The Thoughts of An Angel Awakened

How To Look Good, Feel Better and Love Life

Kids and meditation

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I am a huge fan of meditation.  

Research has revealed that meditation can actually change our brain. People in one study showed changes in gray-matter density in parts of the brain associated with memory, learning, sense of self, empathy, and stress. My kids learned to meditate in elementary school and it was really good for them. I am really excited that more schools are employing these simple tools to help kids focus. 

Anyone can meditate and teach their kids to practice mindfulness. Here are some resources I have found if you need help getting started:
You can download a free app to help your kids get on their way to meditating HERE.
Here is a Youtube playlist. I just searched Youtube for “Kids Meditation.” You can do the same to find videos that your kids may like better.
A really practical article on getting kids to meditate can be found on Deepak Chopra’s website.
Check out the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center for online classes, classes in Spanish and research studies that have been done.
The Mindful Child is a book that shows parents how to teach these transformative practices to their children.

Secret sauce recipe

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“Mom, you just managed the impossible. .. you managed to make kale taste good!” 
~My son at dinner

So, I am hardly a chef but I do manage to make healthy meals that my kids eat. I serve fruit and/or veggies at every meal. They love my “secret sauce” and will pretty much eat anything I dress with it.

The secret is the simplest homemade dressing.

1 part olive oil
1 part balsamic vinegar
1 part apple cider vinegar
(To taste)
Garlic (fresh is best, minced from a jar will work too)
Onion powder
Oregano powder
Basil (dry)
Salt
Pepper

I just mix all of this up in a pickle jar and keep it in the fridge.
The salad was the cruciferous crunch from a Trader Joe’s (kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli,  green and red cabbage) Spring mix lettuces,  apple, red onion, dried cranberries and avocado. The salad changes depending on the season, of course. The only thing to remember is that the fresher the ingredients,  the better.

Finally, I tell my kids that THE MOST important thing about cooking is to do it with love. From planning, to shopping, to plating it up and praying… everything infused with love,  tastes better.
Peace
~angel

Gluten Free Fun Food

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Gluten free diets are much more common now, so it’s a lot easier to find foods that he can eat. BUT food  processing often comes along with convenience. Processing is generally not good for us so I try to keep pre-made, store bought items to a minimum and create meals that are healthy, tasty, fast and fun.

There are tons of recipes out there for homemade GF pizza dough but I admit, the number of flours required to manage decent baked goods has proven a bit much for me thus far. Big props for the food goddesses out there that make some fab crusts! I opt for UDI’s. I also opt for lots of fresh veggies, almond cheese and organic meat. My last yummy trick is to make a sauce with pureed veggies and herbs. Tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin, basil, oregano, garlic…

Interested in how people are experimenting with using food as medicine? Check out this show in the UK call THE FOOD HOSPITAL This type of transformation may not be for everyone but for some, it is LIFE CHANGING!

Inspired kitchen

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This is a concoction created by the kids. Once again, I have to thank my mom for always encouraging me to explore in my kitchen. It’s something I’ve passed on to my little ones.

Here we have a salad made from a store bought rotisserie chicken, apples, cranberries, grapes, mayonnaise (very little) AND… pickled Jalapeños!

We made sandwiches and headed for the park. The criteria for an acceptable meal in my household is tasty, health and fun. This definitely passed the test. It was DELICIOUS.

Breakfast Recipe: French Toast

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So, if you think this is a food blog, you’re about to be sorely disappointed. I am not a food diva. I’m a mom. A busy mom with a son who has some food restrictions. I have learned to LOVE to cook for my kids. They are  such healthy, happy and willing, taste testers. It sort of turns the potentially stressful mealtime into something I look forward to.

You will not find exact measurements here. But you will find the ingredients I used and hopefully be inspired to experiment with what you have in your own kithcen.

French Toast
Bread (I used Gluten Free)
Eggs (I use 2 whole, 2 whites)
Cinnamon (my kids really like it so I used about a teaspoon)
Milk ( I used Coconut, I might use, Hemp or Almond as well. By all means if you do dairy at home use it) about a tablespoon
Oil (Again I used Coconut, which adds a flavor that my kids love but butter or safflower would work too)

Scramble up the eggs, add cinnamon and milk. Dip the bread in so it’s coated well on both sides. Add oil into a frying pan and cook egg dipped bread. SIMPLE.

The fruit was made from some plums (I’ve done similar with berries) that were on their way out. (about 4 small)  I cut them up. Added some red wine, honey, maple syrup, nutmeg and cinnamon. The sauce and plums reduces to the consistency of chuncky cranberry sauce. I’d made it the night before and stored it in the fridgde. In the morning I put it in a pan added some diced apples (I had 2 small green) a tad more syrup. Cooked till the apple were warm but still crumchy. Served atop the French Toast along side some turkey sausages.

This meal takes under 30 minutes and is always a huge hit. I can serve it for Breakfast or Dinner with cheers from the judgdes.

Trinity’s Purple Passion Shake

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Being in the kitchen, making easy, healthy drinks and snacks really empowers my kids both physically and emotionally. We’ve been at it for years with soups, salads, movie snacks and shakes. Anyway, Trinity is 10 and soooo thrilled so many of my Facebook pals liked her idea.

Here is her recipe:
Trinity’s purple passion shake. Coconut milk, blueberries, bananas, agave and a pinch of cinnamon. Ice blended to frosty perfection.