Here is the link to an article I wrote on Nutrition Basics for Kids. Please read and feel free to share your opinions and experiences.
Nutrition Basics for Kids
I will be leaning more towards this type of blog, nutrition, recipes, suggestions, news and information.
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Some direction
I have been doing a little research about blogging and how to really make a go of it, professionally. One suggestion that I came across was to specialize and tailor the blog to a specific parenting issue, so as to become somewhat of a subject matter expert.
If I had to tailor my blog to one thing, I think at this point I would pick nutrition, and healthy eating. I am thinking of taking this blog in a more concentrated direction....with some track derailment here and there...
I would love to know how you all would feel about this. I would be including article, written by others, and myself. I would start posting research, pointers, real advice on how to get kids to eat healthier, and tips and tricks I use myself.
The biggest aspect is that I may have to look at changing blogging locations. Not sure yet. I am still doing the research on that.
For now, I would love to know how receptive everyone would be to a blog that focused on the health, and nutrition aspect of parenting.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Combatting Picky Eaters
One of the biggest compliments I get is that my kids are great eaters. This goes across the board with all three girls. My 19 month old daughter's favorite food is broccoli, and next to that is avocado. She also loves bean sprouts. My older daughters are great eaters also, they love spinach, broccoli, peppers, etc. This is not a situation in which I just got lucky three times. It is no happy accident that I have three kids who eat well, and appreciate healthy fruits and vegetables.
From the time they started eating solid foods I pushed fruits and more so vegetables. Starting as early as possible I started feeding them every veggie I could, even the ones that I do not particularly care for myself. It is important that kids develop their own tastes. Just because I did not like brussel sprouts as a child does not mean my kids would hate them. As a matter of fact I discovered that when cooked properly, those things are quite delicious! Who knew?!?! I have a deal with my girls regarding new foods. If they give it one or two bites, real bites not little nibbles that you cannot even see on the spoon, and they do not like it then they do not have to eat it. All I ask is that they try, and they do. I think having the ultimate say over whether or not they are going to be eating this food has made a world of difference. They know there is no fight, just try it, give it a fair shot, and if you do not like it, then that's okay. But here is the catch, the next time I make it (which will not be for a while) you have to try it again. Maybe I will try to cook it differently, season it differently, or your taste buds have matured enough to palate the food now. But you have to give it a true shot, every time.
In saying that, it is important that I say something to all my parents out here. If your child tries something and really just does not like it, then you have to be real about how frequently you cook it. You really do have to consider their preferences when you are planning meals, get them involved, it makes a difference.
My girls love to help cook dinner. They are constantly asking how something is made, what is in it, what they can do to contribute to the meal also. They have a vested interest in what they are going to be eating, and guess what, that also makes them want to try things even if they are unsure how it is going to taste. Are you seeing the control theme throughout this post yet?? It is true, kids want to be a part of what decisions effect them, and what they eat is one of those decisions. I have never had to have a show down at the dinner table, ever. I have never had to bargain with my kids to eat all their vegetable, or anything, in order to get something else. I have, however, hidden vegetables in my oldest daughter's smoothies when she was a toddler.
We all know that toddlers are wonderful little beings, until they discover free will. Then it is on like Donkey Kong. My oldest daughter went through a phase where she would not eat vegetables, but she was 18 months old. She only wanted fruits. I kept offering them at almost every meal in every way I could think to prepare them. She refused to eat them. I even said something to the doctor, who informed me it was a phase, and she would return to her normal veggie loving self in time. Well that was all fine and good but not enough for me to feel better. Every morning this child asked for a fruit smoothie, which I happily made for her. Then, one morning, I decided to see what would happen if I added the leftover broccoli that she refused from dinner the night before. I upped the amount of fruit a little bit, and voila! She drank it without any issue. She had no idea that she was drinking a broccoli smoothie, but I felt better about her getting the nutrients that I was paranoid about her missing. Eventually, after I continued to offer veggies, she came around, and began eating regularly again.
It was a control issue, she was standing her ground against doing something she knew I really wanted her to do. I just got creative. I felt better, and relaxed more about her not devouring the veggies, and she picked up on my feelings. She relaxed her grip on controlling what was going into her mouth when she felt that her feelings were being respected. I know it may sound silly to be talking about a child who was 18 months old when this happened, but trust and believe, this is the reality of it. Toddlers are little people, they have personalities, and traits that adults have also. We have to learn how to communicate in their language since they are unable to communicate in our completely. When I gave my child the understanding that I was not going to control what she ate, she ate everything in sight. My job as a parent was to get creative and yes, sneaky. This same child now wants to go to culinary school and someday be a chef. She eats just about anything. She loves to cook, and loves to try new foods.
