SKN Blog

Kale has been a trendy vegetable for the past couple of years, but many people wonder what you can really cook with it, besides using it to spruce up a salad.  Kale is a member of the cabbage family, and while other types of cabbage are good for us because they contain a lot of vitamin B2, kale provides us with lots of beta-carotene (necessary for vitamin A production and great for our vision), vitamin K (good for our blood), vitamin C (good for...

MODEL YOUR VEGGIES: If you eat your veggies then your kids will eat theirs too. Research suggests the chances a child eats recommended amounts of healthy foods double if their parents do. See more on parent role modeling.  STOCK THE FREEZER: Try fresh vegetables in frozen form to get your kids’ favorite vegetables all year round. Kids love carrots, corn and peppers – all easy-to-prep options to keep in your “frozen pantry.” See 10 t...

These crunchy cookies are hard to keep in the cookie jar because they’re a family favorite at HealthBarn, and they’re sure to be a hit in your house, too.  If ginger is not your favorite flavor, go without and enjoy a molasses snap instead.  Pack them with low-fat milk or milk alternatives such as soy, rice or almond milks for a yummy school snack—and be prepared to share the recipe when the other parents ask for it! Ingredients: 1...

When it’s too cold to go for a walk or play your favorite sport outdoors, take your kids inside for some exercise.  There’s plenty you can do to help keep your family fit.  Try some of our favorite indoor exercises or create your own! Dance to your family’s favorite music.  Moving your body is a great way to exercise your heart.  Mix it up with new dances like salsa or swing to keep your kids excited about shaking their hips.  J...

People who are allergic to one type of nut have a higher chance of being allergic to another type of nut.  So, if your child has symptoms of allergy for one nut, it is recommended that they get tested for other nut allergies. Siblings of nut-allergic kids also have a higher chance of being nut-allergic and should be tested too. If you are unsure about a food’s ingredients, stay away, just in case.  Especially in the case of a nut aller...

Whether it’s cremini, portabella, morel, or shitake that tickles your fancy makes no difference; all mushrooms have fantastic nutrients that your body needs for everyday function!  If you’ve never liked mushrooms, try opening your mind and your taste buds and give them another chance. You would hope that by knowing how nutritionally beneficial consuming mushrooms are for our health, more people would be inclined to eat them.  After all, ...

Everyone wants a clean house to entertain family and friends for parties, get-togethers or holidays, but few people enjoy the process of getting there.  Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do to make cleaning enjoyable for you and your children.  Inject fun into each task and before you know it, the job will be done and you will have found a way to sneak some double-duty exercise into your day and burn some calories in preparation for ...

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped 1 onion, peeled and chopped 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped 1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped 6 cups of low sodium chicken stock or vegetable stock 2 tablespoons canola or olive oil ½ tablespoon butter Salt and pepper to taste Sauté garlic, ginger and onion in oil until soft then add in chopped vegetables.  Cook the vegetables ...

Cook one-half cup of oatmeal with cinnamon—this spice will warm you up on the coldest day! Try it topped with toasted almond slices, a drizzle of maple syrup, a small handful of raisins or currants, or chopped baked apple. Scrambled eggs with salsa for a bit of heat in the winter chill. Try it with sautéed spinach, bell pepper, tomato or onion for additional nutrition, or mix it up with a rainbow of veggies for the ultimate nutrient b...

Modern Twist on the Old Fashion- serve with melted healthy butter substitute (without any hydrogenated fats!) Parmesan-Garlic Popcorn- sprinkle with parmesan and garlic powder Popcorn Trail Mix- add dried cranberries and roasted unsalted almonds or mix it up with raisins, walnuts, pecans, or any of your favorite dried fruit and nut combinations Chili Powdered Popcorn- spice it up with salt and chili powder Italian Popcorn- flavor with ...