When I was contacted to review Mix1 I was a bit confused.  You see, I had no idea what Mix1 was, so I began to do my research.

The first place I visited was their site .  What I found was very impressive.  As a vegetarian and one that is lactose intolerant, I am always searching for products that will provide the nutrients without comprising my lifestyle.

Mix1 is a beverage company that found the solution to many individual’s challenges.  It is very difficult to find beverages that are high in protein, as well as antioxidants, without dairy or processes ingredients.

Mix1 combines all natural ingredients such as purified water, whey protein isolate, organic cane sugar, extra light olive oil and so much more.  I was still a bit skeptical even after reading all about their ingredients.  I did not want a sugar loaded drink that was also loaded with caffeine.  My entire purpose of living a healthy lifestyle would be completely compromised if I did.  But I decided to keep and open mind and agree to the review.

When I received the Mix1 products I was very pleased.  Not only was I able to drink the products because they were lactose-free but they also contain all natural sugars.  Many of the energy drinks on the market are loaded with sugar and caffeine which is very unhealthy.

The drinks have the consistency of a yogurt drink or a smoothie.  I honestly enjoyed all the flavors, which included blueberry vanilla, lime, mango, mixberry and tangerine.  The drinks that contained the antioxidant fibers were delicious as well and those flavors are dark-berry and orange-carrot.

I decided to put the products to the test and ask my children to taste them; they are my best critics and will always give me an honest opinion.  They were very pleased and really enjoyed them, so much that I had to limit them from drinking all of them:)

These products are sold nationally at Kroger and Whole Foods Market and regionally at King Soopers, Albertson’s, Fred Meyer, Costco, Ralphs as well as independent grocery retailers across the United States.

However, you will not have to go far to taste these delicious drinks.  The company has graciously donated 1 case of these wonderful drinks for a giveaway to one of readers.

One lucky reader will enjoy a case of 12 Mix1 drinks and I am sure you will enjoy them.

So the rules are easy:

1. Visit Mix1’s site and tell me something unique that you learned about the company
2. Sign up for the RSS feed to this blog
3. Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/drmommy
4. Tweet about this giveaway

Those are pretty simple rules.  Be sure to let me know which one you did because each one will earn you an extra entry. Good Luck!

*The contest will end on June 7th and will winner will be announced on June 8th*

**The winner is: Billy – Congratulations** (picked with Random.org)

This fruit, yes fruit is red and delicious and often mistaken for a vegetable.  It is sweet and loaded with antioxidants.  

Below I will share 5 ways to enjoy this lovely little fruit.

Of course there are many more but I will only share 5..feel free to share more in the comments section.

1.  Tomato Salsa – This is one of my favorites and very easy to make.

• Chop 2 large tomatoes and place in a bowl
• Add the following ingredients to the bowl:
  • 1/2 tsp of sea salt
  • Add 1/2 small red onion, chopped
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped, fresh cilantro
  • 1 small serrano chile, seeded and chopped
  • 1/4 fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• Mix well and serve over omelets, over wraps, with bagel chips, or whatever you desire.

2.  Tomato, Herb and Feta Salad

• Cut 4 tomatoes into wedges and place in a bowl
• Season with sea salt, pepper
• Add in the following:
  • 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cups chopped fresh mint
  • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil
• Add a 4-oz container of crumbled feta cheese
• Mix gently to combine all and enjoy!

3.  BLT Salad Sandwich

• Spread 1 tsp of lowfat mayo on each of 4 slices of lightly toasted whole grain bread
• Cut 2 large tomatoes into 8 thick slices
• Place 2 tomato slices on each piece of bread
• Top with 2 slices of cooked turkey bacon
• Toss 8 cups of Bibb lettuce with 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil and 1/4 tsp of sea salt
• Add 2 cups of the greens over the bacon
• Enjoy!

4.  Vegetarian Stuffed Tomatoes – A family favorite

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Core 8 medium sized tomatoes, scoop out the seeds
• Sprinkle 1/8 tsp of sea salt inside of the tomatoes, then set aside
• In a food processor combine the following:
  • 4 cups of mixed fresh herbs (basil, parsley, oregano)
  • 1 1/2 cups of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 shallot
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp of sea salt
• Pulse until all is mixed well and herbs are chopped
• Pack this filling into all the tomatoes, stuffing them to the top
• Place the tomatoes, filling side up on a baking sheet, lined with foil
• Bake until shriveled, about 12-15 minutes
• Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving

5.  Freeze your tomatoes to enjoy all year

• Cut a small x on the underside of each tomato
• Place in boiling water until the skin begins to curl where scored (about 1 minute)
• Remove the tomatoes from the water, let cool
• Peel back the skin
• Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, 1 inch apart
• Freeze until solid, about 5 hours
• Transfer to freezer bags and store
• Thaw in fridge over night to make sauces or soups

How do you enjoy your tomatoes? Share your ideas below.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking, if I have a picky eater, how on earth will they love veggies?  Well, it’s really not that difficult and I will share some tips with you on how you can make veggies more enticing to your picky eater and you will be shocked and surprised to see them eating them and actually enjoying them!

