"Won't Miss Eggs" Tofu Scramble

Yummy yummy in our tummy!  This egg lovin' family has had to and continues to make changes in what's in our fridge. Asher, our youngest, has a serious allergy to all things egg. Next best thing for a morning scramble?  Tofu!   

WHAT YOU NEED:

Firm or Extra Firm Tofu

1/2 tablespoon of olive oil (you could certainly use coconut oil or grape seed oil) 

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon onion salt

1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon pepper

dash of salt (we leave salt for each person to decide. Our 8 year old dislikes the taste of salt) 

1/2 - 1 teaspoon turmeric (optional) 

STEPS: 

1. Take tofu out of the package and press between a towel to release the water moisture. Best thing is to press the tofu overnight to make sure excess moisture is out before cooking but you could certainly do it the day off. It will simply add a few extra minutes of cooking.  

2.  Heat your own with olive oil 

3. With a fork, mash the tofu to resemble scrambled eggs  

4. Add mashed tofu with the seasonings into the pan. Stir to mix in seasonings. 

5. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the moisture is evaporated and the tofu starts to firm up.  

6. Serve and enjoy

Notes: 

* turmeric is optional. It is mostly to add color to the tofu to have resemble scrambled eggs but also adds flavor (obviously. Lol).  

* add veggies into your tofu scramble. We find a good option is very small bite size pieces of broccoli. Makes it even better.  

Asher LOVES tofu as you can see by the smile on his face.  

Keeping the Candy Monster Away

I know that Valentines Day was a little over a week ago, but we have been battling colds in our household and I am just now able to get to this post: holiday treats.  Let's be honest, who doesn't like a little candy everyone now and then?  Life is about balance and those sweet, sweet moments of indulgence.  Yet, too much of a sweet thing is certainly not a good thing.  And with children, it can be hard to teach them such a notion keeping them on track to moderation and healthy living.   

In our house we have used something called the "Treat Fairy" for the past 10+ years, starting with our oldest.  During those candy giving holidays - Valentines, Easter, even Halloween our children select about 5-8 pieces of candy to keep and the rest goes in a big pile with a note to be given to the Treat Fairy aka mommy's and daddy's work (sorry co-workers).  In return for their treats, they are given a variety of things from books to gift cards to a toy; and in the moments the Treat Fairy forgot to go to the store (guilty!), money.  Our children look forward to the Treat Fairy and most of the time their 5-8 pieces of candy never get finished and end up in the trash.  It is an easy way to give the children a little sweet indulgence but not overload them with treats.  

The best thing is when the four year old is eating his m&ms (his favorite) and can't even finish a snack pack.  He let's us know he is done and is ok with throwing the rest away.  It is a great moment because we know he is learning moderation.  The key being not to deprive the children of candy and sweets but to set them up for a healthy foundation of healthy eating and balance.   

I am sure that there are other such techniques out there.  I am certain we are not the creators of the "Treat Fairy", but it is something that has worked for us.  Give it a try, I am sure your children would love the idea too!