Spend some time browsing online at inspiring food websites and blogs, flip through your favorite magazines and revisit trusted cookbooks to revitalize your recipe collection. Try unexpected tasty combinations, such as Strawberry-Marshmallow Crisp Ice Cream Sandwiches made with gluten free Chex^® cereal, a recipe created by cookbook author and DishTowel Diaries blogger Silvana Nardone.

“Introducing new recipes to fit everyone’s needs is fun and delicious,” said Nardone, author of “Cooking for Isaiah,” a cookbook catering to the millions of Americans with food sensitivities like her son, Isaiah. “Gluten free cooking is easier than ever with five varieties of gluten free Chex cereals, which I use as an ingredient in everything from Sweet ‘n’ Salty Coconut Chicken to Double Chocolate Pudding Pie, to a refreshing homemade ice cream sandwich.”

Nardone offers these tips to ease into a scrumptious spring:

• New twists for the table: Reach for delicious fruits and vegetables at your local farmers market or grocery store to make a beautiful—and nutritious—centerpiece.
• Creative uses for everyday staples: From an on-the-go gluten free snack mix, to a perfect piecrust, Chex cereals offer a fun crunch from breakfast to dessert. Nardone notes five Chex cereals—Honey Nut, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Rice and Corn—are gluten free; and Wheat and Multi-Bran varieties are not gluten free.
• Blending it up: A smoothie is a perfect snack for both kids and adults. Just toss together a variety of fruits, yogurt and ice, and blend until creamy.

Feeling inspired? Try Nardone’s tasty gluten free Strawberry-Marshmallow Crisp Ice Cream Sandwiches.

For additional creative recipes, visit www.Chex.com/GlutenFree. And remember, if you’re cooking gluten free, always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is gluten free. Products and ingredient sources can change.

Strawberry-Marshmallow Crisp Ice Cream Sandwiches

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Start to Finish: 2 hours 25 minutes
6 servings

5 cups gluten-free miniature marshmallows
5 cups Rice Chex cereal, coarsely crushed
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups gluten-free strawberry ice cream, softened

Line bottom of 13 x 9-inch pan with cooking parchment paper.

In a 3-quart saucepan, heat 4 cups marshmallows, butter and salt over low heat about 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until melted. Stir in cereal until almost coated; stir in remaining 1 cup marshmallows. Using greased rubber spatula, evenly scrape mixture into pan and spread evenly. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until easy to handle.

Turn pan upside down to remove cereal layer; discard parchment paper. Cut into 12 rectangles, 4 x 3 inches each. Working quickly, spread 1/2 cup ice cream onto 1 rectangle; top with another rectangle. Repeat to use up rectangles and ice cream. Freeze on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet at least 1 1/2 hours until firm. Wrap sandwiches individually in plastic wrap and store in freezer.

While a child’s sleep-needs vary as they grow, there are two recommendations that remain consistent, no matter the child’s age. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends maintaining a regular bedtime routine and a sleep-friendly environment.

Here are some things you can do to make your child’s room sleep-friendly and help them get the rest they need.

Noise. Busy traffic, noisy appliances, or even the barking of neighborhood dogs can interrupt a child’s sleep. Children don’t need complete silence to sleep, but minimizing excess sound can help them fall asleep and stay asleep. The white noise of a fan or air conditioner can help block unwanted sound. Carpet, upholstery and blackout curtains can also absorb some of the ambient noise and make the room quieter.

Temperature. There isn’t an ideal temperature for sleep – the point at which temperature conditions interrupt sleep will be different for everyone. But in most cases, the NSF says that temperatures above 75 degrees and below 54 degrees will disrupt sleep. A slightly cooler room contributes to good sleep because it mimics what happens when the body’s internal temperature drops to its lowest level during the night. Monitor your child’s room for temperature. Rooms with more sun exposure tend to be warmer and may need a fan.

