Children's Gift Ideas that Encourage Activity



In the Toy Hall of Fame,
this wagon should last a lifetime.
Radio Flyer Classic Red Wagon

Thanks to computers and video games, children can experience the entire world without getting off the couch.  Unfortunately, for young minds and bodies, there is no substitute for outside play and all of the calories it burns and imagination it inspires, so this year give gifts that will encourage activity and outdoor adventures.

Every child needs a wagon, but unfortunately, wagons have come to cost as much as station wagons, and some serve the same purpose.  Avoid something so large that your child can lounge in while you drag them around the block.  Encourage activity by getting a wagon that they can pull themselves on treks around the block, haul dirt in when helping mom plant, and toys into the yard when friends arrive.

Whether it is a "ride on," "push bike," or regular bike, children of all ages are propelled out the door for the speed and taste of independence that only your own wheels can provide.  With each age, the bike needs to be something sturdy, light weight, and capable of going off road.  Yes, the wooden ride-ons in the shape of animals are precious, but they weigh twice as much as your child, and place them too high for safe use.  Anything that is self-propelled or has a built-in brake so that they can never go too fast had better be light, because you will be left to carry it when the inevitably tire.  Bottom line: keep it simple; no batteries, no added games.  Keep it safe: low center of gravity and plenty of stability.  

Little Tikes Push & Ride Racer
(also comes is pink)

 Read our full review of push-bikes.
LIKEaBIKE Mountain - German Walking Bike

The above can be major purchases, but you can make them more affordable by purchasing them pre-owned.  Craigslist, E-bay, consignment and second-hand stores are great places to shop for these toys because their lifespan is short, limiting the damage that can be done to them, but going this route does require a little extra time and starting early on your shopping. 

 

Other options for getting feet moving: This 21" John Deere dump truck is made from steel, virtually indestructible and a favorite on playgrounds.  Though slightly less durable, Target makes a plastic version of this truck that is less than half the price.  You may need to think ahead if going this route, as the truck comes out with their beach toys.  Scooters are another option that give kids freedom, get them moving, and will not break the bank.  Look for rubber wheels for a smoother ride and adjustable handle bars for a longer life-span.  Kids would also encourage wheels that light up!

 

If there will be anything with wheels under your tree this year, the gift is not complete without a helmet.  Most children will have fewer objections to a helmet if they never learn to ride without one, but you can reduce complaints further by buying a helmet that offers protection and ventilation.  I tried a standard helmet from a big box, and my son refused to wear it, so I bought one from the same company that my husband, an avid cyclist, insists upon for his helmet: Giro.  It fits better, protects tender necks from pinches when securing, and has plenty of vents.  (Shop Giro Toddler Bike Helmet or Giro Child Bike Helmet.)  The best hint for a helmet, though, is to let your child try it on before buying it, as comfort is not one-size fits all.

 

For children 5-8 years, this
is a cool pack that has them
ready for adventure.

A smaller gift that inspires younger children to get outdoors is a backpack; in fact, it is the only thing my three-year-old wants, as he loves bags to carry his "treasures".  I grew up on LL Bean, and love that six tons of books never destroyed a backpack, so I trust that sticks and rocks won't do much either.  For an older child who already loves or is curious about the outdoors, a day-pack is another option.  To save money here, elect REI's brand, as it never fails to be a high quality at a great price.

Another item that will be beneath our tree this year is a headlamp, as with a little light, shorter days are a little longer with a few more minutes for adventure or exploration of the night-time world.  A headlamp also encourages another important part of childhood: reading.  Children can take their headlamp to bed and read to themselves or the captive audience of their stuffed friends for a few minutes before bed and then turn out the light by themselves.

Order on Amazon:
LEGO Head Lamp

Gardening tools are another great gift, as most kids will happily spend hours digging in the dirt, so consider a pail, shovel, rake, watering can, and rain boots for your dirt-loving adventurer. 

Other favorite outdoor and active gift ideas can be found in a previous post, or if you are looking for great gift ideas to help new or future parents get out and active with their little one, consider our posts on jogging strollers and baby carriers. 

Related posts from Healthy. Happy. Simple.:
Books that encourage activity, creativity, or simple fun

A new take on a new parent staple: the active diaper bag

What is the AAP saying about kids and screen time?

