Radio Show "Is Your School Healthy?"

If you didn't get a chance to listen in to today show please do, look for the Blogcast radio icon on this site.

It’s hard to imagine a topic more important than the health of our kids. Each and every day in America, some 31.6 million lunches are dished out to our youngsters at more than 99,000 schools and child-care institutions. For most of the 20 million or so kids who receive a free or reduced-price lunch, that is their day’s meal.

The quality of school meals has been hotly debated for years because one-third of U.S. kids are overweight or obese. A 2010 law directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to set new nutrition standards for all food served in schools. The standards are designed to improve the health of about 32 million children who eat lunch at school every day and about 12 million who eat breakfast there as well. Kids consume about 30% to 50% of their daily calories while at school.

So how healthy is your school?

To find out

Have lunch with  your child in the school cafeteria. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of your school lunch program, by experiencing the food your kids are taking in at school everyday.

To find out what other schools systems are doing to improve the lunches they serve our children check out the following sites:

www.twoangrymoms.org

www.chefbobo.com

www.chefann.com

www.davidkatzmd.com

www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/

www.healthyschoollunches.org

www.cspinet.org/schoolfoodkit/

www.foodsecurity.org/policy/StateByStateFarmtoSchoolLegislation.pdf

Power Food: Green Beans

Health benefits of Green beans

• Fresh green beans are very low in calories (31 kcal per 100 g of raw beans) and contain no saturated fat; but are very good source of vitamins, minerals, and plant derived micronutrients.


• They are very rich source of dietary fiber (9% per100g RDA)which acts as bulk laxative that helps to protect the mucous membrane of the colon by decreasing its exposure time to toxic substances as well as by binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon. Dietary fiber has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing re-absorption of cholesterol binding bile acids in the colon.


• Green beans contain excellent levels of vitamin A, and many health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin and ß-carotene in good amounts. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.


• Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid in the beans, selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes where it thought to provide antioxidant and protective UV light filtering functions. It is, therefore, green beans offer some protection in preventing age related macular disease (ARMD) in the elderly.


• Fresh snap beans are good source of folates. 100 g fresh beans provide 37 µg or 9% of folates. Folate along with vitamin B-12 is one of the essential components of DNA synthesis and cell division. Good folate diet when given during preconception periods and during pregnancy helps prevent from neural-tube defects in the offspring.


• They also contain good amounts of vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1), and vitamin-C. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen free radicals.


• In addition, beans contain healthy amounts of minerals likeiron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium, which are very essential for body metabolism. Manganese is a co-factor for the anti oxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

 

• Because of their rich green color, we don't always think about green beans as providing us with important amounts of colorful pigments like carotenoids. But they do! Recent studies have confirmed the presence of lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin in green beans. In some cases, the presence of these carotenoids in green beans is comparable to their presence in other carotenoid-rich vegetables like carrots and tomatoes. The only reason we don't see these carotenoids is because of the concentrated chlorophyll content of green beans and the amazing shades of green that it provides.

• You can enjoy green beans while supporting food sustainability! Recent surveys have shown that 60% of all commercially grown green beans are produced in theUnited States, with large amounts of green bean acreage found in the states ofIllinois,Michigan,New York,Oregon, andWisconsin. Although countries likeFrance,Mexico,Iraq, andArgentinaare large-scale producers of green beans, there is plenty of this delicious vegetable available in our own backyard.

Can’t buy fresh?

 

If you are unable to obtain fresh green beans, you can still get many valuable nutrients from green beans that have been frozen or canned. We like fresh greens the best! But we realize that access to them can sometimes be a problem. When first frozen and then cooked, retention of some B vitamins in green beans (like vitamins B6 and B2) can be as high as 90%. Recent studies have shown that canned green beans, on average, lose about one third of their phenolic compounds during the canning process. They lose B vitamins as well but in the case of some B vitamins like folic acid, as little as 10%.

 

To retain the maximum number of health-promoting phytonutrients and vitamins and minerals found in green beans, we recommend Healthy Steaming them for just 5 minutes. This also brings out their peak flavor and provides the moisture necessary to make them tender, and retain their beautifully bright green color. It is best to cook green beans whole to ensure even cooking.

 

References:

The Worlds Healthiest Foods

Nutrition and You

 

Orange Juice vs. An Orange

Does orange juice from concentrate [private] (without additional ingredients) have the same benefits as fresh orange juice? 

The more processing that a food undergoes, the more potential there is for nutrient loss. Any juice will have fewer benefits than an equivalent amount of the whole food from which it is made (provided that there are whole food parts-such as pulp-never making it into the final juice). For example, whole, organic oranges always provide better nutrition than freshly squeezed organic orange juice, unless all of the pulp that would have been eaten with the whole orange was also consumed in the freshly squeezed juice.

Freshly squeezed organic orange juice provides better nutrition than organic orange juice made from concentrate because it takes processing to manufacture orange juice concentrate. However, the differences here may not be very dramatic. One cup of orange juice from concentrate, for example, contains about 100 milligrams of vitamin C and 40 micrograms of beta-carotene (according to the USDA's SR19 nutrient database). The same cup of freshly squeezed orange juice contains about 125 milligrams of vitamin C and 80 micrograms of beta-carotene. 

Even though processing does have an impact on the nutritional value of whole oranges, I do not believe that organic orange juice from concentrate is a bad dietary choice. Many supermarkets do carry cartons of fresh, organic orange juice that is not made from concentrate. If that is not available, I think that an organic orange juice made from concentrate is still a very high quality drink compared to dozens of other choices (such as fruit drinks and soda pop), and it provides a very significant and worthwhile amount of many nutrients. 

With all fruit juices, you do need to be more careful about the amount you consume than you do with whole fruits. Many people wanting a snack would naturally eat one whole orange and then stop. In that one medium-sized orange, they would get about 100 calories and 18 grams of sugar. On the other hand, it's not hard to find a 16-ounce bottle of orange juice in many stores, which will provide about 225 calories and 42 grams of sugar![private]

reference:

The World's Healthiest Foods 2011

 

 

Poached Eggs, Spinach & Mushrooms

This meal is so good, that sometimes I prepare it for dinner too!

