BERGEN COUNTY MOMS

Summer is an exciting time to play outside and be active all day long. The high heat of the day and lots of play time can lead to dehydration, especially for children and older adults. Remember that if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! Before you reach for a Gatorade loaded with food dyes, here are our top hydration tips: Water! Make sure you have that reusable water bottle at your side at all times and remember to sip and refill at least 3-4 times a day. Acces

It’s peach season and these abundant and juicy peaches are perfect for thumbs up Peach Donuts! Our scratch donuts are made with mashed peaches (making them an excellent source of vitamin C), and baked to perfection. If you don’t have a donut baking tray, make donut holes in muffins tins! Serve with fresh berries for an added immune booster! Ingredients: ¾ cup whole wheat flour ¾ cup unbleached all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 tea

It's time to celebrate our country's independence—and this year, the celebration is even more special as we begin honoring America's 250th anniversary! What better way to gather friends and family than with a festive Red, White & Blue party featuring delicious food, refreshing beverages, and patriotic desserts? What can you do for the Red, White + Blue Party? Here are some ideas... Of course, color coordinate! Invitations, decor and dress the part! Wear red, white and b

Need a summer date night? 💕 Treat yourself to an unforgettable evening at The Brick House—a historic and elegant steakhouse known for its incredible food and timeless atmosphere. Enjoy the perfect summer evening with amazing food, great company, and a cozy, elegant vibe. Enter now for your chance to WIN $100 Visit The Brick House The Brick House 179 Godwin Ave | Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201.848.1211 The Brick House, a Wyckoff NJ restaurant and event venue, has been a premier Bergen

It's Father's Day weekend and that means grilling, and grilling means kabobs! Bright citrus flavors and fresh herbs make these shrimp kabobs a warm-weather classic that you’ll be sure to make year after year. The natural citrus juices are loaded with vitamins A and C to keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Ingredients: 8 bamboo skewers 1½ cups water 1 cup jasmine rice 2 medium zucchini (10 ounces each) 2 medium yellow bell peppers 2 tablespoon olive oil ¼ teaspoon sea s

On hot, steamy days, there is nothing more refreshing than an all-natural slushie! The only preparation required is to freeze the melons ahead of time into cubes or balls. This slushie gets its color naturally from vitamins A and C. Kids and grown-ups definitely agree on this delicious and nutritious melon slushie with a hint of mint and sweetness. Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 cup watermelon, frozen 1 cup cantaloupe, frozen 1 cup honey dew melon, frozen 2 cups water (coconut water o

This recipe “stacks up” better than the traditional eggplant parm you’ll find on the menu at your favorite Italian restaurant. We wanted to lighten up the old-school version, which can be very heavy and high in calories. We started by baking instead of frying the eggplant but still kept the crunchy texture by using panko breadcrumbs, reducing the extra calories and saturated fat. The result is a protein and fiber-packed side dish or main course, if you serve with a mixed gree

Blueberries are a superfood! Blueberries are versatile fruit: great for fruit salads, grain salads, smoothies, and baked goods! But did you know that this delicious little fruit is also a superfood? Their deep blue color isn’t just pretty to look at. The color is a result of a high flavonoid content, which may help to preserve memory and is a powerful antioxidant. Blueberries also have a high water content, keeping your skin nicely hydrated. One cup of raw blueberries p

Caprese Salad on a Stick

If you haven’t had a tasty farm-fresh egg, you are really missing out. Egg whites get thumbs up from kids! Egg whites are a complete protein and kids will have fun getting some exercise by whisking them to be super-fluffy. We added fresh spinach and parsley from the garden for some greens. Next time you’re at the farmer’s market, look for eggs! Ingredients: 2 large egg whites 1 tablespoon low-fat (1%) milk 1 tablespoon chopped baby spinach ½ tablespoon shredded 50% reduc

This new recipe is a favorite with kids (and parents, too!). It’s super fun to make and delicious to eat, and it’s loaded with good nutrition. High in protein and vitamin A and also a good source of iron, just two Vietnamese Spring Rolls pack a serious nutrition punch. Perfect for lunch, as an afternoon snack or fancy party food! This is a thumbs up winner! Ingredients: ½ pound shrimp, deveined 10 ounces of thin rice noodles 16 rice paper sheets 1 cup mint leaves 2 cups sh

