single {awesome} project, DIY or decorating shenanigan on there.  

4. Stop worrying that my closet isn't color/type/seasonally organized....... scratch that one. Who can live  with an  unorganized  closet for God's sake?   

5. Something about being nice to your teenager.......  ehhh.

Snug Bug #1  a.k.a.  annoying teenager.  When I'm not frustrated at him for doing something goofy and teenager-ish, I miss him because he's not here. Go figure. I'm proud of him. Very proud of the young man he's become, nervous about the choices and mistakes he will make and the future that is ever so swiftly upon him.

Snug Bug #2  My ever energetic, always happy, quick witted, very loud and boisterous son who loves to build things, take apart things, annoy his little brother and sister, help mom vacuum and wants to be a scientist/artist when he grows up.

Snug Bug #3  My snuggle of all snug bugs. My shy, sensitive, intuitive, thoughtful little guy. As quiet and sweet in your best as you are inconsolable and stubborn in your worst. I hope your crazy love for video games turns out to have some sort of benefit as a surgeon or fighter pilot. When I look at you, even while you are in one of your inexplicable tantrums I see my tiny newborn baby who every time I held melted into my arms and chest and calmed me to the very center of my being.

Snug Bug #4     My baby girl.  The princess of the house and knows it. At 3 years old I can already tell you have a very strong and confident personality {with 3 older brothers I guess you'd have to).  After 3 boys and hundreds of baseball games I'm having the time of my life doing girly things like dance classes, playing with dolls and making bows for your hair. 

Reliving Old Holiday Traditions and Starting a Few New Ones: Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Traditions are what makes the Holidays so special and coming up with new traditions to celebrate with your family is even better. Every year when we were little we would have a cup of  hot  warm  cocoa with mini marsh mellows while we decorated the tree. I remember feeling so special while holding that cup of creamy sweet chocolate and watching with my brother and sisters as the tree slowly came to life. We were always in our footsy jamies, the red "Annie" ones were my favorite and we always put out a small plate of cookies for Santa by our fire place, a rarity in Phoenix to be enjoyed only once a year on Christmas Eve.






The expectations and anticipations of Christmas come flooding back to me now that I have 4 children of my own. I relish in living vicariously through their utter thrill of all of the magic of the Holidays. Keeping up with most of the traditions that mine and my husbands families enjoyed so much and cherishing the new ones our own little family have started.

Going to Cost Plus World Market every year and letting all of the kids and ourselves pick out one special ornament to hang on the tree is a tradition that we started many years ago with our children. This has proven to be such a treat as the kids bounce out of their slippers every year as we drag out the Christmas boxes and let them rifle through the ornaments finding the ones with their initials and the year marked on them that they chose them and then hanging them perfectly on the tree. I know that we will cherish those ornaments forever and ever.



Making the hot cocoa that literally defines Christmas in my humble opinion is another tradition we have stuck with. I however prefer to make it with a good quality cocoa powder and sucanat or turbinado (organic) sugar  instead of the boxed/packaged/overly processed variety and then adding a bit of pure peppermint extract and using a peppermint candy stick to stir up the chocolate that settles at the bottom of the cup. Mini marsh mellow are of course Absolutely, Positively  still  Required. After all a little bit of marsh mellowy goodness never hurt anybody.

Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to start a very recent tradition and go sit out in our new bubbly hot jacuzzi. I love living here in the Arizona desert, 58F is the perfect temperature.

What are your Holiday traditions?

Peace, love and peppermint wishes from Simply Healthy Family.

Pumpkin Applesauce Belgian Waffles with Orange Cranberry Chutney

My 6 year olds chin is on my shoulder staring past me on the computer screen at these waffles. As I wipe the drool off my arm he says  " Mom why can't we have these for dinner every night, then I would never ever say Ewwww, I don't like that?"   Gotta Love the logic and common sense of a 6 year old boy. I suppose I wouldn't mind having these for dinner more often either I mean why give breakfast all the fun?

