Now that October is here I’m excited to use the slow cooker more. This week I’m making slow cooker turkey chili and will be trying a different soup every other week — freezing what we don’t eat. I want to have tasty soups with meals and will be posting my favorite recipes.
I made the tortilla pizzas last week and they turned out great by putting them straight on the rack for a crispier crust. I served with smoothies and a big salad. The kids ate them up. So they get a repeat performance this Friday.
For more meal plan ideas see Org Junkie.
What’s Cooking This Week
Monday: Shrimp tacos with black beans and toppings (winging it with some ideas from Real Simple Magazine)
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna with bread, salad, and fruit
Wednesday: Kids choice
Thursday: Slow cooker turkey chili, toppings, bread, and fruit salad
Friday: Tortilla pizzas with salad and smoothies
Small changes as my girl turns 5
Big A is turning 5 one week from today. I write about her a lot because she’s a picky eater. And believe it or not, I feel fortunate for that. Why? It helps me better relate to parents who are facing the same issue. Well, because picky eating is a normal part of development, that is probably most of you. Of course, it all depends on your kid’s age and his or her Eating Personality.
I’d love to write about how Big A eats exotic foods and never wants the kids’ menu at restaurants. But I’m sure that would only annoy you — and it’s just not what most parents experience.
That said, I’ve noticed a change in my girl. While she used to only eat the crust on pizza, she now eats the whole thing. She used to just hold her smoothie and now she drinks it — and begs me for it! The biggest change of all is her appetite. She still has days where she doesn’t seem that hungry but overall her appetite has increased making her more interested in food.
Yes, these are all small things. She’s still not devouring broccoli or choosing salad but I think this is how kids move along food acceptance: in baby steps. I was recently interviewed for an article and the gal interviewing me said that’s how she ate growing up. She first put some meat in her taco shell. Then as she got a little older she added tomatoes. Then after that some lettuce and salsa. You get the idea.
And even if I could, I wouldn’t change my little eater because it’s a part of who she is. She cautious about everything and I’m realizing as she gets older that’s not such a bad thing.
What changes have you noticed in your kids?
The News — Arsenic in apple juice? Fish oil doesn’t make kids smarter?
I’m sure you heard about the Dr. Oz arsenic and apple juice scandal. His team tested the arsenic levels (on the show) in apple juice and found that they were higher than what is deemed safe.
Certain health professionals, the FDA, and the companies that had their products tested said Oz didn’t use proper testing and measured total arsenic which includes both inorganic and organic arsenic — when inorganic is the main concern. According to the FDA’s testing, apple juice has very low levels of inorganic arsenic, almost at 0.
I think the last thing parents need is something more to worry about (unless it’s really something to worry about). Yes, we need to be aware of where our food comes from, but when exposing the potential risks we need to do it responsibly and follow the appropriate testing, letting the public know all the facts.
Also in the news was a report saying that fish oil, both in pregnancy and breastfeeding doesn’t make kids smarter. And I have to say: I don’t care.
I didn’t take fish oils during pregnancy to make my children smarter, I did it to help meet their needs for the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA. In the last trimester, DHA accumulates in brain tissue at high rates and this continues until age 2.
When it comes to this topic of essential fatty acids and children, I think it would be more beneficial for researchers to figure out how much is needed.
The U.S. is behind other countries in establishing recommended amounts of DHA and EPA throughout the life-cycle. I fear headlines like this give parents the wrong impression that these fatty acids don’t matter when they do.
Read: DHA for Kids: The Complete Guide for Parents
Well, that’s enough babbling for now. Got something on your mind? Let me know in the comments.
Have a wonderful week!
Want to create your way to meal plan in a way that works for you? Get step-by-step help in Maryann’s book The Family Dinner Solution.
Ooh! I love crock pot turkey chili. I have a similar recipe, but I use 1 can each of kidney beans, black beans, and garbanzo beans. And since it makes a ton, I always freeze half for an easy meal later on.
And I am thankful for your attitude on picky eating. I don’t think I’d read your blog if you talked about all the exotic foods your kids ate. I totally relate because my 4.5 year old is picky too. But I’ve noticed slow baby steps as well. He came home from preschool just last week and said he tried a bagel and he loves them. Yay!
And finally, I agree about the whole not caring about fish oil making kids smarter or not. That’s not why I took fish oil during pregnancy and nursing either. Although, I did notice my second child was much rounder (weighed more, gained weight faster) then my first. I always thought that it might have been partly because I was much better about taking the fish oil during my pregnancy and nursing then I was with my first.
Thanks Mandi! And thanks for the tip — I think I will freeze what we don’t finish of the turkey chili for another busy week. I’m glad you’re able to see the baby steps in your 4-year old. Thanks for reading!
I’m glad you highlight that picky eating is NORMAL for a child’s development. So many people think “something’s wrong” when their or another child is choosy with food. I was one of those. But I know now that it is part of growing up.
The benefits of fish oil aren’t just brain development. There are so many other parts of the body that benefit. Why not get your baby on a good start at health? We incorporate fish in our diet for my husband’s cholesterol and my son’s healthy development.
Yes Anne — there are many benefits to getting essential fatty acid from fish from heart health to brain health. And I think having reasonable expecations around kids eating helps immensely.
I really enjoy your site. And it is so comforting to know that my child is not the only one and that I am not the only one following the “Division of Responsibility.” I appreciate the support. Thanks!
Thanks Jessica! that’s one of the reasons I started this blog — to show parents they are not alone and that while we all struggle, doing the right thing is worth it in the end.
I have a suggestion for a crock pot soup. I know your family likes Mexican food so you might like this. In my pre-veg days, I LOVED this soup and everyone I made it for gave it rave reviews. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup/detail.aspx
You definitely write in a very relatable way, Maryann, it’s why I keep coming back. 🙂
Thanks Goodfountain. It sound great. I’m still making the salmon cake recipe you recommended to me ; )
I agree with you on the DHA and EPA and meeting essential fatty acid needs. I have an 8 month old who I’m breastfeeding and I take a prenatal with fish oil (only around 200 mg). I purchased a fish oil supplement (Nordic Naturals) for infants at FNCE last week however I have not yet tried it. What do you think about supplementing infants with DHA and EPA?
That’s still great progress for your daughter! It sure makes things a little easier at meal time, I imagine. One the other subject, I feel like TV shows are harping on things they shouldn’t be. For instance, someone who is severely obese and having trouble losing weight is probably not worried about apple juice. They are wondering about balance and how to achieve it.