A Little HINT for Labor Day Drinks!

Ok, I couldn't resist this! Here are some Labor Day cocktail recipes that sound exactly what every Smart Mama needs after such a hot and gruling summer! Each recipe uses HINT Essence Water, a product I have not yet tried, but is right up my alley- with no carbs, calories, sugar or sodium like other mixers, our Smart Mama cocktails will have a delicious taste without adding on extra pounds. You can find HINT at Whole Foods and at http://www.drinkhint.com/ for just $1.79 a bottle. Here are cocktail recipes using HINT.

Economical & Budget-minded Paper Bag Lunches

We've been cutting coupons, scaling back vacations and big buys. Now with the school year on the horizon, we need to consider ways to keep our kids paper bag lunches yummy and economical! Below are some great tips from the Grocery Outlet:

• Plan ahead. Shop from a list so you're less inclined to impulse spend on packaged junk food. Shop your cupboards and leftovers first to avoid duplicate purchases and be ready to change menu plans according to sales items.
• Involve the kids. They're more likely to eat a lunch they helped prepare. Create a weekly lunch menu and let them circle their choices. Place healthy menu items (i.e. orange slices, carrot sticks, string cheese, etc.) in the refrigerator produce drawer and let kids choose two or three the night before.
• Single servings are expensive and waste packaging. Buy items such as yogurt and soup in large containers.
• Avoid sandwich burn-out. Swap the bread for a tortilla/wrap to make a fun-to-eat pinwheel. Let kids make cracker sandwiches with pre-cut meat and cheese. A hearty cereal packed in a plastic container with milk from a thermos will be a welcome change. And leftover pizza doesn't require a microwave.
• Try “extreme value” food outlets – such as Grocery Outlet. These outlets purchase overstocks and closeouts directly from manufacturers resulting in prices up to 50% cheaper than conventional retailers. (For locations – visit http://www.groceryoutlets.com/)
• Make it fun. Use cookie cutters (animal, holiday, etc.) for fun-to-eat sandwiches. Stickers always brighten up a plastic bag. You can even write a love note on the banana peel.

Thank you Grocery Outlet for these great tips!!

Yes, we can all get along! Kimberly Clark & Greenpeace make amends!

Being "green" with cloth towels and napkins is a bit of a challenge, especially with the convenience of paper products. Do understand that I honestly try to be as green as possible but I really just prefer a tissue to a hankie! I'm sure I'm no alone!

Well, I recently read some great "green" news that helps lift the spirits of us "really wish we could be green-er" moms! "Kimberly Clark, maker of Kleenex, Scott and Cottonelle brands, today announced stronger fiber sourcing standards that will increase conservation of forests globally and will make the company a leader for sustainably produced tissue products. In turn, Greenpeace, which worked with Kimberly-Clark on its revised standards, announced that it will end its “Kleercut” campaign, which focused on the company and its brands."

I guess now we can reach for the Kleenex and not feel so snotty =)! Way to go Kimberly Clark and Greenpeace!

A Special Cookie Monster Cupcake!

Recently my cousin's son celebrated his 3rd birthday! As a special treat Isa and I made him a cupcake of his favorite character! Guess who it is!!??

Not too shabby for a non-artistic Smart Mama and her munchkin!!

Yummy, yummy frozen yogurt!!

My watering taste buds couldn't resist sharing this!!! This, perfect for summer, treat has super is very kind to the waist line! Let me know what you think!

Driscoll’s Berries, the nation’s leading provider of fresh and organic berries, would like to help your family celebrate National Berry Month and National Ice Cream Month this July with a healthy helping of Blackberry Chocolate Frozen Yogurt. This easy to prepare, refreshing summer treat offers a healthy, low fat alternative to ice cream with the same great taste. Help your family beat the heat sans the calories – we promise your kids will be begging for more!



Here's the recipe:

BLACKBERRY-CHOCOLATE FROZEN YOGURT
Makes 1 ½ Quarts

2 (16-ounce) cartons vanilla low fat yogurt
2 ½ cups Driscoll’s Blackberries
½ cup light-colored corn syrup
¼ cup sugar
½ cup coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate (3 ounces)

In a blender container or food processor bowl, combine half of the yogurt, ½ cup of the berries, half of the corn syrup and half of the sugar. Cover and blend or process until almost smooth. Pour mixture into ice cream freezer container. Repeat. Freeze mixture in an electric ice cream freezer according to manufacturer’s directions. Remove dasher from freezer. Add remaining 1½ cups berries and the chopped chocolate; stir to distribute. Ripen*.

*Note: To ripen frozen yogurt or ice cream, after stirring in berries and chocolate, cover top of freezer can with waxed paper or foil. Plug hole in lid and replace lid. Pack outer freezer bucket with enough ice and rock salt to cover top of freezer can, using about 4 cups ice and 1 cup salt. Ripen about 4 hours.

Nutritional Information
Blackberry-Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Per ½ Cup Serving
175 calories, 3g total fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate, 3g dietary fiber, 4g protein.

