I’m always complaining about the “BAD” stuff and I thought it was time to tell you about some good stuff from an unlikely source.  I think so many of us feel that organics are hard to find, expensive and out of our reach, and in some cases it takes work and a bit more money to make sure we are putting safe food in our bodies.

I think one of the big steps that has to happen is for the major brands to take a stand and start putting out organic options and letting people choose.  These large companies have more of an ability to provide a lower price point because of the sheer size of their organization, and with their name on a product I think there is an easier perception of trust.

In my switch to organic foods, I have come across two brands that I have been buying on a regular basis, Cascadian Farm and Muir Glen.  These two brands are a part of Small Planet Foods which is actually a division of General Mills.

Now, I’m a big proponent of making our food from scratch but sometimes it just is not possible.  I’m learning and growing and adapting and eventually I plan on making tomato sauce, granola bars and most of the food we eat, at home.  For right now however, as I make a bunch of small changes that add up to profound impact, I do have to resort to buying some packaged foods.  And frankly there are many families out there who will always rely on packaged foods for one reason or another.  With these products at least we can know we are doing the best we can to ensure pesticides and artificial preservatives stay far, far away from our food.

Thank you General Mills for giving us choices and embracing the idea that there is a better way.

Honey Nut Cheerios are made by General Mills and boast whole grain, natural flavoring and real honey.

But does that really mean what it sounds like?  On the surface this cereal seems like a far better choice than many of the other options on the store shelves that appeal to kids, let’s take a look at the label and see if that is true.

Ingredients Breakdown:

Whole Grain Oats

Whole grain means none of the healthy stuff is removed like in refined products.  Traditionally oats are not refined anyway, and oats have been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.  This is actually a good ingredient to find as the first one!

Sugar

The less added sugar the better as far as our bodies are concerned, and this product only has 9 grams of sugar, so while it is the second ingredient, they have not overdone the amount, and sugar is much better than processed high fructose corn syrup.

Modified Corn starch

Modified corn starch is used as a thickener or texture agent and it is a chemically processed ingredient.  There is no evidence of it being harmful, but it is not a natural ingredient because it is processed.

Honey

Honey has numerous health benefits including being a source of vitamins and antioxidants and having anti-bacterial properties.  It is a much better alternative to sugar in our diets.  The only problem with honey is that there has been some discussions, though nothing proven that eating honey that isn’t local to your immediate area can cause a higher risk of allergies.

Brown Sugar Syrup

The best I can tell is that brown sugar syrup is brown sugar mixed with corn syrup.  This would make this yet another added sweetener to this product, but again, the overall sugar content in this product is only 9 grams.

Salt

Salt is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer and there are very few things that don’t have added salt.  The sodium in this product is 160 mg per serving (3/4 cup) which is about 1/10 th of the recommended maximum sodium intake per day.

Tripotassium Phosphate

Tripotassium Phosphate is a food additive that acts as an emulsifier, foaming agent or whipping agent.  It is basically a preservative to make the cereal shelf stable and it is interesting to note that it is also used in fertilizer.

Canola Oil and/or Rice Bran Oil

Canola oil is almost exclusively genetically modified to create it.  It is not a natural oil and you will be hard pressed to find it in an organic version.  Rice Bran Oil is said to be a much better alternative and contains vitamin E and potentially can help reduce cholesterol but the studies are far from conclusive.

Natural Almond Flavor

The problem with saying something uses “natural” flavor is that it does not mean that the flavor wasn’t created in a lab, it just means that it was created from natural ingredients.  It likely was processed and also likely that it wasn’t actually made from nuts.

The additional ingredients are all added vitamins and minerals.

Honey Nut Cheerios are certainly not the worst food out there.  It appears as if they have attempted to make it a healthier choice for kids for breakfast than so many of the colored cereals with marshmallows and such in them.  But as a parent, how hard is it to make oatmeal from scratch and put some local, organic honey in it?  Sure the added vitamins are appealing but the reason for that is because we aren’t getting the vitamins in our diets because we are eating processed foods.  If we were eating REAL food, including fruits and vegetables, we would be getting all the vitamins our bodies need from our food.  And if we are lacking, a good vitamin supplement is better choice.

What cereal do your kids eat?

How many people take their date to White Castle, let alone make reservations?

The Summit started on Friday night, the 21st with a reception and dinner at the Sofitel Hotel.  We enjoyed a presentation from Google+, yummy food and got to chat with the bloggers we would be spending the next day with, hands on at the Kenmore Live Studios.

On Saturday January 22nd we enjoyed breakfast together at the hotel (oh how I miss those chocolate scones), and headed out to the Kenmore Live Studios.

