Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

Feeding a toddler is anything but easy, although it can be quite entertaining. My daughter is an “all in” kind of gal.  If she loves it you know and if she doesn’t, well, you know. She is not dainty and doesn’t use her pincer grasp often. Instead she grabs fistfuls and shovels in food.  Except, when she decides she doesn’t want it.  

Every child is different, but some require parents to go back to school for Character Building 201 and Patience Development 301. When McKaela was a baby a year ago, I am not exactly sure what I envision feeding a toddler would look like, but I thought you might like to see real life at the Hunt home with a 15 month old.

My angelic looking daughter took picture #1 a couple of hours before picture #2 occurred.  She decided she was not interested in anything on her plate and swiped it all off in a split second.  While I have never been fond of mopping, my floors have never been cleaner, considering how many times they are cleaned… by hand.

Although I have worked in nutrition and dietetics many years, I generally worked with the adult population. But as I have moved into a different season of life, I have become interested in learning what I can to help my daughter develop into a healthy little girl with broad palate, healthy self-image and smart eating habits.  Call me a dreamer, or just plain naive… my intentions are good but the reality is more complicated.

These are a few lessons I have learned, so far- I expect many more lessons in the near future.

LESSON #1: Taste

Encouraging little ones to “try” new foods at the table can quickly turn into a power struggle.  They are exercising their right to say “no” or decline a food and the parent is trying to prevent making several meals for the family.  How many times have I wanted McKaela to “just try one bite?!”  

I have found that the most effective way to get my little girl to try new or less familiar foods is to create “taste” moments outside of the dinner table. These are moments when she is showing interest and curiosity- enough to where she is motivated to taste or interact with a food (smell, touch, look, etc). Essentially, by creating a taste moment in a non-threatening environment, she is able to explore on her own terms and I, the parent, feel less angst about the outcome.  Sure, I want her to try the food, but her daily nutrition does not depend on this bite, so I am less pressuring.

Tasting can happen at any time or moment during the day. Sometimes these moments can be planned but other times, I am simply taking advantage of her expressed curiosity.  Several weeks ago I opening the refrigerator door to get out some supplies for dinner and she grabbed a large chunk of steamed cauliflower and ran off eating it.  I was totally shocked AND joyful!  That moment was completely unplanned but she was curious and took a taste.  

Now, I am more proactive about creating moments to taste foods outside of the dinner table.  Sometimes she simply wants to try what I am chopping for a meal and other times she likes to peer into the refrigerator.  We will intentionally leave foods she has been declining at dinner on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator so that if she points to it in curiosity, I can take it out and give her a taste.

Of course there are foods she continues to decline, but we continue to offer a taste.  The research is consistent that the more exposure, the more likely a child will develop a liking for a food.  Don’t give up on exposing your kids to different foods, you may find their curiosity opens the door.  

LESSON #2: Lose the “Kid Food” Mentality

How have we come to believe that kids only like “kid food” and won’t like what adults are eating?  Recently I was feeding my daughter lunch while I was sauteing some tempeh for a salad I had prepared for my lunch.  Tempeh is a fermented soybean cake and is rich in protein and micronutrients- a food I happen to adore.  McKaela began pointing to the tempeh in the pan asking to eat it.  I only gave her a few small pieces just to appease her, guessing that she wouldn’t like it.  After finishing those few bites, she was asking for more and by the end of her lunch, she had consumed more than 2 ounces!  Now, when I am eating tempeh at a meal, I make it for her as well.

So, what made me think she wouldn’t like it?  Who am I to tell her what she will and will not like?  As the parent, my job is to give her exposure to variety and choices, but shegets to decide how to respond each time.

 Yes, my daughter loves when we make homemade pizza (just like her adult mommy and daddy), but she also eats brussel sprouts (at least, sometimes) and adores broccoli (every time!).   

It is almost a bit comical that we expect kids to reject a variety of healthy foods and adore energy dense, sugary foods. There have been dozens of counseling sessions when a patient would return for a follow up commenting that they went to the store and bought all kinds of healthy food for their meals and snacks, but their kids were eating it all.  Some of these adults were actually complaining that their kids were choosing to eat healthy foods…when the “kid-friendly” snacks were still in the pantry!  

Learn to expect the best- you might be surprised.  

