Serving up veggies in all of our products!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Colorful Nutrition


Nutrition can be an overwhelming, ever changing topic. How do you ensure that you and your family are eating properly and getting all of the important vitamins and minerals (not to mention what ARE the most important vitamins and minerals)?  Because we love providing a little Peas of Mind to busy parents, we’re here this week to make eating right as easy as saying ROY G BIV! If you’re not sure what that means, go ask your 2nd grader.  She’ll excitedly tell you that it stands for the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.  Now is the perfect time to rely on the colors of the rainbow to get your nutrients as we still have the bounties of summer but are also starting to get the tastes of fall.  

We’re making an easy to follow color-coded guide that will help you fill up your plate (or your daughter’s lunch box) with nutrient packed produce.

RED: Strawberries, tomatoes, apples, beets, cherries, raspberries
ORANGE: Sweet potatoes, carrots (carrot fries), peaches, melon
YELLOW: Bananas, bell peppers, pineapples, asian pears
GREENS: Kale, spinach, broccoli (broccoli fries), apples, lettuce, kiwi
BLUE/VIOLET: blueberries, eggplant, blackberries, plums, grapes, figs

Each day eat AT LEAST one item from every color.  And keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to get your kids involved with healthy eating choices; let them help you pick out produce at the grocery store based on their favorite colors or have them pack their lunch keeping in mind, the more color the better.   What are you waiting for…it’s time to taste the rainbow!

Friday, August 23, 2013

We're celebrating Friday with A Dinner Story



Here at Peas of Mind, keeping kids healthy and happy is what we do best. We like to think that we celebrate kids every day by feeding them their favorite foods while (unbeknownst to them) filling them up with their daily dose of veggies.  As you know, we think the time has come to celebrate the grown-ups because at the end of the day, it's the hard working parents that (no matter how chaotic and crazy their schedule) bring the food to the table.  This week’s Dinner Story is celebrating Alyssa, a mid-western Mom of two young girls who prides herself on dining in SIX days a week and practicing “stealth health” with our veggie fries!

Where do you live and how many kids do you have?
"New Lenox, IL. I have two children, Alexandra 3 1/2, Addison 2."


What meal do you make that you know, no matter what, your family will devour?
"Well that’s a tricky question because I have 2 EXTREMELY picky eaters, so I usually have to make 2 separate meals, one for them, and one for my husband and me. But when it comes to the girls, nuggets and French fries are always a hit!"

What's your favorite Saturday morning breakfast to enjoy as a family?
"French toast!"

What's your favorite Peas of Mind Product?
"Veggie Wedgies! Broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot fries! My girls have NO idea what amazing veggies are hidden inside each bite! When I bake them I sprinkle a small amount of olive oil and salt over them, toss until coated, and bake! Yum!"

How many times per week do you cook from scratch?
"We rarely eat out so I probably cook 6 days a week."

What's your go to "I'm feeling unhealthy and need a nutrient-power punch" meal?
"I make a salad. I recently discovered that Target sells Panera Bread salad dressings with their recipe on the side! The Fuji Apple Chicken Salad is my favorite! Romaine, red onion, fresh apple, tomatoes, avocado, raisins, gorgonzola and croutons!"

What kitchen tool could you never live without?
"A sharp knife! I am always chopping something :)"

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
"Chocolate :) Donuts, brownies, ice cream, you name it!"

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

A Back to School Freezer Meal!


If you haven’t noticed, here at Peas of Mind we love the freezer! We think that busy families deserve natural, healthy and totally delicious meals that take minutes to prepare.  This month, in honor of back to school season, we’re making a hi-protein veggie burger. This burger is perfect for the whole family as it’s full of protein, fiber and (of course) veggies, not to mention the fact that it’s a fast freezer meal! Make this recipea now in preparation for the busy school season that’s coming up. Simply follow the directions below but just skip the pan-frying step, let the burger patties cool, put them in an air tight container and pop them in the freezer for a busy night.  When you’re ready to devour this scrumptious burger, don’t forget to throw some Peas of Mind veggie fries in the oven for a veggie-infused American classic combination. A burger and fries has never been so healthy and peas-ful!


