Next up on my Lunch 4 Littles series is a kid friendly chili and hot dog dish done healthier.  

My nieces and nephews adore hot dogs.  At every party or holiday event, hot dogs are usually on the menu.  What I don't adore are all of the preservatives, nitrates and unnecessary animal parts (I'm sorry but it's true) that these little bodies are consuming. 

I have to admit, after this post, I actually ate it and it was delicious. So mommies, this is something you can eat too, and since all the ingredients are organic you don't have to feel guilty for eating what the kids are having.  I added some green beans on the side to add in a vegetable, and if your kids like green veggies, all the better to add it to their meal too!

What I Served:
1 Applegate Farms Turkey Hotdog 
1 Can of Fry's (or Kroger) Organic Vegan Chili Beans (they are very mild)
1 Gluten-Free Yahuda's Cracker, Crumbled on top (These contain egg, so omit if allergic)

I sliced the hotdog and cooked in a pan until seared through.  In a small sauce pan I heated the chili until hot, then let it cool.  You want to make sure it's fully cooked, but then set aside so you don't burn little mouths.  Put it together in a small dish and serve with crumbled crackers on top. 

What are some of your favorite toddler and kid meals?  Contact me and the best will be featured here! 

Your a mom.  It's Friday afternoon, you worked all week, you're on deadline, the laundry is flowing out of the laundry room and into the hall, the kids had a half-day and you havn't even started thinking about dinner.  A dinner in which your in-laws will be present for.  So I understand why you would just sit the kids down and feed them a hot dog.  Or macaroni.  Or a burger.  It's easy.  It's cheap.  And it allows you to get to the laundry.  The paperwork.  The dinner prep.

Now, I myself am not a mommy yet.  However, I do see a lot of friends and families presented with the challenge of wanting to feed their littles better but not having the time, resources or recipes to do so.  So I wanted to start a series of posts that help put together meals for toddlers, kids and teens that are still in the traditional food realm, but that cut back on unnecessary sugar, starches, fat and artificial ingredients.

The good news is that GOOD QUALITY food still does exist.  Sometimes it means visiting another market or a farmer's market.  Sometimes it means cooking in the oven over the microwave, but for the most part, kids can still enjoy the food they know and love, while you give them healthier options to do so. Recipe for today below.

A Healthier Hot Dog & Fries:

1 Applegate Farms Natural Turkey Hot Dog - These hot dogs are casein and gluten-free, use no anti-biotics, are humanely raised and have no nitrates, nitrites or nasty preservatives. 

5 Dr. Praeger Sponge Bob Broccoli Bites. These cute little potato and broccoli bites are fun shaped, and delicious for the kids who love fries.  As a healthier version, they are packed with broccoli bits. These are made with egg, so if your little has an allergy, skip these and maybe bake some healthy sweet potato fries. 

A handful of organic green beans. (or any vegetable your little will eat) Greens are very important. 

I served this dish with a side of paleo ketchup, made with xyltiol and apple cider vinegar instead of corn-syrup that is found in store-bought ketchup.  Nature's Hollow makes an amazing ketchup that is sugar free.  If you are going to buy ketchup at a regular store, opt for Simply Heinz which skips the corn-syrup.  90% of corn in the US contains GMO's so best to skip it all together unless it states it's verified non-GMO. 

Remember to keep mealtime fun and allow kids to see food in a positive, healthy light. 

This is a crucial time in a kid's life, they are growing and it's important they receive the proper fuel.  I've heard the argument many, many times that "what I'm feeding them is no different than when we were growing up and we turned out fine."  

However, it is different than when we, or our parents, or our parents parents were growing up.  GMO's (genetically modified organisms) didn't play as big of a role back then.  Neither did the amount of harsh chemicals and pesticides used in our food supply today.  Additionally, it may seem that we "turned out fine", while in reality cancer, auto-immune issues and diabetes numbers have sky-rocketed and new diseases that didn't exist 10, 20, 40, 60 years ago have come into play.  Problems that weren't around when the 1950's diners served up fresh milk milkshakes and grass fed burgers.  

Earth Day is April 22nd, 2014.  What does that mean, you ask?  Well, unofficially it was always a day I tried to at least plant a tree, or attend an expo, most often than not though I ended up just using less water or electricity.  This earth is our temporary home, and I believe we do have a responsibility to keep it clean, and help provide a good future for our children, and their children. 

Officially, Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.

