Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

How To Get Your Kids Into The Kitchen

Want to encourage your kids to to embrace making healthy meal choices? Start by encouraging them to view healthy cooking as a fun activity. There is an old adage that if children help to make it, they will eat it. By introducing children to the fun that the family kitchen holds, you’re helping them make the farm to plate connection, while getting their hands dirty. Cooking together as a family creates a bond and memories that will last a lifetime. It’s also a great way to infuse math, science, history and art into your everyday conversations. Remember, cooking is fun and it doesn’t matter how messy you get, the idea is to create a love for healthy eating that will span a lifetime. Jump over to Inhabitots to learn seven ways to get your kids into the kitchen.

Yoga 101: Which Is Best For Me?

YOGA! July challenge

I feel that one of the best ways to slow down, relax, release stress and reflect is by practicing Yoga. Yoga is also fantastic for increasing flexibility, coordination, focus, strength and body awareness. Not to mention – it is fun! I also love that Yoga can be practiced solo, with a partner and even with your children. Here are 7 of my favorite types of Yoga – maybe you can find your favorite too.

1. Hatha Yoga: 
Hatha is slow-paced and perfect for beginning who want to learn all of the basic Yoga poses. *If you are a beginner for trying Yoga with a child for the first time, start here.

2. Vinyasa Yoga:
Vinyasa is a breath-synchronized Yoga, it tends to be more intense and includes a series of poses called Sun-Salutations, in which the movements are matched to the breath. *If you want to step it up a notch, this one is for you.

3. Kundalini Yoga: 
Kundalini is the exploration of the effects of the breath on the postures. It uses fast movements, rather than poses, that are held over a long period of time. *If you want to focus on your breath and the movements, this is where you will want to begin.

4. Ashtanga Yoga:

Ashtanga is another fast-paced style that includes a set of 26 poses that are always performed in the same order. It is very physically demanding because you are constantly moving for one post to another. *If you are looking for a cardio-like Yoga, this one is for you.

5. Power Yoga: 
Power Yoga is based on the flowing style of Ashtanga, but usually without the strictly kept poses series. *If you want a cardio-like Yoga without the strict routine, start here. 

6. Birkram Yoga: 
Birkram is a set of 26 poses that is practiced in a 95-115º room which allows for loosening of the muscles and causes profuse sweating. *If you are looking for an intense, cleansing Yoga that can help with weight-loss, this is where you will want to begin.

7. Laughter Yoga: 
Laughter Yoga combines yogic breathing with unconditional laughter. Laughter is stimulated by a childlike playfulness with a group. *If you are looking for something different and fun or want to try a class with your child, this would be a great one to try.

What type of Yoga do you practice?

Recipe: Organic Oatmeal And Chocolate Chip Cookies

Doesn’t today feel like an oatmeal and chocolate chip cookie kind of day? This is my organic oatmeal and chocolate chip recipe that my boys absolutely adore. Bake a batch for your family tonight!

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cups organic butter
  • 1/2 cup organic sugar
  • 1 cup packed organic brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon organic vanilla
  • 1/2 cup organic milk
  • 1 cup organic flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon organic baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon organic salt
  • 1 teaspoon organic cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon organic cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon organic nutmeg
  • 1 cup organic chocolate chips
  • 3 cups organic rolled oats
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat together the sugar, brown sugar, butter, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Next, add the milk and mix until combined. Now, add the flour, baking soda, salt and spices, and stir until well mixed. Then, add the rolled oats and chocolate chips. The batter will be very thick. Drop in 2 inch balls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Moroccan Mint Tea Recipe – By Guest Greenie Nisrine Merzouki

I enjoy sipping hot mint tea while reading a book, especially when the weather is cold and blistery. There is something warming and soothing about mint that makes this tea seriously addictive.

Ingredients

  • 3 teaspoons organic sugar
  • 1 teabag organic green tea
  • 3 sprigs of fresh organic mint
  • 1 cup boiling water

Directions
Put the organic sugar, organic green tea bag, and organic mint in the serving cup. Add the boiling water and let steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir and compost the tea bag.

Roasted Eggplant Salad (Zaalouk) Recipe – By Guest Greenie Nisrine Merzouki

Zaalouk is a classic Moroccan salad that can be enjoyed either cold or warm and is served with bread. Its smoky flavor and many fragrant spices make it a highly popular appetizer for any occasion.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium organic eggplant (cubed)
  • 2 large organic tomatoes (peeled and diced)
  • 3 organic garlic cloves (pressed)
  • 4 tablespoons organic olive oil
  • organic salt and freshly ground organic pepper
  • 1 teaspoon organic cumin
  • 1 teaspoon organic chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon distilled organic white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped organic parsley, for garnish

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400º. Place the eggplant in a baking dish and brush it with olive oil. Roast the eggplant for 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and mash the eggplants with a fork.

2. In a medium frying pan, cook the tomatoes with garlic and olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the mashed eggplants and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes, mashing them with a spatula to completely blend them with the tomatoes. Remove from heat and mix in the salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and vinegar.

3. Serve warm with bread or crackers.

Serves 4