Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Tips to help reduce sugar in your family’s diet

A joyful dayPosted on March 3, 2010 by Rhonda

Tips to help reduce sugar in your family’s diet

As more and more families search for ways to become healthier, one of the most commonly overlooked health concerns is sugar consumption. (For more info read, “How Sugar Makes You Fat“.) Sugar consumption is most commonly identified as candy and junk food. While this is true, there are even more ways that sugar is incorporated into your family’s diet.

Here are a few tips to help reduce the sugar in your family’s diet…

Eat brown rice. White rice contains mostly carbohydrates, which converts quickly to sugar after consumption. Brown rice offers full nutritional value and is a great choice over white grain rice.

Opt for whole fruit. Most kids love fruit juice; however, there are fruit juices on the shelves today that are loaded with sugar additives. Instead of drinking a lot of fruit juice, opt for whole fruit, like apples, bananas and grapes.

Eat your veggies. Lots of kids fuss over eating their vegetables. Even though this might be a huge hurdle for some families, incorporating more vegetables into your meals will reduce your sugar intake by far and large. Smart vegetables include green beans, carrots, tomatoes, and squash. Be cautious not to intake too many of the starchy veggies, like potatoes and corn, which contain high amounts of sugar.

Snack wisely. Families tend to snack a lot…yes, even parents. Make fun, healthy snacks for your family instead of binging on junk food. For power-packed snacks that will keep away hunger, use protein. A light snack, like a turkey and cream cheese roll-up, will keep hunger at bay a lot longer if it’s going to be a while before the next meal.  In the evening, popcorn or veggies and dip offers another way to enjoy some fun “crunch” time instead of potato chips or cookies and milk.

Do your own Baking and Cooking. You can have more control over what’s in the food you eat when you make it yourself.  I made a snack the other night and cut the sugar in half.  Guess what? It still tasted great!  I find that introducing a brand new recipe is the best time to cut the sugar down.  Because my family hasn’t ever tried the full sugar version, they’re clueless about any difference in taste.

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How to Make Homemade Banana Pudding (Video)

A joyful dayPosted on February 24, 2010 by Rhonda

How to Make Homemade Banana Pudding (Video)

At a local store here in my small town, I pick up bananas at a big discount on Tuesdays.  On Wednesday nights after church we like to have some sort of snack or treat.  So, many times I whip up a quick batch of banana pudding and stick it in the fridge to have ready when we come home.

I found a video online that shows how to make homemade banana pudding and their recipe looks pretty easy. (The actual version I use without eggs is down below underneath the video.)  I usually forgo the cookies to cut back on sugar…and no complaints from the boys…they still look forward to it!

One additional note: I usually add a little nutmeg for extra flavor.  Nutmeg has some health benefits (click here), including effectiveness in killing a number of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Ingredients:

* Water
* 2 c. skim milk
* ⅓ c. sugar
* 3 tbsp. cornstarch
* 3 large egg yolks
* Pinch of salt
* 4 medium-ripe bananas
* 12 shortbread or vanilla-flavored cookies, crumbled
* Whipped cream


How To Make Banana Pudding on Howcast

*For an easy homemade pudding without eggs, I use this “vanilla pudding recipe” (adding a little nutmeg), let it cool for 30 minutes in the fridge, then I mix in about half a tub of 8 oz. whip cream, add in my sliced bananas, and the put in the fridge for a couple of hours.

With this method, I have an easy “one scoop & serve” dessert.   You can sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top to spiff it up if you wish.  For best results, mix in the dry ingredients with the milk before heating and constantly stir over heat until thickening begins to prevent lumps.  Turn off heat immediately to prevent scorching.

Posted in Desserts, Miscellaneous, Quick Fixes, Recipes, Snacks & Dips | Tagged | Leave a comment

Save Money Creating Natural Beauty Remedies at Home

A joyful dayPosted on February 18, 2010 by Rhonda

Save Money Creating Natural Beauty Remedies at Home

For Thrifty Thursday, I thought I would share a few ways that will keep you from spending a fortune on beauty products at the store.  In fact, all of the ingredients you’ll need are right in your kitchen or pantry cabinet.

Here are three ways in which you can create natural beauty remedies at home in a flash…

Olive Oil: You cook and bake with it; but did you know that you can use it in a variety of other ways? Because olive oil is chemical free, it can be used on your skin; as a bath oil, moisturizer, massage oil, and conditioner.

For example: You can apply a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice to your skin before bedtime to moisturize your skin. To strengthen your nails, soak them in warm extra virgin olive oil for five minutes. Massage your sore muscles with a mixture of extra virgin olive oil and rosemary. Apply olive oil to dry hair as an overall conditioner. It will leave your hair smooth and shiny.

Oatmeal: Wouldn’t you love a facial? Get out the box of oatmeal from your cabinet and begin. This oatmeal facial will not only exfoliate, but moisturize your skin as well…

Oatmeal Facial Recipe:

1 package of instant oatmeal
1/2 cup water
2 TB yogurt
2 TB honey
1 egg white

Mix the water and oatmeal, then add the additional ingredients. Apply a thin layer to your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes or until you feel tightness; then rinse your face with warm water.

Dry Skin Brushing: Here is a technique that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Before taking a shower in the morning, use a brush or sponge and begin the dry skin brushing process to exfoliate dead skin cells, and improve your blood circulation.

Here’s how to do it: While standing the shower with the water off, start at your feet and begin brushing in small circles toward the upper part of your body. Then work your way down the back of your body to complete the process. Do not scrub hard, but apply even and light pressure. After you have completed this procedure, take a shower.

For extra exfoliating try these homemade sugar scrubs…

Sugar Scrub Recipes:

Lemon Sugar Scrub:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 TB grated lemon zest

Green Tea Sugar Scrub:

2 cups white sugar
1 cup honey
3 TB of green tea
5 drops vanilla

*Please  feel free to share some of your own homemade beauty recipes with our readers.

Posted in Beauty Tips, Do it Yourself, Health, Miscellaneous, Saving Money, Thrifty Moms | Tagged | 2 Comments