Marketing Fruits and Veggies to Kids

Salsa: New Approach to Eating Fruits & Veggies

 “Yum. Here are some fruits and vegetables,” says adult to child. Young child’s mouth is sealed shut. “Let’s eat some salsa you helped chop up! Yummy!” Magically the mouth may open up with a smile. Not convinced?  Give salsa a whirl.

   Sometimes when families are encouraging small children to eat fruits and vegetables amiably we need a new approach. There are three nutritionists’ suggestions to follow:  make the pieces small, thick salsa style; include children in the preparation; omit the spice or onions in the salsa.

Versatile Salsa

   Salsa is sauce in Spanish which means it can go on something to add interest and flavor, but young children like it as a stand- alone, as well as, on top of something.

  Fruit salsa is generally an easy choice for young children.

Make a Fruit Salsa

 Make sure the children are standing on a sturdy surface and use plastic or table knives for chopping. Here are some possibilities: strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pitted Bing cherries, mangoes, peeled apples, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, peeled peaches, whatever is in season. The salsa should store for a day. Add fresh banana pieces before serving.

   Older children or adults can cut the larger fruit into peeled pieces and younger children, the ones we want to convince, can cut the larger pieces into small ½ inch squares.

  Mix the juice of half or less of a lemon and 1 Tablespoon of strawberry jam together and stir into the fruit. The salsa can be served with buttered toast or an English muffin or a side of Cheerios.

    If you have time, make some cinnamon tortilla chips in the oven. Set the oven at 375 degrees.  Butter the tortillas and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and sugar. Place on a cookie sheet and use a pizza cutter to cut into triangles or squares. Bake in the oven for about 8 minutes or until they are light brown. When cooled, children can spoon salsa onto the chips.

  If you need a rainy day activity, turn the salsa making into a cooking show by recording on your phone.

Not So Spicy

Fresh Produce Works Best for Fun & Nutrition

 Vegetable salsa is a little trickier because young children may not like  the texture or taste of vegetables yet, but it is worth a try. Start with very small tender zucchini, black beans, cooked corn, shaved carrots cut into tiny squares, and tiny pieces of chopped lettuce. Add a little salt and eat with toast or homemade tortillas with no cinnamon. If the vegetables need to be a bit softer sprinkle with water and put the mixture in the microwave for a few seconds. Tomatoes, onions, and peppers are often a problem so that probably knocks out tomato salsa for a while. For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com; wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons; Pinterest, and Facebook.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

Keeping Toddlers Safe Challenging By Esther Macalady

Water Safety Starts with Knowledge

Someone once said that silence is golden unless you have a very young child and then it is suspicious.  Keeping this age safe is a 24/ 7 job.  Here are tips from the Department of Health and Human Services and emergency physicians.

Water

  Stay with young kids every minute they are around water.  Records show they can drown in as little as one inch of water.

 Use flotation devices that fit since water wings and noodles can create a false sense of security. Teach children not to dive head first, instead they can jump into our arms. Dunking is never allowed.

  Learn CPR and first aid for young children. YouTube has many good videos of how to perform CPR on babies and young children. Pediatricians suggest showing them to baby sitters, refreshing, and practicing. 

  Double check that pools and spas have the proper drains that will not trap hair and loose clothing.  Empty a play pool when finished and turn it upside down.

   When you feel your children are ready, enroll them in Red Cross approved or university swim classes and keep taking them until they pass tests, then refresh skills. Make sure they know how to float and tread water. Have an extra flotation device handy and watch for signs of dangerous tides. Teach children to keep their head, hands, and feet inside boats.

  Accompany little ones to public bathrooms and outdoor portable bathrooms because older siblings may not be strong enough to hold little ones securely.  

Sports

Choose the Proper Gear for the Activity

  Encourage children to drink water before, during, and after active playtime.  Stick around to ensure a safe playing environment and enforcement of safety rules including well- fitting helmets and other gear.

 Cars

  Safety experts ask families never to leave children in the car while going shopping or doing other errands. Children get over heated, too cold, or enjoy pressing dangerous buttons and turning switches. 

Batteries and Tech

  Keep small electronics or devices especially those with small button batteries out of reach. Remote controls, musical greeting cards, and flameless candles are common hazards. Keep in mind that children are natural explorers and can climb unbelievable high. If you think a child has ingested any kind of battery to not induce vomiting. Take your child to the emergency room. The national battery hotline is 800- 498-8666.
  Families are watchful for small pieces that toddlers love to put into their mouths and possibly choke on. We sometimes forget that now scientists warn that families must be watchful for what toddlers are putting in their minds. Interacting with technology may be actually changing the functioning of their developing brains.  

For ten years a source of information for families: see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com; wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live and podcasts, Facebook and Pinterest.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos