Peas & Carrots Podcast and Blog From Fresh Baby

NEW! So Easy Toddler Food

 
Many parents have asked us to write a cookbook that goes beyond baby food. We are delighted to release the first in a series of cookbooks for toddlers.

So Easy Toddler Food offers 48 recipes using common, affordable ingredients easily found in grocery stores. Everything about this book is family-friendly: dishes are easy to prepare and delicious. There's also Nutrition Facts for each recipe and it's available in Spanish too.

The bright, contemporary design and beautiful photography makes cooking easy. The introduction offers a survival guide with tips for dealing with the unique eating behaviors of toddlers and covers the basic of cooking for those who are new to the kitchen.

Click here to pick up your today. 

DINNER: Making the Most of Your Child's Day

Healthy, home cooked meals are best.  Here are tips to ease the stress of getting dinner on the table during the busy week:

• Set aside weekend time to make meals and freeze them. For meal variety, connect with a friend, choose two recipes and each of you make a double batch of one recipe. Split up the meals for both families.
• Buying pre-washed, fresh fruits/veggies saves prep time.
• Buy “no cook” fresh foods such as apples, pears, avocadoes, and tomatoes. A fruit plate or veggie salad makes a terrific side dish.
• Keep it simple. No need too strive for gourmet everyday. It is often the simpler dishes that have the best flavors.
• Buy a few cookbooks on subjects like 30 minute meals, 5 ingredients or less, or fast and easy weeknight menus.

 

SNACKS: Making the Most of Your Child's Day

Don’t be surprised when your kid arrives home from school starving. Be prepared with plenty of healthy snack choices on hand.

Snacks are NOT junk food.  Healthy snacks provide the body with a boost of energy between meals.

For older children that read - Make list of snack choices and stick the list on the refrigerator. When they tell you they are starving, point them in the direction of the list.

For your littler ones, offer three choices and let them pick what they would like. If they want all three choices – give them a little of each one, or ask them to start with one choice and they can have another if they are still hungry.

Keep snack portions small.

LUNCH: Making the Most of Your Child's Day

To Drink: Choose white milk or water.

Buying lunch at school:

Encourage your child to get on line quickly. If given a choice, teach your child to avoid chips and sugary items and to choose fruits and/or vegetables. If you are disappointed with the lunch options, consider limiting buying lunch to once per week.

Packing your child’s lunch:

A cool school lunch is not JUST about the food – it starts with the lunch box – along with an insulated bag with a freezer pack invest in colorful containers to pack food choices. They are better than plastic bags and less wasteful too. Also purchase a small thermos for soups, stews and smoothies.

Lunch Foods: 

Small servings, many choices are best - variety is a key to healthy eating. Many foods can be prepared, in advance. Buy pre-washed veggies, fruits, or healthy items. In the morning, simply fill small containers with different foods choices and stack the containers into the lunch bag.

BREAKFAST: Making the Most of Your Child's Day

Studies prove eating breakfast reduces risk of obesity and boosts school performance.

Children who eat breakfast are more likely to get a full days supply of calcium.

Here are a few tips for breakfast success:

1. Prepare breakfast foods in advance, and freeze in single servings. Quickly defrost foods in the microwave or toaster oven. Easy freeze breakfast foods include:

• Pancakes
• Waffles
• French toast
• Quiche
• Frittatas
• Breakfast burritos

2. Have "on the go" breakfast items (small boxes of whole grain cereals, fresh fruits, yogurt in the tube, granola bars) on hand. Just in case someone sleeps through the alarm clock.

3. Keep the TV off and avoid other distractions in the mornings.

4. Homework should be completed in the evening, not the morning.

 

 

Obesity is No. 1 health problem for kids in 2009

Just released August 10, 2009, the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health lists parents’ top 10 health concerns for 2009. The study shows that Public concern about childhood obesity continues to outrank all other health problems as the No. 1 concern for children in the United States. 

Childhood obesity is an epidemic. In the US, it affects more than nine million children over six years old. Prevention is the only key to reducing this epidemic.  For parents this means they need to teach healthy eating habits to their children. For more information on starting early to develop healthy eating habits, check out this article.

To read more on the  C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, click here.

Soups are Souper!

Soups are terrific way to introduce your toddler to vegetables and fruits. There are many types of soups.  The best place to start with your toddler, may be with pureed soups.  They have a pleasing smooth texture.  If your child's "spoon" skills are not refined enough for soup, pour it in a cup and sip away.

Pureed soups, such as cream of asparagus may sound exotic, but they are quite simple to make and even a novice in the kitchen can be successful. A hand held immersion blender is a good appliance to invest in for making pureed soups hassle-free.  This appliance is placed right into the soup pot, move it around, and viola – pureed soup!

Don’t overlook fruit soups.  They are sweet, healthy and refreshing. Most fruit soups require no (that is zero) cooking.  You simply put ingredients in a blender and whirl away. Fruits soups are a huge hit with toddlers.

Create a “Soup Bar” to make it family fun! Prepare a simple soup recipe and spoon it into bowls or cups.  Line up a series of topping choices and let the kids sprinkle their own toppings on the soup! Here are some suggestions:

• Thinly sliced green onions
• Chopped cilantro
• Cubes of avocado
• Wedges of lemon or lime
• Sour cream
• Bacon bits
• Diced Ham or chicken
• Shredded cheese
• Croutons or broiled cheese toasts

Budget Stretching Advice for Organic Foods

Most people would love to go “all organic”. But going organic can be a pricey proposition. If your budget cannot afford 100% organic, here is some simple advice on making the most of your GREEN GROCERY dollar:

1.    Eat organic at the top of the food chain: Purchasing organic dairy, egg and meat products is a great place to begin. Livestock eat pesticide-laden feed, are dosed with antibiotics and hormones, and all of this ends up in the package at the super market. There is no way to remove or reduce the contaminants in the meat, dairy and egg products.

2.    Buy organic for produce with the highest levels of pesticides: Pesticides levels vary in produce. The Environmental Workers Union found that you can reduce risks of pesticide exposure by as much as 90 percent by avoiding the dirty dozen. Here is the list: Apples, Bell peppers, Celery, Cherries, Grapes (imported), Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Red Raspberries, Spinach, and Strawberries.

3. Buy Organic on sale: Take advantage of supermarket deals and remember the savings from one coupon can often equal the price difference between organic and conventional.

4.    Buy Private Label: A store’s own brand is often a good deal and are on sale frequently. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have their own brand of juices, soups, sauces, and other processed edibles.

5.    Explore the Bulk Aisles: The bulk bins are not just for hard-core hippies. Bulk foods are more affordable than the pre-packaged foods such as pastas, cereals, nuts and spices.