Happy Monday droolers!
I recently took a quiz on Parents.com about healthy mornings and the best things to feed kids. I only got 3 out of 8 questions right! I couldn't believe it. It was a very informative quiz, so if you want to take it, head on over to this site.
Obviously the information and the quiz are sponsored by a cereal company - General Mills - so take that into consideration. They want kids to eat more cereal because it boosts their bottom line. But, it does also provide a healthy dose of whole grains in the morning. Although, a simple piece of whole wheat toast would do the same. Top it with some fresh fruit puree and you have a delicious start to the morning.
Anyway, look at the other information, including the amount of sleep kids need and the vitamins they are lacking.
I did know that a lack of Vitamin D (which is provided for free by the sun) contributes to obesity, but I did not know that children could overdose on Vitamin D. So that can make it tricky for us parents trying to figure out how much Vitamin D is enough and how much is too much. Consult your doctor on this one folks.
What are the mornings like in your house?
With Droolface still going to daycare, our mornings are pretty relaxed. He wakes up with some milk, then plays for a bit and has breakfast with one parent while the other prepares the bag for daycare.
Some mornings are easier than others of course. And, some breakfasts are prized over others by our 15-month-old. What do your kids like for breakfast?
Here is a quick recipe that you can prepare in advance and one that your kids will love!
Pumpkin oatmeal in a crockpot
Ingredients
2 cups water
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
1 cup steel cut oats
Instructions:
1. Place all the ingredients in the crock pot and stir to combine.
2. Cover and cook on low for 5-9 hours
3. Enjoy!
• You can also use rice, almond or soy milk if you want to make a dairy free or vegan version of this recipe
Have a great week droolers!
Spoiler alert!
Here are the answers to the quiz.
1. A good alternate source of calcium for breakfast is cereal.
Answer: B. Cereal
2.The lack of Vitamin D is linked to obesity in children.
Answer: B. Vitamin D
3.Fruits, breakfast bars, and cereal with whole grains all help children perform their best.
Answer: D. All of the above
4.A child can overdose on vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Answer: C. A, D, E and K
5.Vitamin A, B, C, D, Calcium & Iron are the top six vitamins and minerals your child needs.
Answer: A. Vitamin A, B, C, D, Calcium, Iron
6.Calcium enhances a child's behavior and learning.
Answer: A. Calcium
7.Breakfast should provide 25%-33% of a child's energy and nutrient needs for the day.
Answer: B. 25%-33%
8.Children between the ages of 3 and 5 need 11-12 hours of sleep each night.
Answer: C. 11-12 hours
-
Real Parents. Real Food. Real Fun.
Welcome to Adventures in Drool! Talking about green living, getting rid of plastics and toxic chemicals in our homes and raising happy kids on a budget. Join the conversation (www.adventuresindrool.com) and don't forget to Like us on Facebook!
Rachel Swick Mavity, author of the blog, lives with a reformed drooler (Droolface), who at age 3 loves to get muddy, drink homemade smoothies, giggle and flirt with old ladies. Her current drooler (Birdy) enjoys spitting up on work clothes and leaving drool trails as a way of showing her love.
Mavity previously worked as a journalist for seven years at newspapers from Pennsylvania to Maryland and Delaware. In Sussex County she worked for several newspapers, including the Cape Gazette. She lives in Lewes with her husband, Ryan Mavity, their son, "Droolface," and daughter, "Birdy."