1 tsp light vinegar, (rice, white wine, or apple cider)[private]

1 TBS chicken or vegetable broth

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups sliced crimini mushrooms

1 medium tomato, seeds and excess pulp removed, chopped

3 medium cloves garlic, chopped

10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and excess water removed

salt and black pepper to taste

 

Directions:

Chop onions and garlic and let sit for 5 minutes to enhance their health-promoting properties.

Add 1 tsp vinegar to water in a 10-inch skillet.

While water is coming to a high simmer, in a separate skillet heat 1 TBS broth. Sauté onion and mushrooms in broth for 3 minutes over medium heat stirring frequently.

Add tomato, garlic, spinach, salt and pepper and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

When water comes to a high simmer poach eggs for about 5 minutes, or until whites are firm. Remove from water with a slotted spoon and place over spinach mixture.

Cultural Dance

Not all kids are interested in organzied sports as a physical activity. But no need to worry, there are so many different ways children can stay active and dance is one of them. Dance is not only a wonderful way to stay fit and healthy it is also an artisitc expression. One type of dance that is gaining popularity here in the United States is traditional or cultural forms of dance. One of the beautiful things about cultural dance is that the dance itself tells a story. Take for instance Indian dance, Bollywood and traditional dance have been gaining in popularity. Classes are a bridge to customs and traditions not easily upheld in socind and third generational immigrant families.

Here are some styles of Cultural Dance;

Aerial

Aerial dance refers to a theatrical production performed by dancers who are suspended in the air with the aid of apparatus such as ropes, lengths of cloth known as silks, straps or a trapeze.

African

African dance comprises many traditional and modern dances, with great variation in style and form across the continent. InAfrica, dance is closely related to music, mime, storytelling, costume and ritual. African children, who traditionally learn to drum and dance as early as they learn to walk, participate in public ceremonies alongside the adults. Often, a "call and response" dialogue occurs between dancer, drummer and spectators, which makes all parties integral to the event.

Afro-Caribbean

Afro-Caribbean dance has African roots fused with the multicultural influences of Caribbean dance, which come from African, Chinese, Spanish, South Asian and indigenousCaribbeanpeoples. Afro-Caribbean dance is typically joyful and free-spirited, and is often performed toCaribbean, Jamaican, highlife, jazz or soul music. Beginning in the 1930s, African-American Katherine Dunham created modern dance with major Afro-Caribbean influences.

 

Azerbaijani

Azerbaijani dance has its roots in the diverse cultures of its region. Geographically connected toRussia,ArmeniaandIran,Azerbaijanhas a rich tradition of folk dances for men and women. These emphasize expression, mood and sometimes animal themes, and are generally performed to music with percussive and wind instruments.

Ballet

Ballet is a theatrical dance form with a codified technique. Developed from court productions of the Renaissance, ballet was renewed under Louis XIV, who in 1661 established France's Académie Royale de Danse, where Pierre Beauchamps developed the five positions of the feet.

Significant developments in the early 19th century included pointe work (balance on the extreme tip of the toe) and the emergence of the prima ballerina, exemplified by Marie Taglioni and Fanny Elssler. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Russia became the centre of ballet production and performance through the work of innovators such as Serge Diaghilev, Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Marius Petipa and Michel Fokine. Since then, ballet has appeared on stages and in dance schools around the world.

Ballet has become diversified since its beginnings in the 1600s. A few of the many styles that have developed follow:

Ballet d'action (dramatic ballet) is primarily designed to tell a story, generally a tragic one, using dance steps and mime. Jean-Georges Noverre ofFranceand Gasparo Angiolini ofItalyseparately developed the ballet d'action in the 18th century.

Ballet jazz is a contemporary fusion of the technical vocabulary of classical ballet and stylistic elements of jazz dance.

Comédie-ballets were comedic plays that included substantial amounts of music and dancing. Many were written by French playwright Molière to entertain Louis XIV and his court. Le Bourgeois gentilhomme , a collaboration between Molière and composer Jean-Baptiste Lully which premiered in 1670, is a famous example.

Ice ballet is a ballet on skates. It differs from competitive ice dance in that ice ballet is intended as artistic entertainment. Canadian Boris Volkoff was recognized as an important contributor to ice ballet choreography in the 1930s and 1940s.

Neo-classicalballet is a 20th-century style, most closely associated with George Balanchine and his works for the New York City Ballet. Neo-classical ballet draws on the vocabulary of 19th-century Russian Imperial dance but strips it of detailed narrative and lavish theatrical settings.

Psychological ballets, developed in the 20th century by British choreographer Antony Tudor, reveal the inner being of the characters and explore themes such as grief, jealousy, rejection and frustration.

Rock ballet refers to a ballet performed to rock music.

Belly

Belly dance, also known as raqs sharqi , is traditionally a solo form for women. Rooted in pre-Islamic times, this Middle Eastern dance form was taught within the family and performed during celebrations. In 10th- and 11th-century Islamic courts and 18th-century Ottoman courts, belly dance took on a more refined classical style. Characterized by sinuous, rhythmic hip movements and undulating arms, belly dancing has been popular in cabarets from the 19th century. Since the 1970s there has been an international revival of interest in the traditional forms among both professional and amateur dancers.

Brazilian

Brazilian folk dance is found in many different styles in each region of the country, and is often influenced by African dance and cultural traditions. The lively Brazilian samba,and its importance to the annual Carnival, is recognized around the world. Dance inBrazilis closely connected to spirituality and is guided by such religions as Batuque, more commonly called Candomblé.

 

Break

Break dance, or breakin', is an athletic solo form of dance that originated in the street in theUnited States. The foundation vocabulary of break dance includes top/up rock, breakdowns, footwork and freezes, as well as acrobatic spins and power moves. Body popping, which involves a series of sharp, fast actions that travel through the body alternating with moments of freeze, creates a robotic effect.

Being a successful b-boy or b-girl, as break dancers are known, requires the ability to freestyle (improvise) using the foundation vocabulary while creating individual style. Battles (competitions) are an important part of b-boy/b-girl culture. They can either take the form of one-on-one competitions, where dancers face their opponents head on, or as crew (group) battles, where a whole team works together, mixing solo improvisation and group choreographies. Preserving the unadulterated or raw spontaneity and quality of improvisation is a challenge when bringing street dance to a formal stage.