I've put together a list of some things we can do to help give back, that helps not only our Earth, but those around us as well.  And of course, I threw in some yummy Earth Day inspired treats!  I would love to hear what you do for Earth day, or what you plan to do this year.  Comment and inspire others to make a difference. 

Halloween is around the corner and that means candy & sugar everywhere you turn. On the end cap in BUCKETS at every store. At school. At work. And of course Halloween night itself when kids, adorable as they may be dressed as various Disney or Pixar characters walking door to door getting sacks and sacks of sugar laden candy. That they will inevitably want because its colorful and sweet and it was given to them for looking "oh so cute", so I have put together a list of healthier options to trade some of that out with, or for you to pass out at your home, or enjoy yourselves throughout the season. There are also a few recipes linked below as well! I'd love to hear your feedback on how YOU make healthier choices for your littles. 

• 1. Raisins - Raisins, though high in natural sugar are a much healthier choice than the alternative. You can also make homemade, dairy-free chocolate covered raisins at home. Click here for the quick and easy recipe. 
  
• 2. Granola Bars - With many varieties now available in gluten and dairy free, Granola bars are an easy pre-packaged treat to hand out for Halloween. Or for your own lil' ghosts and goblins you can make your own at home! 
  
• 3. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds - Roast pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet in the oven with your favorite sweet or savory spices for a treat with a nice crunch!
  
• 4. 100% Fruit Bars - Available in a variety of fruit flavors at most markets, you can find them with no added sugar. Also individually wrapped to make it an easy choice for hungry little trick or treaters. 
  
• 5. Dehydrated Fruit Slices - I adore my dehydrated, and dehydrated peaches, plums and apples satisfy my sweet tooth when I'm craving. Kids will love helping to make these, parents slice them up and have the little ones help lay them out on the dehydrator racks and sprinkle with cinnamon. 
  
• 6. Plastic Halloween Rings - A non-food item that kids would love to play with or receive at Halloween. Found at party stores, you can find witches, pumpkins and cats that they can adorn their little hands with. 
  
• 7. Homemade Fruit Snacks - Making your own fruit snacks saves your littles from consuming to much added sugar, artificial dyes and preservatives. Plus its a fun fall project! Click here for a recipe from The Wellness Mama. 
  
• 8. Cinnamon Almonds - One of my PERSONAL favorites! Make sure to save this treat for the older littles :) And of course children without a nut allergy. But these warm, crunchy little delights can replace candy in my house anyday. I will have a crockpot recipe coming for Christmas time that is sure to delight!
  
• 9. Organic Candy - If you are a super-busy mama, or just don't like to spend too much time in the kitchen there are organic, healthier options when it comes to buying candy. An example would be Justin's Peanut Butter Cups, found at health food stores.  Or for the kiddos who can't tolerate milk, I LOVE the Enjoy Life chocolate bars, available in light chocolate, dark chocolate and crunchy rice. 
  
• 10. Gift Cards - And last but not least, if you want to give your little a little treat that isn't related to food a gift card to pick out a small toy or app for the iPad may be just the ticket ;) 
  

Whatever you choose to do this Halloween, be safe, have fun and Nosh healthy!  - Mandi 

So, as Mr. Charming is soon applying to dental school and I'm talking to a lot of mommies getting healthy feedback on raising babies I thought I would post some information I received on keeping your children's teeth healthy from the sign of the first little tooth to their teen years. I stand behind toothpastes such as Tom's of Maine for their fluoride-free options, especially for young little ones. 

I know the verdict is mixed on fluoride, however, personally I don't believe it's something I or my future children need to consume. While others may disagree, that's fine :) Everyone has their opinions. I just wanted to provide a suggested timeline for toothpaste and maintenance growth as your child ages. 

Age 4-10 months: At the sign of the first tooth, start lightly washing their gums with a warm cloth. Keep juices and sugars to a minimum if you must give them at all.

Age 1: First dentist visit! And start brushing teeth with a toddler toothbrush and a low-foaming, fluoride-free training gel. 

Age 2: Dental visit! And make sure your child has now graduated to using a kid's toothpaste and that you've taught them how to brush and spit. Introducing a fluoride toothpaste is now acceptable. 

Age 6: This is the age where you child may start losing teeth! Aside from planning fun visits from the tooth fairy you may want to introduce a dye-free, gluten-free and alcohol free mouth rinse. 

Age 8: This is a great age to switch from a kiddy-fruity toothpaste to a mild mint. 

Age 13: Now that children will have all of their permanent teeth, it's time to switch to an adult toothpaste and toothbrush if they have not already.''