Before I go any further, I want to talk briefly about Kenmore.  Kenmore has been around since the 1920′s.  That’s a long time!  While they want us all to know that Kenmore is “NOT your grandmother’s brand” I think it is important to take note that they have a long-standing reputation and have come a long way adapting to changing technologies.  They have adapted and grown and as you will see, have a lot of innovative features that definitely bring them full circle into the modern age.

You will also see that Kenmore has done something that very few brands have – engaged the consumer in a way that connects beyond just the appliance purchase.  Through their Kenmore Live Studios they offer an interactive way to bring creativity and innovation to life in the studio and into our homes with a live video feed that broadcasts through the internet.

Kenmore Blogger Summit Attendees

There were 43 bloggers on the original attendee list but I know a couple were absent due to the weather.  Flights were cancelled and it was beyond their control.

During the event I got to spent time with old friends and made some great new ones!

Kenmore Blogger Summit Activities

The event was hosted by Kenmore Live Studios’ in-house chef Kari Karch, and there were discussions, activities, demonstrations, healthy competitions and presentations.  We learned about the history of Kenmore, their goals moving into the future and why they believe in the importance of sharing their message with bloggers.  Not only were they interested in helping us learn more about Kenmore and their products, they were very interested in our feedback and ideas for future product innovations.

So, what did I take away from the 2012 Kenmore Blogger Summit?

I mentioned new friends already, but I wanted to reiterate that, but I also took away a new found respect for Kenmore.  I admit that prior to the Summit I never would have given Kenmore a second thought.  I had no idea they engaged the consumer (and bloggers, who are a great connection to the consumers) in such a thorough, creative manner, and I am impressed with the features they have implemented to help make our lives easier.

I also received a Kenmore Elite Stand Mixer as part of my attendance at the event.  Isn’t it purdy?  I actually gave the mixer to a good friend who is starting a cake making business.  She promised me free cakes for life and so far she has used it once (on her own birthday cake) and said her icing tastes much better mixed in the Kenmore Elite!!!!  The sad part is I have to wait til July for my birthday cake….

Another thing I took away from the 2012 Kenmore Blogger Summit is this:

Kenmore Elite 31 cu. ft. French Door Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator (AKA Grab N’ Go)

I am one of just two lucky bloggers who gets to review this amazing fridge and trust me that after the summit and the demonstration we got, the drooling you are doing right now is warranted.  I can’t wait to get it so I can share with you all the amazing innovations Kenmore has put into this fridge and experience it first hand.

You get to take something away from my visit to the Kenmore Live Studios – through February 4, 2012 you can get 30% any Kenmore regular-price small kitchen appliances, cookware, bakeware & kitchen gadgets at sears.com and kmart.com with the code 30KENMORE.

My kids have been such good sports about the whole thing.  They have tried new things.  When I refuse to give them something because “it is not good for them” they say ok and move on.  To date I have had no opposition what-so-ever, and my son has even started drinking seltzer instead of asking for a soda.  He never was allowed soda very often, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t ask for one every day.  Now, I can say yes more often knowing he is drinking a natural product free of sugar and preservatives.  He will ask if something is good for him and really seems eager to learn how to make his own right choices.

So, what it is that makes some kids completely unwilling to eat a breakfast that doesn’t have marshmallows in it?

What is it that makes some kids refuse to eat vegetables?

What is it that makes some kids refuse to eat anything that is not white or rainbow colored?

What is it that makes them shake their heads, stomp their feet and flat out refuse to eat the healthy food put in font of them?

What is it that makes them whine and scream and yell for their favorite junk food?

There is an answer, but most people won’t like the answer, especially if their child exhibits the behaviors I mentioned above.

IT’S THE PARENTS

Could be one, could be both – it doesn’t matter, parenting is a team sport so if there are two, they both get the blame.

Parents need to do 3 main things when it comes to getting their kids to eat healthy.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Be the change you want to see.  Yes I am channeling Ghandi.  Your kids will mimic your behavior.  If you read labels, they will read labels.  If you choose water over soda, they will choose water over soda.  It may not be instantaneous but it will come in time.  Involve them in the decisions if they are old enough.  Teach them.  Tell them why.  In the end our kids look up to us (as scary as that idea is) and it is only natural for them to want to do what we do.

AVOID THE TEMPTATION

Remove the crap from your home.  Avoid the crap when you are out.  Out of sight, out of mind.  Provide only healthy choices.  They will eat when they get hungry enough.  Not to mention that if you pay attention, there are plenty of healthy alternatives that taste amazing.  It’s not all cardboard and water.  If you want a treat, make sure to make it from scratch from healthy ingredients, make a small serving and make it only once a week.