 

Butoh

Butoh describes a revolutionary and contemporary performing art form that developed in Japanduring the 1950s and 1960s in the aftermath of World War II. Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno are the main originators of this form. Motivated by a rejection of western dance and Japanese classical forms, early butoh artists were searching for a more primal expression. Butoh dancers are often semi-nude, with white body paint and shaved heads, and typically favour extremely slow movement.
Sankai Juku is a second-generation butoh troupe fromJapan that tours internationally.

 

Capoeira

Capoeira is a stylized martial art dance fromBrazil, characterized by acrobatic fighting maneuvers and athletic dance steps. It is designated as a national sport inBrazil, where it is taught in schools and performed as a contest between combatants. Once only performed by men, now women also dance capoeira. Capoeira has exerted considerable influence on some modern dance choreographers.

 

Chinese

Chinese dance can be divided into two major styles: minjian wudao (folk dance) and gudian wudao (classical dance). In folk dances, the inclusion of theatrical elements such as mime and drama often depict a short plot. Today's classical dance is an attempt to reconstruct the dance of the past based on the present day's understanding and knowledge of that vocabulary.

A third style of Chinese dance is minzu wuju (national dance drama), which usually features new choreography combining both Chinese and western dance vocabularies, and may reflect either historical or contemporary events. The Magic Lantern and The Butterfly Lovers are two examples of minzu wuju.

 

Contemporary

Contemporary dance is a term that inCanadais often used interchangeably with modern dance. For some people, however, it specifically means dance that developed from the roots of modern dance, but that is no longer aligned with the modernist art movement of the 1930s.

First Nations

First Nations people of North America enjoy a rich dance tradition. The dances, almost always closely tied to the songs or music that accompany them, vary greatly by tribe, geographic location and the purpose for which they are performed. A few are described below.

 

Inuvialuitdrum dancing: After the arrival of Europeans in Inuvialuit territory, many traditional songs and dances, which were used to recount legends at gatherings, were lost. The Inuvik Drummers and Dancers, guided by community elders like Martha Harry, have worked hard in recent years to re-learn the art of drum dancing. The hunting seal song, the whale tail and the kayak song are three of the drum dances now performed. Some of the movements are representations of harpooning and kayaking gestures; another common move features outstretched arms, resembling wings. The drums, made from ivory, caribou skin, wood and sinew, are played by being rotated and hit on the top, bottom and rim.

 

Iroquois dances: Among the traditional social dances of the Iroquois, called earth songs, are the robin dance, the duck dance, the alligator dance, the friendship dance and the smoke dance. These are danced at any time, for no reason other than enjoyment. There are also sacred dances that give thanks to the creator, and are performed at ceremonies, the timing of which depends on the cycles of the moon, when the shortest or longest day of the year occurs or other environmental factors.

 

Potlatch dances: For over fifteen thousand years, the Haida and otherPacific Northwestcoastal tribes performed dances at their potlatches. Potlatches occurred throughout the year to commemorate births, deaths, the naming of new chiefs, the raising of totem poles or houses, or the acquisition of inheritances. These celebrations could last for weeks and hundreds of people might attend, with many gifts exchanged between families.

Ceremonial masks were worn in traditional dances, with each dance and mask holding certain meanings. The dances referring to the sea kingdom were especially important because the coastal people depended on the ocean for much of their food and livelihood. Fourteen different sea kingdom masks were used, including those of killer whales, salmon, seals, sea lions and herring.

 

Powwow dances: Powwows are gatherings of First Nations people, which today occur regularly acrossNorth America. The name is derived from the Narragansett word powwaw , meaning shaman. An example of a powwow dance is the women's jingle dress dance, which originated with the Anishnabe people ofOntarioand is known as a medicine dance. Hundreds of jingles, once shells, now cones made from the lids of metal cans, are sewn to the dress and make a characteristic jingling sound as the dancer moves. The dance consists of low steps and half turns. Other women's dances are the fancy shawl dance, the hoop dance and the traditional dance.

Another powwow dance is the men's grass dance, which is known in some regions as a healing dance, intended, for example, to doctor a sick child. The grass dancer's skill and strong belief in his dance enable him to render such a healing. Another version of the origin of the grass dance is that when the grass dancers were called out to the place where feasts and special events were to take place, the dancers blessed the ground while dancing in time to the beat of the drum. In this way, they flattened the grass with their feet in preparation for the ceremonies. The costume features long strands of yarn, ribbon or fabric designed to enhance the dancer's motions, which resemble the gentle swaying of grass on a windy day. Other men's dances include the ribbon dance, the traditional dance and the fancy dress dance.

 

Flamenco

Flamenco dance originally developed from the cante or songs ofAndalucia,Spainthat expressed the blessings and hardships of everyday life. Flamenco dance is characterized by highly nuanced, percussive footwork, a straight spine with at times an arch in the upper back, and arms held in long curves that frame the body. It conveys strength and, simultaneously, tenderness, urgency, pride and resilience. In the 20th century, flamenco became popular in theatrical settings but it was originally danced on the streets, in cafés and in people's homes for special occasions like weddings or birthdays, as it still is today.

 

Hip Hop

Hip hop dance originated on the streets ofNew York   Cityamong young Hispanic and African-American men during the late 1960s as part of the hip hop culture of rap, scratch music and graffiti art. Break dance is the most common style of this constantly evolving dance form. A newer development that came out ofLos Angelesis the freestyle, high energy and confrontational krumping, in which the dancers sometimes use physical contact and weight sharing. Hip hop dance and music, which became internationally popular in the late 1970s, are now often incorporated into theatrical dance.

 

Improvisation

Improvisation,often called improv, refers to m ovements that are created spontaneously by the dancer, either individually or with others, with or without specific direction from a choreographer. An improv jam is like a musical jam session in that dancers can flow in and out of participation while the collective improv dance continues.

Jazz

Jazz dance was developed in theUnited   Statesby African-Americans in the early part of the 20th century. It drew on African rhythms and techniques that isolated various parts of the body in movement. The name was first used during World War I, and by the 1920s jazz had been taken up by general society. Its presence in film, on television and on Broadway provided a large and enduring audience. One of the earliest instances of theatrical jazz dance was George Balanchine's ballet Slaughter onTenth   Avenue(1936). Katherine Dunham and Bob Fosse were leading American jazz choreographers.