LESSON #3: Laugh, Just Laugh

When my sweet little girl drops greek yogurt on my sparkling, hand-cleaned floors, I have a choice.  When she flings sweet potato on the carpet in the dining room, I have a choice.  When she declines any form of poultry, fish, or meat, for the 50ith time, I get tochoose, again.  

As parents we are confronted with so many opportunities to get frustrated, perplexed, and discouraged. Sometimes it is easy to give in and get mad. But, I am learning that the best medicine and ultimate solution is to laugh. The funny thing with kids, at least my child, is that she is fickle.  One meal may feel like an utter disaster and the next may go splendidly well. Feeding time is messy time and I am learning that it’s OK.  But, I can either resist the inevitable or embrace it.  If I continue giving her the same messages and stay calm in my response, gradually, I see her adapting to change.  

Maybe smashing beans all through her hair is my opportunity to laugh that day.  Maybe that is exactly what I needed.  

When confronted with the choice, choose to laugh, it will save you headaches, feeding drama and regret.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, babysitter or plan to have kids one day, you will get to take a ride on the feeding adventures rollercoaster. There are never any dull moments or a lack of entertainment.  There will likely be some struggles and most definitely there will be messes, BIG messes.  But just like taking an adventure, have fun exploring with your senses, creating with your mind, laughing at mishaps and always keeps your glass (of milk) half full!

TRUTH: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

As the 2016 Rio Olympics come to a close and the athletes make the long trip home, there will be dozens of people ready to welcome them with open arms when they step off the plane in their home city.  Cheers, applause, hugs, and signs will crown these individuals with praise and honor- all given by people.

Over the last 2 weeks, I have watched dozens of athletic events- volleyball, gymnastics, diving, rowing, swimming, hurdles …  The sequence of events building the drama and excitement to the final moment when one finally comes out on top.  These athletes have a sense of determination, confidence, and passion that goes beyond my comprehension.  To be so emotionally, mentally and physically involved in a sport is something that not all of us truly understand.  But even with all their drive and heart, these individuals didn’t get there alone.  

In fact, not a single person made it to the Olympics because of sheer individual talent.  These athletes have people, many people in their lives- past and present- that have actually walked or run with them along this journey.  While the athlete takes home the honor of representing self and country, the parents, coaches, mentors, childhood competitors, family members, and friends are the people that have shaped the person to become an elite in their sport.  Without the support of people, these athletes wouldn’t be standing on a platform, running on a track, spiking in the sand, or flying over an 18 foot high bar.

Some athletes wouldn’t even be here, if not for people who care.  Allison Schmitt, Olympic swimmer in the London games 4 years ago took home 5 medals, 3 of them gold.  She was a swimming superstar!  After graduating from the University of Georgia, she decided to make her passion her job and become a professional swimmer.  But even with name recognition and many opportunities in front of her, she was pulled into a deep depression.  Allison comments to Swimming World Magazine that “We’re taught to keep persevering and pushing through, but life can be scary alone and there are a lot of other people out there that can help you and that have had similar experiences to you.” She says in an interview with Jena Bush Hager of Today, that “you can never get through life alone.”  

Her healing began when Allison reached out to her coach, teammates and a counselor to help her through.  She graced the Rio Olympics with renewed perspective on life and leaves with 1 gold and 1 silver medal.  She probably would not have been swimming in Rio at all without the continuing support she has received- from people.  

What would we do without our support system?  Who would we be without teammates in life?  

When I consider who I am today and the accomplishments I have achieved, it is because I had parents that sacrificed to give me a Christian education and demonstrated what family values look like in real life.  It is because I had a Youth Pastor that invested in me, prayed for me and taught me leadership skills I practice today.  It is because of a sister who would remind me what it looks like to be brave and take a risk for the fun of it.  It is because of a mentor who has listened to me sob on the phone in a place of despair and spoke words of Truth into my life.  It is because of the countless other individuals that have encouraged and uplifted me, believed in me, prayed for me, invested financially in me (thank you college scholarships!), and more! 

Who are you today?  Who has spoken words of life into your pit?  Who has given you a hand to stand up or a shoulder to cry on?  Who saw your potential when you were still clumsy and inexperienced?

