We Love You Amylu

Being a green mom sometimes has it's challenges. Sure, I could easily slap some lunch meat between two slices of over processed bread with processed cheese and call it a day for my kids' meals, but I am really trying to make a difference in their health and well being. When their friends are constantly getting sick, my kids are continually taking their probiotic and fish oil supplements and staying healthy. I'm no better than any other mom, but I do try to take advice from everyone I can (who makes sense and has experience in the area of interest) and realize that I don't know it all and there's always room for improvement.

Sometimes it can get tricky feeding my sons healthy food, without them complaining that it tastes, "healthy". Years ago, I came across a brand of poultry, gluten-free products that taste amazing!Sausages by Amylu are a line of intensely flavored, lean and nutritious gourmet chicken sausages. High in protein, low in fat and carbs, they make delicious entrees. I sometimes use as them as ingredients to enhance appetizers, salads, soups or pastas.

What I love about the variety of Sausages by Amylu is that they are conveniently fully-cooked, making them quick and easy to prepare. Because they are GLUTEN-FREE, 100% ALL-NATURAL, made with 100% FRESH, boneless, skinless chicken breast and thigh meat, I know my kids will scarf them down without a "food fight". As a Green Mom, I'm glad that that there are no nitrates, preservatives, added MSG or anything artificial in the any of their products.

My favorite mid-day mom snack: Amylu's Apple & Maple Chicken Sausage sliced lengthwise and heated up (for a fast healthy snack) in the toaster oven, served with a small slice of local Wisconsin cheddar cheese and sliced apples! Power mom lunch including, protein, healthy fat and a touch of sweetness and salt.


A little bit about the founder of Amylu sausages:

Owner and CEO, Amylu Kurzawski is no stranger to the sausage business. Established in 1924 as Leon’s Sausage Company by her grandfather Leon Tiahnybik, ATK Foods is a third-generation family-owned and operated food products company. In 1922, Slotkowski Sausage, famous in Chicago for its history of producing high quality sausage products in the old-world tradition, was added to the company’s portfolio of brands. After two years of R&D, Sausages by Amylu gourmet all-natural chicken sausages was launched in 1994 offering consumers delicious on-trend flavors and healthy alternative to pork/beef sausages. “We try to keep us with the latest food and lifestyle trends – and apply them to our products”, says Amylu. “That’s why my sausages are flavorful, lean, convenient and versatile – exactly what today’s consumers are looking for in sausage products.”

I'd love to meet Amylu sometime and thank her!

For you Chicagoland moms, you can find Sausages by Amylu at Jewel-Osco, Whole Foods, Dominick’s, Treasure Island, Sunset Foods, Grand Food Centers, Olivia’s Market and Peapod.

To find out more, find locations near you or to SHOP ONLINE click here.

Fooditude

Kids love tasty food and tv, now there's a little of both!
Come to A Taste of Fooditude: an Evening to See, Taste, and Tell!

Support Independent TV and Media that Empowers Kids to Make Healthy Choices
Chicago chefs will pair up with “kid chefs” to celebrate the mission launch of “Fooditude”, a reality based television program that interactively teaches the basics of cooking and nutrition in a fun and relevant way. The launch party will include live music, a silent auction, and delicious food prepared by local chef’s. The evening will culminate with the presentation of Fooditude’s video mission statement and will provide a glimpse at some of the work already produced for the project.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.fooditude.tv and are $40 for an adult and $25 for kids. At the door tickets will be an additional $5!

WHEN: Wednesday, November 18th 6:30-9:30 PM
WHERE: Architectural Artifacts - 4325 N. Ravenswood
Fooditude. . . it’s Kids’ TV with a Bite!

Flu Fending Foods

I truly thought for some strange reason that my family would be immune to the nasty flu that's going around like wildfire, but I was wrong. This past week, my son came down with a hefty dose of fever, chills, etc. which proves to me that no matter what you do, sometimes you still get sick.

It's no secret that kids don't eat a completely balanced diet like adults aim to do. You know the drill, hiding candy in their desk drawer, or throwing vitamins in the fish bowl, etc. I used to feed my dog brussel sprouts from the kitchen table and to this day, my mom never knew (until now). Nowadays, I'd climb to the highest mountaintop to have a plate of sauteed brussel sprouts and onions!

