Tag: healthy food

Reimagining Food Waste

When we think about food waste, what do you imagine? An abundant heap of food tossed into the landfills or throwing out barely expired food from your own kitchen? Well, all of those factors contribute to excess food that gets thrown in the trash which inevitably ends up in our streets, oceans, and clogs up our planet’s resources. Food waste is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation in the world. In fact, excess food waste is an ongoing major global problem and it’s up to us to find solutions to prevent it.

As parents we laboriously cook meals for our children, whether it’s an extravagant meal or something quickly thrown together. We hope our children finish the food off their plates and appreciate what we provide for them on the dinner table. But what happens to all the food that don’t get eaten or cooked?

Why is food waste such a problem, especially in the United States?  According to Foodprint.org, the US accounts up to 40% of food wasted and up to 160 billion pounds of food that gets thrown away. Add in to food lost that happens with bad weather at farms, fisheries, and manufacturing facilities, it’s incredible how much valuable food gets lost in the system. Consider that food insecurity is also a major problem around the world, what can one individual do to help prevent food waste?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP PREVENT FOOD WASTE?

  • Create a Zero-Waste kitchen. Start with planning all your meals in advance and make shopping lists. Check your refrigerator and pantry before grocery shopping. Date certain foods on the containers or if you plan on freezing them. Cycle older foods to the front of the fridge so you can use them up first.

  • Compost. One of the easiest way of reducing your carbon footprint is to compost. While this may not be a miracle saver of preventing food waste, composting helps reduce waste in the landfills and can benefit the plants in your garden.

  • Check the “best by” date, rather than the “expired date”. Many companies have changed their labeling to indicate a best by date since households around the world have various food preservation methods. In the past, food were wasted because consumers were afraid of eating food past the expiration date. Most food can last several days past the expiration date but to be sure, check for any type of mold, discoloration, or foul smell before consuming.

  • Eat out less. Eating out is convenient and easy, but is also a big contributor to food waste. Consider that we don’t necessarily finish everything on our plates or want to take food home to eat later. Even taking food home doesn’t always equate to eating the leftovers. Restaurants waste a lot of food on a regular basis and we can do our best to eat out less whenever possible.

  • Preserve food scraps. What happens to all the scraps of vegetable skins, fruit cores, and excess bones? Try making broths or stock from leftover meat, vegetables, and make jams from fruit skins and cores.

  • Cook proportionally. Oftentimes families cook big meals because they want leftovers. While that may work for some families, for others cooking large portions end up wasted because food gets forgotten in the fridge or children decide they don’t want to eat the same food again. Cook according to your family size and proportion meals to age of your children. Younger children tend to eat less so big portions don’t really work for them.

  • Support local and farm-to-table establishments. Many local eateries are small businesses who thrive on making fresh food and providing local options. Plus, in order to keep their finances in check, these small business restaurants and eateries are careful with what they purchase and produce.

  • Donate. If you do end up with more food than you can eat, consider donating unopened food to food rescue centers. Food rescue center (or commonly known as food shelters) rely on donated food items. If you have canned food that are near the expiration dates, you can donate them to your local food rescue centers. Check ahead if they also take fresh produce as sometimes unpackaged food are not accepted.

  • Grow your own food. The benefits of growing your own food are abundant. You are in control of what you grow, how you eat what you grow, and also giving them away to friends, family, and neighbors. It’s also a much healthier option than store-bought food.

  • Don’t throw away unnecessarily. School-aged children might bring food from home for snacks and lunch. But I’ve witnessed tons of uneaten food thrown away or thrown in the trash after a couple of bites. Teach your children to bring home any leftovers, and pack accordingly to portion size. Remember that school-aged children don’t get a lot of time to eat during school hours, so they don’t need a five-course meal to take to school.

There are many ways to prevent food waste and food lost. Support local farms, contact city and state officials, grow your own food, and talk about the harmful effects of food waste with family and friends. Not only are you helping to prevent food waste, but also preventing wasting money on food that gets tossed out or you changed your mind on. The more we are aware of this devasting concern, the sooner we can help clean up our planet.

***photos provided by Foodprint.org and Shutterstock

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Nourished Festival 2023 – Gluten-Free and Allergen Friendly Expo

Are you looking for ways to help your food intolerance and allergies? Whether you’re allergic to gluten, wheat, corn, nuts, and anything else, the Nourished Festival, a Gluten-Free & Allergen Friendly Expo is a great place to learn about food allergies.

This year’s Nourished Festival takes place on June 3-4 in Secaucus, NJ, and also on October 14-15 in Grayslake, IL. Both in-person and virtually, attendees get a chance to learn about allergy friendly food products, interact with exhibitors, attend valuable classes, and win prizes.