 

Korean

InKorea, modern dance developed in the 1920s. Since the 1980s, influenced by traditional Korean dance as well as by western ballet and modern dance, contemporary Korean dance has thrived.

 

Modern

Modern dance usually refers to 20th-century concert dance that developed in the United Statesand Europe. Rebelling against classical ballet, early modern dance pioneers began to practice "free dance", often in bare feet. In America, Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis developed their own styles of free dance, paving the way for American modern dance pioneers Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey and José Limón. In Europe, Rudolf von Laban, Émile Jaques-Dalcroze and François Delsarte developed theories of human movement and methods of instruction that led to the development of European modern and expressionist dance.

Today the term modern dance is sometimes used interchangeably with contemporary dance. However, for some people, modern dance refers only to dance that was aligned with the modernist art movement of the 1930s and all dance that developed afterwards, from these early roots, is contemporary dance.

South Asian

South Asian dance, or Indian dance, can be organized into three categories: classical, folk and modern. Classical dance forms are among the best preserved and oldest practiced in the 21st century. The royal courts, the temples and the guru-to-pupil teaching traditions kept this art alive. In rural areas, folk dancing has remained as an expression of the daily work and rituals of village communities. Modern Indian dance, a product of the 20th century, is a creative mixture of the first two forms, with freely improvised movements and rhythms to express the new themes and impulses of contemporaryIndia.

Today, classical dance has left the temples and royal courts and is presented regularly on stages in cities acrossIndiaand around the world. Nine distinct schools of classical Indian dance that exist in the 21st century are described below:

Bharata natyam developed over several centuries in the temples of South India. It was handed down as a living tradition from generation to generation under the devadasi system in which women were dedicated to serve the deity as dancers and musicians. Today bharata natyam is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced by men and women. Due to its wide range of movements and postures, and the mix of rhythmic and mimetic aspects, it lends itself well to experimental and fusion choreography. Degree and postgraduate courses covering the practice and theory of bharata natyam are offered at major Indian universities.

Chhau is indigenous to the eastern part of India. It originated as a martial art and contains vigorous movements and leaps. Some chhau dances use large stylized masks, with the depiction of birds and animals as a distinctive feature. There are also heroic dances with sword, bow or shield. In keeping with the martial origins of chhau, some of the themes include the depiction of mythological heroes. Over time, female characters and more diverse themes have been added.

Kathak is a classical North Indian dance, now popular around the world. The word kathak is derived from katha, meaning story. The ancient kathakas, or storytellers, were traveling bards who were the first to employ this dance in order to better communicate their tales to the masses. Kathak is characterized by intricate footwork and precise rhythmic patterns that the dancer articulates by controlling ankle bells. Both men and women dance kathak, which often conveys moods of love. British dancer Akram Khan is known for his fusion of kathak and contemporary dance styles.

Kathakali originated in the South Indian state of Kerala over 500 years ago. It is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. The name comes from the roots katha, meaning story, and kali, meaning performance or play.

Kuchipudi developed in what is now the state of Andhra Pradesh in southernIndia. Historically it formed the basis of dance-dramas but today it is performed either as a solo or group presentation. Kuchipudi, which features fast, rhythmic footwork and sculptural body movements, includes singing and occasionally spoken dialogue. As well, stylized mime using hand gestures and subtle facial expression is combined with more realistic acting. This blend of techniques makes it unique among Indian classical dance. Another unique feature is the tarangam, in which the performer dances on the edges of a brass plate, executing complicated rhythmic patterns while sometimes also balancing a pot of water on the head.

Manipuri, a smooth and graceful form, is named after Manipur, a mountainous region of northeastIndia. A legend tells of the gods draining a lake in this area in order to find a place to dance. The lai haroba, a ritualistic dance depicting creation that is still alive today, is considered the precursor of Manipuri. Included in the Manipuri repertoire is the raas leela, which depicts the cosmic dance ofKrishnaand the cowherd maidens. Dancers wear long embroidered skirts and translucent veils as they perform swaying and gliding movements. A tall crown of peacock feathers characterizesKrishna's costume. Another dance is the pung cholam , or drum dance, in which dancers play fast rhythms on a drum while leaping and spinning.

Mohiniattamis of similar origin to its traditionally masculine counterpart kathakali, but involves more feminine attributes. The movement is lyrical and very soft with rounded arm and hip movements.

Odissi dates back to the first century B.C. Odissi, which originated in the temples of the state of Orissa in Eastern India, is characterized by fluidity of the upper torso and graceful gestures and wristwork, juxtaposed with firm footwork. The rhythmic dances are called batu (foundation), pallavi (flowering) and moksha (liberation). The acting dances are called abhinaya. An important feature of this dance is the tribhangi, which divides the body into three parts: head, bust and torso. This concept has created the very characteristic poses, which are more contorted than those founding other classical Indian dances.

Tanztheater

Tanztheater (German, "dance theatre") is dance set in a dramatic situation, which may include dialogue. This style developed out of the earlier German form ausdruckstanz (expressive dance) originated by Mary Wigman. Today, tanztheater is synonymous with the work of choreographer Pina Bausch.

Tap

Tap dance was first seen in theUnited   Statesin the late 19th century. The name comes from the tapping sound made when the small metal plates on the dancer's shoes touch a hard floor. This lively, rhythmic tapping makes the performer not just a dancer, but also a percussive musician. In its solo form, tap dance often includes an improvised section that might be compared to a solo taken by a jazz drummer. Individual tap dancers are recognized for having their own distinct voice or tapping style..

Ukrainian

Ukrainian dance today, based on traditional Ukrainian folk dance, is typically rousing and virtuosic. Men competitively improvise high leaps and squatting kicks, while women dance lyrical, graceful steps.

reference: Artsalive.com

 

Great Finds at the Farmers Market!

 

 

There is so much more to a farmers market than just great food! I wanted to share with you some of my finds:

Suzie Q's Corner: Bolga Baskets are made by women in the villages of Bolgatanga, Ghana to help support their families during the "hunger Season". They are governed by Fair Trade.

