Eating healthy doesn't mean sacrificing taste so The Balancing Act did some research and found our top "Smart Healthy Snacks" picks for moms and kids! Banana Popsicles * 3 bananas * 6 Popsicle sticks * 1/4 cup natural peanut butter, softened * 1/4 cup chopped peanuts or walnuts, granola, crispy rice cereal, or sunflower seeds How: Peel the bananas. Cut them in half, widthwise, and push a Popsicle stick through the cut end of each half. Spread peanut butter on the bananas, and then roll them in the nuts, cereal, or seeds. Wrap them in waxed paper and freeze for three hours. Why: A single pop contains 16 percent of the recommended daily dietary-fiber intake for an adult. The potassium content of the bananas can help reduce bloating in mom, while the peanut butter and nuts or seeds provide fiber and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Veggies and Dip How: Prepare your own ranch dip with low-fat plain Greek-style yogurt and ranch seasonings. Or, for sour-cream-and-onion dip, mix nonfat plain Greek-style yogurt (such as Fage 0%) with one packet Lipton's Onion Soup Mix. Why: Kids love anything that requires their hands to be moving, so dipping is always a favorite. Carrots, celery sticks, cucumbers, pepper slices, and cherry tomatoes will disappear in an instant if there's a tub of dip to go with them. Pizza How: Slice whole-wheat pitas in half. Let the kids smear on a bit of jarred tomato sauce, sprinkle it lightly with shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese, and top it with chopped vegetables (for an additional fiber boost) and a little bit of precooked chicken. Heat for a few minutes in the toaster oven or microwave until the cheese is melted. Why: No kid can resist pizza! Pizza doesn't have to be laden with fat-it can be a perfectly healthy snack. Not only will this snack allow you to feel full on few calories, but, according to a study in the April issue of the research journal Obesity, low-fat dairy products can boost weight-loss efforts. Mom-Friendly PB&J How: For a healthy update to this old favorite, use half of a Thomas' Light English Muffin, which is filled with hearty whole grains, fiber, and protein. Use only one tablespoon of peanut butter. Polaner makes delicious sugar-free jellies, and they also have an all-natural line, if sugar-free isn't your thing. Why: Peanut butter is a healthy monounsaturated fat that not only lowers cholesterol but also slows down digestion to help keep you feeling satisfied until dinner. Healthy Trail Mix How: Mix whole-wheat pretzels, wheat Chex, Craisins or raisins, chocolate chips, and nuts (optional) together. Why: Kids love this sweet and crunchy mix of ingredients that's high in energy-boosting protein. Credited to: Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D
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15 Star Moms Celebrate First Mother’s Day By CelebrityBabyScoop.com Happy Mother's Day! In celebration of moms everywhere, let's take a look at Hollywood's newest matriarchs who will celebrate their first Mother's Day on May 12. FromDrew Barrymore, to Giuliana Rancic, to Shakira, to Adele, look through our list of 15 star moms celebrating for the first... View Article
Fri, 10 May 2013 21:34:53
Celebrating Mother's Day with Gifts from the Heart By Daddy Nickell With Mother's Day right around the corner, many kids and dads are wondering how to shower mom with their appreciation for everything she does. Mom might say she doesn't want any gifts, but she'll love receiving something given from the heart. So how do... View Article
Fri, 10 May 2013 21:22:09
It's Mother's Day this weekend. It is a time honored tradition to spend the day with our Mother's to thank them for all that they did and still do, for us. My mom lives with me and I have a feeling that her ideal Mother's Day might just be if she doesn't have to spend... View Article
Fri, 10 May 2013 20:51:57
In honor of Mother's Day on May 12, we asked some of our favorite celebrity moms how they're planning to spend the special day. From new moms Holly Madison and Giuliana Rancic, to mom-of-four Tori Spelling, to single mom Kelly Bensimon, let's look at how the stars celebrate all things mom. ? Giuliana Rancic: Reality stars Giuliana Rancic and Bill Rancic... View Article
Fri, 03 May 2013 20:41:49
We see stories on television all the time about predators peeking in on women and children changing their clothes. It happens in retail store fitting rooms, hotels, restrooms, gyms & even schools. How many of you know for sure that the mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror? It could be a 2-way... View Article
Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:36:35
Ok if you remember when that song came out, you are old. I happen to have heard it while listening to oldies stations in my youth. (cough). No matter how you heard it, it is so appropriate this week. I am not sure if the songwriter was thinking of festivals when he/she wrote those words... View Article
Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:37:15
Planes, trains, automobiles and buses. What do they all have in common? They are all forms of public transportation which many of us rely on to save money and get to a destination more efficiently. Whether you live in the city, suburbs or in rural America, at some time in your life you will ride... View Article
Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:32:00
The Precautionary Principal: When the health of humans and the environment is at stake, it may not be necessary to wait for scientific certainty to take protective action. The precautionary principal is codified into law in many European countries, particularly when it comes to unproven chemicals and their potential long term impact on our health... View Article
Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:11:02
We have all heard the saying: "Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy" Well, I'm here to tell you that it is absolutely true. The birth of a new baby is a wonderful opportunity in life and it should not be taken lightly. The Art of Being... View Article
Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:10:08
I was trying to think of something I could do this week to get people motivated to get outdoors. It's that time of year when it is too cold to swim and too beautiful to stay inside. One of my go to places in really nice weather like this is naturally events. There is a... View Article
Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:23:21
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