Light. The human body is sensitive to light, even while sleeping. The Better Sleep Council (BSC) says that light, such as the rising sun, is a powerful cue to the body and can wake up the brain well before the alarm clock sounds. Keeping the room as dark as possible helps the body fall asleep naturally. The BSC recommends getting as much exposure to sunlight during the day as possible, and to block as much light as possible during sleeping hours to keep the body on track.

Both the BSC and the NSF recommend the use of light blocking curtains. Blackout curtains, such as those made by LightCatcher, can help turn the bedroom into the sleep sanctuary children need. Because traditional-width curtains can leak light from the top and sides, LightCatcher blackout curtains are cut wide, in over 50-inch widths, providing more light prevention. With exclusive Insuldark technology, these curtains also provide more sound dampening and more energy savings than traditional curtains, helping to keep the room not only dark enough, but cool and quiet enough for good sleep. LightCatcher curtains are available at buybuybaby.com.

Yoga gives kids those skills. When kids participate in yoga, they get to enjoy an interdisciplinary exercise that benefits both their physical and mental well-being.

We’ve known for years that Americans’ overall health is declining. Sedentary lifestyles put millions of people at risk for hypertension, diabetes and other diseases. Even in Oregon, where we tend to be more active, 9.6% of children ages 10-17 are obese, as are 25% of adults. Yoga helps keep obesity and obesity-related diseases at bay, allowing children to be active and learn exercise skills that last far beyond the time they spend in the yoga studio.

In addition to helping kids fight obesity, yoga enables them to become stronger, more flexible and more coordinated – benefits that extend to daily life and other activities, such as organized sports.

Yoga allows kids to explore their imagination and fosters creativity. In class, kids will twist their bodies into trees, bark like dogs or hiss like cobras, all while learning the basics of yoga and improving their physical and mental health.

While the physical benefits are reason enough to encourage your child’s participation, yoga also allows kids to de-stress and improve their ability to cope. When they participate in yoga, they are not just twisting their bodies into different positions on a mat. Sessions incorporate storytelling, music and imagination, creating an approach that engages the whole child.

Children also walk away from yoga classes with a better understanding of how they fit into the larger picture of life. Assuming a tree pose helps them understand how a tree lives and allows them to feel a greater sense of oneness with nature. Yoga changes children from the inside out by improving their self-health and equipping them with tools to lead more active lives.

ZenSpot is offering yoga classes for kids ages 6 – 12 starting Saturday October 23rd. To learn more, visit the ZenSpot website.

To learn more about the benefits of yoga, take a look at this article from Yoga Journal.
Obesity statistics from HealthyAmericans.org.

We’ve highlighted our top ten ways to go green on a budget with a baby in tow:

10. Count on quality. Pass on that cheaply-made gizmo that will wind up in a landfill after five minutes of use.

9. Go natural. Glass vs. plastic? Cotton vs. polyester? Natural materials are often (though not always!) easier on the earth than man-made ones. Glass bottles, for example, last longer than plastic ones and are easy to recycle once they’re no longer serviceable. They also don’t leach harmful chemicals into your baby’s food.

8. Consider longevity. How long is baby going to love that play mat? Is it worth buying something that gets used just a few months?

7. Think local. Shipping bamboo nursery furniture all over the world releases pounds of carbon into the atmosphere. Look into goods made right in your hometown from locally-sourced materials.

6. Don’t be greenwashed! Just because something has an “eco-friendly” label stamped on it doesn’t mean it’s better for your baby—or the planet. Look for a USDA organic label on clothing, blankets and baby food products.

5. Think gender neutral. Don’t go nuts with the pink princess or the “Lil’ Champ” theme nursery—and your next child will make better use of the hand-me-downs.

4. Repurpose! Can a dresser or shelf from somewhere else in the house work for baby’s nursery? Do you need a special changing pad, or can you use a folded towel or fleecy blanket instead?

