Stay Active Saturday - Sports Snacks

Today was our day to bring snacks for Big Sprouts baseball game, and I've been struggling for weeks to figure out what to bring. Normally, we're not at all shy about our eating habits being different, but for some reason, Jim was concerned about Big Sprout being known as "the kid whose mom brought vegetables". My initial idea was to bring baggies of carrot sticks, grapes and mini Larabars, but both my boys were urging me towards something more snack-y (as in, from a package).

Jim suggested homemade cookies or cupcakes, both of which I vetoed. I'd certainly make either for a special celebration or end-of-season party, but I'm not okay with the message that it's okay for kids to eat junk every Saturday just because they've been active. I see too many "big kids" who still justify their food choices this way (I used to be one of them!), and I'm all about doing my (teeny tiny) part to help the next generation realize that the more active you are, the more healthy food your body needs.

We reached a compromise with these Back to Nature graham cracker sticks - definitely not a health food but a special treat I get for my Sprouts every once in a while. I found the individual packages at Whole Foods, and they made both my boys (the little one and the big one) happy. We also brought a small baggie of grapes for each team member, along with a cooler of lemonade made from water, lemon juice and agave nectar.

All the kids seemed to like it, and the team coming in to play the next game even tried getting in on some too! In hindsight, it seems silly to have worried so much about this, but I really wanted to strike the right balance and show that healthy food can be just as fun! And it's a good thing we figured it out since it's our turn to bring snacks for soccer next weekend!

Want to Win a Free Book? Enter Our Giveaway by Midnight!

There are still a few hours left to enter our April giveaway. Tomorrow is a bit crazy for me, so I'm just putting it out there that I probably won't be announcing a winner until early next week. But still get your entries in by midnight to win your choice of one of these three great books!

Disease-Proof Your Child

Eat to LiveEat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

Here's how to enter:

1. Sign up to follow Growing Healthy Sprouts . . . must be a blog follower to win.

2. Tell us what you think . . . earn one entry for every comment on the blog!

3. Tell a friend . . . every time a friend mentions your name in a comment, you both get an extra entry.

4. Like us on Facebook . . . we just like to feel the love.

5. Share the news . . . earn additional entries by blogging about our giveaway or sharing it on Facebook (just send me a message to let me know you've done so).

6. Tell us what you're cooking . . . Have you tried any GHS recipes? If so, share about it here and receive two entries (one for your comment and one for trying a recipe).

7. Follow us on Twitter . . . maybe you can help me figure out what Twitter is for.

Final Days to Enter our April Giveaway!

There are still a few days left to enter our giveaway for one of three great books. Our winner from last month, Erin, selected Vegan with a Vengeance, so here's what's still available:

Disease-Proof Your Child

Eat to LiveEat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

Here's how to enter:

1. Sign up to follow Growing Healthy Sprouts . . . must be a blog follower to win.

2. Tell us what you think . . . earn one entry for every comment on the blog!

3. Tell a friend . . . every time a friend mentions your name in a comment, you both get an extra entry.

4. Like us on Facebook . . . we just like to feel the love.

5. Share the news . . . earn additional entries by blogging about our giveaway or sharing it on Facebook (just send me a message to let me know you've done so).

6. Tell us what you're cooking . . . Have you tried any GHS recipes? If so, share about it here and receive two entries (one for your comment and one for trying a recipe).

7. Follow us on Twitter . . . maybe you can help me figure out what Twitter is for.

$10 at Infusion Tea for Only $5

Today's deal at Eversave is for $10 to spend on tea, veggie fare or yummy treats at Infusion Tea. You can check out my earlier review of Infusion here to get an idea of what's on the menu.

This is a great deal, but I probably have to admit that I won't be buying it. We love the food at Infusion, but honestly, we've pretty much stopped going because I get a less-than-friendly vibe there when we visit. If we're in that area, we typically prefer the super-friendly staffs at nearby Ethos or Dandelion. In fact, I just noticed that I let a past Eversave deal I'd purchased expire because I was so put off the last time we dined there.

Food for Thought Thursday - 20 Things More Dangerous Than Lead in Toys

I have to admit that when I saw this article earlier this week, the title really got my attention: Top 20 things that are more dangerous to children than lead paint in Mattel toys. And it turns out the article is a wonderful read. Although we don't use anything on the "Top 20" list, I found the article to be very thought-provoking and liked his description of the American media as "amusingly irrational when it comes to reporting scare stories."

It really made me think . . . why was the Mattel story such a big deal when there are so many companies who knowingly use dangerous materials in their products every day? Why are we so scared of lead and not scared enough of other toxic substances? And why do we scream at the top of our lungs about unsafe products made in China yet turn a blind eye towards environmental toxins produced right here in the USA?

For us, the 20 items on this list were (for the most part) cut out long before the Sprouts arrived and the makeover in our diet came later (and much more gradually). I suppose it's easier to give up dryer sheets than cheese.

All in all, I think the article does a great job of pointing out that, just as with our food choices, it's up to us to look past the TV commercials and do real research on which products are safe for you and your family.

Half Off Vegan Cupcakes at Raphsodic!!!

For those of you in the Orlando area, you've probably checked out Raphsodic Cooperative Company already and know what an amazing variety of vegan baked goods they offer, along with many gluten-free options.

With today's Living Social deal, you can buy a $20 gift certificate for only $10! If you plan to buy, please consider doing so through my referral link - then let me know when we're meeting for cupcakes!!!

It's Almost Time for Our April Giveaway - Enter Today!!!

I was getting ready to post that we're halfway through April when I realize that the month actually ends this week! Where did April go??? There are still a few days left to enter our giveaway for one of three great books. Our winner from last month, Erin, selected Vegan with a Vengeance, so here's what's still available:

Disease-Proof Your Child

Eat to LiveEat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

Here's how to enter:

1. Sign up to follow Growing Healthy Sprouts . . . must be a blog follower to win.

2. Tell us what you think . . . earn one entry for every comment on the blog!

3. Tell a friend . . . every time a friend mentions your name in a comment, you both get an extra entry.

4. Like us on Facebook . . . we just like to feel the love.

5. Share the news . . . earn additional entries by blogging about our giveaway or sharing it on Facebook (just send me a message to let me know you've done so).

6. Tell us what you're cooking . . . Have you tried any GHS recipes? If so, share about it here and receive two entries (one for your comment and one for trying a recipe).

7. Follow us on Twitter . . . maybe you can help me figure out what Twitter is for.