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Today we have a great episode lined up! Sally is typically joining us on the show to talk about meal prep and planning and other topics around nutrition, but today, we are getting a different side of Sally. She recently sent her son off to college and of course, having a high schooler myself, I was interested in learning more about her experience.  What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a specific topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great advice and tips! 2:25 An introduction to Sally Kuzemchak 3:24 Advice for parents whose kids are gearing up for college 5:27 Why it’s important to let the school guide your child as a student 10:23 The pros and cons of submitting common applications 14:26 The reality check Sally got from her son 17:08 The right way and wrong way to do college tours 20:45 How social media influences the college application process 22:08 Signs it’s time for your kid to take a break from social media 26:05 Why it’s crucial to let your kids carve their own path (even when it’s hard) 29:34 Why some kids don’t get excited at the prospect of going to college 30:48 What Sally wishes she did differently when her son was applying and why 34:23 Special dates to be aware of when your child is in the application process 35:02 Why parents need to give themselves some grace during this time 35:37 Tips for supporting your kids emotionally during the application process About Our Guest, Sally Kuzemchak Sally is a registered dietitian, author, and mom of two boys. She blogs at RealMomNutrition.com, a “no-judgement zone” for feeding families. She is the author of two books, The 101 Healthiest Foods For Kids, a guidebook to the best whole foods for kids, and Cooking Light Dinnertime Survival Guide, a cookbook for busy families. An award-winning reporter and writer, Sally serves as a Contributing Editor for Parents magazine and a blogger for WebMD. Her writing has been published in magazines including Prevention, Health, Family Circle, Eating Well, Fitness, and Shape.  Sally received her master’s degree in dietetics from Ohio State University and resides in Columbus, OH with her family. You can listen to Sally’s previous episodes! Episode 72 How to Create A No Stress Dinner Plan, Episode 54 Nutrition Label 101, Episode 37 Balancing the Holiday Sugar Rush, Episode 34 Lunchbox Packing Mistakes To Avoid Relevant Links Follow Healthy Family Project on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube. Follow Sally on Facebook & Instagram Free Meal Planning Printables 10 Beginner’s Tips to Meal Planning Like a Pro Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 70: How To Raise An Adult Episode 42: Teaching Kids Financial Responsibility Episode 25: Easing Test Anxiety in Kids & Teens

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Tony Castillo, a sports and performance dietitian who helps athletes perform at their best without fad diets and unnecessary supplements. Tony brought his expertise to the podcast to talk all things sports nutrition for kids and teens while dispelling a lot of popular myths. Tony shared tried and true nutrition practices, insight on what to eat before and after big games, and what to look for in supplements. On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Tony Castillo, a sports and performance dietitian who helps athletes perform at their best without fad diets and unnecessary supplements. Tony brought his expertise to the podcast to talk all things sports nutrition for kids and teens while dispelling a lot of popular myths. Tony shared tried and true nutrition practices, insight on what to eat before and after big games, and what to look for in supplements.