Make the Vegetables Fun – no one likes to eat ‘plain’ looking food and the same will apply to children.  Consider trying some of the tips below:

• Broccoli – not many children enjoy broccoli or ‘little trees’ as my children call them but if you cook them with orange juice, they may change their mind.  Steam 3 cups of broccoli, toss with 2 tbs of orange juice, 1tbs of canola oil, 1 minced garlic clove, salt and pepper and serve with sliced oranges you may actually see your little person enjoying broccoli.
• Carrot Fries – instead of steaming carrots try using a crinkle cutter and cutting them into fries.  Toss with salt, pepper and some olive oil and bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.  These are yummy and make carrots fun.
• Cucumber Ribbon Strips – Peel the cucumber into strips and toss with rice vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and honey.  Arrange on plate and watch your picky eater soon become curious and enjoy the cucumber ribbons.

Children love sauces and dips – entice your picky eater with different sauces.

• Honey mustard sauce is simple to make and will go great with asparagus.  Yes, asparagus!  Try baking the asparagus spears after you have dipped them in flour, egg, and bread crumbs.  Bake until golden brown and serve with honey mustard sauce.
• Cheese sauces and dips are favorites among children.  Cauliflower, broccoli and green beans are all wonderful with cheese drizzled on top or served on the side as a dip.

• Salads are great with sauces.  But don’t make a plain salad, use kitchen shears and cut the vegetables into shapes, add sliced grapes and cherry tomatoes and serve the sauce on the side.

Disguise the vegetables with some other foods your child enjoys.  This is tricky but it works.

• Roasted vegetables are a great way to introduce new veggies to your child.  Roast some red potatoes and add some red peppers, onions and butternut squash to the mix.  Toss all with some balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Corn Medley is another great choice.  What child doesn’t like corn?  Saute some red and bell peppers with onions and garlic, add frozen corn to the mix and toss with salt, pepper, and chili powder…makes a yummy treat.
• Spaghetti sauce is a kid favorite.  Knowing this I will steam veggies, usually broccoli, corn and cauliflower and mix in with the sauce.  Serve the sauce over pasta or use to dip cheese sticks and watch your child enjoying veggies in a sneaky way.

Whatever method you decide to introduce vegetables to your picky eater, remember to never give up.  Consistency is important and when they notice that you enjoy vegetables they will too.

Until next time,

If you are a regular reader, you will know that I love to write about food, nutrition and how it can affect our overall wellness.  So, it should be no surprise that I discovered through my research 3 yummy foods that can help fight cancer.

Here they are:

Blueberries – Yes, these lovely little berries contain antioxidants called anthocyanidins.  These antioxidants make the berries their unique blue color.Researchers also suggest that these potent compounds may help fight free-radical damage at the cellular level.  This in turn can reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases.

Broccoli – My favorite! This and other cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower contain phytochemicals that help fight cancer.Another component called sulforaphane also appears to help prevent tumor development.

Garlic – Researchers in the National Cancer Institute, suggest that the consumption of garlic can help reduce the risk of cancer.  Some of the cancers included are cancer of the pancreas, stomach, colon and breast.It is believed that the garlic induces cell death or blocks the formation of cancer-causing substances.

Until next time,

I know what you’re thinking–’I'm not a fan of broccoli’. ‘I’ve never liked the little trees’, ‘My mom forced me to eat broccoli as a kid, so I won’t eat them now’–well put those negative thoughts aside.  Broccoli is actually quite good for you and it’s time to give it a try!

This unique little green vegetable is a cruciferous green and with just a little bit of research and a few facts, you will understand why broccoli is truly best.  You’ll find that a little bit of work will show you exactly how tasty this healthy vegetable can be!

One of the first things you should be aware of is that broccoli is a real powerhouse because it is loaded with vitamins.  It contains  large doses of vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as  calcium, fiber, and folic acid.  This little green vegetable  is an important source of calcium, which can help you build strong bones, control high blood pressure and contribute to the fight against colon cancer.  You’ll also find that broccoli is instrumental when it comes to a reduced risk for serious conditions including heart disease, cancers and even cataracts.

So now that you have done your research, let’s talk about eating this great vegetable.  Many people make faces when it comes to this vegetable, but with some serious taste tests and considerations, you’ll realize that that’s just a left-over artifact from your childhood.  While this vegetable is quite tasty when it has been steamed on its own, you’ll find that there are many ways to incorporate it into a healthy diet.  Many will enjoy this ‘little tree’ raw with ranch dressing but to get best results, steam your broccoli until it is tender but still quite green; this gives you both a lovely looking food as well as a bit of crunch.

One of the most famously tasty ways to eat broccoli is to steam it, and then drizzle some melted cheese over it.  Children tend to love this treat, but you’ll find that as an adult, you’ll be able to appreciate the gentle crunch of the broccoli as well as the kind of cheese that you put on top.  Sharp cheddar is a traditional favorite, but you’ll also have some great results with pepperjack, and, if you have a taste for it, bleu cheese.

Another form to eat broccoli is steaming it and then puree it.  I use this little trick with my children.  Many times they just don’t want to eat anything green, so by blending the broccoli into a puree, I then add to sauce.  I usually add it to spaghetti sauce, because children love spaghetti.  This is a wonderful way to enjoy the benefits of broccoli and ease your taste buds into enjoying broccoli.

So, there’s really no reason to fear broccoli, so take some time and add some of this versatile veggie to your diet!

Until next time,