Blog #5

(To the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy")

I eat food that’s sort of healthy

A salad and some cheese for lunch

My breakfast’s eaten mostly on the run

’Cause my life’s under a crunch

I make my kids a filling dinner

Veggies, pasta made of wheat

Dinners are the time we sit

Have some food and laugh lots

Food keeps us smiling, smart, and fit

Blog #4

Sadly Annie's Mac & Cheese (AMC) passed away on June 3, 2011 at the age of 22.

AMC passed suddenly due to cheese build up in its shells. Through out AMC's life, many different types of all natural macaroni and cheese was developed. We had the thrill of having shells, spirals, and cartoon character noodles just to name a few. AMC will be missed. Before passing, AMC was working on making a lighter version of itsself, less cheese, less fat, less calories. Sadly w will never see this new version.

AMC's parents Annie's Homegrown, are already preparing for a replacement. AMC will be replaced but Andy's potato pops. These all natural white, red, blue and purple potatoes will melt in your mouth. They will be pre cooked and in a snazzy hand held container. This new product is coming to market soon, and will be found in the produce aisle.

AMC was born in Wakefield Massacheusetts in 1989 and is survived by Smartfood, Cape Cod Potato Chips and All Natural Veggie Sticks.

At AMC's request, there is no service, please just eat all natural and stay well.

Blog #3

My Health and Wellness goals..... keep healthy and out of the doctor's office! I am finding it harder and harder to stay healthy and keep fit. I used to be a huge runner, but over time my knees and hips don't work like they use to. I find my metabolism shifting, I don't burn off as much as quickly any more. Since I love food, and baking, its hard to eat the same and keep the same weight.

I have had to make changes to the amount I eat if I want to stay the same size. I have also had to cut back on the amount I exercise for two reasons, lack of time and my body does not function as well as it has in the past.

My will power is weak, but I try hard to stick to a lower calorie intake.

I also have tried to increase the organic foods that we eat, and not buy so many things with preservatives. Some new things that I am buying at the store are, fresh fruit/veg smoothie drinks, all natural ice cream, hormone free meat, low sodium deli meat.

I try to shop more t Trader Joes, I think their products are in general, more healthy and do not contain as many preservatives and artificial ingredients. Its easier to go there than to sift through the shelves and choices at the supermarket.

One food item that I have stopped buying is pizza rolls, they just have to many preservatives and nothing good in them. My kids are not happy. I see nothing wrong with pizza, so I have them eat pizza instead.

 One other thing that I do now is try to take my dog for as many walks as possible for both of us to get exercise.

Annie's

Tonight I went shopping at my local grocery store to get my kids favorite macaroni and cheese. They love Annies Mac and Cheese as much as I do. I feel comfort in the name, Annies. I feel that its a good product, all natural, no preservatives, containing the best ingredients.

On my way to the market it was dark and stormy, we are in the middle of a tornado watch, which is rare here in the Boston area. The market was quiet, another rare event.

I didn't need much at the market, just the Annies and some deli meat.

As you can see from the photo below, there were many brands of Mac and Cheese to choose from. The display was done per brand, Interesting that the purple Annie boxes were put right next to the purple store brand boxes, if you didn't read close, you  might pick a store brand by mistake or vice versa.

Fortunately the Annies 12 pack was on sale, so I picked up 2 boxes (totaling 24). Great price and its definitely something the kids want in the house.

I got my Mac and cheese, my deli meat and home I went. Again, it was dark out, tornedo coming.

It was late for dinner when I got home, so i quickly started to boil the water for the Mac and Cheese and then another pot for the hot dogs. Dinner tonight was going to be mac and cheese, hot dogs and cucumbers.

One extra thing I love about Annies, is you only  milk (no butter). I made 3 boxes since left overs come in handy in my house. Of course my son thought he was going to be able to eat all 3 boxes tonight.

10 min dinner was done. My kids like to make the mac and cheese so they can add extra cheese to the pot, which is not necessary. The small shell noodles boiled quick, drained the water, added the milk and cheese pack and it was done.

As you can see from the photo, my daughter liked to mix in her hot dog and ketchup in one bowl. My son on the other hand ate everything separate. I quickly put the left overs away to limit portion control.

No complaints, since I offered the kids strawberries and whip cream later.

May 27-29

Wellness....to me it means balanced good health, mentally and physically. I try to instill wellness with my family by making sure they eat balanced meals, limit portions, exercise, wear sunscreen, take vitamin D, and be socially connected with the community.

All of these things listed are hard to do, but I try.