TELL THEM NO

Just say no.  Now I am channeling Nancy Reagan.  Parents today are often afraid to say no.  They use excuses and say “my kid won’t eat anything but Pop-Tarts” but let me ask you this, who is buying the Pop-Tarts?  Hmmmm?  It’s very easy to deflect kids attention to something else.  Tell them no Pop Tarts, but…and find some reasonable alternative.  They are making healthy and organic foods that mimic some of their favorite snacks – so give them the alternative.  I bet they jump at it, especially when faced with that or nothing.  If you give in to their tantrums, you lose.  Forever.

I’m not saying you have to be 100% perfect, but in this day and age with all we have learned about negative effects of processed foods on our healthy and our waist-lines, it is a parents job to protect their kids in every way possible, and making sure they eat right is the most basic protection you can offer.  Not only is it the most basic, it is also potentially the most long-term and something that can benefit them for their entire lives.

I heard an someone say not that long ago that they strive for 80/20.  80% healthy and organic, the other 20% they give themselves some slack and allow room for treats and special occasions.

I like that.

I challenge you to strive for 80/20.

When it comes to protecting your kids you already strive for 110%, 80% should be easy to achieve.

Allergies, asthma and food intolerances seem to be at an all-time high and all doctors want to do is medicate to reduce the symptoms.

But what about trying to find the cause?

One such theory about the cause of some of these things is our diets and our food supply.  Not only are we eating things filled with preservatives, our food supply has been infected with pesticides and hormones in order to grow bigger and “better” food.  And the sad part is that people are fooled into thinking that simply eating “right” is the solution for better health, when in reality all you are doing is trading preservatives for poison.  In many cases fruits and vegetables are covered in pesticides and have the possibility do more harm than good for your overall health when it comes to having a healthy and balanced body that works as it was designed to.

In order to help understand what we eat here in my house and begin to make a change, I decided look at the labels on the foods we have in our pantry.  Overall we don’t gorge on this stuff, we eat what would be considered a fairly healthy diet by many standards, but I’m learning that healthy isn’t what it appears to be.  We have some products in our pantry for those times when we might be on-the-go or just need something quick to satisfy the masses before dinner, but I’m learning that convenience is actually harming our bodies.

It is my job as a parent to do what is best for my children and so I have started evaluating EVERYTHING we put into our bodies.

Before I start picking apart labels I want to state 3 things so you know where I am coming from.

1. I am new to this.  I am reading and learning and absorbing as much information as I can.  I am no expert but I am trying to learn.
2. Not everyone can afford to eat organic and this in no way is meant to place judgment on anyone else’s lifestyle.  I want to share what I learn in case it does help someone, because I believe you can eat better with some knowledge, good planning and a little passion without breaking the bank.
3. I am also not passing judgment on the brands indicated on these products.  They create products that fit into the demand of the consumer; I just think that maybe the average consumer might want to demand something different.

The first product I am looking at is Ritz bits Cheese crackers from Nabisco (Kraft Foods).

I love Kraft.  I have worked with them and I believe they try and create tasty products that make a mom’s life easier.  But I am going to analyze the ingredients of these crackers one-by-one to see exactly what is in it and what I allow my kids to put into their bodies.

Ritz bits Cheese crackers

From the package:

Ingredients breakdown:

Unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate – vitamin B1 & folic acid)

This doesn’t sound half bad right?  We know that bleached flour isn’t any good, but this is unbleached wheat flour with added vitamins.  Good right?  Well, the reason the flour is unbleached is because they remove the dark layers of the wheat (white flour comes from wheat) to expose the lighter inner layer.  They make the flour from the inner layer.  The problem is the outer 2 layers of bran and germ contain the vitamins.  So, the vitamins are put back in artificially.

Soybean and/or palm oil

While not necessarily hydrogenated, therefore, not high in trans fats, both of these oils are high in types of fats that are bad for our bodies.

Whey

Whey is the by-product from making cheese and is very high in protein.

Sugar

Added sugar is a culprit for weight gain in our diets.  It causes an insulin response that triggers our fat storage to go into action.

Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil

Contains trans-fats and is high in saturated fat.  Trans-fats have been shown to significantly raise bad cholesterol levels and on top of that, it also lowers good cholesterol.

High fructose corn syrup

We all know the controversy surrounding HFCS, and regardless of where you stand, it is still a processed sugar added to the product that causes your body to store fat.

Cheddar cheese powder

Some cheddar cheese powders can be made organic and naturally through a dehydration process.  I have no idea how this powder was created.

