Why do this?In Alberta, mothers do not get sufficient breastfeeding support. Right now in Calgary, fewer women are starting to breastfeed their babies and babies are being breastfed for fewer months than in previous years. Breastfeeding initiation rates were 92.7% in 2005, 92% in 2007/2008 and decreased to 90.8% in 2009/2010 (1). At the first public health visit in Calgary, exclusive breastfeeding rates are only 44% (2). This is largely due to promotion of infant formula. Breastfeeding needs help!

These beautiful photos were taken by Kriztina of Beothy Photography at the launch. It was also great to see a lot of media, which resulted in two news clips, a great radio clip and a Herald article! The Herald article concentrated on the 1 out of 5 ads that are not positive: “Babies who are not breastfed have higher incidence of diabetes”. While CBMG expects to be receiving the odd email and negative comment about this ad, I think it’s important to put out there. As for making mother’s feel guilty – I wish they would target that guilt as anger towards lack of adequate support and “booby-traps.” Dr Jack Newman writes about advertizing breastfeeding in this great article on Kellymom: “Breastfeeding and Guilt,” or check out the Resource sheet for this ad.

Overall, feedback on all ads and the campaign has been very positive! If you have any questions or comments, post below or email busads@cbmg.ca

They are convenient, attractively packaged, and for some individuals, completely irresistible. However, some processed foods’ unhealthy ingredients can turn a healthy body into a pit of disease. Unfortunately, the consequences of constantly eating processed foods are not evident immediately, but they will appear. This is why cutting these “non-foods” right out of your diet is one of the best moves you can make for your health.

The desire to cut out processed foods and actually doing so are two different things. Processed food ingredients like salt and sugar, are designed to make you crave them more and more. They entice the taste buds to make you eat them regardless of how bad they are for you! In spite of this, if you are like the thousands, perhaps millions, who wish to cut the processed food cord, you are not alone. It can be done.

What are “processed foods”?

Processed foods are foods that have been changed from their natural state. If you’ve heard the term “Frankenstein food,” this is a good description of the transformation that takes place – for example, the ever-lasting “Twinkie” or fast food burger. Has it ever crossed your mind why these “food” stays fresh for months when the exact same food or ingredients would last only a few days in it’s natural state? It’s because food manufacturers use artificial ingredients to extend a product’s shelf life. While not all artificial ingredients are harmful, some are. Processed foods may have a longer shelf life, but the life of the person consistently eating this type of food may not last very long at all.

5 Tips to Take Processed Food Out of Your Diet
1. Educate yourself.

Think about how processed foods may be affecting your body. Take the time to read about natural foods vs. processed foods. Become aware of key processed food ingredients and additives that are disastrous to your health, such as food colouring, sodium and trans fat..
2. Read labels carefully.

It is not necessary to spend two hours making your favorite spaghetti sauce from scratch. Believe it or not, you can find some “real processed foods” in your local grocery store if you read labels carefully. Just avoid so-called “foods” with preservatives, and artificial flavors and colours.

3. Savor what’s on your plate.

Instead of gulping down your meal in front of the TV or computer, take the time to really “taste” your food. Really enjoy your avocado salad. Try eating without distractions. This makes you more aware of the various smells, textures, and colors of your food, eventually causing you to turn away from junk food and appreciate home-made food.

4. Discourage yourself from eating added sugar and salt.

The less you eat of these additives, the less you will crave them.  Instead choose fresh, single-ingredient foods (like an apple, egg or almonds!) that will nourish your body.
5. Give yourself time.

Even though it may be tough initially, skip the noontime candy bar or fast-food sandwich. Eventually, your taste buds change and you will acquire the taste for healthier foods. Be patient. With enough willpower you will forget all about “Frankenstein food” and enjoy the taste of wholesome, natural flavors.

About the author:

Chris Bekermeier is Vice President, Sales & Marketing for PacMoore, one of the leading contract food manufacturing companies focused on processing dry ingredients. Headquartered in Hammond, Indiana, PacMoore’s capabilities include blending, spray drying, re-packaging, sifting, and consumer packaging.

Cookbook for Weaners

Is your baby ready to start solids and become an official ‘Weaner’?! With over 150 delicious recipes from Wean Green and starting solids how-to from First Step Nutrition’s Registered Dietitian, this book is the perfect place to start. Happy cooking!

