Now’s the time to get ready for school and some of you may be looking into packing lunches.  There are definite steps you can take when packing a healthy lunch to ensure your children are learning at their maximum.  And while they are excelling at their school work, they will also be learning from the fabulous example you are setting for them in regards to their nutrition.

Click on the link below to see Your Diet Designer giving tips on packing lunch and remember this applies to your lunch too!

http://www.ksfy.com/Global/story.asp?S=12957679   Click on video in upper right corner!  Happy Packing!

What the common thread in these items?  Disease fighting flavanols essential to optimal health.

Flavanols are anti-oxidants that work against oxidation.  Oxidation is a process of damaging your cells.  Since flavanols are anti-oxidants they work against this oxidation – protecting your cells again free radical damage therefore lowering your cancer risk and protecting your cholesterol from damage which lowers your heart disease risk.  Once your cholesterol has been oxidized or damaged that is when it sticks in your arteries.  And on top of all that they also help to lower blood pressure and inflammation.  So what other foods contain these high-powered anti-oxidants?  Find out more about which flavanol rich foods Your Diet Designer feels are essential to add into your diet at the Place & Plate link below.

http://www.placeandplate.com/health/79

Picture this…I know you’ve been here before.  I know I have been here more than once.

Headed to an event which starts at 6:30.  6 pm babysitter arriving so must get kids ready before she gets there.  Hurry to event, get there, relax and realize as you drink your glass of wine that there isn’t much food here and guess what.  You didn’t eat before you left the house. 8:30 the event concludes which leaves you 30 minutes to get home for the babysitter who you is expecting you home at 9 pm.  You would like to go out and grab a nice bite in the restaurant but decide against it  – no time.  Instead you grab a horrible sandwich and french fries ”curbside” and head home.  To eat cold, greasy sandwich and soggy french fries.  Halfway through you think “this is not a good idea”  You stop eating and throw the rest away.

Well that was one of my nights recently!  Great example of an unplanned, typical life event that gets in the way of your regular healthy routine.  And such is life. 

So the question is “Was it worth it?”  I must say absolutely not. 

I am not used to eating this way anymore and was quite uncomfortable with my choice the majority of that night and part of the next day – feeling blah and fatigued.  Am I beating myself up for it?  No, but definitely reminded me of a valuable lesson – planning ahead is essential.

Have you Mixed yet?  Mixed is a fast-casual restaurant specializing in made-to-order salads right here in Sioux Falls on Louise Avenue.  This last week I sat down with Cole – entreprenuer and owner of this new Mixed restaurant.  This “go green” experience all started with a conversation between father and son – what a great story of success.   I love finding other people who are just as passionate about being an entrepreneur as I am!

So what’s one of my favorite thing’s about Mixed?  ….if you stop in between 9 and 10 am, Monday thru Friday you can pick up your lunch salad for $4.99 - and I’m always looking for a deal.  Did I mention they have a great kid’s menu, catering and curbside pickup is available, and even FREE business delivery for over $20? 

So join Your Diet Designer and Cole at Mixed as we work to improve the health of Sioux Falls  – one deep green lettuce leaf at a time!