Lots of things are new and up in the air for us. In areas where I can, I am trying to hold on to a sense of sameness and stability for our children. With that being said, here’s what’s for lunch.
Yes, we still use our favorite little divided plates. It’s a crying shame we only have four; Flurry could start using one now!
I love nutrition. It’s a passion of mine, to be sure! How do I get my children to eat healthy? There are really a few ways I do it. First, healthy food is almost all they are ever offered at any given point in the day. If healthy food is all they’re offered, it’s all they’ll eat! Second, choices are huge. Most days, lunches for our five little ones look just like this. Lots of options in small amounts on one plate, with the children given the understanding that they may eat whatever they like and not what they don’t. The freedom sure helps them in being adventurous and in not making eating a battle. Also, young children love to dip. When I have hummus, ranch dressing or goat cheese as a dip, they are likely to eat many more carrots and celery sticks than when I don’t. Finally, eating healthy becomes more natural for children when it is modeled for them. I was a slacker about that for the longest time, but I’ve been eating exclusively healthy (and in normal portion sizes) for a couple months now. It makes a difference for the whole family!
So, what’s for lunch, exactly? And why? I’m so glad you asked!
fresh broccoli – overflowing with vitamins and contains trace minerals
blueberries – full of antioxidants which provide cancer protection
chili – the kidney beans provide fiber while the tomatoes and sauce are a great source of lycopene (which makes the tomatoes red and is another antioxidant) the beef in this chili my friend Julie made for us came from a grass fed cow (the meat is lower in calories and high in Omega-3 fatty acids because the greens the cow ate was hight in those)
endive – this sister of the lettuce leaf is high in Vitamin A, another antioxidant
avocado – chock full of great fats that are wonderful for children’s developing brains
beef jerky – protein
raisins – although these sweet morsels have more (natural) sugar than grapes, they still contain iron and fiber and are good for the eyes
carrots – these veggies are a great source of beta carotene which is great for eyes and lungs
clementines – besides being easy to peel, these little fruits pack a punch with Vitamin C
apples – full of fiber and great for the liver
pears – high in folic acids and another healthy choice loved by the liver, in juice form, pears cool down a fever
goat cheese dip – a good source of protein and fat
puffed brown rice cereal – while the cereal making process takes most of the nutrients out of the rice, these are still a source of protein and an example of a one ingredient food (brown rice is the only thing on the ingredient list
That is what’s for lunch around here. Same old, same old. This stability in our meals is one sense of normalcy I can give my children right now. So I’ll take it!
Wow… that is great! I wish I could get my kids to eat that well… as well as myself! Hmm maybe I will get some divided trays like those and try something to see if that helps. Probably wont work for my kids but it would be worth a shot.
What colorful meal trays! I wish my kids ate as well as yours! What is your secret?
Have you heard about Juice Plus? It is a great way to get an extra variety of fruits and vegetables into our diet. I started taking them and with mine I get my sons’ chewables for free. Luke would sell them if he could and he is only 4. It gives me some comfort knowing they are getting additional servings in a whole food form and not a synthetic vitamin or supplement
Contact me if you are interested in learning more
kristen.piccola@gmail.com
http://www.kpiccolasharesjuiceplus.com
you can learn more about the child study here. it can also be a great way to make some income
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw3oIsJJDBo
You inspire me to give L more choices. He does eat more when he gets to dip things into dressing.
OMG… my comment to you yesterday – typed on my Kindle, looks like I am “preying for your heart”! Haha! Darn predictive text!
In other news… (moving on quickly), I looked high and low thinking somewhere on this planet they had the trays, and so far, no luck…
Keep that chin up! lo
love the colors on those plates! pear juice for fever…never heard that one before!
hope you guys have a fabulous day, today!!!
Looking at those colorfully filled, divided meal plates is making me hungry, and it’s 9:30 at night!
I think it’s awesome how you encourage your kids to eat healthily. I’ve heard that teaching healthy habits like this to young kids is one of the best ways to make them likely to keep those habits ALL their lives!
