A Culinary Connection- A Chef's Advice on Kids Eating Healthy

In keeping with the theme of eating healthy, eating together, let's look at an interview with the chef for our annual family Wellness Retreat, Linda Ott.
Linda cooks nutritious meals for us and naturally, she enjoys cooking as a hobby when not helping others make good dietary choices. Let's look at what she had to say in our December 2011 interview with Linda on how to involve your children and family into cooking.

 Here is an excerpt:

Q) How can parents get their children to integrate healthy food into their diets?

A) Healthy eating should start at birth. The more you expose them to healthy foods, the more likely they will choose to eat healthy. Remember, kids are watching what you eat as well--set the right example. There is a lot of comfort food, it’s truly a mindset of choosing and I think that if you talk to anyone in the healthcare industry there are things a person can do. I think that people aren’t going to change the way they eat, until they are ready to change their eating habits.

Q) What has worked for you to get your children to eat healthy?

A) I raised them the same. My first child was raised on a vegetarian diet until about three when she came to Wisconsin. My 15-year-old has always been an easy-to-please kind of eater. She will try anything and enjoys healthy food--not to say that she doesn't enjoy junk food but if I stock my kitchen with good food, she will choose to eat good food.
My 6-year-old, on the other hand, is my picky eater. As with most kids, her tastes are constantly changing--one week she loves carrots and the next week she won't touch them! We grow a lot of our own veggies in the summer and that seems to help to get her to try the veggies after she has worked so hard to grow them. She also loves to cook with me and here again, if she is involved, she will try it. She has her days, some days I make Mac’ n Cheese but she also eats broccoli. I sometimes have to pick my battles. During the summer she is more likely to eat vegetables because she could see how they grow. I also find that she is more willing to try new things if they are simple--not a lot of sauces or seasoning and she prefers to eat one food at a time so no casseroles for her. I find that when I cook with my daughter she is more willing to try it later.

Q) In closing, what are some tips or even advice to give to people who are trying to eat and cook healthier?

A) The web has made searching for recipes so much easier than scouting through countless cookbooks. From what I have read I have learned that fresh is best, but frozen is the best second choice. When I do my own freezing I do them in servings of four and when it’s for a family or yourself then fresh is the best idea to go.
Take baby steps; don't try to overhaul your diet overnight. Start by adding a new fruit or vegetable each week or every other day. Try practicing Meatless Monday. Whip up a new flavored smoothie each week.

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Eating better, eating together

Eating together is an important part of relationship building in a family. It bridges gaps between generations through stories, cooking and recipes. Not too long ago, many families ate a nutritious, home-cooked meal together. Sometimes the food was homegrown- straight from the family garden. However times have changed.

Now people are on the go or on social media and have little time to eat with one another. Our jobs and academic obligations now have us eating at fast-food establishments by ourselves with no one to talk to. Nowadays, a family may eat together during national or religious holidays at most. The precious moments of spending time dining together are irreplaceable. At Littlest Tumor Foundation, we dedicate this month to eating better with those whom we call family and friends. So take the time to eat better and  eat together as a family this month.

NF and Families

The Fight Against Neurofibromatosis

Tumor growth in children affects families, too

By Kimberly Klessig

 

Health and nutrition play an important part in family wellness for children with health issues and their families. Both chronic and catastrophic health issues in children really have an impact on entire family units.

Neurofibromatosis (NF), a little-known disorder that begins in children with uncontrollable tumor growth in their bodies – such as in the brain and spine – as well as a series of other significant health issues, can create stress for children with the disorder and their families. First hearing the diagnosis of NF creates emotional strain for everyone involved.

Currently, there is no known cure or effective treatment for NF. The unpredictability of the tumors returning, even after surgery, can send children and their families on emotional rollercoaster rides.  The financial strain for medical expenses, such as chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, scans and procedures, can also take a toll.

One way for families to alleviate some of that stress over emotional and financial matters and to better focus on ways to balance the NF health crisis and to build wellness, are through family wellness retreats. These experiences are wonderful ways to provide families with opportunities to learn, educate and promote family wellness.

Family wellness retreats for parents of children with NF might include nutritional therapy, yoga, relaxation, doctor question and answer periods, group support building sessions and nature walks. They also provide time for families to strengthen bonds through the difficulties inflicted by NF and the stress of the treatments.

There is a lot of literature that supports that stress reduction and plant-based nutrition can have a positive effect in disease progression.

One technique that can help families reduce the stress from NF and its treatments is yoga. By doing yoga, participants connect with themselves and others around them in a healthy and relaxing manner. When done as a group, yoga can build bonds between NF families and create social networks that can last a lifetime.

By following healthy, plant-based diets at the wellness retreats, families reconnect with nutritious, wholesome foods. Families can easily make these simple recipes together at home after the retreat for very little cost. Despite the perils of childhood disorders and diseases, family wellness retreats are a great way for families to form connections with each other and cherish the time they spend together through healthy and relaxing activities.

Kimberly Klessig is a master of social work intern at the Littlest Tumor Foundation in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Littlest Tumor Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to find a preventive therapy and treatment for tumor growth in children. The organization is dedicated to advocating for and raising research funds for NF, empowering families, and raising awareness. Services offered for NF families include: NF Family Wellness Retreats, NF Quarterly Talking Circles, NF Educational Webinars and a variety of fundraisers. For more information, visit www.littlesttumorfoundation.com.

The Benefits of Juicing

 We hope you are enjoying the juicing challenge. As you have seen, the limits to the different types of vegetables and vegetables you can add to green juice are limitless! One can try a variety of different vegetables, such as kale and cucumber, and fruits, such as lime and lemon, to make a personal version of green juice.

In addition, one of the most interesting things about green juice is how good it is for you and your body. Here are ten reasons why juicing is beneficial to your health:

1) The variety of fruits and vegetables are consumed at the same time mixed together rather than at meals

2) Skin feels rejuvenated

3) Cellular levels are improved

4) Energy level in the body is increased

5) Helps the body absorb the vegetable nutrients

6) Can help you live longer

7) High in fiber and helps keep a good weight

8) Purifies and cleans the body parts such as the liver and lower intestine

9) Vision, mental health, memory and other essential functions can be improved

10) It can help in a variety of ailments that deal with the heart, bone and joints

Enjoy your juicing!

Greatest Soup Ever!!!

Okay I am going to give up one of the greatest soup recipes of all time. My sister-in-law Connie gave this one to me so I cannot take credit. This with some cornbread on a cold winter day is so fantastic. You should make extra to pop in the freezer.

Sami’s Spicy Squash Soup

1 Butternut Squash 2 Cloves Garlic

1 Carrot 1 Cup Spicy Tomato Juice

1 Onion 2 TBLP Olive Oil

1 Celery stalk 1 Tsp Chili Powder

1 Red Pepper Salt & Pepper

1 Yellow Pepper 2 cups vegetable stock

1/2 Green Pepper Feta or Goat cheese or a vegan variety.

Preheat oven 350. Cut squash in half, scrape seeds, and brush with olive oil season and bake for 45-60 minutes until fork goes in smoothly. Chop up all veggies and onion saute medium until soft. Add tomato juice and simmer for 3 minutes. Let everything cool a bit throw squash (taken out of skin) and all veggies into food processor or Vita Mixer. Transfer to soup pot and add 2 cups vegetable stock and warm-up. Serve and add cheese on top.