Alternative Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

I grew up hating sweet potatoes because I only experienced them in that most horrible of holiday dishes: canned sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top.  It sounds like a pregnancy craving, not a traditional dish.  I gave it up cold turkey (come on, it's Thanksgiving, laugh a little) when my future-husband's daughter sat at the Thanksgiving table, examining the spread put before her, including this alien orange dish with large white melted globs on it, and was so curious that she picked up a marshmallow to peer under it.  She got a long lecture in table manners, but you cannot completely fault her for wondering "what is this ridiculous dish?"

My Aunt Pat introduced me to an incredible sweet potato dish that calls upon ingredients that actually compliment the sweet potato both in taste and texture.  It is so amazing that my father-in-law, upon deciding to forgo dessert for another helping of sweet potatoes, turned to his wife and said, "please get the recipe."  Two strikes against my mom-in-law's sweet potatoes did not improve in-law relations, but she does now use Aunt Pat's sweet potato recipe when she hosts.

Crusted Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

(serves 8)

4-6 organic sweet potatoes
1/2c sugar
1T vanilla
1/3 butter
1/3c (+/-)low-fat milk
Wash sweet potatoes, remove eyes, etc., and cut into uniform pieces.  Place in boiling water with approx. 1T of Kosher salt and cook until easily mashed with a fork.  Drain and rinse with cold water.  Cut an incision in the skin or gently squeeze skin (depending upon how you cut your potatoes) to remove the skin.  Whip (the more whipped, the better) the sweet potatoes, vanilla, butter, and add milk to achieve desired consistency.  Add sugar in incrementally and mix thoroughly, as you may not need the entire 1/2c.       

Topping:
1c brown sugar
1/3c whole wheat flour
1c chopped pecans
1/3c butter
Chop nuts in handy chopper until fine.  Combine all ingredients in food processor (I have also done it with my hands) and mix thoroughly.  Sprinkle across the top of your sweet potatoes.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Please note that I do no use canned sweet potaoes, as fresh are too easy to prepare and have so much more flavor.  I also prefer organic sweet potatoes, as they are more moist and have a richer taste, but conventional sweet potaotes will work.  This is also a great recipe for family's with egg allergies, as most casseroles call for eggs in the sweet potaotes. 




   

Garlic Mashed Potato Recipe

My grandmother had an insane recipe for mashed potatoes, but after numerous cooking lessons from her, I could never figure out what she did to produce unique and flavor-packed potatoes that you put in your mouth and instantly felt yourself groan as your eyes rolled back in your head.  Once I accepted the harsh reality that I would never figure out her secret, I started experimenting to create my own signature potatoes, and determined that I had met with success when my daughter ate half a bowl with only her finger while standing in the kitchen.

I will warn you, though this recipe cuts a great deal of fat from many mashed potato recipes, it does call for a lot of salt, so if sodium is a concern or used too frequently throughout your diet, this may not be the recipe for you, or simply pair it with other dishes where the salt can be cut.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

(serves 6)

6-8 medium Yukon gold or red potatoes
1t Kosher salt
4oz of low fat cream cheese
1/2-3/4c plain Greek yogurt (based upon taste)
1T butter
4T dried chives
1/2c diced purple onion
Low fat or 2% Milk (optional)
Garlic Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Clean potatoes and remove eyes and any major imperfections.  Cut in half or to uniform sizes for even cooking and with the skin on, place them in boiling water with 1t of kosher salt.  Cook until tender and drain.

Add cream cheese, plain yogurt, butter, chives, pepper, finely diced raw onion, and 1/2t of garlic salt.  Mix well.  Add milk to achieve desired consistency, and then taste for saltiness.  Gradually add garlic salt incrementally and mix thoroughly after each addition to ensure that you do not over salt. 

Makes great leftovers!

The skin contains about 50% of the of the potato's dietary fiber, of which potatoes are a great source, but I choose to use them in the recipe because I like the taste and texture that they add.  Also, if raw purple onion is too strong, try a mild, sweet onion, but leave it raw, as it adds a small crunch and a huge kick of flavor.

Related posts from Healthy. Happy. Simple.:
A guide to a moist and flavorful turkey.  

A delicious addition to Thanksgiving dinner and healthy snack for later

Try It Bite: a health option to sour cream

Try It Bite #8: Reducing Your Salt Intake

There are many aspects to healthy eating, but sodium intake, a major health concern due to the questionable diet of many Americans, is frequently dismissed as a problem limited to special groups with specific health issues, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Unfortunately, though, we are a society addicted to salt, but there are actually easy steps to take to reduce the salt intake of adults and children. 