One quick question, and I’m not trying to embarrass myself or you guys, but how do you handle all the gas? :”> I noticed that many of the foods the kids eat cause me a LOT of gas if I don’t take Beano (alpha-galactosidase) enzyme supplements with those foods, including hummus, chili beans, and certain raw veggies like broccoli & cauliflower. And I don’t just mean the type of gas that makes kids giggle at each others’ farts; I mean my intestines rumble and cramp for hours & make me *miserable*!
Fortunately, Beano (or the generic enzyme) helps me tremendously. Maybe I’m just more sensitive to the complex sugars in legumes & other veggies than most people are (?)
Anyhoo, again, I love the platters you make for your kids; I just need to remember not to peek at your pix too close to bedtime, or I’ll get hungry! I hope your week is starting out well, despite all the changes and stress going on right now.
Cheers,
Shari K. in California
I like this. Fabulous choices!! I bet that takes quite a bit of prep work though….cleaning and chopping and spooning out. But worth it.
Thanks for the nutritional info. You’re an inspiration to us all.
I have yet to ask…in all my worries for you… how are the kids adapting to the cahanges, what are they aware of? I prey tor you always and heart you big time…you know it! Lo
I FOUND THEM….well sort of, I found a photo…but maybe this photo will help you search out a fifth tray? http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdinthehand/270508476/
Good luck!
With a 17 year old boy and two girls 11 and 8 at home (until older brothers are home from college) this wouldn’t cut it for my hungry brood. They play alot of heavy duty sports and they are hungry. I always have some veggie and fruit with each meal but its awful expensive to buy all fresh fruits and veggies. We prefer not to have any debt but our house so I really have to get creative in my food budget money. Whatever is on sale that is what we stock up on. Sometimes I worry that my kids aren’t eating all organic and all healthy but we have to do what works financially for our family.
I totally understand where you are coming from. We are a family of 6 on a tight budget. I have a 17, 15, 4, and 2 year old. My two teens are boys and they eat like horses! They don’t even play sports or anything, but man can they eat. I try to buy healthy, but you are right it is so expensive. One thing that is not too much more pricey is I started buying items that we already eat, but in the Whole Wheat and Whole grain variety! 100% whole wheat bread, tortillas, pastas etc. I also try to buy frozen veggies because they are cheaper then fresh veggies, but still healthier then canned. As for fruit I have recently been buying more fruits, but usually we don’t eat a lot of fruit! Also Mckmama’s idea about dipping was a Godsend for our little ones. I know Ketcup and Mustard are not that healthy, but if I put a little bit of that on my 4 yr old plate he will eat just about anything!
I have been reading your blog for a couple of years, but have never written. I have been where you’re at. It’s terrible and heart wrenching. But you will get through it and it’s hard to believe and sounds like a cliche, but there is a happy ending for you down the line. Focus on your wonderful kids and I hope your husband realizes how much his family needs him, but if not, God will be there for you. He never leaves. Thoughts and prayers from upstate New York.
Are any of your kids more picky than the others? My two-year old has problems with different textures and generally refuses to even try new foods. He also hates dips, so that trick doesn’t work! My almost 1 yr old, however, tries everything you put in front of him. I’ve offered both health foods from the beginning, but one is definitely a pickier eater than the other. Just wondering if any of your kids are less likely to try new foods than the others.
Mckmama, Guess what I just saw those colorful divided plates at Target for only $1.00 in their dollar section.
Do you need me to send you one for Lachlan? If so just tell me what color is his favoritest? And if you need anything else from Target just let me know and I can send send you off some stuff.
I prayed for you last night and I hope you felt bathed fresh in prayers when you woke up today. Smile Mckmama for today is a FRESH NEW day and its yours!
I have been wanting to ask you—- about 5 yrs or so your brother in law was having some health issues. I remember your sister blogging about it all. I was wondering how he was doing and if they ever diagnosed him, and what his treatment consisted of. My brother in law is suffering from Sarcoidosis and I was wondering if that was what yours was diagnosed as having? and what treatments they did to help him?