My 19 month old daughter is currently a vegetarian. She eats all types of veggies, fruits, grains, etc. Now, that is not to say she eats everything because she does not. But I keep offering everything because at some point she will probably begin to like the things she does not care for right now, like peppers. I make sure that whatever we are eating, there is enough that I know for sure she does like, and then give her a little of the other things that she may or may not care for also. It is a balance, but one that will make the future so much easier. No more, my child only eats chicken nuggets and fries, or worse. Kids are going to go through phases of preferences, yes, but we have to be diligent as parents in offering things to them. We have to walk the tightrope of control, never fully relinquishing it, but giving our children enough of it themselves that they feel like we respect them. That is what picky eating is about, control.
If you have a picky eater, start out slow. Buy a kids cookbook and let your child pick out a recipe for you to make together. Something easy and simple, just to put your toes in the water at first. When they see that they created something, and they like it, they will want to do it again, and again. Get creative, get sneaky if you have to, but most of all, get proactive! Get kids involved, and they will overcome their pickiness. If you give them a good, healthy example, they will follow. We are the biggest influence in our children's lives, and it is our obligation as their parents to make sure that we are positive influences.
From the time they started eating solid foods I pushed fruits and more so vegetables. Starting as early as possible I started feeding them every veggie I could, even the ones that I do not particularly care for myself. It is important that kids develop their own tastes. Just because I did not like brussel sprouts as a child does not mean my kids would hate them. As a matter of fact I discovered that when cooked properly, those things are quite delicious! Who knew?!?! I have a deal with my girls regarding new foods. If they give it one or two bites, real bites not little nibbles that you cannot even see on the spoon, and they do not like it then they do not have to eat it. All I ask is that they try, and they do. I think having the ultimate say over whether or not they are going to be eating this food has made a world of difference. They know there is no fight, just try it, give it a fair shot, and if you do not like it, then that's okay. But here is the catch, the next time I make it (which will not be for a while) you have to try it again. Maybe I will try to cook it differently, season it differently, or your taste buds have matured enough to palate the food now. But you have to give it a true shot, every time.
In saying that, it is important that I say something to all my parents out here. If your child tries something and really just does not like it, then you have to be real about how frequently you cook it. You really do have to consider their preferences when you are planning meals, get them involved, it makes a difference.
My girls love to help cook dinner. They are constantly asking how something is made, what is in it, what they can do to contribute to the meal also. They have a vested interest in what they are going to be eating, and guess what, that also makes them want to try things even if they are unsure how it is going to taste. Are you seeing the control theme throughout this post yet?? It is true, kids want to be a part of what decisions effect them, and what they eat is one of those decisions. I have never had to have a show down at the dinner table, ever. I have never had to bargain with my kids to eat all their vegetable, or anything, in order to get something else. I have, however, hidden vegetables in my oldest daughter's smoothies when she was a toddler.
We all know that toddlers are wonderful little beings, until they discover free will. Then it is on like Donkey Kong. My oldest daughter went through a phase where she would not eat vegetables, but she was 18 months old. She only wanted fruits. I kept offering them at almost every meal in every way I could think to prepare them. She refused to eat them. I even said something to the doctor, who informed me it was a phase, and she would return to her normal veggie loving self in time. Well that was all fine and good but not enough for me to feel better. Every morning this child asked for a fruit smoothie, which I happily made for her. Then, one morning, I decided to see what would happen if I added the leftover broccoli that she refused from dinner the night before. I upped the amount of fruit a little bit, and voila! She drank it without any issue. She had no idea that she was drinking a broccoli smoothie, but I felt better about her getting the nutrients that I was paranoid about her missing. Eventually, after I continued to offer veggies, she came around, and began eating regularly again.
It was a control issue, she was standing her ground against doing something she knew I really wanted her to do. I just got creative. I felt better, and relaxed more about her not devouring the veggies, and she picked up on my feelings. She relaxed her grip on controlling what was going into her mouth when she felt that her feelings were being respected. I know it may sound silly to be talking about a child who was 18 months old when this happened, but trust and believe, this is the reality of it. Toddlers are little people, they have personalities, and traits that adults have also. We have to learn how to communicate in their language since they are unable to communicate in our completely. When I gave my child the understanding that I was not going to control what she ate, she ate everything in sight. My job as a parent was to get creative and yes, sneaky. This same child now wants to go to culinary school and someday be a chef. She eats just about anything. She loves to cook, and loves to try new foods.