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Neff, a licensed clinical sports psychologist, to talk about young athletes and their mental health. While there's a lot of fun and joy in kid and teen sports, it can also create stress and anxiety. Dr. Neff shared lots of amazing insights and tips to help us tackle mental health in a proactive way that helps kids and teens build their mental fitness and creates environments where they can feel safe working through their feelings and managing their anxiety around sports. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:49 Welcome, Dr. Neff! 7:36 What can families do to be proactive about mental health? 13:06 Tactics for building mental fitness 10:32 Travel hacks most people overlook 19:36 Tips for transitioning to different levels of sports 27:06 What's a normal level of stress? What red flags to look for? 34:16 How to help our kids deal with injuries 40:27 How to help kids accept disappointment in a healthy way 44:16 How can parents keep emotions under control? Relevant Links Check out Dr. Neff's website, Inner Edge Dr. Neff discusses the mind body connection in sports, Neck-Up Training Cuban Ballerina Podcast Episode Top Nutrition Tips for Young Athletes Healthy Sport Snacks for Kids Tips to Ease Back to School Anxiety Foods That Help Reduce Anxiety Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 74: Talking to Your Teen About Mental Health Episode 35: Helping Kids Make Good Choices Episode 40: Meditation Benefits for Kids As a mom with a preteen and teen who have been active in sports for most of their lives, this topic is near and dear to me. I often think about how we as parents can tow the line between encouraging our kids to work hard and gain all the lessons to be gained from the dedication required in sports while also ensuring we don't apply undue pressure that leads to added stress and anxiety. Lots of parents in our Facebook group had tons of questions about this topic and it was great to have an expert in sports psychology on the podcast to walk us through how we can help our active kids work on their mental fitness. Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness when it comes to sports. Dr. Neff reinforced the importance of being proactive versus reactive when it comes to mental health. This involves being an active listener, creating a safe space where our kids can feel comfortable talking about their feelings, helping to guide them to come up with solutions, and keeping an eye out for red flags. While there's so much joy in seeing our kids do well and celebrate a big win, disappointments are also inevitable and Dr. Neff helped guide us through how to navigate deterring a negative headspace after injuries or disappointments. As parents and caregivers, we also play a big role in this. Dr. Neff covered simple ways we can be supportive and avoid our own emotional outbursts that only add to our kid's anxiety. Something as simple as a hand gesture from across the field can help to ease anxiety in a stressful moment and help our kids to refocus. About Our Guest, Dr. Neff Dr. Rick Neff is a Licensed Clinical & Sports Psychologist, and the owner and founder of Inner-Edge, LLC. A former college baseball player, and standout three sport athlete in high school, he is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in developing performance mindset. Through his extensive study and integration of clinical and sports psychology, neuroscience, and mindfulness, Dr. Neff has become known as the "Yoda" of mental skills training. His ability to connect with players and develop trusting relationships sets him apart. Dr. Neff worked with players who have gone on to play at Duke, Oregon, Kentucky, Florida State, North Carolina, Michigan State, Texas, Georgetown, Florida, Miami, Penn State, LSU, Clemson, Temple, Indiana, Purdue, UConn, Arizona, Pitt, Syracuse, Bucknell, Colgate, Penn, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, USC, Virginia, and many more.

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Jennifer Johnstone Lopez to chat all things tech and how we can use apps, platforms, and cool gadgets to make life easier! Jennifer is a wealth of knowledge and shared tons of apps she uses to maximize her limited free time and be super efficient when it comes to things like everyday tasks, meal planning, house chores and more. One recurring thread in so many of my conversations with friends, colleagues and fellow parents is too many to-dos and not enough time. When you're juggling a million responsibilities, it's natural to want to find tools to help but it can be difficult to wade through the crazy amount of options available. We're here to offer a great foundation for lots of pain points we face in our everyday lives like efficient meal planning, staying on top of tasks, and managing our homes. Our guest, Jennifer, is the definition of techy and she's tested tons of apps and different systems to bring us the creme of the crop when it comes to tech tips and apps that make life easier. Plus, she offered some really great insight on digital decluttering. It's not enough to find the right apps, but also cut down on all the noise by eliminating the ones that aren't serving you. This cuts down on the app overload! What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:14 Get to know Jennifer 4:48 What technology have you come to rely on as a parent? 6:27 Task management apps and platform 11:30 Jennifer's favorite home automation tools and apps 16:10 Self-care app recommendation 18:35 How to cut through the noise & avoid "digital clutter" 26:50 Tips for managing the overload of photos we have on our phones 32:34 Apple Air Tags 39:01 Jennifer's books 42:56 What does a healthy family mean to you? Relevant Links Follow Jennifer on Instagram Check out Any.do Monday.com Plan to Eat app MamaZen app Find a virtual assistant on Upwork or Fiverr Apple AirTag (affiliate link) Time Timer for Kids (affiliate link) Jennifer's first book: Why I Cried: Tales from Hysterical Pregnant Women (affiliate link) 13 of the Best Apps for Parents Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 46: Keeping Kids Safe Online Episode 64: Tips to Declutter Your Home Episode 72: How to Create a No-Stress Dinner Plan About Our Guest, Jennifer Johnstone Lopez Jennifer Johnstone Lopez is a mother of three, Cameron (3), Caroline (2) & Carly (1), and wife to a serial entrepreneur, Ricky. She is also an international award-winning digital marketer, and co-founder and managing partner of Jalapeño Digital, a 7-figure ad agency lovingly deemed her “fourth child.” Jennifer loves to cook, entertain and tell stories. Why I Cried: Tales from Hysterical Pregnant Women is her debut (hilarious) book, though she is credited with many other published works including articles and blogs in her field, as well as poetry dating back to 2002. Much of the proceeds from the book go back to supporting Postpartum Support International (psi.org). In 2022, she is slated to publish the next book in the series called "Why I Laughed: Tales from Talkative Toddlers" Jennifer's mission is to help women see the joy in pregnancy & motherhood. To remind them to take time to breathe, laugh at themselves, laugh with their kids and find camaraderie among other moms, encouraging them to build a strong tribe. Also, since she has a background in digital marketing, she is up to speed on a lot of tech that mothers might not even know exists, and loves sharing all about tech resources that simplify motherhood - everything from apps to getting a load of laundry done, to the best resources out there to meal plan and prep.

