"Should we just gab something here...."

Week two is "Eating Out" week. Often I find myself running errands, grocery shopping or simply finding ways to entertain my kids (parks, the zoo, the mall) and run into the small dilemma of should we just grab something to eat here, or go home, make it, eat it (hopefully) and clean up after it all. I'm getting better, but often I have settled for the first option, knowing chicken, fries, and simple, quick snacks will be eaten and kids will be happy relatively quickly. Lately I have been better about bringing snacks with me, but sometimes its easy to forget or maybe you didn't realize you were out of something. Snacks like the small squeezable food pouches for my youngest, and protein/cereal bars, apples, and things of that nature for the both of them.

For those in similar situations, this is a good link to refrence prior to decision making:
http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-fast-food-chains-restaurants_c-Y2lkPTIx.html

I provided this link for two reasons: the first, and the primary reason is so you/I can use the appropriate options to determine caloric/nutrient content and use it as a motivator to pick the 2nd option from above, since restaurant food is often higher in kcal and in large portions. The other use is to better educate yourself regarding foods commonly consumed while eating out to enhance knowledge, fat content, etc. to make better choices if eating out tends to be unavoidable. I know most of us have our little indulgences, but as they say...knowledge is power.

EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!!!

How's everyone doing today! This week is " how to get a fussy toddler to eat their veggies" week. The only veggie-related food she seems to care for is corn and tomatoes provided it's in pasta or pizza sauce form. I have tried cheesy broccoli with little success, and am trying to incorporate different strategies in an effort to entice her appetite to expand a bit. Fruits are no problem and things like the little squeeze pouches that blend fruit and veggies are somewhat effective, as is juices to an extent, but she is so picky and I would like her to eat more raw veggies. Any tips are welcome from those who have been through this, and I have been doing online research for some ideas, which I will try and have set up links for below. I hope the following ideas may help any one else out there dealing with similar issues.

Some of the ideas mentioned in the link below involve presentation, dressing up a plate and making it look exciting, making funny faces like in a veggie pizza, as well as blending them in with ground meat.
http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/photo-gallery/get-your-toddler-to-eat-vegetables.aspx#/slide-1

This link provides some good tidbits more centered around behavior, but also helps with this issue by providing ideas such as getting them to cook with you, planning meals, and maybe using just a little sugar to entice better eating behavior
http://www.parents.com/kids/nutrition/healthy-eating/get-your-kids-to-eat-better/

I am looking forward to using some of these ideas in the near future and hopefully, if you have kids or plan to have them, these helpful ideas will be of use for you as well.

This is the first of many daily/weekly blogs regarding my chaotic situation being a stay at home dad with a wife who works overnights (8 on 6 off), raising a seven and two year old (Amarra and Vaeda), and pursuing an online degree in Dietetics. In the future I will begin posting about nutrition nuances in my day to day life, problems I'm currently exposed to with two picky eaters, time management, meal planning and other facets pertaining to my family's nutrition, along with links to beneficial articles anyone can use in their everyday lives. Enjoy!