3 Yummy Toddler Meals They Won't Refuse

It can be incredibly frustrating to get a toddler to eat, let alone be sure that they are getting an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. Their little bodies are going through big changes that have a monumental effect on their appetite. Sometimes, my little one will ask for more, and sometimes he only takes 3 bites and he's done. 

The key is preparing foods that he can enjoy, that have nutrients packed into every single bite. 

 One of the things I learned not to do is give him what I know he likes just because I know he will eat it. French fries may be tasty, but they are certainly not an everyday thing. 

 

The following meals are colorful and healthy, and they have Nico running to the dinner table every night!

Salami and Swiss Cheese Sandwich with Mustard and Margarine, and Carrot Sticks and low fat Ranch dip

 Kielbasa Sausage with Carbonara Elbow Macaroni, and Juicy Cucumbers

Homemade Fish Sticks, White Rice & Black Beans w/ Fresh Chopped Spinach, and Juicy Cucumbers

**BONUS**

For a delicious and nutritious dessert, Apple Slices with Vanilla Yogurt!

Throw Back Thursday: Nico's 1st Egg Hunt!

Today, I would like to revisit a day that I feel passed by entirely too quickly...

This Easter was a blessing for my family and I. 

We were fortunate enough to be able to spend a wonderful and relaxed day together! 

To start off the celebration, we attended a beautiful church service where we rejoiced for what Jesus did for us when he died and rose again. 

Three people accepted Jesus as their savior! 

After the service, Nico got to open his Easter basket. 

He was very excited about the snacks =)

This was his first Easter egg hunt! 

 

 

He quickly realized that the eggs on the ground were for him.

 

 

 

 

And he was delighted to find that they all had yummy, healthy snacks in them. 

 

All except for the Golden Egg of course.

 

 

That one had CHOCOLATE!

But that was NOTHING compared to the food xD 

THOSE TURKEY LEGS!!!!!!!  

We loved every minutes of it...

 

while I LOVED every minute of them <3

happy TBT ;)  

3 Strategies for Feeding Stubborn Toddlers

My 19 month old son is as stubborn as they come. As he begins to explore his independence and to realize his place in the world, he is often unreasonable and too clever for his own good. His strong will can be especially frustrating when it comes to eating meals. 

A once easy 20 minute dinner routine suddenly turned into an hour long nightmare. It was the part of my day that I absolutely dreaded, until I started paying attention to what Nico was really trying to tell me. 

1. Change the plate: It was 30 minutes in to our evening food war and Nico was on his 3rd bite of food. His dad was sitting close by eating the same meal from his own plate. In an attempt to help my futile efforts to get nutrients in to Nico's little stomach, Pedro stooped down and offered Nico a bite of food from his own bowl which Nico happily and willingly accepted. The very next day during lunch time, I put Nico's lunch in a grown up bowl and fed him with a grown up spoon and he blissfully ate every single bite. From now on, I will serve him a variety of food on a variety of platters.

2.  Stoop to his level: Another thing I realized when my husband fed Nico from his bowl was that he got down to Nico's eye level and made eye contact with him while smiling. Frowning and worrying while trying to feed your child can create a tense atmosphere. While looming above them must make us seem like the enemy trying to squash their new found independence. During lunch time, instead of sitting in a big chair in front of him, I sat on the floor in front of him and offered him lots of smiles and encouragement. It worked like a charm! 

3. GOT WATER?: Along with all of those things that I tried, I also gave Nico a little bit of water in his Sippy Cup and let him decide when it was time for a drink. To my surprise, he did not try to chug it. Instead he would take a drink after a couple of bites of food, just like mommy and daddy. He especially enjoyed feeling like he was in control of at least one part of his meal!

Date Night Dinner for Two for Under $30

Anyone who has seen Lady and the Tramp knows that spaghetti and meatballs is a signature romantic meal. 

Fortunately for us, the classic dish eliminates the need to slave over the stove for hours, trying to create the perfect Date Night dinner. Not only is this delicious entrée fast and simple to prepare, all of the ingredients can be purchased for under $30; under $20 if some are on sale! 

Meatballs:

INGREDIENTS

1lb ground beef

3/4 cup bread crumbs 

3/4 grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

1tbs pepper

1tbs all purpose seasoning 

1 1/2tbs garlic powder

Salt to taste

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Season the thawed ground beef with the spices. Then mix in the egg, bread crumbs, and grated Parmesan. 

Pull small pieces of beef and roll it into a ball in the palm of your hand and place on a NON-GREASED baking sheet.

(to save clean up time, cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil before baking) 

Cook for about 15 minutes or until the meatballs are lightly browned on the top. Remove from sheet and place on a paper towel covered plate. 

Spaghetti & Sauce: 

INGREDIENTS

Half a package of uncooked spaghetti

1/2 Jar of your favorite sauce

3tbs of parmesan

1tbs pepper

1/2tbs onion powder

Salt to taste

1/2 cheese of choice

While waiting for those meatballs to bake, boil water with a dash of salt and olive oil in a medium sized pot for the pasta. If you wait until the water is boiling before adding the spaghetti, it cooks faster and more evenly. Once pasta is at desired tenderness turn off the burner and drain it. Then add the rest of the ingredients and mix it all up! 

After mixing the sauce into the spaghetti throw the meatballs in the pot and mix it together. Cover the main course and let the flavors mesh while you make a deliciously healthy side salad! 

 

Side Salad:

INGREDIENTS

1 cup fresh spinach

1 cup romaine lettuce

1/4 cup fresh cilantro 

1 tomato 

1/2 small white onion 

1/2 tbs lemon juice

1tbs olive oil

Dice the tomato and onions. Chop up the cilantro. Cut the spinach and romaine lettuce into smaller pieces. Finally add all of the ingredients together in a pretty bowl and serve along side the spaghetti.

Now the only thing you have to worry about is what movie to watch and of course what to wear to WOW your date ;)