Comments on: My Love Affair with Stacy – And What It’s Doing to the Kids http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/ kids and food, in school and out Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:55:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jamie http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-32007 Jamie Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:48:37 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-32007 Right on. Thanks! Right on. Thanks!

]]> By: Bettina Elias Siegel http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-31626 Bettina Elias Siegel Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:19:24 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-31626 A fellow addict! Welcome! :-) Maybe we should exchange phone numbers for when that call from the pantry gets too hard to resist. LOL! A fellow addict! Welcome! :-) Maybe we should exchange phone numbers for when that call from the pantry gets too hard to resist. LOL!

]]> By: Marla http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-31612 Marla Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:13:21 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-31612 Bettina, Finally! Someone else who has a love affair with Stacy's Pita Chips like I do. I too have this crazy obsession with them and they are perfect. To have someone describe my same addiction with such detail.. ahhh! My colleagues say that I need to start a Stacy's Pita Chips Addiction Support Group. So, if you or anyone else out there would like to start the first ever Stacy Pita Chip Support Group, let me know and I will be there. Marla Bettina,

Finally! Someone else who has a love affair with Stacy’s Pita Chips like I do. I too have this crazy obsession with them and they are perfect. To have someone describe my same addiction with such detail.. ahhh! My colleagues say that I need to start a Stacy’s Pita Chips Addiction Support Group. So, if you or anyone else out there would like to start the first ever Stacy Pita Chip Support Group, let me know and I will be there.

Marla

]]> By: Bettina Elias Siegel http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-27424 Bettina Elias Siegel Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:28:49 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-27424 Mom in NJ: I totally understand. I do have some snacks in the pantry that are more of the refined chip/cracker variety and of course my kids immediately gravitate to those boxes when they come home hungry from school. I have to intervene quickly! Some healthier snacks that work well in my house are muffins I've baked myself with whole grain and with fruit mixed in (pumpkin, banana, berry, etc.), fruit smoothies made with fruit, yogurt, honey, etc., homemade popcorn (just throw it in a brown paper lunch sack and microwave, then add your own seasoning), snacks involving nuts and nut butters (assuming no allergies), cheese with whole grain crackers, whole grain cereals with milk, etc. I'm not an RD, course, but with respect to my own eating habits, I've learned that the best way to avoid all-day munching on crackers and chips (of the refined white flour Stacy's variety) is to be sure I'm getting enough filling fiber and also a little fat in my snacks. So, for example, a few whole grain crackers spread with peanut butter topped with sliced banana or sliced apple are likely to keep everyone more satisfied than a plate full of Ritz crackers, and you're working some fruit into the snack as well. I hope this advice is helpful. I am also going to post your question on <a href="http://facebook.com/thelunchtray" rel="nofollow">TLT's Facebook page</a> as readers of this blog always have wonderful ideas to share! Mom in NJ: I totally understand. I do have some snacks in the pantry that are more of the refined chip/cracker variety and of course my kids immediately gravitate to those boxes when they come home hungry from school. I have to intervene quickly! Some healthier snacks that work well in my house are muffins I’ve baked myself with whole grain and with fruit mixed in (pumpkin, banana, berry, etc.), fruit smoothies made with fruit, yogurt, honey, etc., homemade popcorn (just throw it in a brown paper lunch sack and microwave, then add your own seasoning), snacks involving nuts and nut butters (assuming no allergies), cheese with whole grain crackers, whole grain cereals with milk, etc. I’m not an RD, course, but with respect to my own eating habits, I’ve learned that the best way to avoid all-day munching on crackers and chips (of the refined white flour Stacy’s variety) is to be sure I’m getting enough filling fiber and also a little fat in my snacks. So, for example, a few whole grain crackers spread with peanut butter topped with sliced banana or sliced apple are likely to keep everyone more satisfied than a plate full of Ritz crackers, and you’re working some fruit into the snack as well. I hope this advice is helpful. I am also going to post your question on TLT’s Facebook page as readers of this blog always have wonderful ideas to share!

]]> By: Mom in NJ http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-27422 Mom in NJ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:07:33 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-27422 I was wondering if you could share what sorts of snacks you eat/serve all day. This is an issue I (and my kids) struggle with as we are frequently hungry, but are not necessarily satisfied with a fruit or vegetable. Of course, we then turn to less healthful options (anywhere from crackers to cookies to chips), but I am trying to reform our habits. Any guidance is appreciated. I was wondering if you could share what sorts of snacks you eat/serve all day. This is an issue I (and my kids) struggle with as we are frequently hungry, but are not necessarily satisfied with a fruit or vegetable. Of course, we then turn to less healthful options (anywhere from crackers to cookies to chips), but I am trying to reform our habits. Any guidance is appreciated.

