Listen Now

We're starting this episode with a sad announcement: We're taking another hiatus. (Thanks to COVID, remote schooling, 2020 in general...) But before we go, we're downloading all of our thoughts about the mental load of back to school season — especially this year, when many kids (like Amy's!) are still stuck at home, and others (like Virginia's!) are going to school in tents.  We also discuss:  Our favorite lunchbox. Amy's exhaustive insulated lunchbag research.  And even more exhaustive idea lists for daycare lunches, kindergarten lunches, and disposable lunch gear.  Oh and the super cool sandwich sealer!  In less good news, we mentioned programs like Pandemic EBT, which at recording time, we thought would be re-authorized, but as of writing these show notes, has not, with dire consequences. So, you know, Vote Biden.  Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

We've decided to embrace the lack of childcare and bring the kids on the podcast! This week, almost-7-year-old Violet and 2-year-old Beatrix join Virginia to talk about their favorite foods, least favorite foods, and then a lot about butterflies and poop. You're welcome.  Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

This week, we're talking about some recent food/parenting fails in our own homes — as well as getting into what to do when kids talk about "needing to diet." (Gah!)  Resources for this episode:  Jennifer Berry's Thrive By Spectrum Pediatrics Love Me, Feed Me by Katja Rowell, MD Virginia's NYT story on the Weight Watchers app for kids. Why Kids Don't Need to Diet   Ellyn Satter's Your Child's Weight: Helping Without Harming   Free Girls Body Image ebook   The Problem With Poodle Science video The Full Bloom Podcast Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

We've decided to embrace the lack of childcare and bring the kids on the podcast! This week, 8 year yold Linden joins Amy to talk about her favorite foods, least favorite foods, and all her best tips for parents trying to encourage kids to try new foods.  Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

We are just OVER food right now. So this week, join us to commiserate about how often children need to be fed, but why they don't like the snacks you bought, how boring it is to keep making dinner and what to do about feeding yourself right now, because we're betting it's been a minute since you did that first.  This episode includes shout-outs to the wisdom of Dr. Rachel Millner, Dr. Katja Rowell and Nicki Sizemore of From Scratch Fast.   Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

Our quarantine schedules and the stars have finally aligned and we're back to (mostly) recording together! This week we're just catching up on all things in our #pandemicparenting and food lives. (Yes, we're agonizing over school.) Plus an update on episode 80, with some thoughts on the role weight tracking can play in eating disorder prevention and recovery, from educator, parent coach and HAES advocate, Oona Hanson.  Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

Amy shares a week's worth of real life dinners to (hopefully!) share a little cooking inspiration during these days when meal prepping and making can feel somewhat endless. She talks about meals from a recent week that included Homemade Pizza, Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta, Bean and Cheese Quesadillas, BBQ Baked Chicken and Rice, Burgers and Alexia Sweet Potato Fries (also known as why would you make homemade fries when these frozen ones are so good!) and more. Amy also shared one tip that helps her break out of a cooking rut and feed herself first.   Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.       

For this week's mini, Virginia is chatting about the process of reporting her new feature for Scientific American: What If Doctors Stopped Prescribing Weight Loss?  We're getting into what the science really tells us about weight and health, the harm caused by weighing patients as a default medical practice, and what to do at the pediatrician's office.  Here's a letter you can use to explain your decision to skip the weigh-in at your doctor's office.  And here's a letter you can use to explain your decision to skip weight talk at your pediatrician's office.  (Both via Anna Lutz, RD, who joined us for episode 44 on why kids don't need to diet!) And here's The Racist Roots of Fighting Obesity by Lindo Bacon and Sabrina Strings, which ran alongside my story in Scientific American.  Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.   

This week, Amy shares her evolution on how she feeds her own kids —from waging war on Goldfish crackers and packing "better" food for her first kiddo to bring to daycare (where lunch was provided) to her current kitchen where Goldfish and applesauce pouches live happily next to bananas and homemade snacks. She's still pretty OCD about cooking (it is her job after all!), but coming to terms with exactly what we can and cannot control about how our kids eat — and why banning favorite snacks always backfires — has been key to happier family meals.    Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.   

For this week's mini episode, Virginia shares some of our favorite Black voices in the food world, especially in the "feeding kids" space, which is not nearly diverse enough. Here's the list if you'd like to explore, follow and support their work:  Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez of the Food Heaven blog and podcast. (Check out Jessica's episode of Comfort Food here.) Jessica Wilson, MS, RD Christyna Johnson, RD, of Encouraging Dietitian. Shana Minei Spence, RDN, of The Nutrition Tea. Deanna Belleny Lewis MPH, RDN, on Instagram @deanna.rdn and @diversifydietetics.  Veronica Garnett, RD SLPs Of Color on Instagram and their podcast.  Simone of @ZaynesPlate Nia of @thefriendineverwanted. For more on racism and diet culture, be sure to read Fearing The Black Body by Sabrina Strings.  Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

NOTE: We recorded this episode before the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests, so you won't hear that discussed here. We are committed to doing the work of anti-racism and you will hear more about that in upcoming episodes. Thank you to everyone protesting right now. Stay safe.    Life looks a little different for our families right now, but we're excited to be sharing quick episodes for your summer listening pleasure. This week, Amy shares an update on what life looks like in her house and talks through the process of weaning her one year old—and how doing so has made a dramatic impact on his food intake. She also talks through how to reduce guilt around dessert in a listener question segment.   Helpful links: Episode 37: How the Heck to Start Milk Weaning How to Wean a Toddler Episode 29: Intuitive Eating 101 Feeding Your Family: Sanity Saving Feeding Techniques for Happy Meals and Body Positive Kids   Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com.   FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

We're on pandemic hiatus, but rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes — that seem super useful right now!  We know that motherhood (and just... life) can dramatically change how you feel about your body, whether you’re newly postpartum or several years in. Today we’re talking through some strategies to help you feel more body-positive and comfortable in your skin — no weight loss required (or even encouraged!). Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com. And you can read the show notes for this episode here. Sponsor Spotlight: Bumkins Baby Mealtime solutions like Silicone Grip Dishes that suction to the table, utensils that promote self-feeding, and more available now on their Amazon storefront!  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.   

