How We Halloween!

With very little ones over here, Halloween isn't yet the big exciting holiday that it will become in their minds. And we know it's only going to get harder. But here are a few steps we're taking to try to set some healthy habits now! 

1. Healthy all week! 

We've bookmarked every listicle and Pinterest board of healthy Halloween treats. Banana ghosts, witch's fingers, apple mouths, and creepy mummy fingers! Each day of the week leading up to Halloween we've put special healthy halloween snacks and treats in their lunches and even dinners to get them excited about the holiday in smaller doses. 

2. Dinner Dinner Dinner! 

Insisting on a very special Halloween dinner before they go out is a MUST. We make sure they're well fed with healthy and filling Halloween goodies BEFORE they leave the house. We do veggie pizza slices (our own Peas of Pie is perfect for this) and plenty of protein to keep them full all evening. It may not be a sit down affair, given the chaos of putting finishing touches on costumes and finding a pillowcase that can get smeared with chocolate, so we make sure to serve a couple easy items they can eat with one hand while we rush around if need be! That way they're not starving and eating candy as dinner! 

3. Running Just as Fast as We Can! 

In order to burn off some of that sugar energy, every time they eat a piece of candy while we're out trick-or-treating, we run as fast as we can to the next house or down the block! When we lived in apartment building, there was no elevator rule so we would run up to the next floor. This helped keep the blood sugar levels more stable and ensure that they'll sleep when we get home. 

4. Sort and Switch

When the kiddos get home, we let them have their little candy feast for a while. Usually this is less eating and more sorting their haul gleefully on the floor. While they're young enough, we take the candy and ration it out for them - one piece in their lunches for a couple of days, and then here and there during the week. But we're really considering some other options we've found, like the Switch Witch idea of encouraging them to trade their candy in for a toy. There is also a local dentist that is offering cash for candy! 

We want to know - how do you keep halloween healthy?! What traditions and tactics are instituting to develop good holiday habits? 

Spa state of mind

I hope everyone is having a healthy and happy 2013 thus far!  I must admit that one of my favorite parts of the New Year is that the Holidays are over; no more presents to wrap, the cookies are finally gone and the stockings are hung back in the attic where they belong.  January is a time for new beginnings and I’m a firm believer that in order to start the year off right it’s important to take some time to recharge and rejuvenate.   But with your busy schedule, your kid’s extra-circular activates and that 2 mile walk you made it your resolution to do three times per-week, how on earth are you ever going to find time to relax? Two words: spa night!  Now we’re not telling you to go spend a few hundred dollars at a spa; the idea is to get yourself in the spa state of mind and bring the luxuries of the spa to your home.

Five simple steps to spa night:

1)       You’re going to need an hour to yourself so put a Peas of Pie in the oven and a movie in the DVD player. You get a Spa night and your kids get a movie night!

2)       Let your troubles float away.  Did you know that soaking in warm water lowers blood pressure, lifts toxins from your skin and relaxes muscles?  Add some Epsom salts, lavender oil or your favorite bubble bath to get the full spa experience.

3)      This is no ordinary bath so don’t forget to light some candles and bring something yummy to drink. Why not something seasonal like a cranberry spritzer (just mix cranberry juice and carbonated water) or our Winter Ginger Sipper (http://www.peasofmind.com/recipes/recipes.htm)?

4)      This is a great time to treat your tresses to the spa experience.  Mix your conditioner with a few teaspoons of olive oil, rub into the ends of your hair and put on a shower cap.  Leave this concoction in for at least five minutes.

5)      Enjoy the quiet.  Read that book you’ve been meaning to finish, indulge in your favorite guilty pleasure magazine or just let your mind wander.

When you emerge from the bath you will feel relaxed and invigorated - ready to start the New Year with a skip in your step.  Here’s to spa night bringing you peas and harmony in 2013!

New Product Reveal: Uncured Pepperoni Pizza with Veggies in the Crust!

Joining our cheese Peas of Pie, our Uncured Pepperoni Pizza is made with real broccoli and carrots kneaded right into the dough! 

Unlike regular frozen pepperoni pizzas, ours has uncured pepperoni with no added nitrates or nitrites. Compared to the leading brands, our pepperoni pizza has half the fat and contains 1.5 servings of veggies in each pizza. And yet, Peas of Pie: Uncured Pepp (like we call it at Peas HQ) looks like just a pepperoni pizza!

It's great for anyone who could stand to eat more veggies, growing kids and adults alike.

Share your thoughts with us the Peas of Mind Facebook page!

Peas of Pie vs The Competition

After such a great response to last week's comparison post, we wanted an encore! 

Lets see how our pizza stacks up against the competition (store bought frozen pizza and fast food pizza).

Imagine us taking a bow.

Our Brand New Product: A Veggie Pizza That Looks Like Plain Cheese!

Meet Peas of Pie, a cheese pizza made with real carrots, broccoli and cauliflower kneaded right into the dough! See the specks of broccoli?
Although more traditional veggies used on pizza (like mushrooms, canned black olives and onions) are certainly delicious, we chose three of the most nutrient-rich vegetables and hid 1.5 servings of these vegetables inside our pizza crust. And yet, Peas of Pie appears to be just a cheese pizza!

Great for anyone who could stand to eat more veggies, growing kids and adults alike.

Share your thoughts with us the Peas of Mind Facebook page!