Showing posts with label grilling. Show all posts

Chefs in Training


Since I do not have children of my own yet, I've been offering children's cooking classes in Iowa and Minnesota the past few years!  My four-year-old twin niece and nephew have also been acquiring some cooking skills from me! They love helping in the kitchen and can even crack eggs! When you have children help choose and prepare meals it's educational, fun, and great for their long-term health.  Kids who help with meal preparation are more likely to eat the food! 

Here are the best ways to involve kids in in meal prep based on their age and ability: 

Preschoolers:

Set the table
Stir batter
Kneading dough
Assemble pizza
Peeling oranges, bananas, or hard-boiled eggs
Toss a salad


5-8 Years Old: 

Cut soft fruits with a dull knife
Measuring liquids
Scrubbing potatoes
Grating cheese
Peeling onions
Cracking raw eggs
Loading the dishwasher


Preteens: 

Using a food processor 
Opening cans
Cutting with a chef's knife
Cooking in the oven
Baking breads


Teenagers: 

Using all appliances
Cooking on an outdoor grill
Purchasing groceries


Please request to join my private Facebook group: Wellness Warriors   This is where I post all my most valuable content and upcoming classes and events! 



Copyright, 2018, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.








Bug Season


5-Minute Essential Oil Bug Spray Recipe

This recipe uses essential oils, which are highly effective and doesn't use chemicals or toxins! This is what I mixed up for my BURST Boot Camp in the Park ladies to use in the mornings. 

Homemade Bug Spray Ingredients

30 drops geranium essential oil
30 drops citronella essential oil
20 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
1 Tablespoon vodka or rubbing alcohol
1/2 cup Natural Witch Hazel
1/2 cup water (or vinegar)
1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin (optional)

Directions:

Place essential oils in a glass spray bottle. Add vodka or alcohol and shake well to combine.
Pour in witch hazel and shake to combine.
Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if using. This is not necessary but helps everything stay combined.
Add water and shake again. Shake before each use as the oils and water will naturally separate some over time.


Store Bought Natural Insect Repellent Options:

There are now also some good natural insect repellent options available to purchase if you don’t have all of the ingredients on hand or want a simpler solution! Some of the ones that I have personally tried and like are below. (These can also be found in my Amazon Store-just click on the links) 


Badger Essential Oil Insect Repellent: 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FBPFJW/?ref=exp_loc_pl_optimumwellness&th=1

Babyganics natural insect repellent (listed as safe for use on children) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HYV2GKA/?ref=exp_loc_pl_optimumwellness

Herbal Armor (allergy tested)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007AJNRJ0/?ref=exp_loc_pl_optimumwellness




Copyright, 2018, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.




Marinate and Macerate

Grilling season is in full swing. There are times I would love to have a balcony connected to my studio apartment to grill! Grilled salmon and asparagus is my top summer meal of choice!  

Marinating is a great way to add flavor and moisture to foods but some care must be taken to avoid food poisoning! Here are a few tips from Homefoodsafety.org


  • Put food and the marinade in a container made from glass, not metal.
  • Store marinating food in the refrigerator at 40 degrees or lower, and make sure to cover it. Never leave marinating food on the kitchen counter.
  • When packing marinating food, place it in a cooler with ice, and keep it out of the sunlight. 
  • Don't use marinade that's been added to raw meat unless it has been boiled afterward.  Instead, reserve some of the marinade in advance to add to food after cooking. 
  • Use a food thermometer to ensure that marinated foods are cooked through. 


Marinated Wild Salmon


INGREDIENTS:


4 wild caught salmon fillets
sea salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons xylitol
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro


DIRECTIONS:

1. Season fillets with sea salt and pepper, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Set aside in a baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, balsamic vinegar, xylitol, green onions, and cilantro. Pour marinade over salmon; cover, and refrigerate overnight, or at least 6 hours.
3. Grill! 



CLICK HERE for more clean eating recipes! 




Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.