Tips and Tricks-Good Eating Habits Part 3

In part one and two of this series I shared some of Lucian's rather funny and sometimes not so funny eating habits and some general tips to help create good eating habits. For the final installment I will share some eating tips we've learned along with the way.

How do we get our kids to eat vegetables?
We don't really. I wish I could say that my boys eat veggies all the time and love 'em but the truth is we have to work every day to try and get them into their diet. Here is what works for us:

• V8 and Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise. We don't give our kids more than one serving of juice a day (and sometimes not even that) but we try to make those count by giving them Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise which also has a serving of vegetables. Lucian is also a huge fan of tomato soup so my hubby let him try V8 and he LOVES it. He asks for it by name, B8. :) He usually has a serving every other day.
• We hide vegetables by sneaking them into dishes where they aren't as noticeable.
• Lead by example. We try to eat vegetables with our meals and encourage them but don't force it. (This only sometimes works.) We try to keep dinner time fun.
• When Lucian asks for more of anything at dinner, bread for example, we will ask him to eat another bite of veggies first. We don't bribe with treats but it works for just something else we are serving at dinner. I love that he is finally at the age where we can negotiate.
• Serve baby food. Sounds crazy but even past the age of two we gave veggies in baby food form to Lucian. He likes them so much more and some vegetables that I rarely serve, like squash, gets into his diet. It might seem strange but why not? It is like applesauce to him and get another serving of vegetables! A great one is Gerber Organic Apples and Sweet Potatoes.

How do we get Lucian to try new foods?
Lucian has become a huge fan of Dr. Seuss and can often be heard quoting lines from Green Eggs and Ham. So a couple of weeks ago we made major progress by using this story. By encourage him to try foods we know he should like but he wouldn't even try, I tried using the book. "You don't like them so you say. Try them and you may. Try them and you may I say." Lucian took to that right away and tried them and replied, "I do, I like them. I like them Sam-I-am!" It was awesome. He's been gobbling up mashed potatoes ever since and is more open to trying new foods,especially when we quote the lines. Thank you Dr, Seuss!

What do you serve as a snack?
My boys love fruit. I haven't yet found a fruit that they don't really like which really works to my advantage. I serve a lot of cut up grapes, apples, mandarin oranges, canned fruit, raisins applesauce, etc. We love the organic fruit strips by Archer Farms (a Target brand). They come in a package of 10 for around $3 and there are lots of great flavors. I actually have to limit their fruit intake because their poor butts can't take a lot.We also serve a lot of yogurt, cheese, granola bars, crackers, etc. We really do limit sugar intake.

We give daily vitamins as well to help make up for any deficiencies. We know we aren't perfect and that our boys could eat even healthier but I do think they are healthier than the average kid and we try our best to have a balance of good nutritious food and a splurge now and then.

What tips have you discovered work for your child? Please feel free to share!

Tips and Tricks-Good Eating Habits Part 2

Last week I posted about Lucian's sometimes strange eating habits. I read up on toddler eating habits and found a great article at Kids Health with these wonderful tips. To read in more detail click here.

Toddlers are learning to navigate their world, communicate, and exert control over aspects of their lives. They don't actually have control over much, but eating is one of the first areas they will master. By anticipating problems and offering choices, parents teach kids which behaviors will yield positive results and which ones won't.

Most Toddlers Are Picky Eaters -Many toddlers express their budding independence through eating — or not eating, as the case may be. So nearly all toddlers could be described as picky eaters. Does your toddler want to eat only macaroni and cheese? You choose the foods on your toddler's plate — and you don't have to serve macaroni and cheese daily. If you do, you miss an opportunity to introduce new foods and increase the number of those your child is willing to eat. Most "food jags," as they're sometimes called, won't last long if parents don't accommodate them. Kids won't starve and they will learn to be more flexible. Present a variety of healthy foods — including established favorites and some new foods — to make up the menu.