Simone Biles, Rio Olympic Gold Medal gymnast, is in a commercial where she states that she practices in the gym 300 days per year.  Wow!  Her dedication is her own.  But, who drove her there those 300 days before she could drive? Who paid for the year round membership to the gym, classes, coaches, camps, and extra trainings?  Who saw something in her as a little girl and decided to put her in gymnastics to give it a try?  Who sacrificed time and money to take her to championships and competitions? Who saw her fall again and again and encouraged her to go at it one more time.  Who stayed late to help her add finesse to a routine or master a skill?

People.  But not just any people, special, valuable individuals that have chosen to invest.  

These Olympians have achieved significant, if not monumental successes- even textbook worthy accomplishments.  But their achievements are not their own.  As I hear commercials and interviews of these Olympians thanking parents and family members for their unconditional love, support and sacrifices all along the way, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people that have invested in me.  What a blessing that someone didn’t give up on me and saw what was in me!  

Sometimes it takes another person to share healthy perspective with us and see the BIG picture beyond the narrow frame we use to box in our lives.  As “iron sharpens iron (Prov 27:17)”, we need individuals to make us better, stronger, and more effective than before.  Do you have specific individuals in your life that have helped you become a healthy person?  Do you have people that you allow, if not, invite, to speak Truth and provide constructive feedback?  Do you have people that provide empathy but refuse to join your pity party?  Do you have people that are givers of hope and abounding love?

Please join me in thanking all of these individuals that have given so selflessly and invested in our lives.  They choose to see us, the person, not the pomp and circumstance, medals and list of achievements or the lack thereof.  Honor them by becoming a hope giver to someone else.    

TRUTH: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4  SourcesSwimming World Magazine: https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/olympian-allison-schmitt-bringing-darkness-of-depression-to-light/Core Power commercial: https://vimeo.com/168246984Today interview: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/schmitt-perseveres-through-struggles-and-out-pool 

Isn’t is ironic that as we cheer on athletes in Rio, begging them to swim harder, ride faster, run quicker, that most of us are sitting?!  A majority of viewers are sitting in a favorite chair or the plush spot on the couch, eager to see the next race and celebrate victories.  Even if you are not caught up in the competitive allure of the 2016 Summer Olympics, most of us have a “show” or two that we like to watch each week in a cushy spot in our home.   While sitting seems harmless, especially if we are active and exercising regularly, research is showing otherwise.  In a large study lead by researchers associated with the American Cancer Society, results showed that women had a 40% higher and men a 20% higher all-cause death rate when they were sitting for 6 hours of leisure time per day as opposed to 3 hours per day.  Essentially, sitting for 6 hours during the day dramatically increases the rate of early death!  The findings were independent of planned physical activity, meaning that even when individuals were meeting the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans), the increased rate of early death still applied.  This large study included 123,000 participants, but this is not the only study of its kind as several smaller studies have demonstrated a relationship between sedentary behavior and early mortality.   As beneficial as regular, planned physical activity is for all individuals, it is important for everyone not only move more, but also sit less.  Merely sitting may eat up quality years of life.   Don’t give away your days.  You have life to live, fun to enjoy, memories to make and people to impact!  Here are a few ideas to keep you up and moving while you are cheering on your favorite athletes, laughing at your favorite “sit-com”, or wincing during your favorite drama.  
Walk or jog in place–  It’s just that simple… get up and move.  If walking for an hour or two sounds too daunting, set a timer for a specific amount of time.  Or, decide to walk during the commercials and sit during the show (or vice versa!).  Any minute you spend walking is one less minute you spend sitting.   
Move fitness equipment in front of the tv OR move the tv to the fitness room– Whether you have a treadmill, eliptical, weight bench or any other equipment, begin to associate movement or exercise with your show of choice.  Some individuals will specifically DVR a program so that they can watch it during a workout.  Depending on what you call your favorite show, it will likely last 30-60 minutes.  
Grab your hand weights or exercise band–  Keep small dumbbells or resistance bands nearby, under a chair or small table so they are out of pathways but still within easy reach.  There are dozens of simple exercises that can be done with these small but useful tools.  Check out the CDC for “how-to” exercises for all fitness levels.  
Create a “commercial challenge”– How many pushups can you do? How about squats? Lunges? Bicep curls?  Can you jog in place for the length of the commercial?  This is your challenge, not anyone else’s.  Challenge yourself- that is what counts.
 Perform an exercise workout video or online program– If you want to actually watch your show, choose a work out you have done so many times that you have it practically memorized.  Mute the workout video volume and place your laptop or smart device beside the tv so you can do it while watching the tv.  It’s possible, believe me!  I have done this many times and have a good friend who does this frequently.    Sometimes you may have tired legs and your body may be worn out. Sometimes sitting is actually being kind to your body after a long day on your feet.  But, more often than not, there are unrecognized opportunities to move our bodies to promote health and life.  Challenge yourself today to take note of these opportunities and begin taking positive action.  It is not only about the “years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years.”– Abraham Lincoln  TRUTH: We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 6:12  
Works Cited
Patel AV, Bernstein L, Deka A, Feigelson HS, Campbell PT, Gapstur SM, Colditz GA, Thun MJ. “Leisure time spent sitting in relation to total mortality in a prospective cohort of US adults.” Am J Epidemiology, vol. 172, no. 4, 2010, pp. 419-29. 

