The great thing is that instead of my kids complaining about a less-than-fab meal, they pull out the condiments and start to tweak the flavors of what’s on their plate.
It got me thinking about condiments – the ones I love – and the ones that seriously need an upgrade.
So today I have 2 great recipes for you that will create more health, tastiness and fun at your table.
If you’d like more specific steps on how to empower your kids to make healthy choices, I invite you to join me for my “Make Healthy Happen In Your Family” program.
“Make Healthy Happen In Your Family” is a 5 week program (you can take it at your own pace) that will give you the practical tools you need to make healthy upgrades in your family. It will also give you the mindset secrets that will help you to cultivate a healthy food culture for your whole family, so that everyone is on board for the journey towards delicious wellness!
First the rant…
I love condiments, because I love being able to customize my eating experience. I love creating that perfect bite!
I also love condiments for kids because a shake of Italian seasoning or lemon pepper or whatever their favorite seasonings are gives them control over their taste experience. There’s no more excuse for “I don’t like it” – by tweaking and experimenting with condiments – they can create exactly the flavor they like.
But I don’t believe that all condiments are equal!
Today, I want to give you my top condiment rant and my top condiment rave.
First the rant:
Ketchup!
I know ketchup is a huge hit with kids – and frankly, I think they love it because it’s so sweet. Ketchup is typically packed either with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
Now, as you can tell I’m all for giving kids freedom and creativity when it comes to their food, but when they cover their food with sugar (aka ketchup), it just breaks my heart. You see – one of my intentions when it comes to kids – is to help them love different flavors and nuances in food. This makes for adventurous eaters in life.
In order for our kids to start noticing the yumminess of real food we have to invite them to step off of the total-sweet or total-salt flavor palate that our society has them on.
Now I’m not suggesting that you take away the ketchup – deprivation never works when it comes to inviting our family into healthier habits – I’m simply suggesting an upgrade.
Make your own ketchup – without the processed sugar or corn syrup. It literally takes 2 minutes! Let your kids make it themselves, so they can create their perfect flavor.
Take a look at the video I made to show you how easy it is to make.
Now the rave…
Gomasio – You may never have heard of this condiment but I’m hoping if you haven’t – you’ll try it.
Gomasio is a Japanese condiment made of roasted sesame seeds and sea salt. It’s packed with protein and calcium from the sesame seeds and is mineral rich from the sea salt.
It’s delicious on everything. I love it on stir-fries, on salads, on grains. My kids love it!
You can easily make it yourself by gently roasting raw sesame seeds and sea salt (about 1 tsp of sea salt per 1 cup sesame seeds) in a pan until they turn golden brown.
Let them cool, then blend them up a bit (I use my Vitamix blender) just to release the delicious flavor and make it a finer consistency. Put it on the table in a small jar or a shaker, for easy use.
If you don’t want to make it yourself. Eden brand makes delicious gomasio, in many different flavors.
I hope you try these recipes and give yourself a condiment upgrade!
Let me know how you like it.
_______________________
Nina Manolson, MA, CHC, is the Smokin’ Hot & Soulful Mom Mentor and Family Wellness Expert. She’s the founder of NinaManolson.com and Health
She helps busy moms look and feel their best, and helps them feed their kids well in a world that doesn’t.
She’s the author of “Feed Your Kids Well In A World That Doesn’t: an everyday guide to make healthy food happen in your home and beyond”. She’s also the recipient of the prestigious Health Leadership Award from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
To get your F.R.E.E. Video Series “What to do now, when everything you’ve done hasn’t worked” by mail and receive her healthy recipes and wellness tips click here.
Nina Manolson, MA, is the founder of Body-Peace®.She helps women end the war with food and body and finally feel truly at home in their body—as it is.
She is known for her deeply feminist, anti-diet, body-peace® approach. She brings her 30 years of experience as a therapist, Body-Trust® Guide and Psychology of Eating Teacher to helping women create a respectful and trusting relationship with their food and body.
Nina’s Body-Peace® work is all in service of helping people get off the diet roller-coaster, and into a compassionate and powerful way of eating & living which creates a positive long-lasting change in and with their bodies. Her courses, coaching, poems and Body-Peace APP positively change the conversation that women are having with their body.
Start your Body-Peace® journey with this free masterclass that will help you understand and shift your relationship with your body.
