Raising healthy, adventurous eaters is what we're all striving for as parents, but the road to get there can be a bit... challenging. My kids are just like any other kids - they have certain tastes and preferences when it comes to food and definitely test our patience at mealtimes. Just like most parents, my husband and I deal with mealtime power struggles with our kids. But for the most part, family meals are positive and happy, and our kids eat nutritious, varied diets.
We're all about finger foods in our house. If you can eat it without utensils, it's usually a winner around here. And these vegan lentil nuggets are no exception!
I have an serious obsession with muffin-tins. I use mine daily, either for baking, to fill with craft supplies for my kids, or to fill with healthy snack foods after school. When it comes to muffin-tin recipes--whether it's egg muffins, flourless muffins, oatmeal cups, mini burritoes, or healthy healthy pizza rolls--I have tried it all. And now, I can add dessert to the list!
"Should I buy organic produce or not?" is a very common question I'm often asked by clients and readers. My answer is usually prefaced with "I'm happy to hear you're eating fruits and vegetables!," with an explanation thereafter of why buying organic or conventional produce is a ultimately a personal choice.
One of the easiest ways to raise adventurous, healthy eaters is to involve your kids in shopping, preparing, cooking, or serving meals. No bribing, coaxing or bartering needed — simply getting kids involved makes all the difference! When kids feel as though they have had a hand in making a meal, they are more likely to eat it.
Fall, to me, means pumpkin-spiced everything. I can't get enough of these pumpkin-spice muffins these yummy pumpkin waffles, and of course, pumpkin-spice lattes. Not only does pumpkin add a delicious flavour and vibrant colour, but it also adds loads of nutritional value, containing lots of potassium, beta-carotene and fibre.
If you spend any time at all reading mommy blogs, scouring Pinterest for kid-friendly recipe ideas, or reading up about how to deal with your picky eater, you've probably noticed that there is lots of buzz around certain feeding trends such as introducing solids via "baby-led weaning," making absolutely everything in a muffin tin, and letting go of some old-school feeding techniques such as the "3 more bites" rule.
Watching your baby taste real food for the first time is one of the most exciting milestones for a new parent to witness. Your baby’s life suddenly becomes more fun and interesting (not to mention messy!), and your daily routine as a parent changes too. But starting solids can also be confusing - especially for first-time parents.
It's hard to stay hydrated and drink enough water throughout the day. We try to make sure our kids are hydrated by having cups of water nearby and reminding them to take sips, but we often forget to drink enough ourselves. Sometimes, it's not until we feel a headache coming on, or when we are super thirsty that we reach for a drink, which is often too late - we're already dehydrated. If you wait until you are thirsty to drink, you're likely falling behind - thirst is a sign that you're already dehydrated.
It seems that moms and dads are constantly reaching into their purses, bags, strollers, and pockets for portable snacks to hand to their squirmy tots in malls, indoor playgrounds, on walks, and just about anywhere else. And trust me, I am guilty of it too. I rarely leave the house without a bag full of snacks just in case we are out for longer than planned.