Adults
1.  While you are stocking up on cooking supplies for Thanksgiving, pick up a box of Kosher Salt and use it in place of table salt (I prefer Diamond Crystal), like many professional chefs do, as it does not have the metallic taste of table salt and it is easier to handle due to its coarse grain. 

This course grain can also help you to use less salt, as illustrated by the following: imagine you are told to reach into a jar and pick up a handful of marbles and one of golf balls.  You can easily count that you are holding two to three golf balls, but who knows how many marbles are in your hand?  Kosher Salt's coarse grains are the golf balls; when you pick up kosher salt you pick up larger grains with more air in between, but you can make that salt go just as far as the densely packed table salt.  In fact, most recipes will tell you that to equal the saltiness of table salt, you have to use 2x the amount of kosher salt!  What many find, myself included, is that you can use the same amuont of kosher salt and still be satisfied with the saltiness of your food.
2.  Do not keep a salt shaker on the table.  By measuring while you cook, you know exactly how much salt you add, and food will become saltier the earlier the salt is applied and the longer it is allowed to sit with the salt.  Most people only apply salt at the table out of habit and, frequently without tasting food, but if they have to get up to get the shaker, most people are just lazy enough to try their food to see if they actually need to trek across the kitchen.  This simple step is also good for your children's health, as they are mimics, and if they see dad always reach for the salt shaker, they will do the same.

Children
The love of salt is acquired, so do not let your children acquire a taste for it.  If you make their baby food, simply do not salt it.  As they get older and taste salt, simply use less salt in your cooking, which may be a good trial for the whole family.  If you find that you want the salt and can use less by cooking with it, simply pull out your child's serving before salting to your adult preference (make sure to pull enough for leftovers for your child, if you are making enough for two meals.) 

These are quick, cheap, and easy solutions that actually stand to make you family healthier and food taste better.  Not a bad combination!

Fresh Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Every year at our family holiday dinner, the cranberry sauce sat in front of me.  I remember counting the lines from the can and using all the control I had not to prod it with my fork to make it jiggle.  I also remember thinking that it almost tasted good.

As I got older and found that I liked cranberry and that it did exist outside of a can, I went in search of a recipe for a cranberry sauce and landed upon the below.  It is so amazing that it will not survive to leftovers, as you will lick the serving bowl before washing it, so make some for Thanksgiving Day and the days after.  Actually, my family will make the "kids" version (sans port) a few times throughout the winter and have it for snack.

Fresh Holiday Cranberry Sauce

(serves 6)

2c fresh cranberries

Zest of one medium orange and juice

1/4c port (when making this for kids, leave out the port and just add extra orange juice)

1/2c sugar (may require more or less based upon tartness of cranberry)

1t cinnamon

1T corn starch

Combine cranberries, zest, juice, port/extra OJ, sugar, and cinnamon in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Cook until cranberries burst and become tender. 

Make a slurry of water and corn starch and add to cranberry mixture once berries are tender to bring to desired consistency. 

One tip: buy your cranberries early, as the closer Thanksgiving is, the more picked over and ugly the cranberries become.

Need another reason to make healthier choices for your family?

CDC: 1 in 3 Americans will have diabetes by 2050

"Right now, about 60 million people in the United States have pre-diabetes — a stage of insulin resistance before full-blown diabetes. If these people don't change their exercise and eating habits now, they will develop diabetes in the next three to six years, Albright said. "

What to Know Before You Buy a Turkey

Common Turkey Terms:
Basted or Self-basted: meat that has been injected with edible flavor enhancers

Broadbreasted White: the breed most common in supermarkets that is bred to yield the most white meat

Cage-free: birds are not raised in cages but are not given access to the outdoors

Free range: a turkey that has access to the outside for at least 51% of its life, though some groups claim that "access to the outdoors" does not necessarily mean that they are not living in cramped quarters or that when outdoors they are free to roam.  "Free range" animals are not commonly given antibiotics, which are given most frequently to speed the growth process and prevent diseases spread through close proximity.  Free-range turkeys generally have a similar diet to those raised in captivity, but they are often fed a higher quality of food, all of which leads some to contend that they taste better and are more nutritious. 