I am so happy to finally introduce this cookbook! My friend Melissa over at Wean Green has provided delicious recipes, and I have made sure all of the starting solids how-to’s are provided for you as well.

The perfect addition to my Babyfood Making 101 E-course!

E-book to come for Kindle soon!!

Price: $24.99

Purchase through Amazon.com or the Wean Green website

Nature’s Bakery: Made whole wheat flour and tasty fruit flavors like Blueberry and Peach Apricot, these fig bars make a  filling snack, in portable packs of two.

Thrive: The freeze dried fruit (strawberries and mangos are our favorite), veggies (corn & peas) and freeze dried yogurt are an easy non-perishable snack.

Wean Green cubes: I keep all of my food items in Wean Green containers. They can go in the freezer, microwave and dishwasher, don’t break, won’t leach plastic into your food. And are pretty!

Kid’s Gourmet: Squoosh This is the new line from Baby Gourmet, targeted at kids.  And just as nutritious: no added sugars or preservatives and easy to throw in to the backpack!

Trail mix: Whether you buy it at the store or make it yourself (here’s a recipe), trail mix is a good balance of fats, protein and carbohydrates. You only need a small portion and it lasts well as an emergency-snack-back-up  stored in your car!

Iogo Nano:  Yogurt provides healthy bacteria and calcium. But my favorite feature of this drinkable yogurt brand is their flip-tops, which help prevent spills!

Muffins: While a bit crumbly, homemade muffins are an economical and can be a healthy snack. Here are two of my favorite recipes: Chocolate Chip Banana and Apricot Oatmeal Bran.

Larabars: Are a favorite packaged bar. Ingredients are just dried fruit and nuts, and most flavors are surprisingly tasty!

I’d love you to share, what are some of your favorite take-along snacks?

What it is:

The Juice Plus slogan is: “The next best thing to fruits and vegetables.” Canadians don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. And the most commonly consumed vegetable is potatoes! Juice Plus contains concentrates from 17 fruits, veggies and grains (capsules or chews) in Garden Blend, Orchard Blend and Vineyard Blend.

Pros:

1) One major advantage of Juice Plus is that it is just fruits and veggies, with no isolated vitamins and minerals. The phytochemicals in foods work synergystically and you can’t add them all to a traditional vitamin. Because of this, I like the idea of a whole foods supplement.

2) Juice Plus also has an impressive amount of quality research studies to support that the antioxidants are absorbed, it reduces oxidative stress, helps protect DNA and cardiovascular health and supports healthy skin and gums. I’m intrigued by the the potential benefits of Juice Plus during pregnancy; the research is still underway.

3) It’s not a substitute for eating fruits or veggies, nor does it claim to be. But Juice Plus could provide worried parents a bit of comfort for a child that does not like fruits or veggies (ok – it’s almost always vegetables!). It doesn’t get you out of the parental responsibility of continuing to offer your child vegetables. But your child chooses not to eat them, at least you can be confident they are getting a bit of veggie powder in Juice Plus!

Cons:

1) Unlike a more comprehensive multivitamin, you may need to take additional supplements, such as Omega 3 and vitamin D and folic acid.

2) You have to order in 4 month increments, and have to order both the Orchard and Garden Blends. You can’t just order the veggie (Garden) blend, if you think you or your child eats plenty of fruit but not enough veggies.

3) The chews (that I’ve been feeding my kids) are sugary. I worry that although Juice Plus can strengthen gums and teeth, that the sugar and stickiness of the chews will over-ride this and lead to cavities! I would love to see them sweetened with tooth-friendly xylitol instead.

My Juice Plus Trial: While there are lots of testimonials about feeling more energy, sleeping better, having healthier teeth and gums…..I didn’t notice anything. However, I was not measuring my antioxidant levels or DNA damage, and I believe it is still working at a cellular level. I took 2 Garden and 2 Orchard Blend capsules per day, as directed. I find the capsules a bit large and sometimes get stuck in my throat. I suppose this just encourages me to drink more water with them! Or you can break them up and put the powder in a smoothie or yogurt or oatmeal.

I have also been feeding my kids the Juice Plus Chews. My 2 year old daughter spits them out about half the time, but my 6 year old son loves them.  My son is rarely ever sick and doesn’t often catch little sister’s colds! I’m not sure if this is due to Juice Plus, but it could be playing a small role.

Have you tried Juice Plus? What do you think of it? If you would like to learn more or order, let me  know and I will pass your contact information along to my distributor friend Cindy.