These beautiful baskets are made from Elephant grass aand are a GREEN item. Elephant grass grows wild and is harvested, split, twisted , dried and then woven by the women of the villages. The men primarily tan the goat hides and work the leather on the handles. The weavers of the "Bolga Baskets" are mostly farm families, and have been weaving and selling these handcrafted baskets for generations.

The special weaving of thse baskets makes them strong and flexible. You can reshape or wash the baskets by wetting them with water and shaping them with your hands. Rewetting the basket every now and then extends the natural fibers life.

 

I use mine when I go to the Farmers Market and the Grocery Stores!

For more information on these beautiful baskets go contact

suzieqcorner@hotmail.com

www.bolgabasket.net

Exercise as a Family

Over the past thirty years, overweight amongst children and teens has doubled. Furthermore, overweight has been linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Children learn by modeling the behavior of their parents. By maintaining a physically active lifestyle with your family you can improve the health of your child while preventing him or her from developing a lifestyle of sedentary behavior.

Put exercise into your family's schedule.

Make it routine: schedule a time each day as you would other appointments.

Include activities you enjoy so you will look forward to your exercise.

Keep your exercise equipment (shoes, bike helmets, rollerblades) visible and easily accessible.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, adults and kids over 5 years old should strive to achieve 60 minutes of physical activity five or more days a week. The biggest problem facing families is how to fit this into their already full schedules. Try some of the exercise tips below to help your family reach their goal.

Everyday

Get outdoors: take evening family walks

Walk or bike to school

Join Fit American Families Family Fitness Challenge! check out our home page and sign up for $4.16 a month and this  includes weekly healthy meal planning too!

Walk the dog

Walk to the store

Park the car further away

Take stairs instead of the elevator

Play in the garden

On the Weekend

Hire a babysitter to spend time with your younger child while you exercise with the older child.

Take a family trip to the beach or park and spend the day actively playing.

Schedule a family outing that includes biking, walking, rollerblading, or hiking.

Cut Down On

Watching TV

Playing Computer Games

Browsing the Internet

Sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time

Video Games

Watching DVDs and/or Movies

Whats the Best Exercise?

What the best exercise for anybody to do?

The one you love...why because you love it.

Here are my Top 10 Exercises I Love and Top 10 Exercises I hate!

LOVES

Hill Sprints

Running Bleachers

Squats of any kind...loving one legged squats.

Planking

Boxing

Single Leg Dead Lifts

Kicks of any kind

Arm Dips

Arm Curls

Playing any sport with my kids

 

HATES

lunges

push ups of any kind

Wall Sits

Jumping Rope

Long Jumping

Step-ups

Defensive slides

Those dang exercise balls!

An exercise partner with excuses....

 

Roasted Chickpeas

Oil-Free Roasted Chickpeas

Prep Time: 2 minutes[private]

Cook Time: 60 minutes

 

Yield: One can of chickpeas

Vegan, gluten free, soy free, low fat, refined sugar free

Feel free to play with the seasonings and try your own variations!

Ingredients:

One can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (you can also use dried chickpeas, just soak them overnight first)

1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp paprika

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss chickpeas, salt, and spices together in a small bowl until the chickpeas are evenly coated.

Spread chickpeas evenly on a cookie sheet and bake for anywhere from 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally (this is important for even cooking!) until they get hard and crunchy. Serve immediately or allow to cool first, they are good both ways![private]

Throw Out Your Store Bought Ketchup

Takes 5 minutes to make and makes ½ cup!

 

1 8oz can tomato paste [private]

1/3 c. water

1 tsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp salt

pinch ground mustard

1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Directions:

Combine everything in a bowl and mix until smooth. Doesn't get much easier than that![private]

 

Kids and Parents Need 60 Minutes of This Everyday!

 

Snacks for Teens and 'Tweens

Teenagers and 'tweens bodies are going through a big growing spurt. My son was having fainting spells when he would stand up. After taking him to his pediatrician and double checking with a neurologist, the conclusions was he was growing so quickly, (he grew 3 inches and 2 shoes sizes in 6 months) that his arteries were struggling to keep up with the growing spurt of his body. Fortunately he out grew it and he is now 6'3" tall. The pediatrician also told me at that time to let him sleep longer on weekends his body needed it. His body also needed healthy snacks here are some healthy snacks for your growing teenager or 'tween.

Prepare snacks in advance. Make your own trail mix ( a healthy trail mix recipe is on our sister site www.CookingLessonsfromHome.com and separate it into small resealable baggies. Cutting up fruit ahead of time makes it easier to grab on the go. Keep carrot sticks, celery sticks, cut up and ready to eat with peanut butter and cream cheese.

Use a dry erase board to tell kids what snack are available today.

Keep healthy snacks available wherever you are. Stash nonperishable items, like 100% whole grain pretzels, in their backpack, the car, and in their sports bags. This way they will eat a healthy snack instead of having no option except vending machine junk food!

Here are some healthy snacks for tweens and teens to fuel activity:

Low fat cheese and whole grain crackers

Apples and peanut butter

Yogurt and a healthy granola

cheese sticks

Yogurt and fruit

Veggies sticks and ranch d

Hummus and pita chips

cottage cheese and fresh fruit

A good rule to follow is to combine at least two food groups in your snacks. This way you are getting a more nutrient dense snack. Adding protein or fat to a carbohydrate choice prevents you from getting hungry as quickly. It is important to avoid sugary snacks like candy bars. Sugary snacks will cause a quick energy increase followed by a crash. Plus these foods don’t protect your child’s body from disease, obesity or early aging.

By fueling the body properly, tweens and teens will have more energy to perform their favorite sports, games, and fun activities! Eating healthy snacks keeps the body going throughout the day and will prevent overeating at mealtimes.

It is also very important to hydrate the body. Water is the best source of hydration. Try and stay away from sodas and juice boxes.  These drinks contain high amounts of liquid calories, or calories our bodies receive from drinks with low amounts of nutrition. Drinking your calories can add up quickly and does not make your stomach feel as full as when you eat a meal. This can lead to unwanted weight gain. Sodas can also dehydrate the body, which makes water the best thirst-quenching drink. For those tweens and teens that are involved in intense sports that last over an hour, sports drinks can be consumed to replenish body’s electrolyte balance. But remember to keep these drinks in balance with adequate water since unwanted sugar can add up quickly. Sports and energy drinks do not have a regular place in the intake of minimally active children or adolescents since they contain a lot of calories, which need to be burned off with exercise.