Take charge this season and feed your body what it needs to fight off the flu and come out on top. A run-down body that is out of balance inside and out makes way for viruses to come in and wreak havoc to your immune system and health. It's almost impossible to live in a society and not come into contact with the multitude of germs that are literally everywhere during the flu season, however you can reduce your own susceptibility and strengthen your immune system by simply choosing the right foods to put on your plate--and, once in a while, open a window or two to let the germs out and fresh air in--cool or not.

Leafy Greens
Kale, spinach, seaweed and algae are excellent sources of Vitamin D, the immunity-booster we usually get from sunshine in the summertime. Along with contributing to a stronger defense against people coughing, recent studies indicate that higher Vitamin D levels can benefit ailments as diverse as osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis.

Red Bell Pepper
Gram for gram, red bell peppers have twice as much immune-enhancing vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C is an essential weapon in your flu-fighting food arsenal; it can decrease the duration of a cold by 80 percent and the severity of symptoms like sniffles and cough. Eat red bell peppers chopped up in omelets or on sandwiches. Or, for a quick spaghetti sauce, saute chopped red bell peppers, garlic and olive oil until tender. Puree and drizzle over your favorite whole-wheat pasta.

Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics- good bacteria that line our intestines and defend our body against invading germs. Buy plain yogurt to get fewer calories and less added sugar than you do from fruit-flavored versions, and add your own sweetness with a teaspoon of honey (which may also be an immune booster, because it feeds good bacteria in our gut). To make sure your yogurt contains probiotics, look on the container for the National Yogurt Association's "Live and Active Cultures" seal, which means there are at least two types of healthy bacteria and 100 million bacteria per gram.

Green Tea
Green tea contains an immune-boosting chemical called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). To get the most health benefits from this hot drink, steep tea in boiling water for about 4 minutes. You can change up the flavor by steeping tea with a 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger, fresh mint leaves, a twist of orange peel or a cinnamon stick. Aim to drink 3 cups (24 ounces) or more per day.

Almonds
Almonds are an excellent source of the disease-fighting antioxidant vitamin E. Aim to have 24 almonds (1 ounce) per day as a snack; use chopped almonds on oatmeal, salads or stir-fries; or try this recipe for sugar-and-spice almonds: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay raw (unsalted) almonds on a cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray, and sprinkle with brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne. Bake for 6 minutes, cool and eat!

Kiwi, Grapefruit Orange
All are great sources of vitamin C, the antioxidant we've known for decades to be powerful in fighting colds and flu. Chop up and create your own fruit salad--or perhaps dip the pieces in yogurt for a one-two punch of benefits.

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes' beta carotene content makes them an immune-enhancing food. Beta carotene, the vitamin that gives sweet potatoes their orange pigment,is converted to vitamin A in the body, which research suggests may be particularly helpful in the treatment of respiratory infections. These taste best just roasted and topped with a small pat of butter!

Chicken Soup
A research study published in the medical journal, Chest, found that chicken soup has mild anti-inflammatory properties, which may help prevent colds and flu by decreasing mucus production and throat swelling and irritation (so you might be spared the sniffles or sore throat associated with colds). Make your next batch of soup with chicken, onion, sweet potato, turnips, parsnips, carrots, celery and parsley.

Garlic
Sulfur compounds in garlic may make us 2.5 times less likely to get sick this season-these compounds have been shown to kill viruses. Fresh garlic has more immune-boosting potential than cooked, so add a clove of fresh minced garlic at the end of cooking. Try this healthy version of fresh garlic bread: Toast sliced bread and rub with fresh garlic cloves.

Ginger
Ginger contains gingerol, a natural plant compound that can help fight off infection. Put a 1-inch chunk of the spicy root into a cup of boiling water to make ginger tea, or make fresh ginger vinaigrette to top raw or cooked vegetables. Here's how: Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar.

Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts contain selenium, an antioxidant that may help protect us against conditions such as colds, flu and even cancer. But be careful: These nuts are rich in selenium (they have about 10 times more than other foods), but they're also high in calories- 190 calories per 7 nuts.