Jul 27, 2011

Ten Tips and Tricks to get your kids to eat more vegetables





I fell in love the second I suspected I had a pea in the pod.

I did not particularly care what the sex would be, what color, fat or how tall ...

My main concern, and it still is - is for health, character and ability to love.

So, from the second I was aware, I began to change my 'tude, the things I ingested and was adamant about safety, seat-belts, and industrial responsibilities to our eco-sphere.

Yup, one zygote started ALL that!!!

Well, the cards were on our side and 15 years ago, I managed to bring someone into this world who is pretty darn healthy - and let me tell ya ... there were NO organic food markets back then.  I simply went to markets that I knew went straight to local farms. My other blessing was that my little tyke's pediatrician was from Italy and never prescribed any antibiotics for my brood. She was authentically nature-based before it became trendy and I am forever grateful for this stroke of good fortune.

She taught me how to mash basic dinners and to use as little processed baby food as possible.

THAT was a chore in the beginning, but it soon became part of our routine and lil Bub went directly from breast milk to mashed organic as possible diet that included little to no processed baby food.

This was such a HUGE help when it came time to feed a 3 year old broccoli. It was LOVE instead of repulsion.

SO, my ten tips to get kids to eating veggies??

1) START EARLY
eat them so your breast milk has the flavor. once they are old enough, feed it to them. don't ask, just do it.

2) EAT THEM ALL THE TIME
who says asparagus isn't a breakfast food???

3) LEARN TO SEASON
once taste-buds become defined, palates are seeking flavor. don't be afraid to spice.

4) PUT VEGGIES IN EVERYTHING
smoothies, bread, rice, pancakes, crepes

5) LATE BLOOMING?
add veggies to meatloaf, baked potatoes, mask in foods that the kids already enjoy

6) DISCUSS
have frank discussions (or eat hotdogs Chicago-style - which is a SALAD on a hotdog) about health, energy, best practices to living right

7) BE A ROLE MODEL
healthy eating is as healthy eating does

8) INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS, yes the dog
when choosing the best diets, include everyone, even the family pets

9) EXPERIMENT
new recipes are fun

10) VLOG
do a video about it and post it. when your family sees how much fun can be had, they will jump on the bandwagon!


“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Peas and Thank You blogging program for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” 

Jul 11, 2011

Ten Reasons To Visit Virginia Beach!


Yes, it is summer.

No one leaves Chicago in the summer because it is just too awesome!

Our beaches made the "Best Beach" lists, we even have palm trees (that disappear by October), so why would I be writing about Virginia Beach?

Well, historically it is a MUST SEE region! A vacation hot spot that resonates with the American researcher and the fun-loving All-American!

"Virginia Beach" is SO very frequently mentioned in movies, who wouldn't want to know why?

As someone who has only been as far east as the Carolina's - and an hour layover in NYC- the Atlantic Ocean appears SO attractive! 

How about loving volley ball? It could just be a rumor, but I have heard "Virginia Beach" "Volleyball" and "tourney" in one, if not many conversations.

The seafood. (do I need to expound on this one, at all??)

It just might be fun to drive! Quite a few avenues that predate our existence would certainly prove fun en route to Virginia Beach's gorgeous destinations.

Wouldn't it be fun to network and connect yourself with the fabulous folk who defend us in Norfolk and inviting them to chill with ya on Virginia Beach!

The seafood. (driving this one home).

Be around to understand exactly what a boardwalk is....

There is also buzz about the art gallery. How grand to be able to uplift your community from within?

Of course a gargantuan reason for traveling to Virginia Beach would be to attend a beach party...

and finally, well of course! The seafood!

Enriching scenery coupled with the desire to be a world-class traveler might propel one's desires to achieve greatness by experiencing the ultimate vacation spot.  Beach homes are equally as attractive to the entire "fun festival" because they go with nostalgia, housing someone who has desire to learn, apropos only to a fraction of what the average person would be seeking to experience are awesome and attractive plans.  

Tournaments and Music Performances appear to be in abundance SO, I am one who thinks that Virginia Beach is a destination that could encompass a family outing, gals/guys vacations, couples and, or, a lone trip to endearment with just yourself!






I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach Tourism blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”