Gluten-free

For those of you trying a gluten-free diet, don't forget that that means having nothing with gluten. You can't go a week without having gluten and then on Monday you have gluten, but it was only one thing and then go back to gluten-free. It will throw the immune system completely off and all of that effort, going gluten-free, was just a waste of time. 

There are great alternatives to gluten, but always read labels. There are some brands that make gluten-free products but it's still crap. There is a brand of pasta that I absolutely love. It's called Pasta Joy, here's their website:  http://tinkyada.com 

I like this brand because when you cook the pasta it cooks like gluten pasta. It doesn't overcook, meaning it doesn't become mushy like some other gluten-free pastas, and it's made with really simple ingredients. So it's worth a try, plus it's made from rice so it's basically allergy-free unless you're allergic to rice.

I'd like to just input my opinion. The thing with gluten is that it's been heavily modified over the years. Especially wheat or anything that says "whole-wheat." I don't know about you, but I'm against it. I used to think it was healthy, but then I read about it several times and over the years it has been changed; its DNA has been altered, and therefore all of those changes harm our bodies. Sometimes people think, "oh well it wasn't bad for me when I was a kid," but then again it wasn't as different when we were younger. 

Non-GMO brands

Here's a link to 400 companies who are commited to serving you non-GMO foods.

http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2013/07/over-400-companies-who-arent-using-gmos.html

Pasta sauce

Unfortunately for me, my kids don't like sauce in their pasta. But if your kids do then this post will be of use to you! I love this tomato sauce for myself and as a sneaky way to get my husband to eat veggies too! The Sneaky Chef tomato sauce is made with a massive amount of veggies. It's made by a mom who was also trying to find creative ways to get her kids to eat their veggies. I've seen this product only a few times at Whole Foods, I'm not sure why it's not on the shelves all the time. I've seen it in two flavors; smooth red and cheesy red. I love that it's simple ingredients and it's not filled with all these unproannouncable chemicals. 

"You don't have to.."

Lovely article I read about helping us, parents, with our children during dinner time.

"When we make eating about the parent's will versus the child's will, the joy and connection of eating gets lost. Some parents may win the battle and feel good that their child eats the way they want them to eat, but deep down the child may be full of resentment, eating peas to please his parents and not because he enjoys eating them."

Article: http://huff.to/1eBOjY7

That's organic!

My toddler loves this video! It's a potatoe singing about organic produce. It's a great video defining what organic means for kids (and adults too). Plus it's a catchy tune. "Mother Natures got a brand. It's called organic!" http://youtu.be/YtwZ8t5NS6c

Some of my favorite brands

Here's something new: I'm finally on Twitter! Follow me @thepickytoddler 

I've recently tweeted about my favorite brand of pre-made foods. Of course it's always best to make your own food at home, but of there is no time here's who I turn to: Applegate's gluten-free chicken nuggets, and organic peas or whatever other veggie kids will tolerate. I have to say the Little Duck Organics is awesome! They make organic, all-natural, recognizable ingredients! My little one likes their Quinoa baby cereal! Because I try to avoid dairy I like to use Daiya cheese for my oldest's Mac & Cheese. I love them because they don't contain soy, casein and carrageenan.

This post has a little bit of everything

Hello dear Friends!
Once again I was M.I.A. I barely have time, as you know (your a parent yourself). And the time I do have to go online, is not the time to sit, think, and type. But I have been keeping myself informed and educated! Its  really amazing the things that we have yet to learn.
So today I want to talk a little bit about my recent discoveries: strange ingredients. What do you mean, Deb? Well have you ever looked at the ingredients on packaged food? At first I just thought, "Ok, so what? They need to add this stuff to make this stuff." Now looking at that I don't really know how I wasn't alarmed at the fact that all I was consuming or giving my kid was chemicals! No wonder people are getting sick! Really think about. Our bodies are still the same bodies people had from years and years ago. Yet our food is not the same from years ago. All the chemical stuff is forcing our livers to work overtime! People don't need to take vitamins, I believe, if they are feeding themselves properly. Nor do I believe people need to see doctors because food, yes WHOLE FOOD, can cure. But of course don't take my advice because I'm no one to lead your life. I just believe this for myself. For example, cancer is on the rise and seems like something that you're bound to get in the future. No! Cancer is formed because these chemicals, harmful man-made things, and stress are forcing our organs to fight. Eventually these poisons win because our bodies were not meant to take so much crap! Sugars feed this cancer, and whole foods such as organic veggies kill it.
We live in a society/culture where we are taught or brought up to be lazy. Yep, I said it! "Oh, I have a headache." Take a Tylenol. "Oh, I have diarrhea." Take Pepto. Listen to your body. Its not just feeling terrible to screw you over. Its screaming for your help. "Oh, I'm to tried to cook." Microwave some fake food. "Oh, I've worked all day. I don't have time to play with my kid(s)." Sit them in front of the TV. When in fact, we seem to always have time to walk our dogs at 6am, but wouldn't take our kids to the park for an hour. Then we wonder why kids are so violent or so passive. That's what we teach them; how to hate (because some parents don't care to show love). Its not that we hate them, but we aren't showing love either. I'm not saying let your kid do what he wants. But disciple with love (you may be firm when needed) and give them some of your time, because sometimes that's what we need as adults too; someone to give us time to just care or listen to us (hence why so many pay a great deal for a therapist).
Back to food. My toddler hates soup. The good thing is that last week when my husband made chicken soup she ate it! How did I do it? You guessed it. I just took out the broth. Even though that's the most nutritious part. So she ate the carrots, pasta, and chicken. Later she had some dessert: almond milk cookies and cream ice cream. Make sure it doesn't have carrageenan; its carcinogenic.
Here's something important I've learned. Sodium benzoate is of course bad, especially worse when mixed with ascorbic acid (synthetic vitamin C) and/or vitamin D. So read labels! I really hate that most kids juice boxes contain synthetic vitamin C. I found one that is organic and has no blah blah acids. It's called R.W. Knudsen Sensible Sippers http://www.rwknudsenfamily.com/products/sensible-sippers

  It does contain "natural flavors" so you're going to have to do a little research or call them up and ask what "natural flavors" means. Sometimes it could be an issue if you're kid has a gluten intolerance.