Keep the Peppermints

The Food Prude cleaned out her purse a few days ago, and among all the important, nameless things, I found these random indicators of my daily story:

A Christmas pencil, Biofreeze, 5 screws, a dozen coffee beans, 3 sea shells, 4 marbles, 15 pens, an over sized key that unlocks nothing, 7 pony tail holders, the stick to a candy formerly known as "Dum Dum," 2 crayons, a quarter, a penny, a peso, a Lowe's gift card, a children's consignment shop club card, a miniature Sharpie, bobby pins, red sequins, 2 Hannah Montana stickers, a paper clip, two peppermints, a game token, a melted Hershey kiss, expired Justice coupons, a pink hair bow, 2 silly bandz, movie ticket stubs, inedible gum, and a Mercedes Benz key chain....just in case.

Of course, I did not put these things back into my purse. However, I will likely replenish with a similar collection of insignificant items, as I do have 3 young daughters after all.

What is the point of all this? The peppermints. As a hypoglycemic mock celiac often caught in situations where low blood sugar is inevitable but food options are limited or completely unavailable, (like 2 hour parent orientations, rush hour traffic, back to back soccer games, etc.), I rely heavily on my stash of instant sugar, otherwise known as peppermints, to keep my sugar level steady until I can get a good source of protein.

Why peppermints specifically? Aside from the quick sugar fix when I can feel myself fading, I like the taste and while I don't believe that eating candy is really going to make a contribution to my health, there are several desirable characteristics of peppermint that, if the sugar content doesn't over power the oil, can be beneficial.

Foremost, peppermint soothes the human digestive tract which in turn limits indigestion. Peppermint also helps alleviate stomach conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and has been found useful in treating stomach cancer and gallbladder disease. Peppermint has also been shown to stunt the growth of many different types of bacteria and fungi. This in turn has been found to help relieve symptoms of allergies and asthma. Finally, while many of you are probably not going to go around rubbing candy all over yourselves, peppermint oil has been found to help relieve tension headaches. And the mere smell of peppermint has been known to relieve stress.

Because I don't like the corn syrup and artificial colors in store bought mints, I am going to make this recipe for my mint stash:

1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
4 Tbsp. water
a drop or two of peppermint oil (more concentrated than extract, but extract can be used)

Combine granulated sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Add flavoring, and powdered sugar. Drop on wax paper quickly. (The first mints will be round, but as the mixture cools, the mints become lumpier.)


What's in your purse?

Fast Food for the Prude

I know what you're thinking....it sounds contradictory, but quick healthy food doesn't have to be an oxymoron.

As a very busy, working, homeschooling, blogging, soccer mom of 3, I have come up with a few snacks and meals on the go. Regardless of what you do, or where you're at, sometimes you have to find something convenient, and quick, to eat, and that doesn't mean giving up prudence.

Below I will list few of my favorite at and around home quick, gluten free, and otherwise healthy snack and meal ideas. Please visit Food Prude Faves on my blog to view specific brand and purchasing information through Amazon, doing so helps support the person putting the time into these blogs.

Please Note: All of the below are suitable for children and adults alike, ages 3 and up:

• My children call my Sequoia, 'The Rolling Pantry', and rightfully so, because I always keep an emergency stash of raw almonds and gluten free pretzels in my center console, for when hunger strikes unexpectedly.

• I keep 3 key staples in my garage fridge at all times for those 'running out the door, really should take snacks' moments. 

1. Bottled Water
2. Greens to Go, or Acai Energy 
3. String Mozzarella Cheese, and/or TillaMoo Colby Jack Cheese Squares
4. BECAUSE: A bottle of water + Greens to Go or Acai mixed in, + Almonds + a stick of String Mozzarella Cheese = a well rounded and quick snack.

• Protein shake of your choice (my favorites are Greens Protein 8 in 1, which is hypoallergenic, gluten and dairy free, and Biochem's Greens & Whey, and Greens First) + Banana + handful of nuts and/or seeds, like hulled sunflower seeds, (unroasted, and unsalted of course).

• 2-3 slices of Deli meat (Hormel Natural Choice Rotisserie Style Chicken Breast, and Applegate Farms Organic Chicken & Turkey are my favorites) + an apple dipped in Almond butter or Nutella Hazelut spread.
 

Keep in mind that all snacks and meals should be well rounded (lean protein + carb + good fat), to maintain blood sugar levels, steady metabolism, and to ensure maximum nutrition.