Thanks.
My husband was diagnosed with sarcoidosis almost 3 years ago. He is.doing.great and in remission!.if you have any questions feel free to contact me!
What a nutritious lunch! Love seeing what you feed those precious babies.
Glad you guys are hanging in there one minute at a time. Praying for God to continue to give you strength.
I’m curious as to what each of your children calls their favorite food. Could you tell us?
I loved this post!!! Have you ever read the book “Skinny Bitch”? I know it’s a harsh title but it’s seriously one of the best book I’ve ever read, and its and easy read. I totally recommend it. I’ve read it like 5 times, ha.
Looks delicious!
Amy
Nicole-I don’t know about the idea that breastfed babies are more adventurous… I’m still nursing my two year old some and he’s been cautious about trying new foods from the beginning. Of course, it may be something I’m doing. Who knows?
Jennifer, one question I have is at what age or how do you decide when your littles are able to try something without choking? I’m thinking I may be a little over protective in this area. Carrots sticks, broccoli, lettuce, etc??? I still cut his carrots up in little small pieces. Which thanks to hummous and ranch, he’ll now eat raw carrots and cucumbers. To my surprise, he also likes raw sweet potato wedges.
My little guy actually puts all kinds of foods in his mouth to try, but will quickly spit it out if he doesn’t like it. I’m wondering if it’s a texture thing sometimes. I keep offering anyway…
I had the same question about carrots, raw veggies, etc. my son is 20 months and I haven’t tried those things yet.
With my first child, I learned that he did best with being handed whole fruits, such as a whole apple. He could scrape off small bits with his teeth and never choked. If I cut them into slices, he ate big bites and choke. Just my two cents.
We are told that mother’s milk has different tastes following what we have been eating…
And a bottle fed child doesn’t get any variation in his milk, it is always the same …
That’s why I wonder…
But I was a very picky eater as a child so I believe in having the child taste a little bit… I am so happy now to love so many vegetables or cheese!!!!!!!!
It has been the rule at home!
Not all little kids like dip! My daughter won’t eat anything with dip on it, or sauce. She says it’s “dirty food”. But my son, he would eat dirt if I put a little bit of dip on it. Kids are funny!
A simple trick to getting your kids to eat healthy is to just stick to the whole foods. Easy peasy!
I just saw some divided plates like these at Target. My littlest throws anything green directly to the dog.
Ha!
I guess that’s your “little one’s” way of going green…………
Do your children like snap peas? Ours love them plain right out of the bag. We have the divided plates too, we got them from my mom. She works at my old elementary school and they are the same plates I ate off as a kid when I attended there. Funny how a plate can bring back memories
I just love this idea.
I plan on trying it when my own kids are older!
One thing my sister-in-law does that I thought was really smart is her kids have “their” shelf in the refrigerator that she keeps stocked with healthy snacks like apples and carrot sticks. The kids know they can get a snack from that spot pretty much any time of the day (within reason). With such easy availability, they don’t ask for unhealthy snacks. They know the difference between a “snack” and a “treat”.
My new year resolution was to make my kids’ eating habits better than they already were. We rarely touch fast food, but now I resolve not to have them eat it at all. A smoothie my kids love is: OJ, walnuts, flaxseed, frozen banana, frozen mango and 2 cups fresh spinach. They named it, The Shrek Smoothie and they LOVE it!! A few great recommendations for reading and documentaries are: 1) Documentary- Forks over Knives, 2) book- Unproccesed by Chef AJ, 3) book- The China Study by Dr. Campbell
“I” would like to eat that lunch.:)
I agree…try to keep the small things that make your kids lives seem normal. They have a Mommy that loves them and that is all they need. (not saying they do not need a daddy that loves them too, but you are the one THERE right now) And they have each other. And whether it’s the small things like going to the gym, school work, taking a walk, or eating yummy lunches, those things add up to big things and make them feel secure.
