English Muffins, Mila and Apple Butter

I think I have hit the jackpot on this one:) Getting my oldest son Matthew, who is now 7, to eat Mila every day is a battle! Yet when he doesn't eat it, even one day, we see a major change in his behavior and his bowels. He becomes very moody, cries easily, homework takes 90 minutes instead of 30 minutes and he quickly becomes constipated. So missing a day of Mila is not an option. Staples in our house are muffins that I make 1-2 times per week, Rice Krispie Treats once in awhile, French Toast a few mornings a week and pancakes with Mila. This week I put one full scoop of Mila in about 3/4 cup of Cracker Barrel Apple Butter (no high fructose corn syrup or sugar added) and spread the mixture on top of a Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin. Bingo!! "Mom, can I please have another one?" Music to my ears:)

What is Lifemax all about?

One mother's story....

MILA

Its impact on our oldest son

Our son, Anthony is a rising 6^th grader this year. During his second grade year of school he tested into the gifted program at his elementary school. At that young age, everything regarding school work seems to take quite a while, but as he got older in years we really began to struggle with homework and class work being finished and his teachers were sending home similar messages.

Interestingly, he had no behavior issues and was really loved by his teachers. His Language Arts teacher in Florida (4^th grade) wanted me to have him obtain a letter from his pediatrician stating that his fine motor skills were not developed so that he would be allowed unlimited time on any test. As a mother, I have not been willing to have him diagnosed with any label because I believe it sets a standard for life that things can be “excused away”. So – we kept struggling. Last fall – in his 5^th grade year we were at our wits end. We got to the point that homework was taking 3+ hours a night (he is one of 3 boys keep in mind). The other major issue that we were dealing with is that we would help get him prepared for a test – he would know the information – and then bomb the test because he couldn’t stay focused to get it finished.

He was, at that time taking a Multi-vitamin, B Complex, Vitamin C, an immune booster, and drinking protein daily. Obviously I was trying to attack this issue from a nutritional point of view.

In January of this year – 2011 – we all stopped taking all supplements as a family and added Mila to our diet. Within 4 weeks of Anthony consuming Mila, his homework time went from 3 hours to 20-30 minutes and his test scores went from a 55 to a 95 in the same subject and overall, his teachers let me know that they were working with a “different child”.

It has been such a joy to watch his confidence grow and his frustration diminish. Once again he tested into Honors Math and Honors Language Arts so we are off and running – ready for a successful year!

Oatmeal with Mila and Almond Milk

It has been freezing in Florida so this has been a really good breakfast for the cold mornings we are having.

3/4 cup Quaker Oats

1 and 1/2 cup of water

handful of raisins

1/4 cup of Vanilla Almond Milk

1 scoop of Mila

Boil the water, add the oats and raisins, stir and cook for 4-5 minutes. Place in bowl, add Mila and Almond Milk :)

Nutrigrain Cinnamon Eggo Waffles

I know, I know some mornings it is just too hard to make a real breakfast so there are times that I give in and use the pre-made waffles. When I do, this is what I use...

Nutrigrain Cinnamon Eggo Waffles

Mila

Strawberries

Sprinkles 1/4 scoop of Mila on top of the waffles and add some strawberries- Yummy

Mila Yogurt with Granola and Berries

This is a staple in our house for breakfast and it is personally one of my favorites.

1 cup of Stonyfield low fat vanilla yogurt

handful of strawberries or blueberries or both

1/2 scoop of Mila

2 tbsp of granola ( I like Back to Nature Classic Granola)

Taco Soup with Mila

This is one of our favorites and it is so easy to make.

1 lb ground turkey or lean beef

1 large onion chopped

1 (1 oz) pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix

1 (1 oz) package Taco Seasoning Mix

1 (16 oz) can pinto beans

1 (16 oz) can chili beans (hot or regular)

1 (16 oz) can whole kernel corn

1 (8oz) can Mexican-style tomatoes

1 (8oz0 can diced tomatoes, any flavor

Brown meat & onions and drain

Mix Ranch & Taco seasonings into meat

Add rest of ingredients, undrained to mixture

Simmer 1 hour

Yum- I add 1/2 to 1 scoop of Mila to the bowl with some cheese and/or sour cream, just before I serve it. You are going to love it!!!