Having similiar passions for cooking (and eating) real food, Kensie Cooks is a local Ambassador to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and subsequently we wanted to share the January challenges.

How do you want to help make a difference?

#1  Let us know your food resolutions and what you want to accomplish this year.
We love starting a new year because we get to start fresh and refocus on what we want to accomplish this year.
What foods do you want to eat more of in 2013?  Is there something you have wanted to cook but have been intimidated?  What do you want to achieve on a local level in 2013? Let us know what food goals you will be accomplishing in 2013.

#2  Implement the third and final School Food Toolkit titled ‘Start a Campaign’ to continue the Food Revolution in your local school.

Let us know how you want to get involved!

Author Tesha Vann & Illustrator Anne Attinger during December, ’12 book signing

We’ve had such a great time at our two recent Kensie Cooks book signings!

Perhaps the most rewarding theme was how many parents and grandparents said, “Joey is going to really enjoy this book – he loves to help cook” or “Ava is so picky – this book will help her try new foods!”

We are busy working on Kensie Cooks book two, subtitled, “How It All Started”!

More information and coloring pages forthcoming!

Kensie Cooks features three of the pickiest kiddos around.  Ever wonder how to overcome your own picky eater(s)?

Contributor, Dr. Brie Moore offers the following 5 tips to help make meal time less challenging!

1. Predictability.  Establish set meal and snack times and stick to them.  Eliminating “grazing” throughout the day helps your child arrive to each meal hungry and motivated to eat what you provide.  Eat family meals at the table as often as possible.

2. Patience.  Most children require repeated exposure to a food before they take a first bite or develop a taste for it.  Encourage your child to explore foods’ colors, textures, shapes, aromas, and tastes.  It takes time for children’s eating habits to change, but the small steps you take each day can help encourage a healthy eating for the long run.

3. Participation.  Children are more likely to try new foods when they are involved in selection and preparation. Involve your child in selecting vegetables and fruits from the grocery store.  Using age-appropriate skills, solicit their help in the kitchen with preparation.

4. Positivity. Set a positive example and provide a healthy environment for your child.  Children learn to enjoy the foods their parents enjoy too. Don’t keep foods in the home you wouldn’t want your child eating.  Alternatively, if you are making healthy changes to your diet, offer your children the same benefits.  There is no greater myth than the assertion that ice cream and candy are just part of childhood!

5. Perseverance.  Stick with it. Just because your child protests, doesn’t mean preparing a separate meal is necessary.  In fact, this promotes picky eating.  During the toddler years children may not have much of an appetite or might rather play than eat.  Encourage your child to enjoy mealtime with the family, even if he or she chooses not to eat.  Continue to present healthy food for meals and snacks until they become familiar and preferred. 

Adapted from Mayo Clinic. Provided by Brie A. Moore, Ph.D. for Kensie Cooks.

What tips work for you?

Click here to download the PDF of our 5 Tips for Picky Eaters