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Lauren Gay to chat all things budget travel. Lauren is a travel writer, podcaster and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure. She joined us to share tons of tips that make travel accessible for all budgets including how to save on airfare, take advantage of reward systems, and tips for working with travel agents.   Summer break is here and we could all use a vacation! Inflation is driving price increases in all industries especially travel, but there are lots of ways to save and still be able to enjoy a much-needed family getaway. We're so excited to have Lauren Gay, creator of Misadventures of an Outdoorsy Diva Blog, join us to share all her top budget travel hacks. With a little flexibility and planning, families can enjoy a variety of trips from exploring the national parks to embarking on international adventures. Lauren walked us through what type of trips are best for families looking to keep budget top of mind plus how to take advantage of reward systems to score free hotel nights or reduced airfare prices. All of these hacks add up to tons of savings & ensure you get the best bang for your buck! Tune in below to get all of Lauren's trips and hear about her favorite trips to date! What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:14 Get to know Lauren 4:22 Lauren's favorite trip 7:38 What are some of the most affordable vacations for families? 10:32 Travel hacks most people overlook 14:12 How to find a travel agent? 19:04 What are some of the best ways to save on airfare? 25:42 Lauren's top travel tip 32:24 What does a healthy family mean to you? Relevant Links Check out Lauren's website, Outdoorsy Diva Follow Lauren on Instagram and Facebook Listen to Lauren's Podcast New York Times - Feeling the Squeeze? How to Be a Thrifty Traveler as Prices Soar 10 Best U.S. National Parks Registered Dietitians Guide to Eating Healthy While Traveling Groupon Getaways Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 78: Tips From A Dietitian On How To Shop Healthy On A Budget Episode 68: Buying Organic - What you Need to Know Episode 66: Small Garden, Big Environmental Impact About Our Guest, Lauren Gay Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of an Outdoorsy Diva Blog,  host/producer of the award winning Adventure Is A Lifestyle Podcast, published photographer, speaker, consultant, on-air TV travel expert, and adventure coach.  She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy.  Lauren is also an empty nest mom and a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel and a founding member of the Black Travel Alliance.

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we’re joined by Kim Chackal to get a crash course on all things Fair Trade. You may have heard the term or seen the label on a coffee package, but what does it mean? Kim breaks down what the Fairtrade label means, how much more expensive are Fairtrade products, and how Fairtrade agreements help farmers.   These days, there are so many labels and buzzwords on food packaging, it’s hard to decipher what they all mean. One label that you’ve probably seen or heard of is the Fairtrade label. The most common fair trade commodities are coffee, sugar, tea, chocolate, and bananas. We were lucky enough to be joined by Kim Chackal to pick her brain and get the 101 on all things Fairtrade.   Fairtrade is a global movement that seeks to create standards in the production and supply of certain products. The overall goal is to foster equitable trading partnerships based on transparency and sustainability. Fairtrade partnerships protect the farmers, ensuring they receive fair prices and have safe working conditions.   About Our Guest, Kim Chackal Kim is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Equifruit. Over the past 7 years, she has established Equifruit as the Canadian market leader for Fairtrade bananas and her sights are set on global Fairtrade domination.  Her fearless and bold approach is making waves in the produce industry.  In 2021, Kim was recognized as “Produce Person of the Year” by the Ontario Produce Marketing Association. With 20 years of sales experience, she loves challenging people to rethink their consumption habits and consider Fairtrade as a sustainable solution in produce.   What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 3:20 Get to know Kim 5:25 What is Fairtrade? 11:25 Common Fairtrade items 12:16 How much more expensive are Fairtrade products? 17:00 Fairtrade bananas 19:50 Fairtrade chocolate 21:40 The future of Fairtrade 25:38 What does a healthy family mean to you? Relevant Links Equifruit FairTrade Month Fairtrade America Why fair trade? Follow Equifruit on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube & Tik Tok Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 78: Tips From A Dietitian On How To Shop Healthy On A Budget Episode 68: Buying Organic – What you Need to Know Episode 66: Small Garden, