Friday, November 25, 2011

Parents Taking Charge in Education Presents: Getting Kids to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables - Try Compromising with Your Child by Mrs. Dorothy Barron


Parents Taking Charge in Education

                        Presents

Photo: P. Barron


Getting Kids to Eat More Fruits & Vegetables
Try Compromising with Your Child

                                       Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

When it comes to getting kids to change poor eating habits or simply improve, you may want to consider the following:


·        Pick your battles- the more adamant you are, often the more determined the child is to obtain that which is prohibited.

·        Compromise- such can be a positive and winning experience for both you and your child.  It can afford you the opportunity to assist you child with making wise choices, improving social skills and becoming a more independent thinker.

·        Make changes to your child’s diet by substituting your choices with theirs gradually; besides, there are more nutritional choices than ever to select from.

Why gradual changes? There is an aspect of which you may not have given much or any thought to - it is “Food Addictions.” Food Additions are similar to other addictions- certain substances or foods denied after having become a habit over a period of time can induce symptoms of withdrawal, cravings, mood swings, irritability, etc.

Avoid a body system crash which may affect various body functions and/or the ability to function by considering making gradual changes to the diet as oppose to sudden and massive changes.

Photo: P. Barron
Here is a simple exercise for compromising with your child:


Your snack selections v. your child/ren’s

·        The child presents a list of his favorite snacks and you present yours. Determine the number of days your child’s  selection of snacks will be available and your selection (3 v. 4 days)

·        Purchase and make available only enough snacks of your child’s choices for the limited number of day and your selected choices.

·        Stock the refrigerator or cabinet with just enough of each for the week. The child has the choice to select interchangeably from the combined snacks or select only from his/her selected snack, but  should your child eat all of his/her selected snacks on successive days, do not refill. Allow your selection of snacks to be the only available ones.

Often when choices are limited or there are none, most of us are more likely and willing to try that which is available simply because it is convenient and accessible.

If it takes time for your child to adjust to eating more fruits and vegetables, be patient.

                   Remember, moderation is the key

You can be a winner while keeping them healthy and well!

This post is not intended as, nor does it serve as medical advice; seek advice from your physician.

Photos by Mr. Patrick Barron

This Parenting tip for your consideration has been brought to you by

 Parents Taking Charge in Education (PTCnEd)

                  http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com   

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com


Friday, November 18, 2011

Parents Taking Charge in Education Presents: Healthy Eating Habits - Make it a Family Affair by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Parents Taking Charge in Education

                     Presents

Healthy Eating Habits - Make it a Family Affair

                                           by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Healthy eating habits are good not only for kids, but all family members. 6 tips for eating healthier and getting in shape:

·        Many healthy foods can be cooked in a variety of ways – baked, broiled, grilled, steamed or simply eaten raw

·        Experiment with herbs and spices – the key is to allow all the wonderful flavors to mix and blend

·        Try different foods prepared in different forms or dishes

·        If Desserts are part of the meal - do not forgo them; moderation in both preparation and serving sizes is the key. Besides, there are many low-calorie, great tasting desserts to choose from.

·        At the end of the meal, quickly put away left-overs; do not head for your favorite chair - keep moving.

·        Take a stroll around the block or down the street. Eventually, the kids will want to traipse along and you can make it a family affair. Besides, walking is not only good for the physical, but mental being as well.

                        Little changes can make a difference

Here’s to Healthy Eating Habits - Make it a Family Affair!

These Parenting tips have been brought to you by

Parents Taking Charge in Education (PTCnEd)

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com    

Friday, November 11, 2011

Parents Taking Charge in Education Salutes Dads who Get Involved by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Parents Taking Charge in Education
                                         by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

         

             Salutes Dads who get involved!            
    
                          
                                and       
          Presents the Video




     “Getting Kids to Eat More Fruits & Vegetables”

                                                                                                                                                                            
        Check it out and give Dad a “thumbs up!”

In addition, we leave you with 3 Tips for keeping down cost when Purchasing Fruits and Vegetables:

  • Shop with and support vendors or grocers that pass the savings on to customers.  
  • Compare cost, quality and quantity and decide in what form(s) is/are best- fresh, frozen, canned, dried, etc.
  • Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season.



These Parenting tips have been brought to you by

 Parents Taking Charge in Education (PTCnEd)

 Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder
Parents Taking Charge in Education at http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com




Friday, November 4, 2011

Parents Taking Charge in Education Presents - Tips for Getting the Picky Eater to Eat by Mrs. Dorothy Barron


                Parents Taking Charge in Education Presents
Tips for Getting the Picky Eater to Eat by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Got a phone or video camera and a viable food tip; the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) may be looking for you. The USDA’s Video Challenge Contest is in progress; a link has been added at the end of this post for those interested.

Whether fruits, vegetables or food in general, often it is a challenge on the Parent’s part to satisfy or get the picky eater to eat. For Parents who enjoy cooking, the specific tip below may be a cinch for you and possibly well worth the effort to select foods the picky eater will eat.

First, some general tips:

  • Keep foods simple - limit or forget the spices, dressings and gravies
  • Keep foods separate – keep each food separated and well- spaced on the plate.
  • Keep food serving portions small – regular size servings can sometimes overwhelm a child.
In order to determine what you picky eater will eat: Conduct a Food Tasting test with your child/ren as the judge(s). Get creative – conduct the taste test with or without blindfolds; design placards with children’s names and place on the table and/or create your own taste test criteria forms, etc. You get the picture.

Specific Tip – Serve one food at a time in various ways to your picky eater(s) to determine what he/she will eat and how best to prepare and serve a particular food. Illustrations using a vegetable and a fruit as examples have been included here:



Cabbage – Lots of Nutritional Value

   











Photo by Mr. Patrick Barron
Prepare as:

  • Cole Slaw

  • Italian Sausage over steamed Cabbage

  • Cabbage Chowder
Pineapple – Full of Nutrients
Photo by Mr. Patrick Barron
Serve:

  • Fresh - slices or spears
  • As a shake or smoothie

 
  • As a dessert- Pineapple Sorbet

Provide each child with adequate utensils and mini-cups (baker’s paper cupcake liners and/or mini-plastic cups) for each “taste of food.” Serve very small amounts; talk about their likes and dislikes, recommended changes, etc., and etc.  

Have fun!

Some advantages of this food exercise:

  • You now know what your picky eater(s) will and will not eat
  • Provides a learning experience for both you and your child/ren
  • Builds social, critical thinking and communication skills
  • As a Parent, you spend some quality time with your child/ren
  • One food equips you with a variety of meals
These food tips have been brought to you by Parents Taking Charge in Education

                                 http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

The URL for the USDA Video Challenge Contest: http://fruitsandveggies.challenge.gov/

Sincere thanks to Mr. Patrick Barron for granting permission to use his photos.

Parents Taking Charge in Education http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder