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Posts Tagged ‘Apples’

Healthy Snacks? What? I recently took my kid to the dentist and here is what I learned…

17 Nov

I recently took my 16 month old to the dentist for the first time. I scheduled the appointment after I was told by numerous parents at a huge playgroup that I was remiss not taking him (gulp) within six months of getting his first tooth. Oops. Well, I can’t really say “Oops”. I was in a state of denial. I knew what I needed to do, erh, what was being recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, but I also know my kid and that’s important.

Okay, I admit it, I was I scared for that appointment. I feared it. I loathed it. My little guy screams like bloody murder almost NEVER except at the Doctor’s office. We’re talking red face, sweaty head, screaming lungs off upset. And the thing is, I prove him right every time (i.e. he does get shots that hurt.) thus reinforcing the behavior.

Well, I am happy to report the appointment went extremely well. The dentist suggested the typical twice a day brushing with the evening brushing being most important (we produce less saliva, which helps to break down sugar and thus protect your teeth, in the pm) and showed me how to man handle my 16 month old to brush his teeth (chances of me being able to actually accomplish this feat on my own are pretty slim).

The dentist is young, his office modern with all the compelling wooden toys and technology. Most of what I enjoyed about him is that he holds refreshing perspectives. For example, he believes in children beginning their visits to the dentist at an earlier age because it makes for better emotional adjustment rather than bringing your kid in when they are already old enough to know better. Furthermore he believes starting visits earlier also helps create healthy habits early, of which , as you all know, I am a huge proponent.

We left happy except for one thing. My crutch on-the-go snack got a shake of the head from the dentist. What is so wrong about Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies and Honey Grahams? Apparently a lot according to my dentist. The carbs that break down on the teeth, etc. I really did appreciate the lecture and still felt that way once I was home, staring into our cabinet filled with boxes of the “crutch”. Okay, I appreciated the lecture but it did strike a nerve. I am not going to lie, I may have asked the dentist, “Do you have kids?” at one point. Yes, I stepped over the line. However, the two minute piece of advice did get me thinking – “have I become lazy? have i created a crutch for our on-the-go routine?”

So I am attempting to be better and prepare healthier snacks for the road. Here are a few that I have “re”-incorporated into our daily routine:

  • Will I eliminate Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies and Honey Grahams? Absolutely not. Moderation is key, folks. They are convenient, my kid loves them and they aren’t THAT bad for us. Just remember to wipe down or brush your child’s teeth before bed and you’ll be good.

    One last thing, for on-the-go snacking use a Munchkin Snack Catcher. It’ll save your sanity.

    Happy eating and brushing…
    Marnie

     
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    Posted in 12 months +, Family Wellness, Finger Food, Tips, Toddler

     

    Apple, Cheddar Honey Quesadilla – So Good It Should Be Bad For You

    12 Nov

    I test drive a lot of baby and toddler recipes floating out there in cyber space. Some of them are hits. Some of them are not. I recently tried the combination of Apple, Cheddar Cheese and Honey in a quesadilla, inspired by Catherine McCord of Weelicious. She publishes some fabulous recipes and school lunches, all very healthy and quite creative, sure to make your child very happy. This Apple, Cheddar Cheese, Honey is so good that I not only made a second one for myself alone but it should be bad for us. The good news? It is a healthy meal.

    Quesadillas are a great “staple” with your toddlers and “big” kids, perfect for a snack and a heartier dinner. We have them every other day AT LEAST so finding a new combination is always welcome. We typically make savory quesadillas that provide a kick of protein and iron so this sweet version was a treat.

    So here it is. Super simple.

    Gear:

    • Frying pan or griddle
    • Spatula
    • Shredder
    • Peeler
    • Small cutting knife

    _

    Food:

    • Tortilla – whole wheat is the healthier choice but we’re suckers for your standard flour tortillas
    • 1 ounce of cheddar cheese, shredded
    • 1/2 small apple – we used sweet, delicious fuji apples, peeled and sliced finely
    • 1 Tablespoon or whatever amount you desire of honey – I love getting honey from the local farmers but your standard off the shelf stuff is good too!
    • I always splurge with a little butter spread on the tortilla, too. A little of the good fat is all right for the little ones.

    _

    Method:

    • Butter the tortilla (or use two tortillas to make a sandwich, whichever you prefer), place in warmed frying pan on medium heat
    • Place shredded cheese and sliced apples on tortilla
    • Once melted, pour honey onto the ingredients
    • Fold the tortilla, cut into triangles or small bites
    • Let cool a bit and serve!

