For all the adolescents who are overweight and really want to do something about it, the first suggestion is: try cutting out one calorie-full but nutrition-poor food that you're crazy about. If you can't stop eating chocolate candy bars or big dishes of ice cream or those wonderful cookies—or whatever is your favorite bad-habit dish, you're probably not ready to do very much about your weight.

Another help in the direction of self-education is keeping a diet diary. Doing this in any notebook or scratch-pad for a period of at least two weeks will give you more of an idea of what you really eat than just memory will ever do. To be of the most help, such a diary should be kept closely, itemizing what was eaten at each meal and for each snack. Addition of those items not put down during the day can be done at night. Then, when the study of your eating habits for that length of time is completed, each item can be checked for nutritional value and calorie count by using any of a number of nutrition or cook books. Of even more value would be the discussion of such a diary with a nutritionist or physician. ... read more >>

One of the greatest things about being a family is family meals, right? Unfortunately at times we tend to deprioritise cooking (or cooking the more fancy meals) because of all sorts of other things that are going on in our lives. How about remembering those cooking skills this Father's Day by dishing it up for the family!

Recently we've come across a website called "menumade.co.nz" - a great little site that provides meal planning and wholesome recipes for the whole family. It even tells you what to buy and you can specify any food likes / dislikes as well as dietary requirements or allergies. How Cool! In fact we liked it so much that we organised a Father's Day competition with them - check it out here. ... read more >>

Even before our children were born Al and I had always wanted to be equal as parents. We were lucky that both of us were home for the first few months of our first daughter's life. Even though I was very clear in my mind that I wanted both of us to be involved and equal - and we knew that I would have to go back to work and he would stay home with her - I found I had to bite my tongue when he did things differently from what I thought was the "right" way. ... read more >>

No, I’m not referring to the goo that comes in jars. I’m sure there will be time to experiment with that later. I’m talking about the food mom demands for the baby before the baby is even born. What she eats, she tells me, the baby eats.

It’s the closest thing I’ve received to a decree from the King.

“In the name of the baby,” she says, “I request Stuffed Eggplant for dinner.”

She even sent me a link this morning by email to the recipe she had in mind. I thought she was busy studying at the university library, but it turns out she was looking up stuffed eggplant recipes.

Two hours later, no exaggeration, and dinner is ready.

A banquet fit for a king.

- Posted with permission from Spain Dad

Did you know that honey is potentially lethal for babies of up to 12 months? This week there was a story on the German news wire (DPA) about the various problems of giving honey to babies. "Babies up to 12 months should not eat honey as it could contain certain bacteria that release "Botulinumtoxin", a neurotoxin which can lead to severe food poisoning", according to Antje Gahl who works for the German Nutrition Society.

Gahl was keen to stress that there is no need to panic but that parents should check baby food that may contain honey. To be on the safe said she suggested to avoid honey as a food for babies altogether. Gahl said that honey was safe to eat for toddlers from about 1 year onwards as their digestive system is fully developed and can neutralise the toxins. ... read more >>

The human brain is particularly susceptible to the effects of poor nutrition during the early years of development, and most preschool diets are either average or impoverished.[1]

Young brains need many nutrients for learning. Food additives and Deficiencies in some nutrients have been linked to ADD and ADHD.

Some guidelines that can help are:
No Soft Drinks - At least till the age of 5, and then only as an occasional treat. Replace Soft drinks with Water, Natural Fruit Juices (Without corn Syrup or Fructose Sweeteners), and Low fat Milk.
Limit Potato Chips, Donuts, Pop-Tarts, and Cookies. These should be a treat and healthier alternatives like whole grain pretzels or baked chips, fruits like bananas, sliced apples, grapes, and watermelon are ideal snack choices. ... read more >>

Mince Baskets

Suitable for toddlers

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4

Basic Mince Mixture - Ingredients

1 Tbsp oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
500g lean beef or lamb mince
2 Tbsp tomato purée
420g jar pasta sauce
1 tsp mixed herbs or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh herbs (optional)
8 slices fresh bread, crusts removed

Method

Heat the oil in a frying pan, and cook the onion gently for 5-6 minutes, until tender. Add the mince, breaking up with the back of a spoon to form small pieces until cooked thoroughly and no longer pink. Stir in tomato purée, canned tomatoes and herbs. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 30 minutes until reduced and thick, but still moist. Set aside. ... read more >>

This is an area that i struggle with – cooking for a 10 month old and a couple of 30+ year olds. Its a little easier with a 10 month as Im not going to cook an Indian Vindaloo of some sort but surely veges just don’t cut the mustard anymore!

So what I have is a recipe that I believe Dad’s can cook and make not only for the adults but their little ones also!

Meaty Hot Pot
Suitable from 6 months

Ingredients
• 500g diced beef or lamb casserole meat such as beef chuck, blade steak or boneless lamb
• 420g can baked beans
• ½ small swede (or kumara), peeled and cubed
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 Tbsp tomato purée*
• 1¼ cups water
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 tsp oil

Method
1. In a large casserole dish, mix together the meat, beans, swede or kumara, carrots, onion and tomato purée.
2. Stir the water into the casserole mix. ... read more >>

My little girl is becoming vastly progressive with her toleration for foods, or rather her intoleration for some foods. We have a very basic foods strategy which is make sure she tries as much as possible within reason and hopefully she will like it, I think there is too much pressure on both parents and child to like all the things that they give!

So what are some tips that I have found work for us when you have a 10 month old who thinks all food is not equal and will eat what she likes.

• Offer a variety of different food’s
• Keep them on a particular food for a few days so that they know what they like and don’t like
• Fibre comes from fruits, vegetables, breads and cereals
• Children do like fat in their diet and burn it off quicker then adults do
• Water is a great thirst quencher at all meals – avoid fruit juice and carbonated water drinks
• From 12 months on children can drink cows milk or toddler milk. ... read more >>

Becoming a father again, I would had thought I would already know many tips and tricks with looking after and raising a baby, and I do...

However getting wind out of Ava has proven to be a struggle, normal techniques of patting and rubbing her back while over my shoulder while gets some results after some time is not enough, to clear the blue colouring around her face (sign of gas in the body). Even the football hold with Ava lying face down on my arm then patting her back gets more farts than burps... farts are ok too I guess.
Changing her position from horizontal to upright over the shoulder sometimes helps shift the gas inside her. ... read more >>