My Blog

Skype Counseling Now Being Offered in New Jersey, California and Washington State!!

05/22/2012 18:05:00

Great News! You can now get Nutrition Counseling via Skype in your home or office, by Aileen Birkitt, a registered dietitian at a convenient time for you 9am-7pm! You pick the time (15 min, 30 min, 45 min. or 1 hour) and pay for only that time frame! How to enroll? Go to my website www.nutrition4youllc.com. Under the contact me section fill out your information, and what you are looking for, what is a good time for you and we can get started!

This is currently available in New Jersey, California and Washington State. If you are in a state not listed let me know and I will check on state policy! More to come!!!!

A Healthy Memorial Day!

05/22/2012 17:48:00

Going to a Memorial Day party or picnic? Here are some ideas to make your dips or appetizers healthier.

Bring veggie sticks and lowfat dip, fruit salad or salad greens to your Memorial Day event.

Substitute nonfat plain yogurt or silken tofu for sour cream in recipes. Use whole wheat pasta when making pasta salad. Add in beans to your pasta salad for extra fiber.

At least this way, you know there will be some healthy things at the party to nibble on!

Enjoy!

Kids Eat Right Monday Message!

05/21/2012 11:58:00

Hi everyone! Here are the links to today's message from Kids Eat Right!

http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442469946 Make Sunday dinner a family affair!

http://www.eatright.org/kids/tip.aspx?id=6442469957 getting enough fiber?

http://www.eatright.org/kids/recipe.aspx?id=6442469883 recipe- steak milanese

http://www.eatright.org/kids/video.aspx?id=6442469956 video recipe- meal in a peel potato bar

Enjoy!

Question- What Should My Kids Drink With Meals?

05/18/2012 12:35:00

Many times I am asked this question. Here is my answer:

Lowfat or skim milk ( unless you are serving something with dairy already, such as pizza or lasagna)

Chocolate milk, if your child won't drink the plain (yes, I believe low fat or nonfat chocolate milk is ok if that is how your child will get their dairy, and if you have offered the plain and they won't drink it)

Water - Always put water out too, even if you are serving milk.

Hope this helps!

Quick Tip- What is Your Food Doing for You?

05/16/2012 17:55:00

Before you reach for that snack, ask, "What is it going to do for me?" "Will it give me something good, like protein, calcium, whole grains or vitamins?

If the answer is nothing- try and pick something else. For instance, lowfat or fat free chocolate milk will give you some sugar but also will give you some protein and calcium. Cereal will give you whole grains, fiber. Fruits and vegetables go without saying. Peanut butter will give you protein. Ice cream gives you mostly fat, a tiny but of dairy (is it worth it?) A sugary soft drink or sugary juice will give you NOTHING, except sugar and calories. Cake, nothing.

See where I'm going with this?

Enjoy!

Kids Eat Right Monday Message, on a Tuesday

05/15/2012 14:05:00

Hi everyone! Here is the Kids Eat Right info. for this week!

http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442459333 How to feed your kids if you are a vegetarian

http://www.eatright.org/kids/tip.aspx?id=6442469832 What is a plantain?

http://www.eatright.org/kids/recipe.aspx?id=6442469829 recipe- Greek Roasted Chicken

http://www.eatright.org/kids/video.aspx?id=6442464988 video recipe- yogurt parfait with skillet granola

Enjoy!

Weight of the Nation on at 8pm Tonight!

05/14/2012 12:30:00

Don't miss this 4 part series which begins tonight on HBO about the current obesity crisis. This show will include data from the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and NIH (National Institute of Health). If you don't have HBO you can stream it for free on their website.

Here is a link to some info. about this 4 part mini-series:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/hbo-weight-a-nation-puts-focus-america-obesity-epidemic-article-1.1076436?localLinksEnabled=false

Enjoy!

What You Need To Know About Grocery Bags

05/09/2012 17:03:00

The non-plastic cloth grocery bags are great for the environment, eliminating paper and plastic waste. However, there are a few things you need to know about the cloth bags.

1. Wash your bags after using them! Tests have shown that the cloth bags can harbor all sorts of bacteria.

2. Don't leave the bags in the trunk of your car! Why? The temperature gets very hot in there, and guess what, more bacteria!

Follow these tips and you should be able to eliminate much of the bacteria that can make you and your family sick.

Good Luck!

Super Healthy Banana Muffins

05/08/2012 15:31:00

I have adapted a recipe to make it healthier from www.tasteofhome.com for banana muffins (recipe- Basic Banana Muffins Recipe).

Ingredients

1 cup white flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/8 cup ground chia seeds

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 medium ripe bananas

1 egg

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, mash the bananas. Add egg, oil and vanilla; mix well. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. You can add chopped walnuts or raisins if you like. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full.

Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 1 dozen.

These muffins will be packed with fiber (due to the chia seeds and the whole wheat flour) and Omega 3's (chia seeds). Enjoy!

Kids Eat Right Monday Message

05/07/2012 16:48:00

Hi everyone- here is today's Monday message from Kids Eat Right!

http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442469723 Breastfeeding and the Athlete

http://www.eatright.org/kids/tip.aspx?id=6442459330 Easy Breakfasts for Kids to Make

http://www.eatright.org/kids/recipe.aspx?id=6442469731 recipe- Italian Beef and Spinach Pie

http://www.eatright.org/kids/video.aspx?id=6442469730 video recipe- sweet potato strips

Enjoy!