    _

    Goodness Factor: Fiber, Vitamin C, Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus

    Enjoy!
    Marnie

     
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    Posted in 12 months +, Finger Food, Lunch, Recipes, Toddler, Vegetarian

     

    Chicken Apple Sausage – For all the non meat eatering children out there!

    26 Oct

    As you know my goal in assisting parents is to “test drive” the gazillion baby and toddler recipes that currently exist on the web and in books for parents. The resources seem endless. Occasionally I will throw in my own recipe and sometimes I tweak a recipe a bit to my liking in the cooking and eating process.

    I recently tested one of Annabel Karmel’s recipes in her book “First Meals” and for my little non meat eater, this meat dish was a hit. I was relieved because I am concerned often with the amount of iron my boy is getting in his diet. These sausages are a great source of iron and protein.

    Chicken Apple Sausage

    Perfect for: 12 months +

    Servings: 6

    Gear:

    • Cutting knife
    • Grater
    • Tablespoon
    • Plate or board for flour
    • Food processor

    _

    Food:

    • 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast cubed
    • 1/2 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped (The original recipe calls for 1 whole onion but I reduced the amount to 1/2 and the sausages were plenty full of onion)
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 chicken stock cube dissolved in 1 tablespoon boiling water (The cube does not really dissolve but become a bit less of a cube, i.e. chunky)
    • 1 large apple, peeled and grated
    • 2 tablespoons bread crumbs (the recipe calls for fresh but I used pre-made breadcrumbs)
    • Salt and black pepper
    • Flour for coating
    • Vegetable oil for frying

    _

    Method:

    • Combine chopped chicken, onion, parsley, stock cube, apple and bread crumbs in a food processor. Chop for ten seconds, then season the mixture.
    • Form the mixture into sausages
    • Spread the flour on a plate and coat sausages
    • Heat vegetable oil in frying pan
    • Add sausages
    • Saute sausages, turning occasionally or until browned on all sides and cooked through
    • Serve and store, freeze whatever your child may not eat within the next three days

    _

    Goodness Factor: Iron, Protein, Folate, Zinc

    Happy Eating!
    Marnie

     
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    Posted in 12 months +, Dinner, Finger Food, Meat

     

    Cinnamon Apple Pumpkin Puree

    07 Oct

    I love fall.  Cannot get enough of fall.  There is nothing like a cozy fall afternoon, book in hand, little ones napping (right?), blanket and maybe even your partner by your side. Even in Seattle this year we’re getting the semblance of a fall. So, let’s celebrate the warm and fuzziness of fall by bringing fall flavors into our home, into our cooking, especially for our little ones.

    Pumpkin is an amazing fruit (yes, fruit) packed full of good stuff like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium and iron for your family. Apples, of course, are also a wonderful addition to a family’s diet filled with fiber and Vitamin C. Cinnamon is a fantastic component to any meal because not only does the spice tastes great, it adds fiber, Vitamin K, Calcium and Manganese.

    Perfect for: Beginners! 6 months +

    Gear:

    • Beaba babycook or steamer and pureer
    • Cutting board
    • Cutting knife
    • Peeler

    _

    Food:

    • 1 “pie” pumpkin (these pumpkins are smaller and sweeter. your grocery store should carry them during the fall season.)
    • 3-4 apples (we used gala but fuji, macintosh, gravenstein are also good for cooking.  i love this guide.)
    • Cinnamon (as little or as much as you want to add to taste)

    _

    Method:

    • Wash, half or quarter the pumpkin, peel and remove the seeds (I like this little scrappy guide for how to cook pumpkin)
    • Peel and cut up the apples
    • Steam together works best for about 15 minutes (fill Beaba to Line 3)
    • Puree together using some of the excess/reserve water if necessary
    • Mix in cinnamon
    • Serve and store!

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    As always store what you are going to use within the next 3 days in the fridge. Any remainder should go in the freezer.

    Check out this site for information on vitamins and minerals.

    Enjoy!
    Marnie

    *I do not get paid for writing this blog. What you can do to help support the effort is at no cost to you.  See the Amazon search box and the Amazon Deals box in the right sidebar?  Or check out the Carrots Are Orange Amazon Store to purchase everything you might need for feeding! So, if you need to do some online shopping, consider clicking through the Carrots Are Orange blog.  If you purchase the item, I receive a teeny bit of commission for the sale. Good stuff, right? I am not looking to make millions, just enough to cover basic costs of running the site and, well, of course, my time.  It is worth something, right? Thank you for your support!

    Used in this recipe:

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    Posted in 6-9 Months, Basic Puree, Getting Started, Recipes

     
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