Weekly Tips by Zonya, America’s Nutrition Leader

Halloween survival tips for kids!

Try not to dole candy out piece by piece throughout the day. Repeated exposure to sugar is more likely to cause cavities. Rather shoot for once a day and have them brush their teeth afterward. Don’t let kids hide their candy underneath their beds. They’ll be snacking late into the night without brushing their teeth. Gently remind kids that candy is not a “grow food.” This is why you are asking them to limit themselves to two or three pieces a day, in order to leave room for plenty of “grow” food. Have them count out 30 or so pieces they want to keep and give the rest to families less fortunate.

Halloween Brownie Bites

Here's a delicious Halloween Brownie recipe from our friend Roni. Be sure to check out her sites GreenLiteBites.com and Ronisweigh.com for more great recipe and healthy lifestyle ideas!

Weekly Tips by Zonya, America’s Nutrition Leader

note: we missed last week's tip, so here are two great healthy living tips for the week - enjoy!

1. Supermarket and super lunch. The next time you need a quick lunch, consider a stop in a supermarket instead of driving through the fast-food lane. Prepared salads, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean deli meats, whole-grain breads and low-fat dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese, make for fast and convenient fruit and vegetable rich meals. Grocers are increasingly stocking individual servings of popular items plus offering self-serve soup and salad bars, making lunch a breeze and healthy!


2. Eating right on the run. As much as I hate to admit it, even I find myself eating on the run—and in my car. Here are a few of my favorite dashboard dining tips for eating right on the run:
   
   
   
   • Keep a baggie filled with napkins, plastic forks, knives and spoons, wet-wipes and yes, even a can opener in the glove compartment. You are now in a better position to grab something healthy from a grocery store salad bar or deli, or even healthy leftovers grabbed out of your own refrigerator.
     
     
   • Keep the cabinet beside the door leading to the garage stocked with the following easy grab-and-go items:
     
     - single-serving cans of low-sodium V-8 juice
     
     - bottles of water
     
     - snack-size baggies of trail mix
     
     - soy nuts
     
     - envelopes of tuna (new seasoned types are great)
     
     - cans of baked beans and other seasoned beans (visit www.EdenFoods.com for my favorites)
     
     - low-fat, whole-grain crackers (Kashi makes trans-fat free)
     
     - raisins and dried apricots
     
     - whole-grain bagels and cookies
     
     
   
   
   • Keep the fridge always stocked with baby carrots, a tub of hummus, whole-wheat pita bread, mozzarella cheese sticks and fruit.
   
   
   
   • Always stock lavish flat bread too, as turkey and lettuce drizzled with low-fat dressing makes a super quick roll-up dinner to go. Wrap in plastic wrap and "peel and eat" as you drive
   
   
   
   • Grabbing 1 or 2 VitaTop muffins from the freezer plus 8 oz box of Eden Soy.
   
   
   
   

Back Up and Running

We have recently had some technical difficulties with the Vitalicious Blog - We are now up and running once again! Check back often for news on Vitalicious, our delicious products, recipes, and healthy living!,

Yours sincerly,

The Vitalicious Team

Bake it Happen: Low Fat Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin VitaLoaf

Here's a seasonal serving suggestion straight from the Vitalicious Office Kitchen! We put our heads together and thought of something delicious, nutritious, and guaranteed to please your guests at your Halloween party: Low Fat Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin VitaLoaf!
Ingredients, Tools, and Directions

Ingredients:

1. 1 package of BlueBran VitaMuffin Mix

2. 2 large organic eggs

3. 1 can of pumpkin pie mix

4. 1 package of semi-sweet chocolate chunks

5. Pumpkin pie spice (a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and all spice can be used as substitutes)

Tools:

1. Mixing bowl

2. Whisk

3. Strainer

4. Measuring spoons

5. Measuring cups

6. Oven

7. 3-3/4 x 2-3/8 loaf baking pan

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 425 degree Fahrenheit

2. Take 1 package of BlueBran VitaMuffin Mix and sift out the blueberries

3. Add two large organic egg whites

4. Add 1 cup of water

5. Add 1/2 cup of pumpkin pie mix

6. Add 2 tbsp of semi-sweet chocolate chunks

7. Add 2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice

8. Mix it all together to create the batter, but make sure it is lumpy

9. Pour the complete batter into the loaf pan until 2/3 full

10. Place the loaf pan in the oven for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown

11. After 45-55 minutes, remove from oven and let cool for approximately 30 minutes

12. Voila - a delicious Low Fat Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Loaf to enjoy with your friends and family!

Update on the Vitalicious Blog

Hi All-

We are experiencing some technical difficulties on the Vitalicious Blog. We will be up and running again soon