Don't Bargain for Bites -Your well-meaning impulse may be to start talking up nutritious foods, saying how big and strong spinach will make your child. Or you might start bargaining: "Well, if you eat three more bites, I'll give you a cookie." The problem is that these tactics don't work in the long run. Don't push too much. For some kids, dinner becomes a negotiation session from the very start, and parents have been using dessert as an incentive for decades. But this doesn't encourage healthy eating. Instead it creates the impression that "treats" are more valuable than mealtime food. Threatening a punishment creates a power struggle. To encourage healthy eating, continue offering your child an array of nutritious choices — and keep the mealtime mood upbeat.

Serve right-sized portions. Parents often overestimate how much food a child should eat. Small portions are less overwhelming, while bigger portions may encourage overeating.

Don't negotiate. It's fine to encourage kids to "try one bite" but don't fall into the negotiating trap.

Have family meals together. Kids eat a more nutritious diet, with more fruits and vegetables, when they regularly have family meals.

Create positive peer pressure. Toddlers are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they see their peers eating them, so look for opportunities where they can eat healthy with friends.

Let Kids Feed Themselves- Kids should start finger feeding around 9 months of age and try using utensils by 15-18 months. They need to decide whether to eat, what they will eat, and how much to eat — this is how they learn to recognize the internal cues that tell them when they're hungry and when they're full. Just as important, toddlers need to learn and practice the mechanics of feeding themselves.

Listen to Your Child- Be alert to what toddlers say through their actions. A child who is building a tower of crackers or dropping carrots on the floor may be telling you he or she is full. Pushing food on a child who's not hungry may dull the internal cues that help kids know when they've eaten enough.

What If Kids Skip a Meal? Many toddlers need to eat often — as much as six times a day, including three meals and two or three snacks. Keep this in mind as you establish a pattern of meal and snacks. But realize that a food schedule only sets the times that you will present food to your toddler. Your child may not take every opportunity to eat. Kids should be allowed to respond to their own hunger cues, a vital skill when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. Establish times for meals and snacks and try to stick to them. A child who skips a meal finds it reassuring to know when to expect the next one.

Avoid the Junk Food Trap-Toddlers need to eat healthy to get the nutrients their growing bodies need. Candy, potato chips, and other low-nutrient "junk foods" shouldn't be part of their diet because they can crowd out the healthy foods needed. Also, food preferences are established early in life, so don't miss opportunities to help your toddler develop a taste for nutritious foods.If your toddler asks for candy, simply say, "We don't have any candy." Then present two healthy snack alternatives to choose from. Even a child who mourns the lack of candy will still enjoy the sense of control from deciding which healthy snack to eat.

I really enjoyed reading these tips and was pleasantly surprised that for the most part we follow these rules. I hope these help you out and ease your mind when your child skips a meal. Next week I'll post Part 3 on my own personal tricks I've used to get my son to eat healthier!

Tips and Tricks-Good Eating Habits Part I

Meal time with a two year old can be quite trying and even entertaining. Lucian has had many quirks with eating that developed around the time he turned two. His younger brother is better but I’m sure that his days of eating whatever I serve him will be over as soon as he decides to exert his own will over what goes into his tummy. Perhaps he will go through any number of these stages that Lucian has gone or is currently going through.

Mommy’s Essential Guide to Meal Time by Lucian (age 2):

