vegetables Archives - Mommy Kat and Kids

Add More Vegetables to Your Diet with Hidden Garden Cookies

January 21, 2016 by Kathryn 193 Comments

One of the hardest things about healthy eating for me is giving up all those treats that taste so good, yet aren’t all that good for my body. I can’t resist the occasional sweet treat, and cookies are one of my favourites.

My boys love sweets just as much as I do, but of course I don’t want them having too much junk food either. Luckily, Hidden Garden has come to the rescue with tasty gluten-free and nut-free cookies that have a half-serving of hidden vegetables in every portion!

These cookies are crispy with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s absolutely addictive. Available in Chocolate Chip, Ginger Snap, Red Velvet and Cocoa Cherry varieties, there’s a flavour to suit everyone. And since every serving includes vegetables such as butternut squash, beets and spinach, they’re a treat that I can eat without feeling too guilty!

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Halloween is Healthier with Go Gourmet Squoosh Fruit Pouches-Giveaway

October 6, 2015 by Kathryn 126 Comments

In just a few weeks, one of my very favourite holidays will be arriving…Halloween! I’m notorious for going overboard with food, decorations and treats during almost every holiday celebration, but Halloween has always been one of my personal favourites. Custom tombstones, creative costumes and more help to make the day one that my boys and I anticipate for weeks in advance.

But there’s no doubt that all the candy involved in the holiday isn’t necessarily the healthiest choice for little ones. And I learned years ago that switching up those treats for something different, and ideally healthier, isn’t disappointing for little ones at all. In fact, they often get extra excited about getting a more original addition to their treat bag!

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Warm Salmon and Roasted Vegetable Salad Makes a Quick Healthy Dinner

September 29, 2015 by Kathryn 68 Comments

Fall has always been one of my busiest times of year, but it’s also a time when I want to make sure that my family is eating healthy. And on one of those busy nights when my boys have extra-curricular activities and I’ve had a busy day of work, making a nutritious dinner that we’ll all enjoy can be a challenge!

That’s why I’ve fallen in love with the new Sobeys Seafood Steamers! The newest food option at Sobeys fish counter isn’t just delicious; it’s also a great quick and easy option for a healthy dinner.

Using a special oven-safe bag that was inspired by the French cooking method en papillote (steaming fish in a parchment paper pouch), fish is customized to suit my family’s tastes then sealed in a handy pouch I can bake to perfection at home!

I decided to try the Seafood Steamer in one of Sobeys’ delicious-sounding recipes, so I headed to my local Sobeys fish counter to customize my meal. I found two beautiful boneless salmon fillets and requested them prepared with the Garlic & Parsley butter.

A few minutes later, my Seafood Steamers were ready! Then it was time to get cooking, and the Warm Salmon and Roasted Vegetable Salad seemed like a perfect healthy fall dinner! [Read more…]

New Eat Smart Plant Powered Protein Salad Kits Make a Perfect Energy-Packed Lunch

September 25, 2015 by Kathryn 66 Comments

I’m a nut for vegetables and because of that, I’ve loved the salads from Eat Smart for quite some time now. The convenient bagged kits include fresh greens, healthy superfoods, add-ins such as croutons, nuts or berries and a tasty dressing so that creating the perfect fresh and healthy side dish takes just seconds. Now, Eat Smart has taken lunch to a whole new level too with a new line of scrumptious salads packed with plant-based protein!

I was a vegetarian for over six years in my twenties, and while I did start eating meat again after having children, I still eat quite a lot of vegetables, legumes and other plant-based foods. At the same time, I also favour meals that are high in protein and low in simple carbohydrates. The new Eat Smart Plant Powered Protein salads looked like the perfect lunch choice for my dietary goals and I was thrilled when I got the chance to try them out myself. [Read more…]

Get Your Kids Gardening with Canadian Tire-Giveaway

June 4, 2014 by Kathryn 226 Comments

Since I’m lucky enough to live in a house with a big backyard, one of my favourite summer activities is gardening. While some women tend to favour flowers, I’ve always preferred practical plants and so gardening for me involves starting and growing fresh vegetables and herbs to feed my family through the sunny summer months. Now that my boys are getting older, I’ve begun to get them involved in the process as well and this year, Canadian Tire sent me a fabulous assortment of gardening supplies to help my boys and I get our vegetables growing!

I especially loved the sweet little Kids Cup Seed Kits, which featured a peat pot, a starter soil pellet and three seeds from kid-friendly plants such as watermelon and sunflower. The boys had a great time filling the cup with water and watching the soil expand. Then they carefully pushed the seeds into the soil and set the pots in a sunny window to grow. Once the plants have sprouted, we’ll be able to remove the peat pot from the little cup and plant it in the garden! [Read more…]