Feeding Toddlers

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

Having just survived many holiday celebrations, I've learned a thing or two about feeding toddlers at parties.  Finding something on an appetizer table that a little one will want to eat can be tricky, but with a little planning and creativity, parents can make party dishes that will please the palates of their adult guests as well as their toddlers.

Read more: Party Food For Toddlers

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

If you read a lot of cake, cookie or muffin recipes, you've probably seen applesauce listed as an ingredient.  This tasty spice cake recipe calls for either applesauce or plum baby food, but you could easily substitute whatever flavor suits your family's taste.  (Pear would be delicious!)  The result is a moist, sweet cake that your toddler will love.

Read more: Baby Food Spice Cake

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

One of my strongest memories of my great-grandmother is her tea cakes.  These treats are like a not-too-sweet sugar cookie with a cakier texture.  I remember some family members dunking them in their coffee while others spread them with homemade jelly.  I'm a purist--I gobbled them down in their perfect, original form.  Tea cakes make a great holiday treat for toddlers, especially those who aren't nuts about super-sweet cookies.

Read more: Tea Cakes: A Not-Too-Sweet Treat!

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

Sweet Potato Casserole may be the perfect food.  The texture and color are pleasing, it satisfies your sweet tooth, it fills you up, it's packed with vitamins and it's appropriate for all ages.  In my family, no holiday dinner is complete without a big dish or two of this casserole.  Your toddler will love this recipe and may even surprise you by asking for seconds...or thirds!

Read more: Sweet Potato Casserole

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

So many wonderful family traditions start in the kitchen.  Many of us grew up with parents who loved cooking, so some of our happiest memories of the holidays center around the incredible food of the season.  Why not take advantage of the holidays and start passing down those great family traditions to your toddler?  Starting early means they'll never remember a holiday without your family's special traditions or dishes.

Read more: Holiday Food and Your Toddler

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

Nothing warms the body and soul on a chilly autumn night like a warm bowl of soup.  Some toddlers are immediately enamoured with  the likes of chicken noodle soup or soups with alphabet-shaped pasta.  However, fall brings us some tasty veggies which can be made into spectacular, toddler-friendly soups that taste great and a splash of seasonal color and flavor to your dinner table.

Read more: Introducing Your Toddler To Soup

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

As the dog days of summer fade into crisp autumn evenings, we are blessed with an abundance of wonderful flavors.  My favorite autumnal treat is a perfect, fresh apple.  There's so much more to apples than just pie, and your toddler will love finding this favorite of sweet fruits in more and more of your recipes.

Read more: Apples Galore!

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

You’ll find the word CURIOUS at the top of any list describing toddlers.  When planning and preparing meals for your family, use your toddler’s curiosity to your advantage by involving them in meal preparation and encouraging them to try new textures and flavors.

Read more: Nurturing Your Toddler's Curiosity in the Kitchen

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

My son recently started attending Mother's Day Out (or "Big Boy School" as we refer to it) three days a week while I'm at work.  So far my biggest challenge has been figuring out what to pack in the lunchbox of a kid who doesn't eat sandwiches. 

Read more: The Great Lunchbox Challenge

Feeding by Age - Feeding Toddlers

My house has been hit with the dreaded summer cold.  When I'm sick, all I want to eat is gelatin and hot tea.  Given the fact that I could stand to lose a few pounds, this is an acceptable diet for a day or two.  But what do you feed a toddler who is under-the-weather, but who still needs good nutrition?  Here are a few things that have gotten me through our latest bout of sickness.

Read more: Feeding A Sick Toddler