]]> By: Bettina Elias Siegel http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-26126 Bettina Elias Siegel Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:15:07 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-26126 Alissa - I'm sure you're right. It's been a while since I read Food Rules. I do recall this factoid that I once <a href="http://www.thelunchtray.com/this-newfangled-thing-called-agriculture/" rel="nofollow">published on TLT</a>: If you looked at human history as a single 24 hour day, agriculture doesn't appear until 11:54pm! So, regardless of who is grinding our wheat or processing our sugar, the inclusion of refined foods is just a recent blip in our historical diet! And yes, for someone who is efficient and likes to bake, it's very easy to have "goodies" on hand at all times, even if a little effort is involved up front. The bottom line is that we live in a world where it's now just too darn easy to overeat, or to eat foods that are less than ideal for our health, and it really does take a certain amount of willpower to resist that convenience. Alissa – I’m sure you’re right. It’s been a while since I read Food Rules. I do recall this factoid that I once published on TLT: If you looked at human history as a single 24 hour day, agriculture doesn’t appear until 11:54pm! So, regardless of who is grinding our wheat or processing our sugar, the inclusion of refined foods is just a recent blip in our historical diet! And yes, for someone who is efficient and likes to bake, it’s very easy to have “goodies” on hand at all times, even if a little effort is involved up front. The bottom line is that we live in a world where it’s now just too darn easy to overeat, or to eat foods that are less than ideal for our health, and it really does take a certain amount of willpower to resist that convenience.

]]> By: Alissa http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-26036 Alissa Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:31:46 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-26036 Hi, I don't think you've been misspelling my name but thanks for paying attention! And I totally agree - if you do end up getting a TJ's (which would be exciting, it's one of my favorite stores!), avoid the dark choc pretzels - they are crazy addictive! As for grinding my own flour, certainly that would SIGNIFICANTLY slow down my baking! Although I just reread that point in Food Rules and I'm not sure Pollan quite had that in mind; I think he was assuming that most people just don't enjoy being in the kitchen enough to make all of their own food AND lots of desserts - he says "eat these treats as often as you're willing to prepare them -- chances are good it won't be every day." Which is true in my case...there is no way I would make them every day, but pull a couple of cookies out of the freezer each night and pop them in the microwave? No problem! I think I need to save my freezer space for some healthier "convenience" foods :) Hi, I don’t think you’ve been misspelling my name but thanks for paying attention! And I totally agree – if you do end up getting a TJ’s (which would be exciting, it’s one of my favorite stores!), avoid the dark choc pretzels – they are crazy addictive!

As for grinding my own flour, certainly that would SIGNIFICANTLY slow down my baking! Although I just reread that point in Food Rules and I’m not sure Pollan quite had that in mind; I think he was assuming that most people just don’t enjoy being in the kitchen enough to make all of their own food AND lots of desserts – he says “eat these treats as often as you’re willing to prepare them — chances are good it won’t be every day.” Which is true in my case…there is no way I would make them every day, but pull a couple of cookies out of the freezer each night and pop them in the microwave? No problem! I think I need to save my freezer space for some healthier “convenience” foods :)

]]> By: Bettina Elias Siegel http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-25936 Bettina Elias Siegel Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:28:43 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-25936 Alissa: First of all, I have a horrible feeling I've been misspelling your name in various past contexts (with a "y") -- if so, please forgive! Second, I know what you mean about Pollan but he might take it a step further. In other words, what if not only were you baking your cookies but also harvesting the wheat and grinding the flour? I think we take for granted that even buying staples from which we make our foods is still a huge -- and quite recent - leap in convenience when you look at the span of human history, or even just the history of agriculture. What do you think? My main takeaway from your comment is that I must, under no circumstances, purchase the dark chocolate covered pretzels at Trader Joe's! :-) (Fortunately Houston has yet to get our own TJ but rumor has it one is coming here soon.) And I will pass on to Jamie your kind words in case she doesn't see this. She was one of my very first TLT commenters and therefore holds a special place in my heart! Alissa:

First of all, I have a horrible feeling I’ve been misspelling your name in various past contexts (with a “y”) — if so, please forgive!

