BERGEN COUNTY MOMS

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

Ready to transform your kitchen into a bagel bakery? You are going to love this whole wheat bagel recipe baked to nutrition perfection. It is super easy to make and one bagel offers an excellent source of fiber, iron and protein… in bagels? You bet with this thumbs up recipe. Season to your taste and bake extra to freeze so that they are always on hand for breakfast or lunch! Ingredients: 1½ cup whole wheat flour 1½ teaspoon baking powder 2 tablespoons flaxseeds, ground

We know what you’re thinking – blondies made with chickpeas ? But this blondie (aka brownie) recipe is a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional chocolate chip blondies without sacrificing any flavor! Including these beans is a great way to add extra protein and dietary fiber to the family diet. Try using raisins in place of chocolate chips for an added twist and boost of iron. Ingredients: 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons ground fl

Make Tuesdays “taco night” with this easy dinner that is simple and fun to make. Your kids can pitch in chopping and cooking, too! This recipe starts with a homemade taco seasoning that makes the proteins taste delicious. This recipe is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and the mineral iron. Ingredients: Homemade Taco Seasoning: ¼ cup chili powder 2 tablespoons cumin 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon paprika 2 teaspoon coriander (yields 9 servings of 2 teaspoons) Taco

This fresh and flavorful creation uses the whole grain quinoa (pronounced keen-wah ), which is the only grain that naturally contains protein. The combination of vitamin C and iron in this recipe is really important, because your body uses the vitamin C to help absorb the iron. Feta cheese is really tasty, but if you prefer, substitute goat cheese. Get the kids involved in chopping, measuring, and mixing because this recipe is a fun family activity to pack for lunch, too! Ing

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to bake cookies. If gingerbread cookies top your list, you will love this slimmed-down favorite! Bake and decorate as a family to fill your kitchen with happiness and the delicious aromas of the season. This scratch dough also bakes well using gluten-free flour. Kids of all ages love making the icing and designing the cookies. Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ginger, ground

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This is a healthy and easy to make Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins recipe.