1. I will only eat one food. This only food is not what you want me to eat and probably not what you planned on serving. I will decide what this food is at the drop of a hat. You need to be a mind reader on what that food I want to eat is. If you guess wrong I will be very upset and demand that this favorite food be served. If you do not bend to my will I will protest very loudly to get my point across which may include tears. If you do happen to guess right on this one food I may decide to change my mind at any time.
2. I am not hungry. I decide when I want to eat. I do not want to eat at meal times. Instead I would like to eat more at snack time and skip meals altogether. I hope this does not cause any problems with your schedule because I live within my own schedule. This schedule is subject to change without notice.
3. I have decided that sweets are the best foods ever. Why can we not eat candy for dinner? I like candy. Can’t I have M&Ms? I got those once, remember? I had four M&Ms a month ago and I haven’t forgotten. I would like some more. I really like the green ones. Just because I don’t see candy in front of me I know we must have some in the house somewhere. If I can’t have candy, how about some cake, Mommy?
4. You made me what you thought was something I liked. Today I have decided that I don’t like it. I may have liked it last week or even yesterday but today, not so much. I won’t eat it despite your attempt to try and make something you think I already like. Nice try, Mommy but I don’t like that today. Try again tomorrow.
5. Mommy, I want you to place that certain food you are trying to serve, right there! (pointing) This is a very specific spot mommy and it won’t be as good on the other side of my plate. I have decided that “right there” is the best place for that to be. Please don’t even consider putting it “over there” because that is NOT where it goes. Thank you, Mommy.
6. Mommy, I have decided that my hand works better than my plate. I will simply gesture for you to put said food into my hand so I can skip the plate altogether. Mommy, can you please put that peanut butter in my hand? What? No, because it is greasy? I don’t mind Mommy. I’ll lick it off. Then I will use the back of my shirt to wipe my hands. It goes right there. (gesturing with cupped hand)
7. I really like to eat certain foods in different ways than they were intended. Can I have a scoop of butter? (It goes on my plate right there.) I will scoop up my ketchup and eat it like it is any other food on my plate. I love ketchup. It is like tomato soup. I would also like a whole bowl of parmesan cheese, please. I can’t get enough. A little sprinkle on my pasta doesn’t do it for me, Mommy. I need more. I need BIG parmesan. Mmmm…parmesan.
8. I need to stuff everything into my mouth at once. I will not listen to reason as to why it is important to take bites. I like to stuff it and make a really big wad in my mouth. The harder it is for me to chew, the better. I don’t mind if this makes me start to gag and I have to spit it out or if it takes me 5 minutes to finally swallow. I like having a big gob of bun in my mouth, Mommy. That is just how I like to eat. You can try to cut it up but I don’t mind filling my mouth with multiple pieces at once.

Does this sound like your child? I can’t be completely alone. Please share your own child’s guide to meal time. I’d love to hear your funny food stories.

Next week I will post some tips to make meal time a little smoother and to encourage healthy eating.

Tips and Tricks Thursday-Dryer Sheets

Do you use dryer sheets only for when you you are doing laundry? In the words of Mr. T, "I pity the fool who only uses dryers sheets in the dryer!" They have so many uses.

The tasks I use dryer sheets for include:

1. Dusting. Works great virtually any surface including blinds. They eliminate static cling from your t.v. and computer screen too!
   
2. Air fresheners. Works great for your garbage. Just place a scented one beneath the garbage bag to help eliminate odors. Also works good under car mats, in your pillowcase, hamper, luggage and shoes, anywhere that could use a fresh scent.
3. Wipes up soap scum like a dream using a slightly wet used sheet. Think tile in your bathroom or the laundry soap that builds up around the lid of your washer. (I can't be the only one who dribbles and makes a bit of mess when doing laundry??)

Other uses I've just discovered after searching for tips with dryer sheets:

1. Hang a sheet to repel mosquitoes.(Watch out this year mosquitoes, you are done for! I'm going to be armed with my big, bad scary dryer sheet. Muhahahah!)
2. A sewing needle if run through a dryers sheet will keep the thread from tangling. (Unfortunately the dryer sheet can't teach me to sew. Darn. I guess I won't be taking advantage of this tip.)
3. Use a sheet to wipe up sawdust easily (My hubby needs this tip since our still in progress playroom has plenty. If the sawdust could be considered confetti we would be having a party in there!)
4. A sheet will take odor out of books (Now I just need to find some stinky books...sniff* sniff*)
5. Works great with crafts to add texture or as a backing for embroidery.
   
6. Add to the bottom of the kitty litter box or scrub your stinky dog as he comes through the door! Also works good to remove pet hair from your furniture!

Got any more good dryer sheet tips? Feel free to share!

Tips and Tricks Thursday - Runny Noses

Poor Warren has had a terrible runny nose for the past couple of weeks. It runs non-stop. I don't know how he stays hydrated since I swear all the liquids I give him are coming out his nose. On that note, I thought I would share what I've found to help my children and their darling noses. While these two products don't cure the problem, they certainly do help!

Little Noses Saline Spray/Drops

This product relieves stuffy noses from the common cold, sinusitis, dry air and allergies! Thank you dear sister for telling me about this product. All you have to do is squirt a little bit in each nostril and wait a few moments. The snot just comes pouring out. It is awesome. I also highly recommend using a nasal aspirator with it.

