Sometimes they like what we don't! Ewwww!

A dear  friend of mine shared this picture of her daughter eating beets, and I remember looking at it thinking "ewwww beets, really?"  Then it hit me...are we introducing only foods we like to our kids or are we trying other foods also?!  I know as a parent buying foods and introducing foods to my kids was all based on what I liked and what I ate!  Crazy as it is, your kids just might like a food that you don't.  The toughest part might be feeding it to your kids while trying not to make a "ewww" face!  Also remember that your taste buds have changed as you have gotten older, and so will be the same with your kids.  Introducing new foods to your kids takes time and just because they don't like something now, doesn't mean they won't like it later in life.  This is especially true when you go from baby stage to toddler stage and from toddler stage to kid stage.  My daughter's first foods were bananas and sweet potatoes as a baby, but as she became a toddler, she wanted nothing to do with any potatoes at all.  Now at the age of 5, she will finally eat mashed potatoes again.  The hardest thing in changing taste buds is to not get discouraged or upset.  When she wouldn't eat her potatoes, my husband and I would look at her and say, "you use to eat these all the time, so eat them!"  Not realizing that we were putting ourselves in a position of fighting her to eat.  Which only made it worse for all of us! Obviously, there's a point when kids are older that they should try everything on their plate...but while they're younger don't stress too much because a month down the road, their taste buds just might change again.  So remember to try everything, because if your child eats beets, that's something to be proud of!  Special Thank You Erika Hedegard for sharing this adorable picture with us!

On Arizona Midday!

We had a great time sharing tips & tricks on Arizona Midday!

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Why do my kids snack on chips & cookies?

Have you ever wondered WHY your kids snack on chips, cookies and maybe even want soda?  Simply because these are easy to grab snacks and are the first thing they see when they open the fridge or pantry.  If you were to open your pantry, what foods are on your child's level?  Poptarts, cookies, chips, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc?  Now open the fridge and look at what is in the fridge at your child's eye level? Soda, juice boxes, etc?  Where are your healthy snacks like fruit or vegetables...they are in the bottom drawers in the fridge!  Where are your healthy snacks/foods in the pantry...they are usually on the top shelf!  Gee...maybe, just maybe having snacks on your child's eye level will help them snack healthy!!

Yes it's true!  Kids want to be independent and make their own choices.  Snacks are a great category of eating to let them experience making a healthy choice.  However, YOU still have the control when you organize your pantry and refrigerator with your child(ren) in mind.  So let's re-organize for your kids...

~ Take a look in your fridge, what healthy foods do you see & where are they currently located?  (Kneeling down helps with your view!)
~ Take your fruits and veggies OUT OF THE BOTTOM DRAWER, cut them into snack or bite size and place them in grab bags or in small containers. Then place them on a shelf at your child's eye level. 
~ Also think about where your yogurt, milk, cheese sticks are.
~ Now look at your pantry, where are your healthy foods?
~ Take your healthy foods OFF OF THE TOP SHELF, sort them by suggested portion size as listed on the label and place them on a shelf at your child's eye level!

If you provide your child with healthy options, they will choose healthy snacks!  So while your child is at school or napping...take the time to re-organize your fridge and pantry! 

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From Platter to Quick Snacks

As we wrap up the holidays, you may be staring in your refrigerator at left-over fruit, veggie or cracker & meat platters. Wait, don't throw them out! Turn them into quick and easy to grab snacks for you, your kids and family!

~ Fruit/Veggie Platters: separate the fruit and/or veggies, wash/rinse them, then put into your snack containers and refrigerate. 

~ Cracker & Meat Platters: these make the best snack lunches!  Separate crackers and/or meats, slice if needed into smaller servings, place into sandwich plastic bags and refrigerate. When packing for a lunch, be sure to keep crackers and meats separated so the meat juice does not soften your crackers. 

~ Cheese Platters: these can be difficult to keep. The best cuts of cheese to keep for snacks are those in the cube cut. Separating cheese is up to you, but I personally prefer to. Then always remember to look at your cheese cuts prior to eating/serving as these can mold quickly. 

Also keep an eye out for platters going on sale or coupons for platters. It just might be cheaper to buy a platter to make your snack packs. My 5 year old daughter was excited to wash, separate and refrigerate a small platter we got today on sale. She did this all herself with my supervision, and the best part is...it saved me time!! So think twice about your platters!

A Note From Your Elf!

Parents,
Here you go...it's time to use your special Elf to help remind kids to eat healthy!  We composed a note from our Christmas Elf, "Elfie" to our daughter to remind her to eat her fruits and veggies to be healthy!  Compose your own "Elf Note" or use this template!  LIKE our Facebook page and leave your email address in the comments to have your "Elf Note" FREE printable template emailed to you directly.  Remember to personalize your "Elf Note" with your child's name and don't forget to sign your Elf's name at the bottom! 
Let me know if you need more "Elf Notes" by commenting on our FB page or here!
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