We're on pandemic hiatus, but rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes — that seem super useful right now!  Dinner. It has to happen every night, no matter whether you meal planned, or are now staring down some hard 5pm truths about the state of your fridge. We asked Nicki Sizemore, of From Scratch Fast, to share some family-tested ideas for quick, easy dinners that you can make more or less out of thin air.  Send us your dinner questions! Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com. And you can read the show notes for this episode here. Sponsor Spotlight: Bumkins Baby Mealtime solutions like Silicone Grip Dishes that suction to the table, utensils that promote self-feeding, and more available now on their Amazon storefront!  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here. 

We're on pandemic hiatus, but rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes — that seem super useful right now!  Why do most men do so little at home — and especially in the kitchen? Why are women (still!) doing so much? Darcy Lockman, author of All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers and the Myth of Equal Partnership is on the podcast this week to talk about why mental load tasks like grocery list making and meal planning and prepping are still especially gendered — and what we can do, to find a better balance. Send us your mental load questions! Find us @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com. And you can read the show notes for this episode here. Sponsor Spotlight: Bumkins Baby Mealtime solutions like Silicone Grip Dishes that suction to the table, utensils that promote self-feeding, and more available now on their Amazon storefront!  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.   

We're on pandemic hiatus, but rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes — that seem super useful right now!  There are lots of meals (especially dinner!) that kids just don't eat. And this can be frustrating and even alarming for parents—but most often, it's completely normal. We're chatting with Jennifer Berry, OT, a feeding therapist and owner of Thrive By Spectrum Pediatrics, about what can help and what might be making the situation worse.  Send us your family food questions! @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood on social media or email comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com. And you can read the show notes for this episode here. Sponsor Spotlight: Bumkins Baby Mealtime solutions like Silicone Grip Dishes that suction to the table, utensils that promote self-feeding, and more available now on their Amazon storefront!  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.   

This week, we've got another report on how we're working, parenting and feeding our families and ourselves while in the isolation trenches. We're talking about ideas for making the same old kid meals a little more fun right now, Virginia's new Meal Prep for Lazy People strategy and the rising problem of food insecurity and what we can all do to help.  Send questions and comments to comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social: @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood. And visit our show notes at comfortfoodpodcast.com for all the links discussed in this episode.  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.  TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY We want to know more about you, and what you think of Comfort Food. Please take our quick and easy survey so we can keep making this podcast better and better. Thanks so much!   

We're talking through the logistics of stretching between grocery store trips, cooking from your pantry, and figuring out how to feel good about what you're eating when family meals look a lot different than usual. Plus Virginia's biggest pantry dinner successes and fails.  Send questions and comments to comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social: @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood. And visit our show notes at comfortfoodpodcast.com for all the links discussed in this episode.  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.  TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY We want to know more about you, and what you think of Comfort Food. Please take our quick and easy survey so we can keep making this podcast better and better. Thanks so much! 

We recorded this one pre-pandemic, but it couldn't be more timely. Lindsay Powers, founder of the #NoShameParenting movement, mom of two, and author of You Can't F*ck Up Your Kids, joins us to talk about why performative parenting and pressure are the enemy, not your kid's tablet. We also cover how to take the stress out of  how you're feeding your kids, from breastfeeding to family dinner.  Send questions and comments to comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social: @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood. And visit our show notes at comfortfoodpodcast.com for all the links discussed in this episode.  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.  TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY We want to know more about you, and what you think of Comfort Food. Please take our quick and easy survey so we can keep making this podcast better and better. Thanks so much! 

Managing home school schedules, balancing work from home with a total lack of childcare, grocery store stress — parents are navigating a million new mental load challenges right now, and moms, not surprisingly, are carrying the bigger burden. This week we're talking about the schedules we've come up with to (sort of) keep work and school on track in our own families, how we're preserving an equal division of domestic responsibilities with our spouses, and why Virginia is deleting the gym teacher's emails and you can too.  Send your COVID food and mental load-related questions and struggles to comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social: @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood. And visit our show notes at comfortfoodpodcast.com for all the links discussed in this episode.  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.  TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY We want to know more about you, and what you think of Comfort Food. Please take our quick and easy survey so we can keep making this podcast better and better. Thanks so much! 

Greetings from our bunkers! We put together this very special episode to talk through all of your anxieties about feeding your family—and feeding yourself—during these long weeks of isolation life. Amy and Virginia chat about grocery shopping strategies, why it's okay for the kids to eat all the mac and cheese right now, and how we can all lower the bar to reduce stress during this difficult time.  Send your COVID food-related questions and struggles to comfortfoodpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social: @v_solesmith and @yummytoddlerfood. And visit our show notes at comfortfoodpodcast.com for all the links discussed in this episode.  FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, THE COMFORT FOOD WAY Our new e-book takes you through 8 concepts that will form the foundation of your understanding of how to feed kids and give you a firm starting point for improving mealtimes in your house. We’re here to reassure and inspire. We’re here to remind you that you’re doing a good job. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in the daily challenge of feeding your family. We’re here to help. Get your copy of Feeding Your Family The Comfort Food Way here.  TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY We want to know more about you, and what you think of Comfort Food. Please take our quick and easy survey so we can keep making this podcast better and better. Thanks so much!