3. Buy used. Thrift shops, consignment stores, eBay, and Craigslist are all great sources for clothes, furniture, swings—even cloth diapers! Try hitting Bambini or My Little Children to pick up gently used items at a huge savings. You’ll save the energy used to create new items and ship them across the country.

2. Pass it on. Even if you do buy some things new, you can still keep them for a second child and pass them on to friends and family when your babies grow into little kids.

1. Live without it. Our number one tip for gearing up green with a baby? Think outside the box stores. You don’t need everything on their registry lists to be a good parent with a happy and healthy baby. The most important tool you’ll need to entertain and soothe your baby is you!

We hope you enjoy all the gifts of Spring , including those chubby cherubs swaddled in cloth diapers. Welcoming baby to a greener world has never been easier—or more cost effective!

For more great Eco-Friendly tips, check out our new book: The Eco-nomical Baby Guide: Down-to-Earth Ways for Parents to Save Money and the Planet. Available in stores and on-line.

According to data published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, today’s youth are consuming less than one serving of whole grains per day, which is far less than the recommended three daily servings.

The data goes on to say that lack of access to whole grains at home and at school has led to this consumption shortfall. Registered dietitian Michele Powers says, “Although everyone wants to be healthy and feel great, many people struggle with the common perception that serving whole grains has to come at the expense of flavor and satisfaction, but that is just not true. With the right recipe, whole grains are an easy way to get nutrition into a family meal.”

With only a single gram of fat per serving, Uncle Ben’s Boil-In-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice provides 100 percent of the daily whole grain recommendation in just one serving. It’s the perfect base to a meal. Just add flavorful ingredients, such as ground chicken or black beans, to brown rice for an easy, healthy meal solution. Additionally, according to researchers, continually providing kids with whole grain tasting opportunities can help enhance their taste preference for that food.

Below is a kid-friendly, heart healthy and easy whole grain dish to add to your menu:  Chicken and Brown Rice Sloppy Joes.

Heart Healthy Chicken and Brown Rice Sloppy Joes

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 18 minutes
Makes: 6 sloppy joes (1 per person)

Ingredients:

• 1 2-cup bag Uncle Ben’s Boil-In-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1/4 cup green pepper, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 whole wheat hamburger buns

Preparation:

1. Prepare rice as instructed on box.
2. While rice is cooking, begin making sloppy joes.
3. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat and add chicken. Stir to separate meat and then add onions, green peppers, garlic, salt and pepper. Continue cooking until meat is cooked and onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. In measuring cup or small bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar and 1/4 cup water.
5. Once rice is cooked, drain and add to skillet. Add liquid ingredients into meat and rice mixture and stir well to combine all ingredients. Continue to simmer for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
6. Serve between whole wheat buns.

Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 350; Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams; Carbohydrates: 49 grams; Fiber: 5 grams; Protein: 19 grams

Problems associated with high cholesterol generally don’t show up for years, so making the connection between kids’ health and cholesterol can be difficult. But it’s important to know your child’s cholesterol levels, especially if there’s a family history of high cholesterol or premature heart disease.

Identifying high cholesterol now will let you and your doctor work together to make changes that will lower your child’s risk of developing heart disease later.

About Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver. It’s one of the lipids, or fats, the body makes and is used to form cell membranes and some hormones.

If you never ate another bowl of ice cream or another cheeseburger, your body would have enough cholesterol to run smoothly. That’s because the liver makes enough for healthy body function. In fact, the liver produces about 1,000 milligrams of cholesterol a day. The rest comes from the foods we eat.

Although vegetables, fruits, and grains don’t have any cholesterol, the following foods from animals do:

• egg yolks
• meat
• poultry
• seafood
• dairy products (including milk, cheese, and ice cream)
• Good vs. Bad Cholesterol

Cholesterol doesn’t move through the body on its own. It has to combine with proteins to travel through the bloodstream to where it’s needed. Cholesterol and protein traveling together are called lipoproteins.

