Green Ninja Cooks

06/02/2020

“Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone but yourself.”
Buddha
An Online Retreat Gifted To All For A Sense Of Peace.
Send me a message w/ your email to receive this gift June 5th.

06/02/2019

Today at buy our favorite ‘Sweet Potato MAC n’ Cheeze.’ We collaborated with so your tots can try one of our books most delicious lunch/dinner ideas.

06/01/2019

Come stop by and Learn-Play-Eat at Sunday’s Mueller Farmers Market . We will be enjoying everything Cacao as well as a FREE recipe and fun coloring station. See you soon!

05/31/2019

Our Everyday Superheroes.
Mother’s Of May Countdown.
Supermom # 9 Lana Ato.
Former Financial Associate, now a blogger and a stay at home mom to 2 toddler girls, Milania and Karolina.
TIPS for keeping your tots healthy and happy:

1. We make sure that each day, no matter the weather, we spend some time outdoors. Usually, its the park, playground, different festivals, or other family events. On the days when its raining, we get out an umbrella and raincoats, and take a walk to the mailbox or jump in the puddles next to the house. My kids are so used to this that now every morning when they wake up, the first thing they ask is ‘where we go, mommy?’.
2. Every time we leave home, I make sure we have enough snacks to last a whole day (or two haha..). My kids are still very young so its challenging to eat at a regular restaurant with them, so if they get hungry in the city - our only remaining option would be pretty much be fast food. That’s why I always have many healthy snacks ready to go - nuts, raisins, granola bars, fruits, and veggies. If I know that we’ll be gone a while I’ll take lunch from home.
3. How do I manage to have kids stick to a plant-based diet and limit their sugar intake when there are so many temptations? Like when an ice-cream truck pulls up to the playground and starts playing that inviting music.. I simply tell my girls ‘We don’t eat that’ and explain why - that this ice-cream has cow’s milk and its only meant for baby cows. My girls are only 2 and 3 y.o. but surprisingly they understand everything and I don’t have to do a lot of convincing. Plus, since they are always exposed to non-vegan cakes, cookies, and other sweets, I keep having to repeat myself all that time! And as they say in Ukraine (where I'm from) - Repetition is the Mother of Learning. At this point, most times when my girls want a snack they ask me its ok for them to have it.
@ Austin, Texas

05/23/2019

It’s Magic Mushroom 🍄 season and we love these easy delicious 😋 Portobella Bun option. Recipe coming soon but here is a 1-2-3 version.
1 tbsp coconut aminos.
1/2 tbsp sesame oil.
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
4 large portobello mushroom tops (thin and flatter best). .

1. Remove stem & scrape out the dark scales inside. (unless your tots already ❤️ mushrooms, it will make the flavor more subtle.)

2. In a bowl mix all liquids. Place mushroom lids in the bowl and coat.

3. Place all mushroom tops with stem side up on a dehydration sheet. Pour remaining liquid on top of lids. Dehydrate for 2 -3 hours at 115-120 degrees.
CAPOW! Remove and build your burger. .
Special Notes: can do in the oven. Do heat as low as possible.
(130 degrees 1 1/2 hours-2. )
(170 degrees 1-2 hours)

Storage: you can store in a Tupperware with a piece of paper towel to absorb liquid. I would revive in the oven for 20 mins before use at a low temp.

05/21/2019

Our Everyday Superheroes.
Mother’s Of May Countdown.
Supermom #7 Tara Grayless.
Company: founder and visual storyteller at Fnch.com.


Tip for moms: As Elsa would say, Let it go! I used to feel bad that I loved my job, which does not mean I love to be away from my daughter. My “job” is to lead by example and if my job makes me feel happy and she sees the passion I have for what I do, then I am doing my job as a mom, too. I want to teach her to follow her passions and make a career around that feeling of happiness, fulfillment, and self-worth.
Healthy tradition: Family dinner is our healthy tradition. We sit down as a family and eat without any devices at least 2 to 3 times a week. The reality is sometimes I cook a beautiful meal and sometimes I plate take-out, the point is the time together. Poppy’s job is to set the table, which she takes very seriously. We use real plates, glasses and cloth napkins. We all sit down and say one thing we are grateful for from the day. I have found when we sit down and eat as a family, she wants to eat what we are eating.
From Salad to broccoli she is always willing to try something new. I like to think not only am I filling her belly with goodness, but also her heart when we slow down and connect.
Tip to help kids eat healthily: My two tips go hand-in-hand: basically, participation.
1. Little chef: I always have her cook, cut, stir and help make the meal. I let her break the eggs, knowing it might not be perfect and potentially a shell piece, or two, might fall in. She takes ownership of the meal and is excited to eat what she had a hand in creating.
2. Little Sprout: We have a garden every year, and she helps to pick out what she wants to grow. Her love of cauliflower came from her planting, watering and watching the process from seed to flower. Now gardening may not be your jam, so try sprouting potato in water or planting a garlic clove that’s sprouted in the kitchen.
Fun things to do:
We took pictures of our little sprouts.
We cut the potatoes in ½ and made art
Lastly, we prepped a meal that she had a hand in from start to finish 😊 .
@ Austin, Texas

05/21/2019

It’s still watermelon 🍉 season and we love this easy alternative to traditional fruit roll ups. Recipe will be live soon with all the fun, tips and tricks to making these yummy treats. Plus a bonus added protein idea 💡

05/19/2019

05/18/2019

Our Everyday Superheroes.
Mother’s Of May Countdown.
Supermom #6 Stephanie Sachs- Company / job title: CEO and Founder of Sachs Media LLC .

TIP: As a family, eating well is at the forefront of everything we do. My husband is from Italy, so cooking daily meals (and drinking good vino), is just a part of normal life and sourcing the best ingredients is always a priority and something we look forward to. On the weekends we go as a family to the local farmers market and get fresh seasonal fruits and veggies that we use to purée for our baby. Even though Isabella is only 8 months old, we try and include her in the kitchen while my husband prepares meals so she can watch and hopefully have healthy eating/cooking instilled into her lifestyle from the start.
@ New York, New York

05/15/2019

Our Everyday Superheroes.
Mother’s Of May Countdown.
Supermom #5: Yulia Miroshnikova- image consultant .
.
Tips & Tricks.
1) Please keep it simple, one activity at a time.
2) To get more plants in my handsome tots diet, I present his food in stages; first course veggies, second-course grains, 3rd-course fruit.
3) Keeping to a schedule helps me to be a better mother, have time for my husband, and take care of myself. Create a daily simple dinner schedule (Cooking/Takeout/dinner out). Also, which nights of the week you vs. your partner gives baths, reads a story before bed, etc. Share & discuss that schedule with your partner so to keep accountable. Same goes for nights outs, know when you or your partner can date night & schedule it.
4) It’s ok! Have a drink, watch TV, don't clean up, don't do the dishes, take a nap, and remember to inhale air.
@ Venice, California

05/13/2019

Be part of educating your tots about where their food comes from. Join on our mission to empower tots to make healthy choices. .

05/13/2019

Mother’s Of May Countdown- in honor of Mother’s Day.
Supermom #4 Jaimie Moerbe .
TIP:
“As a mom to a toddler, I’m always on the go! It can be hard for me to remember to sit and BREATHE. Breathing activates “rest and digest” making our bodies ready to receive food. Before eating, I practice breathing in 4 counts, pausing for a moment, and breathing out for 6 counts. When I do this a few times I notice a difference!
My absolute favorite tradition with my daughter is our weekly trips to the East Austin farms! She loves feeding the chickens greens and helping me pick out veggies for the week. It’s important to me that she understands where her food comes from and has an appreciation for the food that ends up on our plates.
Including my daughter in my meal prep has been a game changer. I let her watch everything I’m doing and talk with her as I make meals. I also give her the opportunity to try veggies as I’m chopping them. Sure, it takes me longer to cook, but it’s completely worth it when I see her trying something new, or asking for seconds on her vegetables!"
@ Austin, Texas