Coconut Smoothie, The fountain of youth

This recipe is full of ingredients to help keep your body feeling young! The coconut water keeps skin hydrated, [private]and wheatgrass is a superfood that keeps damaging toxins from invading your skin. Coupled with a slew of powerful antioxidants, this shake provides a perfect mix of healthy ingredients that will detox your body and keep your skin from aging prematurely.

Ingredients

1 cup coconut water

2-3 wheatgrass ice cubes (juice fresh wheatgrass and freeze)

2 handfuls spinach

3 pineapple spears

1/2 lemon, peeled

1 small green apple

1 tbsp ginger

Directions

Pour all ingredients into a blender, blend to desired consistency, and enjoy![private]

Lemon Vinaigrette

Throw out your bottles of salad dressings, they are full of preservatives and ingredients we can't pronounce. But take 5 minutes to make a simple vinaigrette.Its healthy and you know all of the ingredients.



I love a good lemon vinaigrette. You can use this on salads, vegetables, [private]fish, or marinate chicken in the dressing. 

Lemon Vinaigrette

1/2 cup lemon juice

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium shallot, minced

1 Tbsp minced fresh thyme leaves

2 Tbsp minced fresh basil leaves

2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves

1teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and freshly ground black pepper[private]

Homemade: Blackened Seasoning

Homemade is so much better than store bought. You know what you are eating. Here is my recipe for Blackend Seasoning. You can use this on fish, chicken even potatoes, anything you won't a little "kick" of spice.

Blackened Seasoning

1 T paprika

2 teaspoons salt

1 heaping teaspoon garlic powder

1 heaping teaspoon onion powder

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons black pepper

1/2 teaspoon leaf thyme

1/2 teaspoon leaf oregano

Preparation: 

Mix the ingredients well and funnel into a shaker. Seal well and store in a cool dry place.

 

Breakfast Green Smoothie

Green is good.There is a saying, "if you eat green, your body is clean!" Well even Dr. Oz says that to ensure a healthy diet we should eat green at every meal. I find the best ways to get kids to eat green at breakfast is to make a mean green smoothie. You will find several green smoothie variations listed below. Enjoy and Cheers to your families good health!

This smoothie is so good and so healthy for you. This recipe can be used for breakfast, lunch, a snack or dessert. 

1 large orange, peeled and segmented
1/2 of a large banana, cut into chunks
6 large strawberries
2 cups spinach
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (I use Chobani 0%)
1 cup ice

Directions:

1. Put all of the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Note-I use a Vitamix Blender which is a very powerful machine. Make sure you use a powerful blender that will puree the orange, spinach, ice, etc. I like to store one serving of the smoothie in the freezer for later. Pour in an air-tight container and freeze. Make sure you take the smoothie out of the freezer about 30 minutes before you want to drink it. You can also store the smoothie in the refrigerator.

Listed below are more variations on green smoothies.

Green Smoothie #2

beet leaf,  spinach, kale, strawberry and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Green Smoothie #3 Hot and Spicy!

 8 oz spinach ,8 large SAVOYcabbage leaves (Very crinkly dark green cabbage like Kale) 1 Whole avocado 3 scotch bonnet peppers ( Optional. Small, red and VERY hot. Use TWO only if you dont like HOT ) whole red onion 6 cloves garlic
HERBS – Small bunches of fresh leaves of – Mint Parsley …orange juice.

Green Smoothie #4

Spinach, Kiwi fruit and Banana.

Green Smoothie #5

Banana, date, apple, pear, OJ, ice & collard greens

Green Smoothie #6

 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup unsweetened Apple juice, Organic Spring Mix Salad , Frozen  Pineapple, Red Grapes, 1 apple, 1 Banana, 1/4 Avocado

Green Smoothie #7

Chard and Blueberies and apple juice

Green Smoothie #8

1 banana, cut in chunks

1 cup grapes

1 (6 ounce)  vanilla yogurt

1/2 apple, cored and chopped

1 1/2 cups fresh spinach leaves

Green Smoothie #9 (Kimberly Snyders)

1 ½- 2 cups very cold, filtered water

6 cups spinach, chopped

5 cups organic romaine lettuce, chopped

2 stalks of organic celery

1 organic apple, cored and chopped

1 organic pear, cored and chopped

1 organic banana

1–2 Tbs. fresh organic lemon juice

Green Smoothie #10

 1/2 cups orange juice

2 large mangoes

2 cups fresh parsley or spinach

2 cups of ice

honey (to taste)

Ask a Farmer

I decided to add  Ask a Farmer blog to our site. I often find myself probing farmers with questions "What's the best way to tell if one of these is ripe?" and "How do you like to prepare this?" for cooking inspirations. So each week I will share with you what I asked a farmer!

I  met a wonderful farmer from La Esperanza Farm, her name is Juanita.

"Whats the best way to store peaches?" Answer: Leave them on a counter away from direct sunlight. Wash right before you want to eat the peach.

She even gave us a recipe check it out its called Peggy's Okra Cornbread.

1 package of White Hush Puppy Mix

6 T oil

4 cups okra, cut in to 1/4" thick

1 tsp each of  salt, pepper,

tobasco to taste

2 eggs

1 cup milk

Peggy heats a 10" skillet cst iron on top of the stove with 1/2 of the oil in pan with 1 T corn meal. When corn meal turns brown pour batter into skillet and place in oven.

Another option is to use a 13x9 pan, be sure to grease first.  

Preheat oven to 350*

Bake 45- 60 minutes 

 

Is Your Cereal Healthy?

Breakfast Cereal Compared
Cereals from Post, Kellogg's & General Mills

So, what did you eat for breakfast this morning? More likely than not, it was cereal. In fact, cereal isn't even just a breakfast food. You could have eaten it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack in between. You could have eaten it in a bowl with milk, in a bowl without milk, or just by taking handfuls right out of the box. Cereal is one of those anytime foods. And it makes sense too. It's as quick and easy as can be, and it just so happens that most cereals taste fantastic.

