Taming the toddler at mealtime

If your toddler is anything like mine, their eating habits change constantly. One day she eats 3 meals and 2 snacks a day without protest, and the next she wants nothing but crackers at lunch time and a cup of milk for dinner. I've conceded to the fact that at 2 years old, she is pretty much in charge of her own eating habits, BUT it's my job to offer her healthy options in reasonable portions throughout the day. I get bonus points if I manage to make it fun! Hahaha!

Finding foods that are fun and healthy can often be a challenge for busy moms. It's not the end of the world if your kid eats a hot dog once a week (gasp!), or chicken nuggets, or spaghettios even. When that becomes the habit everyday is when it becomes not only a health issue, but a development  issue. Your young child needs a variety of foods for good health, but they also need exposure to variety to continue healthy habits as they get older.
So what should you do to get a decent meal into that picky toddler?

1. Offer different foods in different ways.

I buy most of my fruits and vegetables from the fresh produce department. This gives me the freedom to prepare them in any way I choose. If I offer my 2 year old fresh blueberries, she pops one in her mouth, and immediately gags and drools a blue mess down her new shirt, I don't assume she hates blueberries. Maybe she doesn't like the texture or the skin was a bit bitter. Next time I can put them in a pan with some honey or sugar and make a compote to top her pancake or waffle at breakfast or add them to a batch of applesauce muffins. My daughter happens to LOVE eating fresh blueberries that have been frozen (the store bought frozen berries tend to have a tough skin). She calls them "popsicle berries." Fun to eat with a fun name!
I've heard many moms talk about grating carrots and adding them to all kinds of foods for an extra veggie boost. Put them in spaghetti sauce (or spaghettios if you must, lol), macaroni, soups, ramen, even ketchup!

Get creative, search for recipes, try out your own ideas, but don't ever stop TRYING to offer healthy foods because the child has rejected it once. Kids' tastes can change from day to day.

2. Make it a fun activity!

As adults we want to sit down at a table with a plate of food, untensils, a napkin, and a cold drink to enjoy a meal. Kids, especially toddlers, find this to be the most incredibly boring way to get nourishment. Mix up the routine at mealtimes, and you'll find your little one consuming a lot more on average than when they are forced to sit and mind their manners. Here are a few ways we keep it lively:

-Offer fun plates and utensils.

-Give them a few choices. 1-3 options is optimal for youngsters.

-Serve lots of finger foods.

-Have them plate their own food so they can choose the portion size. 

-Let them help prepare the meal to get them interested in the food.

-Make a pallet and have a picnic in front of the T.V.

-Take your pallet outside, and have a real picnic in the yard!

-pack up lunch on the go on busy days, and let them eat in the car or where ever.

My 2 year old is enjoying a sliced up turkey dog, raw carrots with ranch dip, red grapes, cheese cubes, cheetos, and cold water in her Hello Kitty travel cup. 

3. Always give them at least one dish you know they will eat.

When a toddler sees a familiar item it makes them feel comfortable. When you hand them a plate of food that is totally foreign to then they are likely to turn up their nose and run. 

4. Keep it separated.

When we think of meals like tacos, nachos, salad, or pasta we envision a plate of food put together to create one cohesive entree. A child sees a pile of food all mixed together and TOUCHING the other food! It may seem silly to cater to such a whim, but in my world, this is one of those times when I live by the old parenting adage "pick your battles." Would you rather fight your child to eat something they perceive as "gross", have them refuse to eat, or simply plate all the ingredients in separate piles instead of assembled in a traditional way? They may eat each ingredient separately or they may choose to build it themselves to their own liking. Either way, your kid is eating instead of battling you at mealtime. 

What are some ways you keep mealtime fun and battle-free?

Fall Fun and Decor Round Up #1

Fall is by far my favorite season. I love the cooler weather, the colors, the food, the activities, and the holidays! I feel like we are finally kicking off the season here in Oklahoma (even though temperatures are still in the 90's!) because tomorrow I am accompanying my 4 year old and her class to the county fair. I plan to splurge on some local honey and a caramel apple :)

In the spirit of the season I've been getting a few ideas and projects together to share with my family and readers. So here it is, my first round up, for fall!

1. Hoot Owl Peanut Butter Cookies from Growing in Grace

These look so fun and TASTY! The best part is by substituting dairy free margarine, they are milk-free (so I can actually eat them)!
http://www.jo-ann-growingingrace.com/2012/09/hoot-owl-peanut-butter-cookies.html

2. Paper Punching Leaves from Grow Creative

Early fall is the perfect time for this fun kid-friendly activity. Get outside, take a nature walk, collect beautiful leaves, and punch out any fun shapes you'd like! The possibilities for creating with these are endless. Use them to make a collage, cards for family and friends, glue them to wax paper and cut out a pretty shape to make a natural sun catcher, or creating a mobile using fishing line.
http://growcreative.blogspot.com/2012/11/paper-punching-leaves.html

3. Spooky Dripping Candle Display

This simple craft is the perfect way to decorate your table, porch, or classroom without the mess, danger, and expense of real candles!
http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/111073-candle-cluster.html

4. Halloween Hand Treat Bags from The Queen's Card Castle

Perfectly creepy for passing out on Halloween night, or as a treat for your child's classroom.
http://queenscardcastle.blogspot.com/2012/10/hello-my-friends-hope-your-monday-is.html

5. Glow in the Dark Puff Paint Pumpkins from Balancing Home

If your kids are too young for carving or you just hate the gooey gunk from the inside of a pumpkin give this craft a try. You can use real or fake pumpkins and create fun designs or spooky images!
http://www.balancinghome.com/2012/09/puffy-paint-glow-pumpkin.html

6. Candy Corn Bark from My Baking Addiction

This looks so festive and DELICIOUS!
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/boo-halloween-treat-and-giveaway/

7. Halloween Facts from Daily Infograph

Take the mystery and fear out of Halloween for kids young and old by sharing some history and facts regarding the holiday and its roots.
http://dailyinfographic.com/halloween-infographic

8. Fall Doodle Paints from Growing a Jeweled Rose

Teach your youngster about the colors and smells of fall while they create a fun, messy masterpiece with these awesome homemade doodle paints!
http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/08/homemade-paint-recipe-fall-doodle-paints.html

9. Play in the Leaves

That's it...just PLAY!

10. Cinnamon Baked Apple Chip Snacks from Beauty and the Beard

These healthy snacks are even better when they are homemade, and perfect for a lunchbox or class treat!
http://beautyandbeard.blogspot.com/2012/03/baked-apple-chips.html#uds-search-results

There you have it! Be sure to check out all the featured bloggers, and try some of these fun activities with your family!
Stop by, and follow my "Fall Fun and Decor" Board on Pinterest for quick access to all these links and more great fall finds!