Sunflower oil

Sunflower oil is predominantly omega-6 rich which if not balanced with enough omega-3 in your diet can cause problems.

Salt

Sodium is a huge issue in our diets and should be avoided, but a small amount is ok.  These crackers contain 160 mg of sodium per serving.  The recommended maximum sodium intake from the FDA for an average healthy adult is 1500 mg per day.  These crackers contains more than 1-tenth of your daily allowance in just 13 tiny crackers.

Leavening

This is basically yeast, bread won’t rise without it.  Even organic breads require yeast, though I’m not exactly sure where it comes from and if you can get it in an organic variety, though I believe you can.

Disodium phosphate

This is a preservative.  It slows bacteria growth in foods but also acts as a leavening agent.  Disodium phosphate can cause irritation to your respiratory tract and skin and eyes.

Soy lecithin

This is oil derived from soybeans, which are quite a controversial topic.   Most of the soybean product today is genetically modified and soybeans themselves in their raw form are toxic.  Soybean crops are also heavily covered in pesticides.  Unless it says non-gmo (genetically modified organism) product, you should avoid soy products.  This package does not specify.

Dried yeast

Dried yeast is another rather benign ingredient that is used to make bread rise.  Organic yeast would be void of pesticides; this product does not use organic yeast.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is essentially an artificial sweetener.  Artificial sweeteners trick your body and confuse it.  While nothing has been proven and most sweeteners remain “safe” according to the FDA, we have no idea about the long term effects of them on our bodies.

Artificial color

Artificial colors are chemicals that make food a specific color or more vibrant in color.  Many people have developed serious allergies to artificial colors and they have been linked to thyroid, adrenal, bladder, kidney, and brain cancers

Natural flavor

Natural flavor isn’t really as good as it sounds.  It’s not like they take a specific natural product – say an orange – and add the juice.  If they did that, it would say that.  Natural flavors are still created in a lab using natural chemicals but they could be a combination of any number of things to achieve the taste they are looking for.

Modified tapioca starch

This is a thickening agent that turns into a gel and is used in many things from these crackers to plywood and batteries.  It has many more non-food applications than food applications.  I could not find any real information about it being unsafe but it is derived from corn, tapioca, rice, wheat or any number of other grains or starches.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is the liquid milk that remains after churning butter.  As with most dairy products, when it is not labeled organic you risk the chances of it containing hormones, antibiotics and other additives that don’t “do a body good”.

Malted barley flour

Barley is actually a very healthy whole grain.  Malted barley flour is barley that has been dried and ground into flour.

Lactic acid

I haven’t found conclusive information about lactic acid.  It is supposedly good for your muscles and is a basically a good bacteria that keeps the bad bacteria from forming.  In this case it is used as a preservative, but I’m not sure how it is created.  In our bodies it is created to help our muscles produce it to obtain energy.  Overall the information I found showed this to be a natural process and a better preservative than most of them.

So, after reading all that, what are your thoughts about it?

It’s a whole lot different than eating something whole, real and natural with a single ingredient.  Pesticides aside, nothing else is in an apple besides an apple.  What you see is what you get, especially if you eat organic.  The trick to organic produce is eating in season.  In season it is often not much more expensive than the regular produce.

Will you think twice next time you pick up a pre-packaged food?  Will you read the label and question what is in it?  Will you consider putting it back on the shelf?

Stay tuned, next time we will take a look at a box of Honey Nut Cheerios.

So.

To that end, I recorded my kids and I doing something we enjoy doing – dance games on the Wii.

And not only did I enjoy the hour I spent dancing (if I’m allowed to call what I was doing dancing), I have been further entertained by watching the video back.  I bet no one laughs as hard as I did, except maybe Trisha.

Ok now, point me in the direction of one of those reality dance shows, I’m gonna try out since Wipeout never contacted me about my application.

For bonus points, can anyone name the song the title of this post comes from?

One many people face with fear and dread.

As I’ve grown closer to this milestone, year after year, I have always been reminded of a scene from ‘When Harry Met Sally’ starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.

Sally: … and I’m going to be forty.

Harry: When?

Sally: Someday.

Harry: In eight years.

Sally: But it’s there. It’s just sitting there like this big dead end.

I don’t think I look 40.  I mean, 40 is wrinkled and hunched over and simply ANCIENT.  Right?  I used to think so.  I remember when I thought 30 was old.  But I do think I have been blessed with good genes as far as aging goes.

Plus, the blonde hair hides the grey hair.

What, what, WHAT?

Did I say that out loud?

Grey hair?

Me?

Nope.

Well, maybe a few.