My 19 month old daughter is currently a vegetarian. She eats all types of veggies, fruits, grains, etc. Now, that is not to say she eats everything because she does not. But I keep offering everything because at some point she will probably begin to like the things she does not care for right now, like peppers. I make sure that whatever we are eating, there is enough that I know for sure she does like, and then give her a little of the other things that she may or may not care for also. It is a balance, but one that will make the future so much easier. No more, my child only eats chicken nuggets and fries, or worse. Kids are going to go through phases of preferences, yes, but we have to be diligent as parents in offering things to them. We have to walk the tightrope of control, never fully relinquishing it, but giving our children enough of it themselves that they feel like we respect them. That is what picky eating is about, control.
If you have a picky eater, start out slow. Buy a kids cookbook and let your child pick out a recipe for you to make together. Something easy and simple, just to put your toes in the water at first. When they see that they created something, and they like it, they will want to do it again, and again. Get creative, get sneaky if you have to, but most of all, get proactive! Get kids involved, and they will overcome their pickiness. If you give them a good, healthy example, they will follow. We are the biggest influence in our children's lives, and it is our obligation as their parents to make sure that we are positive influences.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Apple Cinnamon Water
I am always trying to find more ways to get more water. I came across this on Pinterest, and I am so going to try this!!!
I think flavored water, NATURALLY flavored water is the way to go for kids too. I do not give my kids juice, but you can better believe they can drink some water infused with apples and cinnamon! I am so excited to try this out!!
Think of the possibilities! To top it all off, both apples and cinnamon are natural metabolism boosters. So it can also increase the odds of weight loss!! I cannot wait. If it wasn't 10:00 PM, and I would be up all night, I would go make some now! But tomorrow morning while my coffee is brewing you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be giving this one a try!!!
**EDITTED TO ADD** Made it this morning, and it is DELICIOUS!! All three kids love it too. Yummo!!
I think flavored water, NATURALLY flavored water is the way to go for kids too. I do not give my kids juice, but you can better believe they can drink some water infused with apples and cinnamon! I am so excited to try this out!!
**EDITTED TO ADD** Made it this morning, and it is DELICIOUS!! All three kids love it too. Yummo!!
Milk, DOUBLING in Price?!?!?!
You know, with all the talk about gas prices the price of many things nowadays goes almost unnoticed. I came across an article about the price of milk and the potential for milk prices to double after the new year. I almost spit out my milk...
What is the saying, "Don't cry over spilt milk." Well if we are talking $7 a gallon, I will darn sure be crying over it! To top it off, we buy organic milk. So that increase in price will have us paying about $8 per HALF gallon. Someone pass me a tissue. I think we may be better off just purchasing a cow. I will sell the milk to my friends and that sow will pay for herself in a couple months. Now, if only I could convince the dog that the cow was a dog. But seriously, the cost of everything is going up, WAY UP, and pay is not increasing, jobs are sporadic at best, and we keep hearing about how we are dangling off a fiscal cliff.
How are we supposed to feel all peaceful and happy during the holiday season when so much of our financial future is in turmoil? The article says there is still time for congress to act. Oh geez, here we are at the mercy of these folks again. Why is it whenever we are dealing with congress everything is a cliff, or a shutdown? Why does it always come down to some state of emergency? The need to act on these issues and act quickly and efficiently. We do not need to be forced to pay exhorbitant prices for basic food items, like milk. We are already paying through the nose for gasoline, health insurance, and everything else under the sun. We need relief, not even greater increases in costs.
So I say to congress, get it together people!!! Fix our economy! Fix our financial situation!! Get together, work together, make it happen!!! We put you all in office because we believe you can get the job done, so poop or get off the pot.
How are we supposed to feel all peaceful and happy during the holiday season when so much of our financial future is in turmoil? The article says there is still time for congress to act. Oh geez, here we are at the mercy of these folks again. Why is it whenever we are dealing with congress everything is a cliff, or a shutdown? Why does it always come down to some state of emergency? The need to act on these issues and act quickly and efficiently. We do not need to be forced to pay exhorbitant prices for basic food items, like milk. We are already paying through the nose for gasoline, health insurance, and everything else under the sun. We need relief, not even greater increases in costs.