Of course, not all breakfast cereal is equal. Despite coming in similar sized boxes, with similar shaped pieces, for similar priced prices, there are quite a few differences between most cereals. Some claim to be high in whole grains and fiber, to be a good source of vitamins and minerals, and to be good for your heart and cholesterol. Others however just want you to see their "wacky" cartoon characters and "fun" shapes and colors. Even still, the biggest differences lie not on the front of the cereal boxes, but rather on the back. It is there, my friends, where the important differences can be found.

To help show this, I've put together a side-by-side comparison of over 50 of the most popular breakfast cereals from Post, Kellogg's, General Mills and more to see how they all stack up against each other in terms of their nutritional content and ingredients. Also included at the end are my picks for the best and worst cereals.

So, if you've only been eating cereal based on how yummy it is, here is your chance to start taking nutrition into account as well.

*NOTE #1* The table below is sortable. Clicking a category (calories, fat, carbs, etc.) will sort the data in that column from lowest to highest. Clicking it again will sort it from highest to lowest.

*NOTE #2* Any questions you may have about anything you see in this cereal comparison is most likely answered at the bottom of this very page. Be sure to check it out for clarifications on anything that may seem unclear.

Breakfast Cereals Compared
Breakfast Cereal	Serving Size (cups)	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Saturated Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)	Contains Trans Fat	Contains HFCS
Froot Loops (Kellogg's)	1	120	1	0.5	26	1	13	1	YES	YES
All-Bran (Kellogg's)	0.5	80	1	0	23	10	6	4	NO	YES
Apple Jacks (Kellogg's)	1	120	0.5	0	28	1	15	1	NO	YES
Corn Flakes (Kellogg's)	1	100	0	0	24	1*	2	2	NO	YES
Corn Pops (Kellogg's)	1	120	0	0	28	1*	14	1	YES	NO
Crispix (Kellogg's)	1	110	0	0	25	1*	3	2	NO	NO
Raisin Bran Crunch (Kellogg's)	1	190	1	0	45	4	20	3	NO	YES
Eggo Cereal Maple Syrup (Kellogg's)	1	120	1.5	0.5	22	2	13	2	YES	YES
Frosted Flakes (Kellogg's)	0.75	110	0	0	27	1	11	1	NO	YES
Frosted Mini-Wheats Bite Size (Kellogg's)	24 biscuits	200	1	0	48	6	12	6	NO	YES
Honey Smacks (Kellogg's)	0.75	100	0.5	0	24	1	15	2	YES	NO
Smorz (Kellogg's)	1	120	2	0.5	25	1*	13	1	YES	YES
Mini-Swirlz Cinnamon Bun (Kellogg's)	1	120	2	0	25	1	12	2	YES	NO
Product 19 (Kellogg's)	1	100	0	0	25	1	4	2	NO	YES
Rice Krispies (Kellogg's)	1.25	120	0	0	29	0	3	2	NO	YES
Rice Krispies Treats Cereal (Kellogg's)	0.75	120	1.5	0	26	0	9	1	YES	YES
Smart Start Healthy Heart (Kellogg's)	1.25	230	3	0.5	46	5	17	7	NO	YES
Special K (Kellogg's)	1	120	0.5	0	22	1*	4	7	NO	YES
Special K Red Berries (Kellogg's)	1	110	0	0	25	1	10	3	NO	YES
Frosted Krispies (Kellogg's)	0.75	110	0	0	27	0	12	1	NO	YES
Wheaties (General Mills)	0.75	100	0.5	0	22	3	4	3	NO	NO
Trix (General Mills)	1	120	1.5	0	28	1	13	1	NO	YES
Lucky Charms (General Mills)	0.75	110	1	0	22	1	11	2	NO	NO
Fiber One (General Mills)	0.5	60	1	0	25	14	0	2	NO	NO
Cheerios (General Mills)	1	100	2	0	20	3	1	3	NO	NO
Yogurt Burst Cheerios Vanilla (General Mills)	0.75	120	1.5	0.5	24	2	9	2	NO	NO
Rice Chex (General Mills)	1	100	0.5	0	23	0	2	2	NO	NO
Wheat Chex (General Mills)	0.75	160	1	0	38	5	5	5	NO	NO
Corn Chex (General Mills)	1	120	0.5	0	26	1	3	2	NO	NO
Honey Nut Cheerios (General Mills)	0.75	110	1.5	0	22	2	9	3	NO	NO
Multi Grain Cheerios (General Mills)	1	110	1	0	23	3	6	2	NO	NO
Total (General Mills)	0.75	100	0.5	0	23	3	5	2	NO	NO
Reese's Puffs (General Mills)	0.75	120	3	0.5	22	1	12	2	NO	NO
Oatmeal Crisp Crunchy Almond (General Mills)	1	220	5	0.5	46	4	16	6	NO	YES
Kix (General Mills)	1.25	110	1	0	25	3	3	2	NO	NO
Golden Grahams (General Mills)	0.75	120	1	0	26	1	11	2	NO	NO
Franken Berry (General Mills)	1	130	1	0	29	1	14	1	NO	NO
Count Chocula (General Mills)	0.75	110	1	0	23	1	12	1	NO	NO
Cookie Crisp (General Mills)	0.75	100	1	0	22	1	11	1	NO	NO
Cocoa Puffs (General Mills)	0.75	110	1.5	0	23	1	12	1	NO	NO
Cinnamon Toast Crunch (General Mills)	0.75	130	3	0.5	25	1	10	1	NO	NO
Basic 4 (General Mills)	1	200	3	0.5	43	3	13	4	YES	NO
Life (Quaker)	0.75	120	1.5	0	25	2	6	3	NO	NO
GOLEAN Cereal (Kashi)	1	140	1	0	30	10	6	13	NO	NO
Grape Nuts (Post)	58 grams	200	1	0	48	7	4	6	NO	NO
Shredded Wheat (Post)	47 grams	200	1	0	37	6	0	5	NO	NO
Cocoa Pebbles (Post)	30 grams	110	1.5	1	26	3	11	1	YES	NO
Fruity Pebbles (Post)	30 grams	110	1	1	26	3	11	1	YES	NO
Banana Nut Crunch (Post)	59 grams	240	6	0.5	44	4	12	5	NO	NO
Honey Bunches Of Oats (Post)	30 grams	120	1.5	0	25	2	6	2	NO	NO
Honey-Comb (Post)	32 grams	120	1	0	27	2	10	2	NO	NO
Oreo O's (Post)	27 grams	110	2	0.5	22	1	13	1	YES	YES
Waffle Crisp (Post)	30 grams	120	2.5	0	25	1	12	2	YES	NO

*Fiber content was listed as "less than 1 gram."
**Above nutrition information does NOT include milk.

