Don’t Count on Help from Professionals I like to read the new studies about health, especially when they focus on children. Several new studies on children’s eating habits were presented at the recent Obesity Society meeting. What surprises me most is that they really don’t offer any new insight or suggestions. What Exactly Did the Researchers Find? [...]

The Forest Feast Encourages Healthy Eating Lifestyles and behaviors are established in early childhood. This is especially true for eating habits and food preferences. Unfortunately, many foods that children consume are lacking in essential nutrients. Our national taste buds have become accustomed to junk foods, loaded with added sugars, artificial ingredients, and synthetic flavors. This [...]

Pizza Box Flannel Board The Pizza Box Flannel Board idea came from my sister, Linda. She has been teaching preschool for over 20 years. Linda uses the Pizza Box Flannel Board for center time. Center time is when the children choose an activity do to alone at a table. In addition, The Forest Feast flannel pieces may also [...]

Getting your kids to eat their veggies doesn’t have to be to be a battle! My new children’s storybook, The Forest Feast: Baby Bites Mealtime Adventures, integrates fun with whole foods. The Forest Feast is designed to help develop healthy eating habits in children. It’s a must-have for any picky eater. Best friends, Betty Baby Bites®, [...]

I can’t believe the first decade of the millennium is almost over! So much has happened in the last ten years (for me, most in the last half of the decade). I “retired” in April of 2004 from my job at a local TV station. My retirement lasted about 6 months, when I began writing [...]

3-Day Nutrition Lesson Plan Preparation: 1) Photocopy Try Rannosaurus®. Use a PDF image by clicking on the image to the left. Print in landscape mode. You will get an 8″ X 11″ image. Back Try’s image with cardboard or card stock. Cut a hole in Try’s mouth. Tape a one gallon plastic bag to the back of Try’s head so it [...]

This holiday season, give the gift of health to a child you love. The Forest Feast: Baby Bites Mealtime Adventures is a delightful storybook with a yummy whole foods message. Best friends Betty Baby BitesTM, a tiny Italian mouse and Try Rannosaurus®, a gigantic T-Rex, eat their way through a prehistoric forest. These lovable buddies [...]

7 Whole Food Activities Using The Forest Feast The Forest Feast is a whole foods storybook. The characters, Try Rannosaurus® and Betty Baby BitesTM, love to eat whole foods, especially veggies. Naturally, reading the story again and again will reinforce this concept. Your child doesn’t have to be a “picky eater” to benefit from The Forest Feast. Children are constantly [...]

The Forest Feast storybook is designed to help develop healthy eating habits in children. Following are directions for reading the book to a group of children. Read Aloud Show the children the front cover of the book. Make sure to hold the book in front you in such a way that the children can easily [...]

Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. Yes, commercialization has taken over every holiday, even Thanksgiving. Although I find it’s easier to focus on the meaning of Thanksgiving, because it’s held onto some of its roots. To begin with, it’s traditionally celebrated at home with family and friends. There are no gifts, baskets of colored eggs, carved [...]