food revolution

Rules are meant to be broken, but mama's rules are golden! The Food Revolution has given moms more reason than ever to revamp their family's eating habits, though LilSugar readers were quick to show us where they cheat at the grocery store.

During a weekend playdate, my son asked his friend's mom for cream cheese to put on his bagel. The mother quickly informed us that she does not allow cream cheese in her home. Another friend revealed that the only waffles her tots eat are homemade – the packages found in the frozen food section have never crossed the threshold of her home. What foods are banned from your home?

Everyone wants to be part of the Food Revolution until they get to the grocery store! When parents have their kids in tow (and even when mom doesn't), choosing healthy options can be tough. We asked our readers to open their cupboards and let us know what types of treats and sweets they have in the house. Here's what they had to say!

• Nothing calms a sugar craving like a bite of chocolate, a lick of a lollipop, or a scoop of ice cream. From cupcakes to cookies, sweet snacks are not uncommon in a family home. In fact, 80 percent of moms said they had a stash.
• There are plenty of parents and kids that like to sip on a soda pop. Some moms claim the caffeine gives them a kick start and others just can't say no to their sugar beverage loving kiddos. Twenty-four percent of moms keep soda in the fridge.
• Processed food can be bought in bulk and stored for long periods of time, which makes it attractive to some moms and dads. The non-perishables also may be a good deal cheaper than fresh alternatives. Forty-four percent of moms purchase processed goods.
• Kids love eye candy, but should they eat it? Nothing catches a youngster's attention like a heaping stack of rainbow hotcakes! Forty-five percent of moms see no harm in buying or preparing dyed foods.
• Parents want the best for their kids, but are lax about their own eating habits. Forty percent of moms sneak junk food they don't allow their children to eat.

British chef and healthy-eating-habits advocate, Jamie Oliver, is on the move. He's taking his reality show, Food Revolution, to the West Coast. Oliver and his family will settle into the LA area in January, and filming will start later in 2011. The format of the second season of Food Revolution will differ from the first, although there will be an element that involves schools.

Oliver hoped to film in the cafeterias of the Los Angeles Unified School District, but the superintendent's office has denied his request, "our feeling was that his time would be better spent or invested in other communities," a representative for the schools said. Producers for the show are on the lookout for families with children who need dietary help.

Oliver's other attempts involve Australia; today he launched the "Ministry of Food Australia" campaign in which he'll set up regional centers that teach people how to enjoy nutritious food. The Queensland government will donate $2.5 million over the course of four years to Oliver's agenda. "These cooking classes are fun, produce delicious food from fresh ingredients and really take the fear out of cooking," Oliver said.

At a time when it seems hard for a single individual to make a difference, it's refreshing to see Oliver fight for change. What do you think about his efforts?

Make dinnertime a democracy! If you want your children to be open to trying new foods, ask for their help (and opinions) in the kitchen! Iron Chef Cat Cora shows her softer side in The Muppets Kitchen. In webisodes on Disney.com, the mother of four partners with puppets to educate kids about everything from ingredients to techniques with tips on herbs to a lesson in spinning pizza dough. She also offers up a variety of age-appropriate recipes.

With Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign, and chefs across the nation uniting to promote healthful, smart eating, it's clear that Americans are ready to change their diets. Another sign that the fight against obesity is at the forefront of many people's minds? Jamie Oliver's shiny new Emmy.

Yesterday, the British chef's Food Revolution won the 2010 Primetime Emmy for best reality show. Oliver expressed his shock and joy for the award over Twitter where he said, "I can't believe it we won the Emmy for Food Revolution!!"

Although I only caught a couple of episodes of the series, I'm glad to see the chef and his cause awarded. Are you happy for Oliver?

Update: There's more to chicken nuggets than meets the consumer's eye! CNN is now reporting that McDonald's chicken nuggets are made with a Silly Putty chemical. Are you still going to take your kids to the Golden Arches?

Even The Doctors are joining Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. On today's show, the British chef and the team of medical experts discussed how fatty and poor quality foods affect people's health. There are over 30 diseases associated with obesity, which is a direct result of the foods we eat and our lifestyles. In case you missed it when it originally aired, watch Jamie's demonstration of how some chicken nuggets are made before you reach into the freezer to bake up a quick dinner or take a spin through the drive-through. Dr. Jim Sears urged parents to read ingredients and look for whole white meat. Would you still serve your children processed food, or will you join Jamie's revolution?

Uh oh — I've created a foodie! My 7 month old got hooked on the first food I fed him — Ella's Kitchen organic baby purees. There wasn't a fruit and veggie variety he didn't gobble down before the store I bought it at sold out. I tried to trick my tot into eating a few other brands and it was a no go. He pursed his lips and fasted (with the exception of milk) until I offered him Plum Organics. Available in squeezable pouches, the brand offers up seven stage two combinations from sweet potato, corn, and apple to spinach, peas and pear. ($8 for 6 packs).
Who is this product designed for? This product is perfect for parents who like to tote food on the go. The convenient packs can be popped open in the car or at the park and squeezed on to a spoon for easy feeding.
Is it practical? I didn't understand the pouch concept until I gave it a whirl with my third kiddo and now I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
What could be better? I wish I could buy it in bulk! I cleared out the Whole Foods supply because my baby eats four to six containers a day so I have to stock up.
Would I buy it? I already did.
What did baby think? My son kicks his legs and reaches out to grab it. He's loved every flavor except for the blueberry, pear, and purple carrot, which wasn't available at our grocer.