Does stress have to equal added pounds? NO! Dr. Erika Schwartz provides useful ideas to stay fit in times of stress!

Have you noticed that in times of stress (current state of the economy, days of exams, before a big surgery, or illness in the family) food is so easily our comfort? Recently a story ran in USA Today that wasn't necessarily surprising but an important reminder of how vulnerable overweight people are in times of stress to pack on additional pounds.
Full USA Today Story: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2009-07-08-obesity-stress_N.htm

With this story at the front of my mind, I asked a leading expert in the field of health, Dr. Erika Schwartz, Medical Director of Cinergy Health, www.cinergyhealth.com, a few questions on behalf of our Smart Mama Community.

Question 1
With many readers constantly on the go, rarely finding time to sit relax and eat a healthy lunch, how do you prepare for the unexpected day as a "soccer mom?"
Dr. Erika Schwartz: Make your own trail mix and carry a zip lock sandwich baggie in your bag. Mix roasted not salted almonds with dry blueberries, sour cherries and a few hazelnuts. Also, make sure you carry a bottle of water or make your own iced green tea.
Question 2
An afternoon run to de-stress doesn't always fit into a mom’s day. What other ways can a mom de-stress that doesn't involve a babysitter or a pint of ice cream?
Dr. Erika Schwartz: 5 pound dumbbells in your home. Pick them up every few hours and pump them up and down from the elbow, back and forth, above your head and behind your back ten times each. Breathe while you are doing this exercise. Watch your arms turn into buff, beautiful arms and feel like a million bucks without going to the gym.
Question 3
What family friendly de-stressing activities do you recommend?
Dr. Erika Schwartz: Take an hour and read. Create a family book club. Share the books regardless of age.

Thank you so much to Dr. Schwartz for these fantastic ideas!

Smart Living - A Great Sale!

Attention Shoppers!!!

Starting Thursday, April 30th, HomeGoods will have perfect gifts for Mother’s Day at incredible savings including:·

Monogrammed Stationary and Jeweled Frames for for $3.99 - $4.99 (reduced from $8)·

Tea Gift sets and Jam and Breakfast sets for $2.99 – $24.99 (reduced from $39)·

Assorted Statuaries for $7.99 - $19.99 (reduced from $20) ·

Spa Accessories for 3.99 - 12.99 (reduced from $24)

HomeGoods is an off priced retailer, not discount which means they offer designer and brand name merchandise that is current season at prices 20-60% off department and specialty retailer. Shoppers can take advantage of the Mother’s Day event through the weekend, but because HomeGoods brings new merchandise into its stores so often, many times in small quantities, regulars and novices alike should know to get there early before the best deals are gone.

Let me know if you find some great steals!

Smart Living - GoodFoodNearYou.com

Ok, so there is no excuse now Smart Mamas! I've learned of a new website, that even comes with an app for your Blackberry or iPhone! This site GoodFoodNearYou.com provides exactly that! By entering your address, it will provide the healthiest options (specific items off a menu) that are closest to home. Here's what it found with my Miami location:

Now, I can certainly see that it is not 100% updated (there is a fantastic, rather new, salad shop that opened up less than a mile from home and I can't imagine that there salads aren't listed.) Although, I do like that yummy ice cream is listed as the 2nd, by distance, as healthy for me!
I do have to say that GoodForNearYou.com, can provide ideas on restaurants and menu items that you may not have thought about when figuring out what's out there that's healthy for lunch. That is exactly what a Smart Mama, living a Smart Living lifestyle needs.

Also, you are also able to organize the healthy options by distance, calories, fat and carbs!

Let me know if you try it out!

Smart Living - Tracking Water - Day 3

So Wednesday wasn't as good...I had one rubbermaid and 2 separate glasses. It was a crazy day with lots and lots going on (all good) around here.

I would think about pouring more water and then something would catch my eye that needed to be cleaned, organized or thrown out! (I'm making excuses, aren't I!)

Cheers to more water tomorrow!!!

Don't forget to post your daily water intake!

Smart Living - Tracking Water - Day 2

Ok Smart Mams, how's it going?? Are you paying attention to each gulp of water you consume?

I was able to down 2 of my Rubbermaid bottles (32 oz each) and 4 other separate glasses. Not bad for Day 1!!!

Don't forget to keep track today!!!

Smart Living - Tracking Water

Smart Living Challenge

I challenge YOU, my Smart Mama, to consider how much water you drink each day. I'm not telling you how much I think you should drink, I just want you to track it over the next week. Each day, between now and next Monday, I would like you to record each time you drink a full 8 oz glass of water. (Crystal Light counts, but not soda) You can record via a daily comment or in a notebook. Next Tuesday be sure to post a comment with the average number of 8 oz glasses of water you consumed.

Don't forget to subscribe to the SmartyPantsMama.com feed so you'll get a daily reminder via my postings to track your Smart Living Challenge.

Why?

Next week I'll share some very useful info on water consumption. Did you know that 8 glasses a day isn't the recipe for EVERYONE? Some should drink more, and some even less! Come by next week to find out!