Fresh: never frozen....though the official temp is never below 26F

Fryer-roaster: turkey slaughtered at less than 16 weeks of age

Hen or Tom: female or male designation that indicates size not tenderness

Heritage: a collection of breeds of turkey that are the ancestors of the industrial breeds most commonly found in stores that take longer to raise, adding to their cost, and have more dark meat

Kosher: inspected by both rabbis and USDA inspectors, which ensures quality, Kosher birds are killed in a more humane manner.  They are then salted and rinsed to draw out bllod, which Orthodox Jews cannot consume.

Natural: no artificial ingredients, added color, chemical preservative and minimal processing

No hormones: hormones cannot be used on turkeys

No antibiotics: can only be stated if sufficient proof has been supplied to the FDA that the animals were raised without antibiotics.  If antibiotics are used, the government requires a "withdrawal" period to try to ensure that meat is free of antibiotic residue, as the concern is that the exposure of humans to antibiotics in their diet is making the drugs less effective.

Organic: a great many things go into a turkeys being deemed "organically raised" but most importantly in terms of taste, they can only consume organic feed, which generally consists of corn and soy bean meal.

Young turkey: less than 8 months of age

Taste & Price Comparisons:
Slate (November 2003)
Today (November 2008)
Los Angeles Times (November 2003)

How much turkey to buy:
For a whole, uncooked turkey, some will keep the math basic and say "one pound per person plus 4-5 pounds for leftovers," but I found a more interesting and justified formula which suggests two pounds per person for a small gathering of 4-8 and 1.5 pounds per person for a larger gathering of 10-15, plus leftovers, as the larger the bird, the higher the ratio of meat to bone.

Check back for info on where to find different types of turkeys.

Moist and Flavorful Thanksgiving Turkey

Turkey is equal parts art and science,
so experiment and get creative.

Elements of Thanksgiving vary between families, but most agree on one thing: turkey.  Many people would follow that rule with the plea, "please don't make it dry," as the image of the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation....or their mother-in-law's.....turkey causes a lump of dread in their throat.

If you are not the turkey maker, your fate lies in the hands of others, but if you hold responsibility for the bird this year, here is your chance to be the hero with a beautiful, moist and flavorful turkey.  Luckily, the secret is one word long and takes about as long to prepare as to say: brine.

Brine is basically a meat bath of salt, water, and sometimes sugar.  If you want to understand what it does and why it works, check out this great article, but if you just want to know the best brine for turkey, which handily, is located just above the best recipe for turkey, simply follow the directions of Alton Brown.  I will admit that I have never used the candied ginger, as I am not a ginger fan and thus never have it to include it, but other than that, I follow it to the letter with amazing results.

I have made a variation of this recipe for years, but my favorite recipe prior to Brown's was Cajun cook Justin Wilson's recipe, which I incorporate into Brown's recipe by making a rub for the turkey that includes 1 part black pepper, 1 part cayenne or paprika, and 1part kosher salt, which is rubbed all over the bird, including under the skin, where possible, and in the cavity prior to stuffing.  It is messy, but it will give the turkey a beautiful color.  Also, to Brown's list of aromatics, I add a few whole, smashed cloves of garlic, as I think everything taste better with garlic.

Finally, the method of cooking.  Growing up, my dad had a smoker, so Thanksgiving started around 3am, but no one complained, as the turkey was over-the-top delicious (plus, who doesn't have a nap built into Thanksgiving Day?).  If you have a smoker, in your water pan, add a chopped green pepper, onion, orange peel (optional), and some liquid smoke, for an added punch, but if you do not have a smoker, our favorite family friend, who happens to be a butcher, trained by the CIA, once told us that if he could cook a turkey in any way, it would be on the grill, so last year, we cooked our turkey on the grill for 75% of its cooking time and finished it in the oven, just to make sure that it was cooked through.  The butcher did not lie; the grill produced a tasty turkey.

Turkey is equal part art and science, so do not be afraid to experiment; it will make the turkey uniquely yours and will kick your Thanksgiving off with the empowering rush that only comes from the feeling of knowing that you just might be a culinary genius.

Super-simple Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

My son was sick last week with a cold, and so I decided that chicken noodle soup would be the perfect lunch for both of us.  I was raised on Chicken and Stars, and when I was last sick, nothing sounded better, but as I had a chicken breast in the refrigerator that needed to be used, I decided to try making homemade chicken noodle soup.  It turned out to be too easy....and just what the doctor ordered!