I also like that all Little Remedies® Products avoid the use of unnecessary additives, helping to eliminate side effects and concerns. No pseudoephedrine, alcohol, harmful preservatives and gentle formula. Made in the USA.

Boogie Wipes

Another great product that you may have heard about recently is Boogie Wipes. (Don't you just love saying boogie?) They are very gentle saline wipes that work wonders to dissolve mucus. You can find out more, including how to buy them here. I have two packages that I purchased because of these very times when the nose is wreaking havoc. They work just as good as they claim. The wipes are super soft and get the crusted boogies off very easily. The only thing I don't like is their size. They are awful large and since I don't ever plan to carry a WET wipe around in my pocket I cut or rip them in half before I use them. They last longer and I don't feel wasteful.

Feel free to share your own tip for runny noses. I'd love to hear them!

Tips and Tricks Thursday-Hair Care

About 8 years ago a college friend introduced me to pomade. I was complaining about the horrible static my hair had and it was driving me nuts. At the time I didn’t put anything but a little hairspray in my hair and frankly didn’t have a clue what pomade was. She swore it works great to keep your hair from going all over the place.

For next few years I tried many different pomades before I finally found the perfect one for me. Pantene Pro-V Texturize! Texture & Shine Defining Pomade was just right. I like that it works wonders to keep my thick hair in place and really adds a little something extra to my layered hair. My method is to add just a little to my ends and roots when my hair is still damp and then I work it through my hair before blow drying. It works great to keep a slightly damp and styled look. WARNING: It only takes a little bit and it is very important that you really work it through your hair. I have been careless before and it left a little blob. It creates a very greasy, sticky spot that will drive you nuts. (You will all day be drawn to that little slick spot, running your fingers through it in a vain attempt to work it in until you give in and wash it when you get home.) I suggest blending it into your fingertips a bit first so you don’t start with one big glob.

After blow drying I follow it up with Pro-V Restoratives Frizz Control Anit-Humidity Hairspray . I discovered this a couple summers ago when my hair was constantly going flat with the high humidity. I now use this year round. Interestingly enough, I don’t have frizzy hair and am not in high humidity except for a couple of months a year but I love it anyway. It works to keep your hair in place but does not leave that, “My hair is so crunchy because I used this great AquaNet hairspray and continued to spray past the point of gagging on the aerosol smell and doesn’t it look so good standing up like this?” look. My hair keeps its shape but still feels soft. It also has a fairly pleasant smell in comparison to other sprays. Highly recommend this if you are looking for some hold but still want to run your fingers through your hair without getting them stuck.

I know I sound like a total walking Pantene ad. This is not a requested review but actually what I have found works for me. Feel free to post your own hair tips or if you try either of these products out, let me know what you think!

Tips and Tricks Thursday - Bottle Washing

Over the years I’ve discovered my own tips and tricks and thought they might be useful to someone else. So every Thursday I will share what I’ve learned through trial and error with my own “Ah Ha!” moment or a tip that I’ve read (aka “stolen”) that I think is ingenious.

The tip that stands out in my mind is my own method for washing bottles. I have a two step routine. 1. Dawn Direct Foam is the key to my initial wash. I put one squirt on my bottle brush and add just a tiny bit of hot water. Then I'm ready to scrub all my bottles and rinse with very hot water. I don’t have to fill the sink full of water when I need to wash just a few bottles and and I know that they are really getting clean. This also worked great for my pumping supplies when I was still nursing.

2. Periodically I use Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags to sanitize my bottles. I used these more when my baby was younger and when I went back to work and had a lot of pumping supplies to clean on a regular basis. These bags work great for quickly sanitizing ANYTHING in microwave. Other ideas for the bags include pacifiers, sippy cup valves, small toys...the possibilities are endless!

I highly recommend these two products. The only complaint that I hear often from my hubby is the Dawn Foaming Soap is too “soapy” and takes forever to rinse. I would suggest being very conservative with how much you use at first until you know how much will wash your entire sink. It really doesn’t take much.

If you do something similar or have your own bottle washing trick, please feel free to share. If you have any parenting or household related tip please send them my way at epianfetti(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll include it in next week's post.