Overcoming a Picky Eater

Kids don't tend to be naturally good eaters. Most moms I know suffer severe frustration over trying to get their children to eat well. I've definitely been there!!! When Carter started eating table foods, he'd eat just about anything I put in front of him - I thought I'd skipped the curse of the picky eater. Nope. Shortly after his first birthday, Carter decided he wasn't going to eat anything other than chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, mac-n-cheese, and ... cheese. Okay, he'd eat fruit too. But still, a kid cannot survive on cheese alone! For too long, I fed into this (ha ha ha) and made a separate meal for him.

One day, I decided I'd had enough! I was tired of all the fighting and stress over getting him to try new foods, or at least ingest a veggie once in a while! Plus, I figured all this stress over foods could not possibly be good for encouraging a healthy relationship with food. So (inspired by my friend Alice Anne whose daughter eats EVERYTHING), I decided to stop stressing . And to stop catering to his picky tastes. I started by offering him what I prepared for Ace and I for dinner. I made sure that every meal had some element that he would eat, so he wouldn't starve (but I usually offered this part last). If he didn't eat - fine. We didn't argue about it, just matter-of-factly ended the meal. I knew he wouldn't starve himself (and he was BIG, so he had some reserves to go on), and sure enough, after a few meals of this, he started tasting what I offered him!

I've read that it can take tasting a food up to 14 times for a child to decide they can stomach it. So, I just kept offering. Now, I respect that everyone has different tastes, so I don't expect him to like everything. I really don't like fish - no matter how many times I've tried. Kids are no different! Carter to this day refuses to eat ground meat, tomatoes (or any derivative thereof), carrots or potatoes (other than french fries). That's fine by me because he eats many other varied and healthy choices!

So, a few tips I've learned along the way:

* Sometimes its the texture kids don't like - try changing the consistency of the food.
* Some kids don't like their foods mixed - get a lunch tray looking dish that has separate areas for different foods.
* A drop or two of food coloring can make any food look more fun and appetizing.
* Slowly introduce a new food. For example, for spinach, start by mixing some spinach into corn muffins first, then add it to a pasta sauce, then serve it mixed with butter or some parmesean cheese, THEN serve it straight up.
* A rose is still a rose by any name, but calling a food something fun, kids may be more apt to taste it (i.e. super-man muffins, muscle milk, grow tall sticks [celery]). Plus, I've known many kids who will eat any meat if you call it "chicken." A little deception won't hurt ;)
* Always have one food in the meal that they will eat.
* Try a "one-taste" rule - they just have to taste it once, and if they still don't like it, no sweat!
* Praise them for trying new foods but don't make a big deal or get mad if they simply refuse or don't like it.
* Involve your older children in picking out the foods at the grocery and preparing. Carter is my little sous chef! If he takes ownership of the meal, he's sure to try it!

That said, some kids are more than just picky eaters. Some have developed food aversions that need actual intervention and therapy. If your child's pickiness seems excessive or persistent, talk to your Pediatrician about getting them a consult at a feeding clinic.

Also, I've found these tactics equally applicable to husbands as children :)

If you have any other ideas or tips - share!!!

Book Review: The Host

Last night, I finally finished reading The Host by Stephanie Meyer (same chic who wrote the Twilight series). It was a long book, but I took a hiatus in the middle to read another book that sounded more interesting :) The Host started off kind of "eh" for me - a little too sci fi for my tastes. But about 1/3 of the way through it got really interesting!

Basically, the book is about these alien "souls" that survive by being implanted into other living things. These souls recently invaded earth and pretty much took over all human life. However, there was a small group of humans that still existed in hiding. There was a soul that could not completely take over her host, and who went to find the host's family in that enclave. That's where it gets super interesting! I would recommend it!

For the first time in a loooong time, I don't have another book awaiting me. I need to go to the library!

Feeding Frenzy

I love to cook. Trying out new recipes is one of life's simple pleasures for me. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to cook on the weeknights, so I try to keep those meals to things that take 30 minutes or less to prepare. I also do most of the prep work the night or morning before (i.e. chopping, marinating, etc.).

