Growing Healthy Kids

Even if you don't have kids, you'll want to scroll down to the bottom of this post for my moist, delicious turkey burger recipe. But if you do have kids, it's important to acknowledge that feeding children natural, whole foods is just as important as ensuring your children's safety, teaching your children about responsibility, and affectionately loving your children. With each healthy food choice you provide your child, you really are setting a foundation for vitality, focused attention, and wellness.

The first order of buisness is to acknowledge that fast food, doughnuts, and pizza are food imposters made of highly processed, un-natural matter that should only be eaten in desparate circumstances, if at all. I know that some children are just picky and don't like vegetables from the get-go; however, as a parent you can accomodate picky palettes with healthful substitutes and clever disguises. I pride myself on being able to make any unhealthy food in a healthful way, so if you have any requests please comment to this post and I'll try to help. My 11 month old daughter will eat any healthy food I present to her, but some days she doesn't want to eat some of the options I provide to her. Even so, the next day I try again. If you don't present healthful choices to your child, he/she will never be able to choose it--so put it on their plate at every meal. I have been so surprized at the healthy food my baby will eat, so don't set mental limits on your child's preferences.

If you know your child is a blood type A, you need to always be prepared for a food melt-down. We A's need to eat every few hours, so always have a PBJ, yogurt, or some power snack handy when you're out and about. Also, watch the clock and give your child the food before you notice a downward spiral. This will help prevent the inevitable crash that is coming.

If you're a new parent, do not be intimidated by making "baby food." It is so easy to cook some vegies and puree them. I would mix spinach in with butternut squash (which was in season), puree carrots with tofu, and mash avocado into a silky texture. Be creative and ask other mom's--they are your best support.

Here are some foods that my baby eats. I started her on table food at 8 months old, and she has flourished as a healthy eater. The recipes to some of these dishes will be at the end of this blog.

Foods Mylah Loves to eat:
frozen blueberries, defrosted in the microwave for 15 seconds.
scrambled egg
egg salad
tofu teriyaki
tofu with dill
lentils and brown rice (sometimes I just heat up some cooked lentils and melt some
organic mozzerella in with some garlic salt and Mylah loves it)
beans (any type--I often give her whole pinto beans plain)
avocado (her favorite)
split peas
turkey burger
broccoli flouretts (I just cut off the stems)
sweet peas
pear
plain whole fat yogurt with a little maple syrup
almond butter and fruit preserve on ezekial bread
rice noodles
chard
carrots
apple sauce--unsweetened

TOFU TERIYAKI
1 T olive oil
1/2 tub of tofu, cubed
1/4 cup of teriyaki sauce

Heat oil over medium heat, when oil is hot add tofu. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and add sauce. It doesn't get any easier than this, and my baby eats it up with broccoli and avocado on the side.

TURKEY BURGER
1 lb ground natural turkey breast
1 slice of whole grain toast, ground in a food processor
1 organic egg
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

Mix everything together in a large bowl. Form burgers and either cook them on the grill or heat 1 T of olive oil over medium heat, when hot add burgers, and then cook on the first side until you can see the meat begining to turn a little light/white on the top. Flip the burgers (the cooked side should be browned) and then cook until you see clear juices coming through. A delicious burger that your whole family will LOVE!