I was able to attend the Expo a few years ago in Southern California and this event has some of the most friendly and helpful people you’ll ever meet. Even if you don’t have any food allergies, it’s helpful to learn about how to avoid certain foods that can harm your body, and which food products are beneficial to your health.

You can register online here: https://www.nourishedfestival.com/. Choose whether you can attend live at the shows or online for free. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new brands and companies, and bloggers who have been in the gluten-free industry for many years.

Exhibitors presenting includes: Brazi Bites, Enjoy Life, Canyon Bakehouse, Ghostfish Brewing Company, Gluten Intolerance Group, King Arthur Baking Company, Petit Pot, and many more. Don’t miss this chance to learn about gluten-free products, allergy friendly products, and educational materials to help you live a healthier lifestyle!!!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Moms Meet WOW Summit Goes Virtual This Year!

Do you enjoy learning about the natural and organic products industry? Do you like meeting other influencers with similar interests? And most importantly, do you like learning about brands that help you live a healthier lifestyle? If you do, then join me this March in the first ever virtual WOW Summit!

For the past few years, the Moms Meet WOW Summit were held in person with industry speakers, product samplings, and live entertainment. But due to the global pandemic and safety concerns for attendees, Moms Meet decided to move their annual Summit to completely online/virtual. The awesome team at Moms Meet promises the same exciting event with tons of opportunities to learn about the natural and organic industry and reach out to brand and professionals. And this year, the Moms Meet WOW Summit is completely FREE!

This year’s Moms Meet WOW Summit is from March 9-11 and you can register here: https://wowevents.momsmeet.com/wow-summit-virtual/register/. Just make sure you sign up to be a Moms Meet member to attend the event for free. There will be educational workshops, industry speakers, and networking with like-minded moms. But of course, you don’t even have to be a mom to attend this fun and educational event. Anyone can join and attend, but be sure to sign up early so you can get all the updates on participating brands and speakers!

Here are some of the participating brands:

Boiron, CBD Fx, Dr. Praeger’s, Kids Smart, Sambucol, Think, Brazi Bites, Beyond the Lunchbox, kiwi, Lundberg Family Farms, Sonoma Creamery, and many more!

Since this is the first virtual WOW Summit, I’m excited to see what’s in store for everyone. In the past, the event was held indoors at a well-known venue but since this year will be online only, you can even attend the 3-day event in your pajamas!

Here’s a sneak peak at what the schedule will be:

Opening Ceremony

Virtual Exhibit Hall Open

Keynote Speaker Session

General Speaker Session

Community and Blogger+ Influencer Workshop

Community Virtual Happy Hour

and more to add…!

The Moms Meet Virtual WOW Summit this year is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a blogger or social media influencer. As long as you have a love or interest for healthy living for both children and adults, then you’ll most likely walk away with some very useful information!

Be sure to register here: https://wowevents.momsmeet.com/wow-summit-virtual/register/

*photos courtesy of Moms Meet

 

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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How to Boost Your Immunity For 2021

If 2020 was the year of challenges, then 2021 should be the year of “building your immunity”. I think we’ve all had our share of health problems, whether they are genetic or brought on by unhealthy habits. But what I’ve learned from the pandemic and seeing how others are building their immunity, it’s clear that maintaining your health is one of the most important aspects in beating most illnesses.

While some of us are lucky with long term great health – never really getting sick except for a few sniffles here and there. The majority of people tend to get a few colds throughout the year or even the flu once or twice. Add in COVID health issues, we must do all that we can to maintain good health and prolong our good practices.

Below are some ways you can boost your immunity throughout the year, with emphasis for those with special dietary choices:

– EAT A BALANCED DIET RICH IN FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. I can’t say enough how important it is to eat as much fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. Originally established as the “5 A Day” campaign by the World Health Organization , doctors and scientists determined that adults need to have at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables during the day to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But rules have changed in accordance to where you live as well as your own lifestyle. However, to maintain good health, eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables still helps in the prevention of most illnesses and diseases. For children – cut that by no more than half the amount so that children can build healthy minds and bodies.

– REDUCE OR ELIMINATE SUGAR AND SALT. While our bodies do need a bit of natural salt and sugar, heavy amounts during the day can cause detrimental health issues later on in life. Obesity as well as many other health issues can cause problems with both your health and lifestyle. According to WHO, salt intake should be no more than 5 grams per day. Sugar should be no more than 10% of total energy intake. Reduce that even more for younger children.

– REDUCE STRESS. While that sounds easier said than done, when you’re committed to reducing stress factors in your life, you will eventually see a difference in your own health and mentality. Find ways of reducing stress such as meditation, slow stretching and exercising, taking walks, or reading books can be beneficial for both children and adults. Remember that children have the same stress response that adults do so keep an eye out for your kids when they are feeling stressed.