Earlier this month, on a warm-ish day, my son was bugging me for a DQ Blizzard. Instead I promised him home-made ice cream when we got home. If you have a VitaMix or super blender, this recipe is so easy to make, and fairly healthy too. And delicious!!

1 cup Plain Yogurt

3 cups Frozen Berries of Choice

1/3 cup Sugar, to taste (or use a flavoured yogurt)

1) Blend all ingredients in your Vitamix or super-blender!

Blend together and eat!!

http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/2219383266001.000000/how-to-shop-at-the-grocery-store–mar-11th/

On CTV I discussed grocery shopping for picky kids. It was great to see my old school-mate and host, Aisling!

http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=877850&playlistId=1.1182026&binId=1.820591&playlistPageNum=1

The following is a guest post from the blog over at: http://www.aupair.org

As food prices rise and more families encounter sticker shock every time they look at price tags at the grocery store, the idea of feeding your entire family a meal that costs less than ten dollars can seem absurd. In fact, it’s entirely possible to pull together great-tasting meals without breaking the bank or resorting to a drive-through dollar menu. These ten dinners can be quickly thrown together, taste great and are inexpensive enough to stay within the bounds of a small budget.

1. Quesadillas – With some cheese, meat and flour tortillas, you can put together a filling and kid-friendly meal in no time. Even if you decide to splurge on some salsa and sour cream to jazz things up a bit, you’ll still come in well below ten dollars for the entire meal if you choose your items carefully.
2. Roasted Chicken and Veggies – Opting for a whole chicken is cheaper than buying one that’s pre-cut and you’re able to roast it with root vegetables for a delicious, well-rounded meal. The vegetable choices are up to you; find things that your family likes, but that won’t break the bank. Sprinkle them with seasonings you already have on-hand for a great meal that seems fancy, but costs next-to-nothing.
3. Spaghetti – If you’re really in a pinch, a cheap jar of pre-made spaghetti sauce can go a long way. Browning some ground beef to add to your sauce can thicken up a cheap brand, adding flavor and protein to the dish.
4. Burritos – Filling flour tortillas with refried beans and cheese is quick, easy and great-tasting. As an added bonus, it’s also incredibly cheap. If you have a bit of room in your budget, you may want to add some meat to the mixture. Burritos are just as delicious without the meat, though, and the beans are high in protein, helping you stay fuller, longer.
5. Breakfast for Dinner – A dozen eggs, a small package of bacon and a can of pre-made biscuits make a great breakfast-for-dinner menu and are cheap enough to come in under ten dollars at the checkout counter. The bacon is likely to be the most expensive item on the list, so make sure that you shop wisely when you choose your brand.
6. Dinner Salad – A big salad with plenty of veggies and your choice of protein can go a long way without giving your wallet a workout. Making this meal economical will require you to chop and rinse your own lettuce and vegetables, however. Opting for the pre-chopped bags of salad mix is much more expensive in the long run, and you get much less product sold at a higher price. Sacrificing the convenience of pre-washed and chopped veggies for a little extra time in the kitchen will save you dollars at the register.
7. Chili and Cornbread – A package of chili seasoning mix, one can of beans, one can of tomatoes and a pound of ground beef will make enough chili to feed five people. Adding some warm, crumbly cornbread to the menu makes a great-tasting, inexpensive meal that’s particularly good for those cold, winter evenings.
8. Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches – Comfort food classics like tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich pair perfectly together and are among the least expensive meals you can make. To give the meal a bit more flair, spring for some crusty French bread or sourdough, rather than standard sandwich slices.
9. Beef Stroganoff – While traditional stroganoff calls for a higher-quality cut of meat, it’s still delicious when cheaper ground beef is used as a substitution. Cream of mushroom condensed soup, sour cream, milk and some egg noodles are all you need to crank out this delicious dish on a dime.
10. Tacos – Crunchy tacos are a kid favorite that can be pulled together very inexpensively if you skip optional toppings like olives and peppers. Corn tortillas tend to be a bit cheaper than their flour cousins and contain less sodium to boot, giving you a delicious meal for a low price.

For further savings at the market, it’s smart to start clipping and saving coupons. There are several websites and smartphone apps out there to help you find valuable coupons, allowing you to save money on your grocery bill. Keep in mind, however, that a coupon isn’t a bargain if it causes you to buy something simply because it’s a deal; if your family won’t eat it or you wouldn’t ordinarily purchase it, you aren’t actually saving money.