Thrilling.  My husband and I were standing in our living room yelling for Mara Abbott, American cyclist competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics Women’s Road Race on Sunday afternoon.  The 85 mile endurance competition was coming to an end and she was within only a few miles of the finish line.  The leader had wiped out on a downhill in the misty weather that made the roads slick and Abbott now had a 30 second lead over the group of 3 bikers behind her.  

Watching the race live, we couldn’t leave the room.  In fact, we couldn’t stand still. Hearts pounding,all we could do was yell at the tv screen, hoping and praying that Abbott was able to give all she had to the finish.  With Olympic fans on the side of the road cheering her on, Mara grabbed a nutrition bar in the pocket of her shirt to replenish her energy as she pedaled the last few miles of the race.

You could see her pace gradually slowing, while her face stayed determined.  The group of 3 cyclists were gaining ground and the 30 second lead quickly dwindled. Abbott had been riding many miles alone, with no partnering cyclist to draft. Almost 4 straight hours of riding at an average of more than 21 miles per hour…I can only imagine the exhaustion she was having to override, the momentum she was trying to maintain, the confidence she was trying to muster.

With only 100 meters left to reach the finish line, the Netherlands cyclist sprinted past her accelerating faster than I could have ever imagined after 85 fast paced miles, followed by the cyclists from Sweden and Italy.  Abbott’s fatigued limbs pedaled through the finish line.  Fourth.  

The cameras rushed the Gold Medal Winner, van der Breggen.  She basked in her glory and rightfully so.  Abbott, still on her bike, buried her head in the arms of her support people that surrounded her.  I really have no idea what she felt or the deep, tormenting emotion that overwhelmed her- who has been so close to gold, only to have it swiped away?  But I do know that I was absolutely heartbroken for her.

What is it like to give your all and come up short?  What does it feel like to barely grasp a gold medal dangling ahead of you only to see it hang around someone else’s neck minutes later?  What is it like to find out that you dug deep, pressed in, gave everything, pushed through pain, and it wasn’t enough?  At least, not that time.  She didn’t medal. Abbott placed 4th.  There is no glory in 4th.  There is no recognition.  

Interestingly, I think that a lot of us know what it feels like to be 4th.  Maybe not the extreme emotion of losing a gold medal, or any medal, in a matter of seconds, but I think that most of us can identify with an experience or two when we have given, sacrificed, dug deep, and it wasn’t enough.  Maybe you were doing everything right but the results didn’t transpire.  Maybe you sacrificed personal time and went the extra mile, only to watch someone else gain recognition, affirmation and promotion.  Maybe you have been dedicated, consistent, and focused, but your efforts don’t seem to get noticed.  Maybe you are looking for someone to partner with and share the draft, but no one seems to want to come alongside.  Maybe your best efforts have been blindsided by someone else or something else.

Fourth really isn’t fun.  It’s not glamorous or the title that anyone really wants. But fourth shows that you put your dreams to action.  Fourth place demonstrates that you created a plan and went after it.  Fourth place proves that you were brave.

Today, I want to celebrate all of our 4th place finishes.  I want to congratulate all of you for staying in the game instead of letting off the gas.  I want to honor you for persevering through the blood, sweat and tears.  I want to praise your achievements, even if the media, friends or even family don’t notice.  You know. And, you are aware of what you have given and the heart with which you gave.  

And it was enough.

TRUTH: Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

Colossians 1:11