Two kinds — low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) — are the two most people have heard about.

Low-density lipoproteins, or “bad cholesterol,” are the primary cholesterol carriers. If there’s too much LDL in the bloodstream, it can build up on the walls of the arteries that lead to the heart and the brain. This buildup forms plaque — a thick, hard substance that can cause blood vessels to become stiffer, narrower, or blocked. Atherosclerosis is the name for hardening of the arteries. If a blood clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, the result can be a heart attack or stroke.

Atherosclerosis can also diminish blood flow to other vital organs, including the intestines or kidneys.

High-density lipoproteins — the “good cholesterol” — carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s processed and sent out of the body, and might even help remove cholesterol from already formed plaques.

High levels of LDL increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. But high levels of HDL can help protect the circulatory system.

Three major factors contribute to high cholesterol levels:

• diet: a diet high in fats, particularly saturated and trans fats
• heredity: having parents or a parent with high cholesterol
• obesity: related to both diet and lack of exercise

Kids who are physically active, eat healthy foods, don’t have a family history of high cholesterol, and aren’t overweight probably aren’t at risk for high cholesterol. Your doctor will help decide whether you should have your child’s cholesterol level checked.

Monitoring and Treating High Cholesterol

Current guidelines recommend screening in kids who are at risk for high cholesterol starting at age 2 but no later than age 10. Screening is recommended for kids who:

• have a parent with a total cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL
• have a family history of cardiovascular disease prior to the age of 55 in men and 65 in women
• have an unknown family history
• are overweight or obese
• have additional risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or cigarette smoking

Your doctor can order a simple blood test, usually done fasting (nothing to eat or drink, except water, for 12 hours), to tell you if your child’s cholesterol is too high.

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines for children and adolescents, the ranges of total and LDL cholesterol for kids 2 years to 18 years old are:

*mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter

Children with LDL cholesterol levels 170 mg/dL or greater should receive individual nutritional counseling that focuses on reducing dietary fat and cholesterol and increasing physical activity.

Kids whose results are acceptable should be screened every 3 to 5 years. Those with borderline cholesterol levels should be rechecked in 1 year.

Kids with high cholesterol levels should be rechecked after 3 to 6 months of lifestyle intervention.

Medication may be considered for kids over 8 years old with LDL cholesterol levels of 190 or higher if changes in diet and exercise haven’t worked. For kids with additional risk factors, treatment may be considered at even lower levels.

10 Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Here are 10 ways to help keep your family’s cholesterol at healthy levels:

1. Know your own cholesterol level and if it’s high, ask to have your kids checked.
2. Serve a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
3. Choose lean meats and vegetable alternatives, including fish, legumes (dried beans, peas, and lentils), and tofu or other soy products.
4. Read nutrition facts labels so that you can limit cholesterol and saturated and trans fat intake. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend keeping dietary fat intake between 30%-35% for kids 2-3 years old and between 25%-35% for kids 4 and older, with most fats coming from sources of unsaturated fats, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.For kids older than 2 years and teens, the AHA recommends limiting: cholesterol to less than 300 milligrams a day; saturated fats to less than 7% of calories; trans fats to less than 1% of calories
5. Choose nonfat or low-fat milk and dairy products.
6. Stay away from solid fats. Use vegetable oil for cooking and soft margarine for table use.
7. Limit beverages and foods with added sugars.
8. Limit commercially prepared baked goods and serve healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetables with low-fat dip, lite popcorn, and low-fat yogurt.
9. Get plenty of exercise. Exercise helps boost HDL levels in the blood — and that’s a good thing! Kids 2 years of age and older and teens should be physically active at least 60 minutes a day.
10. Make living healthier a family affair. Kids usually aren’t the only ones at risk, so it’s important to make this a family effort. The strides you take to improve your family’s lifestyle can have a positive effect on your family’s health not only now, but far into the future.

© 1995-2010. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®.
Reprinted with permission.