– EXERCISE. Exercising has been around since the dawn of time. Even animals do some form of exercising. Exercising helps boost the immunity as well as tone muscles and ligaments. At least 30 minutes of exercise is sufficient and adjust according to age and ability. Jogging, brisk walking, jumping ropes, and just running around are great ways to get some exercise in.

– SLEEP. Getting the proper amount of sleep is crucial in maintaining balance. As an adult, you already know how less sleep can affect your lifestyle. Imagine how tiring it is for children when they don’t get enough quality sleep. According to studies, children ages 3-6 should get approximately 10-12 hours of quality sleep each day; ages 7-12 years old should get approximately 10-11 hours of quality sleep each day; ages 12-18 years old should get approximately 8-9 hours of quality sleep each day.

– EAT PROBIOTICS. Our gut (digestive and gastrointestinal tract) helps break down food to deliver the necessary nutrients our bodies need. When we feed our bodies healthier food choices, such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and plant-based milk, our gut has a better chance of appropriating these important nutrients to ensure a healthy body. Probiotics are live bacteria in our body that helps fight off certain infections and illnesses. Most people can tolerate probiotic foods such as yogurt and other fermented foods. Be sure to check labels to ensure the fermented foods contain live probiotics.

– TAKE SUPPLEMENTS. Many people nowadays do not get the proper amount of vitamins and minerals in their food. Taking supplements can boost your immunity if you’re lacking in the proper amount of vitamins. Vitamins vary by degree of efficacy, age of recipient, and type. Depending on your age and your health issues, taking supplements can fill in gaps in your daily food intake. Check with your local natural grocery store and speak with a vitamin expert on the right kind of vitamins for you. Children as young as 5 years old can take vitamins and supplements but be sure not to rely solely on vitamins and supplements.

IMMUNITY-BOOSTING FOODS FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL DIETS:

– VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS. Because vegetarians and vegans do not eat animal protein, they can lack the importance B12 vitamin. This results in being more tired, having memory issues, and less physical balance. Eat foods rich in Vitamin B12 such as non-dairy milk and nuts.

– GLUTEN-FREE. Some people are gluten-intolerant or gluten-sensitive. Some simply choose not to eat gluten made food. Gluten can do harm in digestive tracts for those who are gluten-intolerant or have celiac disease. Choose gluten-free foods that are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as nuts, quinoa, and gently cooked vegetables.

– DAIRY INTOLERANCE. An intolerance to dairy food or lactose (basic sugar found in animal milk) can lead to stomachaches, bloating, and overall lethargy. In order to have some kind of calcium, protein, and healthy fat, those with lactose intolerance should choose foods such as plant-based milk including almond and soy which are usually fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

– NUT ALLERGY. Those with nut allergies can have life-threatening illnesses even death if exposed to certain nuts. The most common allergy is the peanut. In order to get the proper amounts of vitamin E, magnesium, and selenium, choose nut-free foods such as eggs, sunflower seeds, and whole grains.

With diligence, determination, and a true desire to live a healthier life, we can increase our immunity by following the above steps. Speak with your health practitioner or certified health coach for more in-depth diagnosis of any health issues. Generally speaking, building your own immunity takes time and practice and really getting to know what your body truly needs to be healthy.

* portions of this post was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op (www.newhope.com), a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.

*photo credit gardenoflife.com, newhope.com, haliborange

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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The Nourished Festival – all things allergy-friendly and good for you

A couple years ago I had the pleasure of attending a live gluten-free and allergen friendly event in San Diego. There were tons of exhibitors from famous well-known brands to emerging companies ready to help you learn more about being gluten intelorant or having certain food allergies. With the ongoing crisis of food intolerances that could start as young as infancy, it’s no wonder that the gluten-free and allergy-friendly industry has quickly risen to the top.

But being intolerant or deathly allergic to certain ingredients and food is no joking matter. There are serious health consequences to those who can not abide with any kind of allergic ingredient. Add to that years ago when gluten intolerance was looked upon by medical professionals as merely just a “reaction”, the life saving new technology used by companies to detect certain food allergies has really helped many people. 

This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people and businesses are hesitant about hosting large events such as the Nourished Festival. Most events and festivals have become virtual events which give companies and customers a chance to still engage and learn from them. As with The Nourished Festival, this year will be completely online and will go live starting September 24, 2020.

This year, the virtual show will host live cooking demos, live chats with companies, and tons of fun prizes, coupons, and surprises. Here are just a few examples of exhibitors: BFree Foods, Bio-K Plus, Brazi Bites, Chomps, Enjoy Life Foods, Flax4Life, Gem City Fine Foods, Grab The Gold Inc., Jovial Foods, Love Corn, MYBREAD Gluten Free Bakery, Oteas, Peeled Snacks, RW Garcia, San-J, Simply Gluten-Free, Smart Chicken, Spinato’s, Swerve Sweetener, Taste Republic, The Soulfull Project, Yumbutter, and many more!