1) Vitamin D: From at least October through March, all Canadians should take a Vitamin D supplement. Due to our latitude, we don’t make much vitamin D in our skin through sun contact during the winter. Suggested amounts vary.  The Canadian Cancer Society says: “Talk to your doctor about taking 1000 international units (IU) a day during fall and winter months.” Health Canada’s recommendations are 600IU per day for ages 9-70 years old. This is also what I normally recommend for non-pregnant adults.  The best thing you can do is to get your levels tested, as you may need high-dose supplements to get up to desired blood levels. My doctor wouldn’t test my levels, as she said if you are not supplementing, you are low – so just supplement!

2) Folic acid: All women of childbearing age should be taking 400ug (0.4mg) of folic acid  per day. This helps prevent neural tube defects in babies. And the baby’s spine forms before we know we’re pregnant. So if there’s a chance, you should be taking it! If you take a multivitamin, it likely contains folic acid.

And then there’s calcium, omega 3, probiotics, iron, B Vitamins, Vitamin C…..the list goes one and hopefully your diet can provide most of these nutrients for you.

A multivitamin doesn’t hurt, and will possibly cover your vitamin D and folic acid needs as well. But what BRAND of multivitamin/supplement should you take? This is a question I can answer for you with less certainty. Is there really a difference between generic and name-brand vitamins? What about whole-food vitamins? To answer these questions, I am going to start a blog series. I have been taking various vitamins for a month at a time. I’ll review their nutrient content, any research available on the supplement, and my opinions of how easy they are to take, how I ‘feel’ etc.  I will also be including some different brands of kid’s vitamins.

I’m going to write about Juice Plus, Usana, Innate, Vemma compared to a standard multivitamin. If you have other brands you would like to know about, please let me know!

Give Peas a Chance is a new book (Jan 2013) by Kate Samela. She is a pediatric detitian and a mom of two. This book is targeted at parents of picky eating toddlers (aged 1-3 years old).

The book starts with defining children’s feeding difficulties as falling into one of four categories (Grazers, Excessive Empty Calories, Excessive Drinkers and Fat-Free Consumers). I agree with her points, and they will likely be eye-opening and perhaps a simple cure for your “picky eater!”

The author then describes 10 things to know about toddler development, and why they are “picky.” This part is important, as many parents blame themselves (but aren’t always to blame!). She follows with plenty of nutrition information, and helps to reassure parents that their picky toddler is likely getting what they need from even a more limited diet. For example, a toddler’s daily protein needs are 16g per day. Although adequate protein intake is often a concern of parents, this 16g is met by only 2 cups of milk.

Here are some more tips from the book:

6 More Tips for Parents with Picky Eaters

• Offer the food with a safety food and as part of a meal. A safety food is one food that you are certain your toddler will accept – something familiar and likeable. For example, if you are trying to expose your toddler to meat, pair it with his favorite fruit or vegetable and a starch (i.e. watermelon and French fries).
• Allow your toddler to touch and play with that food, even if it means putting it in his mouth and then spitting it out. Playing with food is something that toddlers do and they engage in this activity because it is a key part of their development.
• Serve the same food to all at the table, so your toddler will see other people eating what he is being served.
• Offer the food in small quantities so that he does not get discouraged or overwhelmed. “Portion Distortion” begins in the toddler stage: Bags of chips, cookies, and snack crackers are bigger than ever. Often, parents feel like their toddler is eating nothing because they have piled on grown-up portion sizes, or even quantities of food that an older sibling would eat.
• If after two minutes your toddler says the dreaded “I’m done,” ignore him and attempt to engage him to talk about something he did that day. Do not try and overzealously attempt to keep him at the table, or set “rules” for what else he has to eat before he gets down. There is a biological reason for a decrease in food intake between the ages of one to three, and that is a slower rate of growth. Appetite mimics rate of growth; therefore, appetite “slows down.”
• Consider what your toddler eats over the course of a week, rather than from meal to meal. You can even pick several days if a week seems just too long. The idea that his decrease in appetite is developmentally appropriate should give you some reassurance for those days that his eating doesn’t seem to add up to nutrition perfection.  In a day, it can be normal for a toddler to eat one “good” meal.

I enjoyed reading this book, and this it would a great help to parents of toddlers aged 1-3 that are “selective” eaters. The only downside of this book, is many of the brand names of food she discusses are not available in Canada.