I also don’t feel 40.  I’m probably close to being in the best shape of my life, odd creaks and joint cracking aside.  If I had to I could go run 8 miles (maybe more), I completed the Insanity workout.  I can do real pushups.

I decided last year after I turned 39 to not let 40 define me.  Well, no.  I take that back.  40 will define me.  Because I plan on redefining 40.

40 will be the new AMAZING!

Honestly, I am very comfortable in my almost 40-year-old skin.  With age comes wisdom as cliche as that sounds.  But it is so true.  If my 18-year-old self had half of the knowledge I have now, she would have made very different decisions.  But there is dichotomy there because I think that wisdom was gained because of the decisions I made.  Interesting thing to ponder…

But this isn’t about reminiscing, this is about joining the Army (ok not really, but I am stealing their motto) – BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE.  Or is that Nike?  Ok, maybe 40 has affected my memory a little bit.

I think most people spend a lot of their lives letting LIFE HAPPEN to them.  They don’t take the reigns and impact their own lives.  Too many people don’t realize the power they have to change.

They make excuses.

They place blame.

I’ve done it, we all have.

But the only thing holding me back is me.

I’ve never written down my goals or resolutions before.  I’ve never committed wholly to something like that, but I’m also the type of person who generally finds enough internal motivation to fulfill my goals – spoken or unspoken, written or unwritten.

But since I have chosen to redefine 40, I figured maybe saying things out loud will not only provide accountability and some additional motivation, it may help someone else who happens across this and connects with my journey.

I know there are different trains of thought when it comes to goals.  Some say make them general because life has a way of turning out different than we expect, no matter how much effort we put into it.  Others say you should be explicitly specific because otherwise it is too easy to stray off course.

I’m not sure which the best method is, but my goals for 2012 actually are a combination of both.  Some I CAN define, and others I just cannot.

TURNING FORTY:

Health & Fitness

My main #1 goal is to be in the best shape of my life ever.  This means dropping 15-20 lbs.  This means increasing my fitness level.  This means eating better.  I plan on achieving this goal by following Weight Watchers (tracking everything is the best way for me to lose weight and increase my activity level), creating meal plans, and making as much of our food from scratch as possible.

I also want to motivate and inspire others.  I’m not sure what shape that takes on, I’ve tossed around re-focusing my blog or becoming a certified personal trainer.  This is one of those things that I desire to do but am not sure how I want to put it into action.

Family Life

In 2012 I hope to disconnect a bit from technology in order to focus on my family.  It’s so easy to get caught up in all the gadgets, but I realized that the time we spend in the same room all sitting on iPads and iPods and Blackberries is time we could have spend building memories.  Instead we merely waste invaluable hours each week and before too long the opportunities will pass us by.  My kids are growing up too fast, and of course, I’M GOING TO BE 40!

Blog and Business Life

In addition to working less (see above) I want to earn more, or rather earn more as compared to my time investment .  My blog, and Brandfluential have been a blessing to us and I have made a nice contribution to our finances because of it.  But I’ve also wasted time doing things that have no real value to me or anyone, monetary or otherwise.  I want to connect with people again in a meaningful way.  I want to inspire people.  I’ve been so scattered wasting time on things that did nothing except distort my time and muffle my passion for writing.  I don’t want to blog to make money.  I want to earn money so I can enjoy the process of blogging again without the stress of worrying about income.  I think the key to that is being selective where I put my time investment.

Talents

I think in a lot of ways, this is very much tied to the section above.  I want to be able to focus more effort towards the things I am good at.  Drawing, writing, fitness, etc – all the things that I enjoy doing but that often fall aside due to obligations that I could have easily said “no” to.

Years 1-39 have been pretty good to me.  I’ve got a lot to be thankful for and have very few regrets.

It’s time to raise the bar.

——————————————————————————

EPILOGUE:

I didn’t want this to have the appearance of a sponsored post and honestly I wanted to add one of my goals for 2012 to investigate long term care insurance, but I decided to leave it separate.  We have been working with Genworth Insurance through Brandfluential and all the reading and writing I have done on the topic of long term care has really made it a focus in my life to investigate this type of insurance and the costs involved, not only for myself and my husband but for our parents as well.  The older I get, the more important some of these difficult-to-talk-about topics seem.

Thorpe has been busy every night hiding and having fun and even brought a few gifts along the way.  We have really enjoyed having him here, but honestly I’m running out of ideas and next year we will wait an extra week before he arrives.

He tried to join the Nativity Scene but got tangled in lights.

He tried (poorly) to impersonate a nutcracker.

He rode Rudolph and left presents in the kid’s stockings.

And he even danced with Santa Homer.

Wishing you and your families a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year!