Simple Chicken Noodle Soup

(serves 4-6)

1 carton organic vegetable stock

1 large or 2 small boneless, skinless chicken breast[s]

6 gloves garlic

3/4c onion

2 carrots

1/2c celery

1/2 bag of frozen peas

(other vegetable options: potatoes, mushrooms, corn)

1t oregano

1.5c whole wheat pasta

Salt and pepper to taste

Chop the onion, garlic, celery, and chicken and saute in medium pot until onions soften (as there is no butter in the bottom, stir constantly or it will burn).  Add julienned carrots (use a peeler and peel strips into the pot) and cook for 2 minutes.

Add vegetable stock and spices and bring to a boil.  Add pasta and peas and return to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for as long as you have!

The only labor intensive part is some chopping and stirring the initial ingredients, but I have now made this recipe twice and all chopping and stirring took less than fifteen minutes and produced a whole and filling meal that my son finished by picking up his bowl and drinking the final dregs of broth.

Related posts from Healthy. Happy. Simple.:
Outstanding Vegetable Chili Recipe

Two healthy dinners in under 15 minutes

Tons of recipes....including a favorite Butternut Squash Soup

Understanding "Organic"

Consumers pay a premium for a little green stamp to appear on their foods, but do we actually know what we are buying?  Learn what it means for a food to be "Certified Organic."

Want more information?  Visit the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) webpage to learn about the standards farmers must follow for their food to receive the USDA's stamp.

Ever question organic food from other countries?  It, too, has to meet all the USDA's requirements and farms must be certified by a USDA accredited agency. 

Asian Noodle Dish

This recipe is far from exact, as it was recorded by watching someone make it, who prepares it by feel.  Every time we make it, it comes out differently, but each time it is a favorite meal:



With amazing color like this, you
know it is going to be delicious!

Asian Cabbage Noodles 

(serves 4-5)

Rice Noodles (approx. four servings)

2 medium chicken breasts (chopped)

1 sweet onion

1 bunch green onions

1/2 large head of cabbage

2 med carrots

5 cloves garlic

1/4c sesame oil

soy sauce to taste

chile sauce to taste

1.  Submerge noodles in warm water for 20 minutes.

2.  Chop chicken.

3.  Heat sesame oil in wok/large pan and add chicken, diced garlic, sweet onion, and cook on medium.

4.  Add chopped cabbage and julienned carrots and cook until tender.

5.  Add chopped green onion, noodles, soy and chile sauces.  Noodles will tend to stay together, so stir to separate. 

6.  Cook until noodles are tender.

Healthy Autumn Snack

A company that I follow on our Facebook page (have you "liked" us yet?) suggested that a tasty snack would be PLAIN yogurt, pumpkin, and some cinnamon mixed together to taste like pumpkin pie.  Yes, that would be healthy, but in what world does pumpkin pie taste like sour cream mixed with pumpkin, which does not have a tremendous amount of flavor. 

I am all for snacks being healthy, but if they taste bad and your children will not eat them, then healthy or un, it is still wasted food.  So for as much as I do not tell you to enjoy a salad sans dressing, and instead simply choose your dressing wisely, make a few changes to this recipe that may add a few calories but also a Super Food that your kids will devour.

Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

(1 serving)

3/4c Low Fat French Vanilla Yogurt

4T canned pumpkin (or more to taste)

1T wheat germ

a pinch of cinnamon

1/2t brown sugar

Mix all of the above in a cup and place in the freezer for 1.5 hours.

The French Vanilla yogurt is sweet, but it needs the little hint of brown sugar after the pumpkin is added to give it a kick.  The wheat germ adds a toasty taste and a bit of texture, not to mention it punches a nutritious hit. 

NEW! Printable Month-by-Month Chart for Introducing Solids

Printable Month-by-Month Chart

When I introduced solid foods to my son, I determined what to introduce and when through books and numerous internet sources.  I then kept a few key lists and books in the kitchen to mark off what I had introduced, and all the time thought "what a pain."

To make life easier for new parents, I created what I wanted: one simple, printable chart with all of the healthy basics that need to be introduced and blanks for check marks so that it is easy to see what you have served.  

Please review this chart or any plan for introducing solids with your pediatrician.  You will also find further information on each month's foods under the tab "Introducing Solids," where a copy of the chart will always be available.

A handy food reference list for new parents is coming soon!