What to Expect on Raise Healthy Eaters in 2010

Happy New Year! It’s 2010. I can feel the possibility in the air. A new decade awaits.

One of my New Years’ resolutions is to solve problems for my readers. The survey I conducted in November gave me an inkling of the barriers you face when it comes to feeding your family (if you haven’t completed it yet you still can). This has given me tons of ideas that will materialize in 2010. Here’s some of what you can expect:

I will be creating several series — consecutive posts that are linked and build off of each other. Here are a few noteworthy ones:

-Meal Planning 101: Creative meal planning solves the no-time-to-prepare-meals problem. Here you’ll learn the secret to making meals that work best for your family, your schedule and your growing child’s nutrition needs. After the series is finished, I will post profiles from both parents and experts who excel in this area (more ideas!).

-Eating Disorder Prevention: My next expert interview will be with several dietitians who specialize in eating disorders. This series will teach parents how to raise children who have a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. This will be a must-read for parents of girls.

-Nutritional Needs at Different Stages: This series will showcase key nutrients (the first being calcium), their food sources, how much individuals of all ages need, and ways to work it in to daily food choices. This process will help you figure out if your family is getting the nutrition that they need, and whether or not supplementation is needed.

-Getting Kids to Eat: Preparing nutritious foods kids will eat, getting them to try new foods and taking the stress out of feeding will all be discussed in this series. But don’t expect the same-old information here — you’ll get inside info that will change the way you think about this subject.

I will continue to post on a variety of topics including quick and easy recipes ideas, the National School Lunch Program, obesity prevention, family dinners, time-saving health tips for parents, and relevant nutrition news. I will also answer the questions I got from the survey in several Ask the Dietitian posts. I have many ideas, many I got from you, for more in depth articles that I’ll sprinkle in the content.

I’ll also be adding a product store from Amazon that will consist of the books and products I highly recommend. Every product I list will be something that is reputable and that I use myself.

I’m asking you to join the conversation by leaving comments and tips for other parents. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and can learn from one another. So if you have something to add, do it. And that includes super-simple recipes you make at home (send to me through contact us).

If you have a friend you think would be interested in these topics, by all means forward this along — see share options at the bottom of this post.

I’ll be leaving you with two simple recipes. The first is a vegetable and the next is a healthy dessert. The perfect way to start the New Year.

Zucchini Cakes

This is the last recipe I’ll post from the Fix it and Enjoy it Healthy Cookbook. I didn’t take a picture because my camera wasn’t charged at the time. These turned out tasty but my picky 3-year old didn’t try them. But she did recently try (and finished!) a bowl of soup after many offerings so I’m hopeful.

Makes 2 main-dish servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

2 cups zucchini, grated and drained
2 eggs, beaten, or 4 egg whites, or egg substitute equivalent to to 2 eggs, or 1/2 cup soft tofu, blended.
3/4 cup plain bread crumbs, divided
1 Tbsp. light mayo (used canola-based)
1/4 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
2 Tbsp. minced onion
lemon juice (optional)
tartar, or cocktail, sauce (optional)

1. In a good-sized bowl, mix zucchini, eggs, egg whites, egg substitute, or tofu, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, Old Bay, and onion. Combine thoroughly.
2. Form into golf-ball-sized balls. Flatten and roll lightly in remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs.
3. Lightly brown on both sides in a non-stick pan sprayed with oil.
4. Serve sprinkled with lemon juice, or with tartar or cocktail sauce, if you wish.

“Reprinted from Fix-It and Enjoy-It Healthy Cookbook. Copyright by Good Books (www.GoodBooks.com). Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Greek Yogurt with Pine Nuts
This one is another one from Charlotte in France. She’s trying to find more healthful ways to serve dessert for her family. And she came up with this great idea. Thanks Charlotte!

I take half a container of the real Greek yogurt (I use the 2%) and put it in a small parfait glass with some Acacia honey on the bottom and also more honey drizzled on top. Then I toasted some pine nuts and sprinkled them on top. Very easy, and more nutrients that chocolate pudding (I think at least!) Of course, you could also sprinkle some berries or bananas on top too.

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Tagged as: Easy meal ideas, New Years resolution, Raise Healthy Eaters