If you are looking for new, healthy foods to incorporate into family meals, we have a few new items you might want to try out.

First- how much tofu do you eat? If you are like most Americans, the answer is “not much”. If you are like my husband, you think tofu is for “hippies”, or at best, vegetarians. You know- hippies? (Like his wife, by the way- calm down, hippies.) You can do a lot with tofu, it’s very versatile and takes on the flavor of nearly anything.  House Foods makes a large variety of tofu items, including several kinds of noodles. There are a ton of recipes as well on their website, for those less then familiar with cooking this traditional Asian food.   You can choose all sorts of world cuisines from (of course) Asian to Italian to American and more, as well as fun, kid friendly choices.  Another way you might entice your kids to try this new food is by showing them that the packages have Kung Fu Panda on them- they can eat like Po!  You and your children can prepare the food together, which will make them more likely to give tofu a try.  Inexpensive, kosher, gluten free, non GMO- there are a ton of reasons to try House Foods Tofu the next time you head to the grocery store.  Prices vary per item.

Another plant-based option is Vega Protein and Greens, a protein powder you can use as a breakfast shake or any snack throughout the day. The whole food ingredient proteins include hemp, peas, and sprouted whole grain brown rice. It also contains papaya enzymes which help you break down the foods you eat.  In every scoop (thus every shake) you will get two servings of  greens from kale, spinach, broccoli, and alfalfa.  It comes in a variety of flavors, from the basic chocolate and vanilla, to berry, coconut almond, mocha, and more.  The Protein & Greens is available in Vanilla, Chocolate, Berry, Tropical and Natural.The flavor and texture isn’t what you think it might be- it’s not like other “green” drinks I’ve tried, the flavor is not “biting” like many of them can be- but it’s not a milkshake, either. There are also snack bars available.   Head to https://myvega.com/ to find out more and to place an order- prices vary.

For something perhaps more familiar to your palate, yet still something new, try Noosa Yoghurt.   The tastes and flavor combinations, along with the fact that it is made in small batches on a small family farm, make this unlike any other yogurt on the market today.  Made with all natural whole milk, fresh fruit purees, and honey, one bite will keep you coming back for more.  It’s also  all natural, gluten-free, and probiotic, so it’s good for the whole family.  It comes in a variety of sizes- some just perfect for lunchboxes in cases of four, some in larger, single containers. With brand new flavors like Key Lime, Salted Caramel (my favorite), Blood Orange, and Blackberry Serrano joining favorites like traditional Vanilla and Blueberry as well as seasonal favorites, you are sure to find something you love.  Find a store that sells Noosa near you at http://www.noosayoghurt.com/

Before you turn in, you want to get in a good workout.  This time of year, with temperatures still low in much of the country, many of us are looking for something to break up our routine.  Have you tried the recent trend of Hula Hooping?  I know- sounds strange.  It’s more fun then you might think, though (even if you feel a little silly at first).  Hey, with every other adult carrying around a coloring book, why not?  Nostalgia is in, run with it.  Or hoop with it, as it were. The Cardio Core & More Fitness Hoop by Empower is a  three-pound, weighted, multicolored hula hoop.  It targets your core to burn calories and build muscle while you are having fun hooping away.  You can grab your new hoop and DVD set for about $33 on Amazon, also available at stores like Target.  The same brand carries a line of women’s workout accessories (headbands, gloves, etc) featuring retro-reflective ink technology that glows in the dark but looks completely normal during the daylight, making this some pretty cool fitness safety gear.