Here's just a quick video introducing our juice feast to my Youtube channel.
We're doing the feast for 5 days but hope we can go longer...baby steps. lol
We Bought A Juicer!
I talked so much trash about my previous juicer that I made sure to get one that would last longer than 6 months. I love my smoothies but my desire to get a juicer came after watching Hungry for Change (available on Netflix Instant) the other night. I mentioned to Eric that we should get a juicer and do a juice feast. He encouraged it and was instantly on board!
I went back and forth between this Breville juicer (used in the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead) and the Omega J8006. I decided on the Breville after reading reviews and for the less bulky design. I also wasn't a fan of the small opening on the Omega. I felt it would take too long to chop pieces of fruit and vegetables to get through the chute.
I'm ready to get my socks rocked off with some juicing!
The juice feast will start on Friday, January 11th
Will you join us? If you don't own a juicer, I made a video showing how to make fresh juice using a blender and nut bag.
We plan to document our juice feast on my Youtube channel and here on the blog. Be sure to subscribe to stay up to date. :-)
Disclaimer: If you buy the juicer using the link above, I will get a couple of cents from Amazon. Of course, I would never recommend something that I wouldn't use myself. :-)
7 Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat More Plant-Based Meals
If someone told me 5 years ago that we would be on this food journey, I would have laughed. In the last two years, we went from drinking lots of diet Coke, eating Hot Pockets and boxed macaroni & cheese to...green smoothies, quinoa, and potato tacos.
We still have a long way to go in improving our diet, but overall, I'm happy with where we are.
I vlogged a little with some tips on how I was able to get my own kids to eat more plant-based dishes....
1. No snacks close to meal times-Kids are less likely to try new dishes/vegetables because they're not as hungry. I try not to give them anything at least an hour before dinner.
2. Take the little crumb snatchers grocery shopping :-) Getting my kids involved in picking out fresh fruit and vegetables gives them an incentive to try it when we get home. I like calling out a fruit or vegetable and having them retrieve it for me while shopping. Also, I encourage them to try any new (to them) fruit or vegetable.
3. Cook together - Discuss the ingredients and why your family is eating better. This is also a great way to enjoy quality time together.
4. Set the example-Kids are more likely to try a new dish if they see adults they love enjoying it. Be enthusiastic about eating fresh fruits and vegetables but be sure not to lecture because that will likely turn them off.
5. Make the food appealing-Research spices and herbs, have a colorful plate, make sure the vegetables aren't overcooked and have enough flavor. If the food looks appetizing and is delicious, you don't have to convince anyone to eat it. :-)
6. If no one likes it, make it again. Introducing new foods can be a challenge but a lot of times kids will get used to the difference if you're persistent. Also, experiment with using the same ingredient in different dishes.
7. Have FUN, experiment, and focus on making your food tasty. ☺
How do you get your kids to eat more vegetables?
D.C. VegFest Recap (A Few Pics & VIDEO)
We enjoyed lunch with this fabulous view.
I have to say the Richmond Vegetarian Festival was better this year because there were more vendors, the location was spread out, and the food lines weren't nearly as long. We all wanted Everlasting Cafe but the line was sooo long, we settled for falafel & French fries.
We also wanted to drink a coconut but that line was just as long. *sigh*
The boys came for dessert and eating falafel was just a means to an end.
I was glad to meet Afya Ibomu. Even though I prefer my Kindle, I purchased her book.
Overall, we had a great time and it's always good to be around so many like-minded people.
I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I planned but I did a little vlogging.
Check it out...
4 Ways to Get Your Kids to Drink GREEN Smoothies (VIDEO)
The first time I gave the boys a kale smoothie they looked at me like I was crazy. It was 2008 and let's just say we were new passengers on the "eating better" train. Elijah outright screamed "no!" and ran from the kitchen. Even though Jason was curious, he also refused, and Brandon reached for the cow's milk beside the blender instead.
Things are a lot better these days. Even though kale isn't their favorite vegetable in the world, they no longer give me hassle about drinking/eating it.
*Choose your fruit wisely- Pineapple & bananas are my go-to kale smoothie fruits because they're super sweet and tend to be inexpensive. Also, they do an excellent job of reducing the bitter flavor that raw kale has. I like to make sure the fruit is frozen to make it more appealing.
*Less kale/more pineapple. Don't feel like you have to fill your blender to the rim with kale. Start off by adding a little kale to each smoothie, then gradually increase each time.
*Let them help-I never forced the boys to drink green smoothies but having them help me naturally led to *tasting* it.
*Don't give up! Keep offering green smoothies and they will eventually try it.I never in a million years thought my kids would drink them but persistence paid off! *patting myself on the back*
Bonus tip: One of my Youtube viewers suggested using a cup opposed to a glass when serving green smoothies to younger children. Since it's sweet, they may not care about the color once they start drinking it.
In conclusion: Green smoothies are an acquired taste for kids. Don't be afraid to add a little agave nectar or use spinach instead of kale. Spinach is an excellent choice because (unlike kale) it isn't bitter and you mostly just taste fruit.
Watch me make a kale salad & kale smoothie with Jason below.
How do you get your kids to drink green smoothies?