Second, I know what you mean about Pollan but he might take it a step further. In other words, what if not only were you baking your cookies but also harvesting the wheat and grinding the flour? I think we take for granted that even buying staples from which we make our foods is still a huge — and quite recent – leap in convenience when you look at the span of human history, or even just the history of agriculture. What do you think?

My main takeaway from your comment is that I must, under no circumstances, purchase the dark chocolate covered pretzels at Trader Joe’s! :-) (Fortunately Houston has yet to get our own TJ but rumor has it one is coming here soon.) And I will pass on to Jamie your kind words in case she doesn’t see this. She was one of my very first TLT commenters and therefore holds a special place in my heart!

]]> By: Alissa http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-25931 Alissa Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:18:32 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-25931 Hi Bettina, I'm still catching up on old posts on your site and found this one just as I was trying to resist going back into my pantry for my version of your Stacy - dark chocolate covered pretzels from Trader Joe's...I bought these as a treat for my husband's birthday and am sitting at home trying not to finish them before he has a chance to share! But I wanted to comment a little about Michael Pollan's "rules", which I am generally a huge fan of, but have some flaws for me...the problem is I really enjoy baking, and am obsessive about freezing, which means that it is way to easy for me to have homemade cookies available at all times! I actually noticed recently that I was using up butter, sugar, oats, and flour at an alarming rate and had to take a break from baking - even with "real" ingredients, I don't need to be eating cookies all the time! So while it's a good rule of thumb to say we can have all the treats we want as long as we make them ourselves, or just focus on good ingredient lists, for those of us who may have a little trouble with will power even wholesome and simple foods (like another trigger food for me - organic tortilla chips with 3 ingredients - corn, oil, salt!) might require a little more active moderation. Maybe for me freezing makes something too much of a "convenience" food and I can eat all the treats I can make, but only if they're fresh? :) Also, to Jamie, if you're still following this thread, wanted to let you know that your fabulous business name just made me a customer...bought your book last night after seeing your comments here and may be in touch soon with questions! Hi Bettina, I’m still catching up on old posts on your site and found this one just as I was trying to resist going back into my pantry for my version of your Stacy – dark chocolate covered pretzels from Trader Joe’s…I bought these as a treat for my husband’s birthday and am sitting at home trying not to finish them before he has a chance to share! But I wanted to comment a little about Michael Pollan’s “rules”, which I am generally a huge fan of, but have some flaws for me…the problem is I really enjoy baking, and am obsessive about freezing, which means that it is way to easy for me to have homemade cookies available at all times! I actually noticed recently that I was using up butter, sugar, oats, and flour at an alarming rate and had to take a break from baking – even with “real” ingredients, I don’t need to be eating cookies all the time! So while it’s a good rule of thumb to say we can have all the treats we want as long as we make them ourselves, or just focus on good ingredient lists, for those of us who may have a little trouble with will power even wholesome and simple foods (like another trigger food for me – organic tortilla chips with 3 ingredients – corn, oil, salt!) might require a little more active moderation. Maybe for me freezing makes something too much of a “convenience” food and I can eat all the treats I can make, but only if they’re fresh? :)

Also, to Jamie, if you’re still following this thread, wanted to let you know that your fabulous business name just made me a customer…bought your book last night after seeing your comments here and may be in touch soon with questions!

]]> By: Bettina Elias Siegel http://www.thelunchtray.com/stacys-pita-snacks-kids/#comment-18181 Bettina Elias Siegel Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:26:02 +0000 http://thelunchtray.com/?p=180#comment-18181 Amanda - It's wonderful that you're thinking ahead for your daughter and I hope you can adhere to your goals! It does get harder once your little one's world expands, and he or she is exposed to all sorts of foods you're not crazy about at friends' houses or parties or at school. So rather than strictly controlling every bite my older (9 and 11 year old) kids eat -- I just don't have the energy for that battle all the time -- I'm trying my best to teach them the "whys" and "hows" of sound eating and hoping for the best. At any rate, thanks for commenting on TLT and I hope you come back! Amanda – It’s wonderful that you’re thinking ahead for your daughter and I hope you can adhere to your goals! It does get harder once your little one’s world expands, and he or she is exposed to all sorts of foods you’re not crazy about at friends’ houses or parties or at school. So rather than strictly controlling every bite my older (9 and 11 year old) kids eat — I just don’t have the energy for that battle all the time — I’m trying my best to teach them the “whys” and “hows” of sound eating and hoping for the best. At any rate, thanks for commenting on TLT and I hope you come back!

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