I also determined pretty early on (when Carter refused to eat anything other than chicken nuggets and cheese...) that I am not a short order cook! If Carter or Ace don't like what I'm making - tough :) I make sure every meal has elements they like, so they don't starve. But I also want them to expand their palates and try new foods! They are surprised sometimes what they end up liking! As a result, I have raised kids that are not overly picky. I promise to follow up this post with my ideas for overcoming a picky eater (especially for you Jenn!!).

To make meal-planning easier, I have created an excel sheet that breaks down entrees by the main ingredient (chicken, turkey, pork, beef, seafood, vegetarian), and I also list sides by veggies and starches. That makes it super easy to create a varied menu without much thought. But sometimes I get rather bored with the usual go-to's, so every week I aim to try out a new recipe! I subscribe to Cooking Light's "Dinner Tonight" email and I often pick up Martha Stewart Living and Rachel Ray's Everyday magazines for meal ideas too! If the meal is a success, I add it to my database and put the recipe into my recipe box. Oftentimes, I can take a recipe that is elaborate or too fancy-pants for my family's tastes and make it more simple by changing the cooking method or eliminating or replacing ingredients.

If you haven't noticed, I list my weekday menu over to the right each week ---> Of course, there are some nights when I have to work late or I'm just too burnt-out to cook, so we do say "screw it" sometimes and eat pizza :)

If you ever want my "recipe" or found a meal that your family really enjoys - email me!!! Also, if you want me to email you my meal database, pop me a quick email! elle134@gmail.com

Last night, several of Ace's siblings dropped by for dinner, so I decided to try out a fun new summer recipe I found from Cooking Light - Chipotle Sloppy Joes! Oh my goodness, they were SO GOOD! Everyone was raving about them and devouring them! The recipe made about 10 sandwiches too, so it was great for feeding a mob. The contrast between the sweet vidalia onions and the spicy warm chipotle pepper was awesome - you must try this perfect summer recipe! I paired it with corn on the cob, steamed broccoli and oven fries. For dessert, we had root beer floats!!!

Happy eating!

I got bored...

...With the Japanese fish and script blog theme. I decided to go minimalist until I find something I like better.

Carry on :)

What are the odds?

Anyone like statistics? Genetics? Well, have I got a post for you! Have you ever wondered what the odds really are for conceiving one gender over another?? Its not 50/50 like many believe! One day, while pondering over whether this mom of two boys could ever wish to have a daughter, I came across a great website - Ingender - that discusses all things related to gender selection.

So I want to have a third child (one day), and it'd be really nice to have a girl. I ADORE my two boys, but it'd be fun to experience a girl too! Plus, I have all types of heirlooms I could pass down to a daughter! And I'd really love to have a little girl with my curly brown hair and those big brown eyes my boys have...

Anyway. After it was confirmed that we were in fact having a second boy, I began to doubt my chances of ever seeing pink. You see, my husband is one of 5 children - the first four of which are boys! That in and of itself may not be all that suspicious, but when you look at the extended branches of his family tree - its starting to look like this clan tends to produce a predominance of one gender.

Well, my friends, all hope is not lost!!!!! According to a survey done of over 6,000 American families, there is globally a slightly higher chance that any child conceived will be a boy - 51% of all babies born in the U.S. are males.


Apparently, though, the odds change with each successive child! Look at this chart to the right - this shows the odds of having a boy after each girl. So, if you have two girls, the odds of having a boy for your third child is only 46%. Yet, if you have three girls, the odds of a boy is nearly 53% for the fourth, according to the actual statistical data.

Its different for the odds of having a girl too. If you have one boy, then the ods of the second being a girl is 50%. But if you have two boys (like me!), the chance that the third will be a girl is 47.7%!