Even if you don’t have any known food allergy, The Nourished Festival is still a wonderful place to find new companies, new products, and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle. 

Register for The Nourished Festival (previously known as The Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo): https://online.nourishedfestival.com/

 

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Is it okay for my child to be a vegetarian?

When I was around nine years old, I was playing in the front yard of my home when I noticed a big, fluffy dog jogging around the neighborhood. Having seen the dog for several days, I wondered if he belonged to one of the neighbors.

I remembered playing with him and giggled at his jolly demeanor and excited slobbering. I already had a loving family dog but this lone dog was a complete joy. As a young child, you don’t think much about who the dog belongs to or if they are dangerous. But I remember looking into his big brown eyes and instantly knew he wasn’t dangerous at all. In fact, his overexuberance of friendliness might have been his own downfall.

After several days, the inevitable finally came. I was once again playing outside and the adorable dog ran towards me, all excitement and carefree. However, just as he was about to reach me, a white truck pulled up beside him, parked, and the driver got out. Looking at the name on the side of the truck, I knew eventually someone from the animal shelter would come out. I had high hopes that the dog actually belonged to someone, but who could ever leave their darling dog to roam free every day?

The injustice to the both of us came when the driver came up to me while I was holding onto the dog. He asked if the dog belonged to anyone. I was faced with a difficult decision but fear at what would happen to the dog took over and I immediately nodded and said, “Yes, the dog belonged to a neighbor up the hill.” The driver looked at me for a moment and then asked if I could return him to its owner as someone had reported a stray dog matching his description. I quickly nodded again, afraid that he would think I was lying. But, perhaps he believed a young child, or perhaps not. Whatever the reasons, he got back into his car and drove off. I brought the dog back to my house, gave him some water and food, and went inside the house to tell my mom what happened.

It was moments after the incident, while my mom gave me a snack, that I suddenly realized I could no longer eat meat. Something just snapped inside me when the driver of the truck took out a stick with a loop at the end and the dog looked innocently between me and the stranger. Somewhere deep inside my heart, I couldn’t bear the thought of eating meat and thinking of the dog being captured and who knew what would happen to him. The connection was almost immediate and from that day forward, I told my mom I was going to stop eating meat. My mom related that seeing the dog almost being captured must have sparked some compassion inside me.

I was around nine when I had single-mindedly decided to just stop eating meat and become a full-time vegetarian. As loving as my parents were, they weren’t exactly sure how to handle a nine-year-old vegetarian. Was that even possible for a young child? My parents were accepting of course, though they were afraid not eating meat protein would hinder a growing child. I went back to eating chicken on the behest of my parents but after I went off to college, I reverted back to being a vegetarian.

I know many vegetarians and vegans will agree to this single reason: that they became vegetarians out of compassion for animals. It is truly a humane thing to do but it doesn’t work for everyone. I did my fair share of research and even spoke to pediatricians and doctors. Some were skeptical about any health benefits and some were encouraging. But in all honesty, you should do what is best for your own body and lifestyle.

So should children become vegetarians? Well, my nephew became a vegetarian at the age of seven. He just decided to stop eating meat out of compassion. His parents were supportive and later became full-time vegetarians too. My nephew is now fifteen years old and five-feet-nine. I think he’s doing pretty well in the growing aspect as a vegetarian.

Here are some tips if your child decides to go vegetarian. Keep in mind that vegetarians eat only plant-based food. Not seafood, and not “sometimes” a vegetarian. 

  • Determine why your child wants to be a vegetarian. Is it for humane reasons, a picky eater, or their friends are doing it?

  • Decide on the right age. A pediatrician told me that children younger than five years old should not become full-time vegetarians unless there are health reasons. Up until the age of five, most children’s bodies are fast developing and they need the full spectrum of vitamins as long as they eat a balanced diet. 

  • Vegetarians usually eat healthier. Don’t be a “junk food” vegetarian. That is, a vegetarian by name only and eats junk food instead of a healthy plant-based diet. Check out this delicious, nutritious, and easy to make pasta salad: https://wildmadesnacks.com/blogs/the-go-life/easy-pasta-salad

  • Start off slowly. The transition to full-time vegetarian is not easy. Your body will most likely go into shock at the sudden change of diet. Gradually decrease the consumption of animal meat each day up until two weeks for your body to adjust.

  • Take your child grocery shopping with you so they can see the various fruits, vegetables, and nuts available to them. The more informed they are of their food choices, the better it is for them to decide.

  • Don’t be too harsh or judgemental. Deciding not to eat animal meat when other family members do can be confusing for everyone in the household. Listen to their reasons and support them as much as possible. Remember that there is a great assortment of plant-based food available.

Regardless of the choice, it’s never too late to make an important food change out of health and compassion.

*Photo credit and original article through Red Tricycle Spoke Contributor Network.

*Photo credit through Martha Stewart Blog.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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