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GET READY FOR GOOD NUTRITION IN NOVEMBER! 3 Tips to Get Your Picky Eaters to Eat the Veggies Their Bodies Need
It might seem strange that November — when millions of Americans gather around the dinner table to show gratitude through lavish Thanksgiving feasts — has recently been dubbed Good Nutrition Month. But it’s true; now is the time to pay extra attention to the nutrients your body needs to maintain its healthy state through the new year. While mindful eating is a habit families know they should practice year- round, once the holiday season kicks into full gear, it becomes much easier to overlook. With colder weather keeping you inside, the cravings for heartier meals and delicious baked goods leave parents struggling to encourage their picky eaters to consume anything nutritious. If you’re finding it more difficult than usual to convince your child to eat their greens, here are some tips to keep in mind! 1. Let Them Help. If your child has grown out of the toddler stage and is still resistant to eating their vegetables, child psychologists say you should have them help with the cooking process. The excitement and anticipation that comes with getting to prepare the vegetables can encourage kids to try a couple bites during dinnertime.
dish, consider adding broccoli and peas to the sauce. The cheese will
mask most of the veggie flavor, and your kids won’t
care as much! Another option for really picky eaters is to purée vegetables, like sweet potatoes, into the cheese sauce. The bright orange color will mask the inclusion, ensuring your little one gets a good share of fiber-rich nutrients while being none the wiser. 3. Get ‘Beefy’ With Your Veggies. If your kids are fans of meat-based pasta sauces, meatballs, or sloppy Joes, you can substitute some of the ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms. Since the meaty texture of the tasty fungi is similar to ground beef, it’ll be hard for kids to notice the difference. Riced cauliflower can also be mistaken for tender ground beef when cooked in darker sauces and gravies. While it can be frustrating to negotiate with a picky eater, especially during the holidays, don’t lose hope. Try out these three tasty tips and observe Good Nutrition Month with a little more ease. windows or branches to protect the birds from collisions and predators. You should also make sure the birds have somewhere to retreat in the event of predators — bushes within about 7 feet are perfect. KEEP IT COVERED We don’t see much snow or rain in Alabama, but it’s still important to use a covered feeder or add a wide baffle to the top of the bird feeder to protect it from winter weather. KEEP IT CLEAN More birds may visit your feeder in the winter, so it will need to be cleaned and sterilized regularly. Discard soggy seed to prevent mold or mildew, and wipe down poles and perches so that the feeder is not a source of disease. OFFER A SEASONAL MENU Since insects and fruits will be harder for birds to find in the winter, do the birds a favor by stocking your feeder with seeds that are high in fat and healthy oil. Ideal winter foods include hulled black sunflower seeds, peanuts, thistle seeds, suet, peanut butter, and white millet seeds. You don’t have to put in a heated bird bath to provide birds with some backyard luxury — though they would certainly appreciate it. Instead, keeping your feeder safe, clean, and fully stocked is a wonderful way to help our fine feathered friends through the long winter.
2. Cheese It Up! Cheese can undoubtedly make veggies more appealing for your little ones. When making their favorite mac ‘n’ cheese
BIRD WATCH
SHOULD YOUR BIRD FEEDER HAVE A WINTER MENU?
In Alabama, bird watching doesn’t stop as winter sets in. In fact, Alabama hosts more birds in the winter than we do in the summer, as northern birds come south looking for warmer weather. We see many sparrows, juncos, blackbirds, warblers, and the yellow-bellied sapsuckers this time of year, and all of these birds will need to stay well-fed. If you have a bird feeder in your yard, here are some ways to help keep our visiting birds comfortable during the winter months. RELOCATE Keep bird feeders sheltered from the wind by moving them closer to your house. You’ll be able to see the birds better from inside, and the birds will be more comfortable. Just make sure to keep the feeder 5 feet away from
Happy birding!
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