Now, looking at the overall data, it shows that there is only a 14.9% chance that a 3-child family will be all boys and 12.1% of all girls. Those aren't bad odds, I'd say! But it does seem to suggest that there may be a genetic component with regard to having males, as the odds increase for having another boy the more you have. The same isn't true for girls, though, as you have a better chance at having a boy after 3 girls than you do after 2 girls.

Interesting stuff, huh??? Of course, I'll be happy with whatever God gives me; and I know better than most that a healthy baby is all that matters. But a girl would be icing on the cake :) We can talk about ways to make that more likely another day, he he he (starting with convincing my husband to have another!).

Deleted

I decided to delete my prior post. I meant it only in a joking matter and did not think that it would cause offense to anyone. However, out of respect and an abundance of caution, I felt it was better to remove the post all together.

The "Mom"icure

Two things have changed since I became a mom over four years ago. One, I realized that I would much rather spend the $45 it costs to get a manicure and pedicure done at the nail salon on Gymboree or Janie & Jack (really super duper cute, but pricey, kids clothes for those who have yet to be initiated into motherhood). And two, nail polish is a freaking waste of time anyway when it chips off within 24 hours from bathing babes or scrubbing bottles.

Sooo...I improvise. I've realized that you can achieve hands that scream to the other mom's on the playground "She's got her sh!t together!!" (little do they know...) with little effort or money. And who can't stand to save a few dimes in this economy??

(Although, can someone explain to me how it is that one of the biggest auto makers in this country can declare bankruptcy and be removed [thats like a BIG time out] from the DOW Industrials the market still closes up????)

I've recently discoverd Ms. Manicure, and I'm in love! NO particular reason, except for the product is quality and its cute. What more reason do you need?? Her (and I'm sure its an "it,"as in a corporation, rather than a "her" but I digress) "Call your Buff" 6-way buff board is the perfect solution to nail polish! With this one handy dandy tool, you can buff your nails to a gleaming shine that won't chip!! Its easy to touch up, doesn't smell, and can't be spilled into your carpet! Simply perfect!!! Go buy one!

Once you have your cuticles trimmed, your nails gleaming with shine and the play doh cleaned out from under your nails, you must pamper your hands! I once heard that the skin on your hands is one of the fastest places for your skin to age (gasp!!!). Take care of it! No one wants wrinkly hands, right?? I have a love affair with Bath & Body Works' True Blue Spa Products. In particular, the "Just a Minute" hand scrub - it leaves your hands as soft as a baby's bottom!!! Then, finish them off with a deep moisturizing treatment with their "Glove Me Tender." Smooth as eggs! (That's for you Ace, since you are being forced to suffer through this).

Now, one must not neglect their tootsies either. I only make time for a pedicure once a month. Maybe now that summer is upon us and my feet will be bare, I'll do it more often. If you really want to recreate the spa experience, get yourself a $20 foot spa. It bubbles, heats, massages, etc. Drop in a drop or two of essential oils (peppermint if you have stinky feet) and kick back and read a magazine or watch some mindless television. Since your toes aren't scrubbing baby bottles or bathing the kidlets, they can safely be adorned with a little color here and there (or alot of color if you are crazy like that).

Now, I must confess that I've never actually personally used the Ped Egg myself... BUT - I've heard enough people raving about it that I keep meaning to buy it. Its only about $10, so not a huge investment. But the old fashioned foot buffing emory board looking thing just ain't cuttting it anymore for me. Ace swears its because I walk around the house barefoot. He always wears slippers and HIS feet are smooth as eggs - which just isn't right. So anyway, if this thing actually works they way they say, then its pretty fan-freaking-tabulous and you must have it. As must I...when I get over my cheapness and drop a Hamilton on it.

So there ya go - Elle's Guide to making other moms green with envy by fooling them into thinking you are so put together that your nails are always perfectly manicured; not stressing about paint chips; and saving a few smackaroos. Who wants to come over for a "spa party"?? The only thing that could make this better would be some chocolate, wine and friends!

Disclaimer: I was not paid to endorse any of the products shown in this blog. If only, right?