How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!

The age old problem; your precious little baby has started to find his own place in the world and discover the control he has over certain circumstances in his life. This sweet little angel has passed the 12 month mark and is beginning to show signs of swinging to the dark side. He seems to object to everything you suggest just because he can. Screaming. Kicking. Knocking food off the table. Pulling hair. Throwing poop (well, Ryder has). The terrible twos. I guess it's a good thing no one tells you they actually start around 1, and last well into their 20's.... If everyone were aware of that, we probably wouldn't be here.


Something I seem to hear frequently in my "mommy" groups, blogs, etc., is the concern of getting your little guy to eat his vegetables. I have a suggestion. Give them veggies for breakfast. 


I've found (experimenting first on my husband with his phobia of mushrooms years ago), that if something is cut up small enough and mixed in with things they do like, it pretty  much isn't in there. I've got these 21 month old boys eating veggies like a 42 year old health guru in the mornings... Dice up whatever veggies that contain the nutrients you want to dose up your toddler with; I usually use garlic, onion, bell peppers, spinach (I always have spinach in our house), tomatoes, broccoli and avocado. I would suggest starting small, especially with the bold flavors of garlic & onion, and work your way up once their undeveloped palates start to adjust to the flavors & textures.

To start, sauté all veggies (except spinach & avocado) with a little olive oil & cook until soft. Once there, toss in spinach & cook until it wilts down. Add a little salt. Scramble in a few eggs, sliced turkey & cheese. Once cooked, toss in some sliced avocado & make sure everything's mixed around good. Serve up with a slice of organic sprouted whole wheat toast with a small amount of butter (or whatever bread you keep around), and Voilà! You have yourself a super healthy, yummy meal that your little guy will (hopefully) devour. Cheers!

Here's a list of what nutrients are important for your little one to thrive and the foods that are jam-packed with them: 


Vitamins & Minerals For Toddlers

• Vitamin A - Yellow and orange fruit and vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, mango, apricots), dark green vegetables, liver and dairy products.
• Vitamin C - Citrus fruits, berries, and vegetables, potatoes and fruit juice.
• Vitamin D - Oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines) and dairy products.
• Vitamin B6 - Avocados, bananas, fish, liver, wheat bran, cantaloupe, cabbage, milk and eggs.
• Iron - Meat-based (haem) sources - beef, pork, lamb; plant-based (non-haem) sources - fortified cereals, bread, dried fruit, eggs, beans and pulses and green leafy vegetables (cabbage, spring greens, broccoli and green beans).
• Calcium - Dairy products - milk, yogurt, cheese (unless avoiding dairy) - dark green vegetables, sesame seeds, canned fish with soft edible bones, fortified orange juice and pulses.
• Magnesium - Brown rice, soybeans, legumes, brewer's yeast.
• Zinc - Offal, meat, mushrooms, oysters, eggs and wholegrain products.