Kids and Nutrition, my view...
Review of cookbook- Healthy Baby Food, by Nirelle Tolstoshev
Kid Friendly Recipes
Kids and Nutrition:
I believe it is so crucial to teach you kids good nutritional skills from the very beginning. Let them try as many things as possible and if they don’t like it the first time, keep trying. You can give a child something new to try and it may take you 5+ attempts before they like it. Be persistent, it’s worth it.
I also believe the best thing you can do is set an example for your child. Even if they are difficult to feed, if they continually see you eating well and making a big deal about what you are eating, they will be influenced.
Another key to eating well comes from participating. I often find that if I want to get a good nutritional soup for example, into my daughter, I get her to put the veggies in the pot, stir it and then turn the blender on when its time to blend. If she knows she made the soup she’s very good at eating it! This goes for so many other foods they can help to cook.
Having a veggie patch and planting your own herbs and vegetables is a great idea for children. They learn where food comes from, how to nurture it, and they will also have a greater appreciation for fresh food.
Healthy Baby Food
by Nirelle Tolstoshev
As if having twins didn't take up enough time, a friend of mine decided that she would compile all her recipes into a children's cookbook. I can't say I would be quite so capable as to raise twin boys and write a book at the same time but Nirelle Tolstoshev, author of Healthy Baby Food, did exactly that and has produced a fantastic book full of recipes, ideas and information on how to get the most out of food and how to get it into our babies and toddlers.
The book is ultra user friendly, it is set out so that it's easy to read and the recipes are easy to follow. It starts with some really useful information on nutrition, the basics on what to stock your pantry with and then the book is further broken down into age appropriate sections which contain the recipes. The book finishes with some helpful troubleshooting for fussy eaters. If you have a child you will no doubt have encountered these problems from time to time (or all of the time as the case may be for some!), and I'm sure you'll find this section most helpful.
Each section begins with information on babies of that particular age and follows on to age appropriate recipes that are simple and tasty. As you move through the book there is additional nutritional information with each recipe and also alternative suggestions which are very useful to cover all kinds of changing tastes.
Most of the recipes are suitable for the whole family so the this book is great as it can inspire the night's dinner and encourage eating together as a family. Some of the easy and tasty recipes include scrambled eggs with ricotta and parsley, pumpkin and bean squares, chicken croquettes, and eggplant, sweet potato and cous cous.
I highly recommend Healthy Baby Food by Nirelle Tolstoshev for anyone with a baby or toddler. You can find it in major bookstores or online, definitely worth a purchase.
KID FRIENDLY RECIPES:
Bliss Balls
These balls are so incredibly healthy and delicious and kids love them (so do I).
1 cup of almond meal
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup linseed meal
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup walnuts
1 cup fine dessicated coconut
1/2 cup chopped fresh dates
1/4 cup goji berries
2 tbl maca (optional)
2/4 cup raw honey
3/4 cup tahini
Process all the dry ingredients in a food processor then add the honey and tahini.
Mix well and form into small balls. Refrigerate.
Banana and date "icecream"
There is nothing like fooling your child with healthy food under the pretence it is junk :)
1 banana per serve
3 dates, pitted per serve (medjool are the tastiest and juiciest dates)
SIMPLY slice up a banana and chop up dates into small pieces. Put them on some baking paper on a plate or tray and place in the freezer. Once frozen, remove and place into a blender and process until smooth and creamy. You may need to wait for 10 or so minutes once the fruit has come out of the freezer so that it isn't too hard. Alternatively, just using banana without the dates also works a treat.
Tastes sensational, very healthy, and kids and adults both LOVE it!