So I say to congress, get it together people!!! Fix our economy! Fix our financial situation!! Get together, work together, make it happen!!! We put you all in office because we believe you can get the job done, so poop or get off the pot.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Formula Freebies...
There is a push in today's mother/baby units to remove the free sample formula. In New York, Mayor Bloomberg is exercising his efforts to increase breastfeeding by telling formula companies that they may no longer provide free samples of formula to the new mothers. Many people are up in arms over this. People seem to think that he is trying to take away a mother's right to choose whether or not she breastfeeds her child. In reality, he is trying to level the playing field.
These companies are simply exercising a marketing campaign. They are selling their product to new moms by giving it away first. These same companies do not provide free samples for moms who choose to breastfeed exclusively. I did not leave the hospital with breast milk storage bags given to me free. No, I left with a can of formula, which I did not use. I have been nursing my 15 month old since the day she was born, and have no use for formula. If I did need it, I would be okay with the idea of having to buy it myself.
No one is taking away the choice to breastfeed or bottle feed. What is being taken away is the advertising to new moms who may be inclined to give up on breastfeeding when it gets tough, and sometimes it gets tough, because they have this free can of formula sitting there. It is meant to encourage moms to give breastfeeding a chance. This country is one of the only ones where breastfeeding is almost deemed as a bad thing by a large group of people. They become vehement at the site of a woman nursing her baby. Only in America.
We claim to stand for the free and the brave, but turn our backs on the most basic of sustainance giving practices, breastfeeding. Our society is filled with over weight, under exercised, disease riddled people and we cannot figure out why. Hello, wake up!!! It is what we put into our bodies, starting from DAY 1!!!!
So I say, ditch the FREE formula at the hospitals!!! It is still your choice whether or not to breastfeed or formula feed. No one is taking that away from anyone. You just have to pay for it, which you do anyway once you run out of that first can.
These companies are simply exercising a marketing campaign. They are selling their product to new moms by giving it away first. These same companies do not provide free samples for moms who choose to breastfeed exclusively. I did not leave the hospital with breast milk storage bags given to me free. No, I left with a can of formula, which I did not use. I have been nursing my 15 month old since the day she was born, and have no use for formula. If I did need it, I would be okay with the idea of having to buy it myself.
No one is taking away the choice to breastfeed or bottle feed. What is being taken away is the advertising to new moms who may be inclined to give up on breastfeeding when it gets tough, and sometimes it gets tough, because they have this free can of formula sitting there. It is meant to encourage moms to give breastfeeding a chance. This country is one of the only ones where breastfeeding is almost deemed as a bad thing by a large group of people. They become vehement at the site of a woman nursing her baby. Only in America.
We claim to stand for the free and the brave, but turn our backs on the most basic of sustainance giving practices, breastfeeding. Our society is filled with over weight, under exercised, disease riddled people and we cannot figure out why. Hello, wake up!!! It is what we put into our bodies, starting from DAY 1!!!!
So I say, ditch the FREE formula at the hospitals!!! It is still your choice whether or not to breastfeed or formula feed. No one is taking that away from anyone. You just have to pay for it, which you do anyway once you run out of that first can.
Monday, August 15, 2011
National Beef Recall...
Apparently this mostly affects those in the South/Southeast regions.....
http://www.igobogo.com/Portal/featured-articles/national-beef-recall-affects-publix-winn-dixie-walmart-sams-club-more/
http://www.igobogo.com/Portal/featured-articles/national-beef-recall-affects-publix-winn-dixie-walmart-sams-club-more/
Sunday, August 14, 2011
A Mother’s Nightmare: Bacteria Resistant To Antibiotics | Healthy Child Healthy World
A Mother’s Nightmare: Bacteria Resistant To Antibiotics Healthy Child Healthy World
This article just got me. As a Mom, the health and well being of my children is so incredibly important to me. This is why I try and turn to organics and locally grown produce and meats as often as possible. As a SAHM the cost of both is a concern to me, but really, the benefit outweighs the monetary cost. I think if we all adjust our eating habits so that we are once again eating to live, not living to eat...well, it's the best relationship to have with food.
Whether you have children or not, read this, it is eye opening, to say the least.
This article just got me. As a Mom, the health and well being of my children is so incredibly important to me. This is why I try and turn to organics and locally grown produce and meats as often as possible. As a SAHM the cost of both is a concern to me, but really, the benefit outweighs the monetary cost. I think if we all adjust our eating habits so that we are once again eating to live, not living to eat...well, it's the best relationship to have with food.
Whether you have children or not, read this, it is eye opening, to say the least.
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