These are perfectly suited for a Fall dinner especially with this tangy sweet cranberry chutney but they are also extremely simple to make and healthy enough for a weekend breakfast or brunch. It's still in the

TRIPLE

       freaking

     digits

here in Phoenix and I really  neeeeed  these pumpkin waffles and cranberry sauce in my life right now to remind me that there is such a thing as 4 seasons....... somewhere.

 I start hoarding cans of pumpkin as soon as they hit the shelves in late September. Around the end of October I think they start hiding them from me at my local Trader Joe's.  Something about saving a few for other customers  blah blah blah.....

Use fresh cranberries, which I also keep well stocked year round in my freezer instead of canned. You won't believe the difference in taste, no comparison. As soon as these babies start simmering and slowly popping open and infusing with the orange juice and zest I am bouncing on my toes in anticipation of the blissfully tangyness  that is about to happen in my mouth.

Cranberries have long been valued for their ability to help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Now, recent studies suggest that this native American berry may also promote gastrointestinal and oral health, prevent the formation of kidney stones, lower LDL and raiseHDL (good) cholesterol, aid in recovery from stroke, and even help prevent cancer.

Fresh cranberries, which contain the highest levels of beneficial nutrients, are at their peak from October through December, just in time to add their festive hue, tart tangy flavor and numerous health protective effects to your holiday meals. When cranberries' short fresh season is past, rely on cranberry juice and dried or frozen cranberriesto help make every day throughout the year a holiday from disease.

Spoon the still hot cranberry chutney over your piping hot pumpkin waffles and skip the syrup. 

PREP TIME 10 MINUTES        COOK TIME 15 MINUTES          YIELDS about 10 waffles 

INGREDIENTS:  

2 cups unbleached whole wheat flour 

1/4 cup flax meal (ground flax) - put it on oatmeal, yogurt, muffins, cookies etc. 

1/2 cup wheat germ - {you can also put it on oatmeal, yogurt, muffins and cookies} 

1/3 cup turbinado (raw) sugar 

2 TBSP baking powder 

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or (1/2 t cinnamon + 1/4 t ground ginger + 1/8 t nutmeg + 1/8 t ground cloves, 1 tsp nutmeg 

1/2 tsp fine salt 

1 cup almond milk or low fat milk 

1 - 14 oz. can pumpkin puree 

1/4 cup unsalted, melted butter 

2 large eggs 

1 egg white 

chopped pecans or walnuts for topping

Beat together the milk, pumpkin, melted butter, agave and eggs in a bowl. In another bowl, mix together flour, wheat germ, flax meal, baking powder, spices and salt. Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in wet ingredients. Mix together until just combined. 

Pour into a preheated waffle maker. 

*If you have settings on yours, set it to med. otherwise, you might have to remove them before the light goes off so as not to burn. They will be moist and delicious!!!

Cranberry Compote  makes about 4 cups 

1 - 12 oz. bag whole, fresh cranberries (found in the produce isle)
1/4 cup O.J.
1 TBSP orange zest
2 TBSP Agave nectar (or raw turbinado sugar)
1 cup water
2 TBSP cornstarch
1 tsp real vanilla extract

Mix cornstarch in a measuring cup with about 1/4 cup of the water. Bring the rest of the ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add cornstarch mixture. Lower heat. Cook about 8 minutes. You can use this as a topping on yogurt too. My 9 month old loves this!

Nutrition Info
Calories 208
Calories from Fat 78 (37%)
Amount Per Serving %DV
Total Fat 8.8g 13%

Saturated Fat 3.0g 14%

Monounsaturated Fat 3.0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 40mg 13%

Sodium 290mg 12%
Potassium 320mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 28.1g 9%
Dietary Fiber 4.8g 19%
Sugars 3.4g
Protein 6.8g 13%

This post was created for the Monthly Mingle October edition featuring "squash" hosted this month by 

Dara over at Cookin' Canuck.