I have a stack of divided plastic plates. Not sure on the specifics you are looking for but I got mine at King Soopers, Albertsons so if you have one of those stores, they might be coming out with them soon as Spring/Summer/barbecue season arrives.:)
I run an in home daycare and I like my kids color coded so I have tried to find every color out there. I do not have the “taco” slot but it has three sections across the top and then a big section.
Hang in there.
I agree – keep as much of your routine as you can, both for your sanity and the kid’s.
We had sea foam green “school lunch room trays for our children. They loved them. I just went to see how many we had. I thought if there were 5 I would offer them to you. Well first off there were only 4. Secondly when my teenagers saw me looking at them..they asked why we don’t ever use them anymore. Then they went on and on about how great they are and how they love meals served on them. Keep making memories with those MSC. I hope you can find a tray for Flurry!
You are sweet to even think of me! And so cute about your teenagers’ memories triggered by the plates!
I love that they have so many healthy choices and can choose what they eat. What do you do with the leftovers?
Save them for the next snack or tomorrow’s lunch!
yeah for routine!! I may have a couple of those divided plates—may not be identical, but similar–let me check and if I have them would be happy to send them–I have not used them in quite some time–will send a pic if I have them..
keep on keepin’ on !
Shari
Hey!
Can you fix my lunch today?
Your children are very blessed.
((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))
Yummy lunches. My kids have always been offered the same as we eat (well actually started when Son #1 was 4, because he was so picky!). They eat pretty much everything, green or otherwise. I agree that nutrition is very important. So is organic.
Hey- just a question- when you say “not what they don’t”- do you mean that they don’t have to eat the parts of the tray that they don’t want?
I have a heard time with this in my neck of the woods, because I can’t seem to keep track of who has eaten enough vegetables.
I am guessing your kids are good about this because you have fed them good food for so long.
And my other thing is- do I throw out the food that they didn’t eat.
Then I feel bad.
Love to hear more on how eating goes down at your place.
Wow, good job, Mama! Following the rules of eating by colors of the rainbow!!! Keeping you guys in my prayers. Kenya is never too far away for a getaway
I think you’re doing an amazing job of showing the kids that life goes on. It broke my heart when my kids’ dad left us but we just kept on with life as usual… the kids played ball, went to church, went to their dance classes, visited friends and family… we embraced all the normal things in our life. And for us, sadly, their dad had been so removed from our lives for so many years before the divorce that the only thing we missed was the drama he created. I’m praying for you every day and I’m praying for Israel too because God does change hearts and heal families. I’m praying God’s will for your family and your peace to accept it.
As far as your meals for your family… my boys all love random things like beets and asparagus and broccoli and brussel sprouts… we just never made it a big deal to eat them. There was no fear or fighting. I loved those things, they learned to love those things. When my boys were older they would FIGHT over who got more of the asparagus. Plus, when you’re not eating bunches of artificially sweetened or transfatty foods, you are able to actually taste real food.
God is good, Jennifer. He loves you.
I have the feeling that breast fed kids are more adventurous with food? !
Mine eat very well; except two of the triplets who only had bottles… the third triplet eats very very well bat had more breast milk given by other ladies for the first 3 weeks. Why her? because she was the smallest!
Don’t you have alot of waste? I would hate having to throw away all this food!
Mckmama, you never cease to AMAZE me with your createtivity! I want you to make lunchs for me to!
Your kids are SO lucky they have you as a mama to make them such delishus and assorted foods!
My poor kids pretty much will only eat peanut butter and jelly sandwichs and some fruit for lunch. Sometimes if im lucky they will eat leftover mac n cheez, and carrot sticks with ranch dip. Picky picky kids I have! At least they always eat the dinners I cook which are always hot and nutrient like meatloaf, peas, mash potatoes or bake chicken and rice and brocoli. Have any good breakfast ideas for kids? Mine stick with 2 things. cereals and scrambled eggs. Please I want ideas for new food ideas! I am still bathing you in prayers for peace and I said an extra prayer tonight to send Mckdaddy back home to his family where he belongs.
Wow! I’m amazed at the effort you put into lunches-I like leftovers!