"Feeding the WHOLE Family" recipe book

This is a review on a useful cookbook that highlights whole foods. Thanks to our new volunteer Alyssa for sharing this with us. I love the artist who does the cover art too!
Feeding the Whole Family This is the ideal cookbook for parents who want to cook one meal that every member of the family - babies and grownups alike - can enjoy together. Each of the 180 plus recipes (60 new ones in this edition!) is simple to prepare. All the recipes center on fresh, whole foods ingredients that contain the nutrients necessary to keep your family active and healthy.The perfect gift for new parents.

Healthy Snack

"BAGGY BUGS"

(a fun way to eat whole grains and fruits)

1.
Place a graham cracker in a plastic baggy, seal it shut and crush the crackers into a fine sand using a large spoon. Suggestion: Use whole grain oat or spelt flakes, or granola instead of graham crackers. After the "bug hunt," sprinkle the whole grains on yogurt.

2.
Add a few raisins to the bag and have the kids dig for bugs in the sand. Experiment with other tasty critters--dried cranberry "ladybugs," carob chip "ants" and more...be creative!

3.
Definitely use a magnifying glass!

Original recipe: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/kids/feature/famf19snack/famf19snack5.html

What are Whole Foods?

Is a whole foods diet right for your kids?

Many parents may initially think that it isn't, but that is probably because of common misconceptions about a whole foods diet that have lead them to quickly dismiss the idea.

You should now know what a whole foods diet is -- eating more unprocessed foods. But what isn't it? It isn't about being a vegetarian or eating organic (unless you want it to be), and it doesn't have to be a diet in the sense of that is all you eat.

Instead, when feeding your kids, think about offering more whole foods instead of processed foods.

Need some ideas?

* 100% fruit juice, instead of soda or a fruit drink (although keep in mind that fresh fruit is better than fruit juice)
* skinless chicken breast, instead of chicken nuggets
* baked potato, instead of French fries
* whole wheat bread, instead of white bread
* oatmeal, instead of a sugary breakfast cereal
* cooking with whole wheat flour, instead of white flour
* sandwich with whole wheat bread and slices of leftover chicken or lean meat, instead of processed cold cuts, which can have a lot of added salt
* eating whole wheat pasta
* offering fresh whole fruit as a healthy snack, instead of potato chips, fruit snacks, or candy

In general, just try to choose more fresh whole fruits and vegetables and other unprocessed foods when you prepare your child's meals. If you'd like to learn more, click on the title.