Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups water

  3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed

 2 cups grated carrots (about 3 large)

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted (see Tip)

  1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce

Sesame-Honey Tempeh 

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 8-ounce package tempeh (see Note), crumbled into bite-size pieces

3 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 scallions, sliced

 
While it is easy to preach to our children to eat their fruits and vegetables, research shows that this is not the most influential approach a mother can use to insure that her child will listen. In fact, the true predictor is whether or not mothers lead by example! 

Research shows that the eating habits of a child's mother have a great deal of influence on the fruit and vegetable intake of the child.

It is also important that a mother views her child's eating practices in a positive light as opposed to negative. Research shows that when a child is labeled as a picky eater, s/he tends to consume fewer fruits and vegetables. 

Bottom line: Mothers should refrain from labeling children and continue to positively encourage healthy eating not only verbally, but also through their own actions. Make healthful eating a family affair!

Consuming green tea and purple fruits, such as blueberries, has been shown to aid in the prevention of diseases such as Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's. Many illnesses, including those listed, are partly fueled by unbound-iron in the body, which can create harmful toxins. The created toxins are referred to as hydroxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals interact with different systems of the body and add to the factors that cause many different degenerative diseases.

Chelators are substances the bind iron in the body and protect us from the harmful toxins produced by unbound iron. Purple fruits and great teas have a great affinity for the binding of iron. These foods act as chelators, preventing the development of some disabling diseases.

It is easy to incorporate green tea and purple fruits such as blueberries into your everyday diet. For example, blueberries make a great topping on a salad or a delightful afternoon snack, without contributing many calories. Green tea may be served hot or cold and can be brewed at home or conveniently purchased at your neighborhood supermarket. Homemade green tea may be flavored with grapefruit, lemon, or honey for a sweet treat!

Source: Archives of Toxicology, August 2010