The Rainbow Swirly Smoothie was created here at HealthBarn for kids by kids! It’s so easy, refreshing and vitamin-packed that parents love it, too. Blend this yummy smoothie up for breakfast or share it with friends for a high-energy, after-school snack. It’s loaded with vitamin C to help keep your body running strong, it’s a good source of calcium, and it has fiber to keep your digestive system regular. Drink up! Ingredients: 1½ cups frozen strawberries (can substitute froze

Peas are the first seeds to be planted in the spring season, so we had to celebrate the season with this deliciously fresh Pea Hummus. The splash of orange juice makes it a good source of vitamin C to boost the immune system. This light and refreshing hummus is perfect for dipping or spreading on sandwich bread or wraps. Ingredients: ½ medium fennel bulb, trimmed 1 garlic clove ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped 1½ cups of fresh or frozen sweet green peas

Named Coffee Cake because it is usually served along with the popular breakfast beverage; we’d recommend your kids skipping the coffee part (but mom may need the caffeine boost every now and then!). Our version is made in a mini muffin pan to insure the right portion size. The traditional version is topped with a butter and sugar based crumb topping, but we use flaxseeds and walnuts to get that same flavor with a dose of good-for-you unsaturated fats. Skip the walnuts if all

Parents are always looking for ways to get their kids to eat more protein. I have found the perfect hands-on recipe solution that kids love while providing them with a lean protein source and healthy fat to boost their brain power — Tilapia Fish Sticks! Remember those frozen fish sticks circa 1975? Well skip the frozen stuff and try these fresh Tilapia Fish Sticks! Your kids will love being part of the process in dipping, coating and baking their “sticks.” You can feel gre

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this delicious, easy-to-make whole wheat Irish soda bread! We boosted the nutrition of this holiday favorite by using whole wheat flour and adding ground flaxseeds rich in omega3 fatty acids. This yummy bread is a good source of healthy fats for brain power and iron to keep your muscles strong. Enjoy a wedge for snack or afternoon tea. Kids love to eat if plain or topped with their favorite natural fruit spread. Whichever way you like it, we g

Making fresh pasta with family and friends is one of those kitchen memories you won’t ever forget! In fact, I spent an afternoon in the kitchen with my dad and sisters making fresh ravioli, and alas, another HealthBarn recipe was born! Our Handmade Cheesy Ravioli is the perfect hands-on recipe to get the whole family involved. They are made with semolina flour and fresh herbs for flavor, not to mention a protein packed unique ingredient: tofu in the filling. They are nutrit

We deconstructed this classic Italian “pasta fagioli” recipe and transformed it into a wildly popular stew that kids and grown-ups (firefighters, too!) are giving thumbs up! Make a big pot of this hearty meal because your family will happily fill up their thermoses for a tasty and nutritious school lunch! This stew is an excellent source of learn protein, fiber and vitamin A and is a good source of vitamin C, and the mineral iron. Ingredients: 1 lb. lean ground turkey, bro

Do you love chocolate truffles but you don’t want the added saturated fat and calories that come along with them? Then, this Valentine's Day recipe is for you. These truffles taste delicious, are simple to make and contain a secret nutritious ingredient (potatoes!). Potatoes contain phytochemicals that protect the immune system. These tasty bites also pack extra heart healthy potassium. Make them with the whole family to have on hand for a healthy treat. Ingredients: 1 pound,

Are you cooking for game day? Whether you are hosting a Super Bowl party or bringing an appetizer to a friend’s house, we want you to try our thumbs up Super Bowl Sampler picks! Straight from my book, Appetite for Life , these two delicious low-fat, low-sodium appetizers will make the typical chicken wings crowd go wild for more. Tackle these easy recipes to make your Super Bowl menu a touchdown for kids and grown-ups! Pizza Potato Skins: At HealthBarn USA, we love pizza