Ingredients:
2 Cloves finely chopped garlic
1 cup diced onions
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup cooked grains (we used a mix of brown rice and quinoa)
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
1 can of chickpeas
1 can of kindey beans
¼ cup chopped parsley
2 Tbs of mayo
1 Tsp salt
pepper to taste

Method:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Sauté onion, garlic and olive oil until the garlic is golden brown and onions are translucent.  Stir in parsley and continue to cook for another minute. Remove from heat (don’t wash the skillet because we’re going to use it again).

In a food processor combine peas, grains and beans and pulse together until completely chopped (do not over blend).  In a bowl, combine bean mixture with breadcrumbs, sautéed onions, garlic and mayo.  Mix together then with your hands (this is where some help from the kiddos might be fun) form the burger patties and place on a baking tray covered with parchment paper.

Bake burger patties in the oven for about 30 minutes or until brown.  Grab your skillet and heat up about 3 Tbsp of olive oil.  Pan fry burger patties for about 2 minutes on each side or until crispy and dark brown. 

Toast a burger bun, top with your favorite condiments, serve with a side of veggie fries and ENJOY!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Top Five Nutrients For Your Growing Kids



Figuring out how best to feed your child can be quite a daunting and confusing task; it seems that every week there's a new study proving that your child should eat more of this and cut out that, it's enough to make your head spin.  But have no fear, Peas of Mind is here and we've made an easy to follow list of “must eat” nutrients, how to get them and how to make your kiddos enjoy them.  We’re going to make nurturing your child as easy as Peas of Pie!

Vitamin A is important when it comes to bone and vision growth.  It also helps boost the immune system.  Vitamin A can be found in orange and green veggies (think carrots, butternut squash, cantaloupe and sweet potatoes).  If your child is a picky eater, load her plate with Carrot Veggie Wedgies and know that she’s getting 70% of her Vitamin A.

Vitamin C is like a band-aide for your insides. It helps repair bones, red blood cells and tissue.  It also keeps the immune system up, reduces bruising and is good for growing gums, not to mention that it can help the body absorb iron (ie: lemon on your leafy greens or orange juice with dinner).  Vitamin C can be found in fruit  (think oranges, kiwis, strawberries) as well as green veggies like broccoli.  If your child has a hard time with the above-mentioned produce, cook up some Broccoli Veggie Wedgies and know that your kiddo is getting 35% of his daily Vitamin C needs!

Fat. Yes you heard that right you want your kids to get their daily dose of fat, or to be more specific, Essential Fatty Acids.  EFAs are very important for growing kids as they are vital for healthy brain function; not to mention that they strengthen the cardiovascular system, regulate the nervous system and help the body absorb nutrients.  Healthy Fats can be found in flax seed oil, fish, olive oil, eggs and tofu.  If your child turns up her nose at tofu sneak some into her dinner with our Garden Grown Nuggets which contain tofu AND olive oil.

Calcium not only helps build strong bones and teeth it also assists with healthy muscle and nerve function as well as supports the body convert food into energy. Calcium can be found in the following foods: leafy greens, hummus (with tahini in the ingredients), cheese and yogurt.  Ensure your child gets calcium in his after school snack by preparing some Pizza Pull-a-Parts, not only will they get a good dose of calcium you’ll also be fueling them with Vitamin A and Iron.

The Iron in Popeye’s canned spinach is what made him the muscled super hero that saved Olive Oyl, episode after episode.  Popeye was as fit as a fiddle because Iron makes hemoglobin and myoglobin which carry’s and stores oxygen in the blood.  Not to mention the fact that Iron supports brain development in growing kids. Pack your kids with Iron by feeding them spinach and other leafy greens, tofu, beans, salmon and seeds.  Make sure that you pair the above foods with vitamin C to ensure absorption.   If you’re dealing with a picky eater, pop a Peas of Pie in the oven and know that your child is getting 60% of her daily dose of Iron.