The Best Breakfast Cereals

Here are the cereals that came across as being the best (aka most healthy). When picking these cereals, I used the following requirements. First and foremost, they had to contain absolutely no trans fat. Second, they had to contain no saturated fat. Third, they had to contain little to no sugar. Then, after that, I started taking fiber content into account (higher the better) and added the cereals that contained a good amount of fiber (yet still fit the first three guidelines) to this list too.

I also paid attention to protein content as well as whether the cereal contained any HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), although I did not treat these two quite as importantly as I did the above guidelines. The final thing I took into consideration was the ingredients and whether the cereal was made from whole grains (good) or refined grains (not so good). So, in no specific order, here are my picks for the best breakfast cereals:

• Cheerios (General Mills)


• Shredded Wheat (Post)


• Fiber One (General Mills)


• Grape Nuts (Post)


• Wheaties (General Mills)


• Total (General Mills)


• GOLEAN Cereal (Kashi)


• All-Bran (Kellogg's)


• Wheat Chex (General Mills)

The Worst Breakfast Cereals

Here are the cereals that came across as being the worst (aka most unhealthy). First, any cereal that contained trans fat was automatically added to this list, as trans fat is easily the most unhealthy ingredient a cereal could have. Second, I looked at sugar content. Every cereal that contained 10 or more grams of sugar per serving (which didn't come from actual fruit) made this list as well.

Now, does that mean a cereal with 9 grams of sugar is healthy? Of course not. I just used 10 as the sugar cut off number when listing the absolute worst cereals in this comparison. If the above cereals are the best, and these are the worst, whatever isn't on either list falls somewhere in between. You should use what you've learned here along with your own good judgement when deciding if you should eat one of those cereals. So moving on, in no specific order, here are my picks for the worst breakfast cereals:

• Honey Smacks (Kellogg's)


• Corn Pops (Kellogg's)


• Apple Jacks (Kellogg's)


• Franken Berry (General Mills)


• Trix (General Mills)


• Eggo Cereal Maple Syrup (Kellogg's)


• Basic 4 (General Mills)


• Smorz (Kellogg's)


• Oreo O's (Post)


• Froot Loops (Kellogg's)


• Cocoa Puffs (General Mills)


• Count Chocula (General Mills)


• Waffle Crisp (Post)


• Reese's Puffs (General Mills)


• Mini-Swirlz Cinnamon Bun (Kellogg's)


• Frosted Krispies (Kellogg's)


• Cocoa Pebbles (Post)


• Fruity Pebbles (Post)


• Cookie Crisp (General Mills)


• Frosted Flakes (Kellogg's)


• Golden Grahams (General Mills)


• Lucky Charms (General Mills)


• Rice Krispies Treats Cereal (Kellogg's)

Breakfast Cereal Comparison FAQ

Just in case anything in the above comparison was a little unclear, here is a quick Q&A that will hopefully clear it all up.

What does "Contains Trans Fat" mean?

All of the breakfast cereals compared have their trans fat content listed as "Trans fat: 0 grams." However, in some cases, some of these cereals are flat out lying to you and actually do contain trans fat. Let me explain...

By law, the FDA only requires food companies to list trans fat content if their food contains 0.5 grams or more of it in one serving. That means if the food contains exactly 0.49999 grams of trans fat per serving, they get to say their food contains 0 grams of trans fat. Yup, it's insanely stupid. But, that's how it is. That means if you eat a few servings of a food like this, you could end up eating a few grams of trans fat without even knowing it. And even if you just eat the 1 serving, ANY trans fat is still too much trans fat, no matter what the amount.

Luckily though, there is a way to detect if a food (in this case cereal) contains any trans fat, even if the label says it doesn't. Just look at the ingredients. If you see the term "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated," that means there is indeed trans fat present in that food. So, for this breakfast cereal comparison, I literally read through each cereal's list of ingredients to see if they REALLY contained any trans fat, and a surprising number of them did. The ones that did have a "YES" listed in the "Contained Trans Fat" column, and the ones that legitimately did NOT contain any trans fat whatsoever have a "NO."

What is HFCS?

HFCS stands for high fructose corn syrup. If you don't know what it is, you can learn more about it here, here and here.

What's the deal with the serving sizes? Why are some in grams instead of cups?

Most of the breakfast cereals used cups as the unit of measure of their serving size. However, there were a bunch that did not. So, I was forced to list their serving size in whatever unit they gave it in (which in most cases was grams).

Why are some of the supposed healthy cereals high in sugar?

Here's something to keep in mind when looking at sugar content in this comparison. Some cereals are high in sugar because they are typical junk-food type cereals. Others however are high in sugar because they contain fruit. Obviously there is a bit of a difference here as the sugar in Oreo O's is a little different than the sugar in Raisin Bran. Just something to keep in mind.

I'm a little confused about your "best" and "worst" cereal lists. Can you explain them a little better?

A quick clarification. There were over 50 cereals in this comparison, and a good portion of them didn't make the best or worst list. What that means is that none of those cereals fit the description of being either the VERY best, or the VERY worst. This doesn't mean they are healthy, and this doesn't mean they are unhealthy. It just means that they aren't at the very top in either category.

So, for example, there are some cereals not listed on the "best" list that are still alright, and there are some cereals not listed on the "worst" list that are still not-so-good. Since making an "in the middle" list seemed like a silly idea, I did my best to provide enough nutrition information throughout this comparison to help you make informed decisions on your own about those other cereals.

Where did you get the nutritional content of all of these cereals from?

All of the nutrition data used in this comparison came directly from the official web site of each cereal brand. So, if anything seems screwy, take it up with them. Also keep in mind that the cereal brands themselves included a little disclaimer with their nutrition information that went something along the lines of "This nutrition information could change. In case this happens, check the package in the store before you buy it for the most current ingredients and nutrition facts." So, I guess this cereal comparison carries the same disclaimer.

reference: caloriecounter.com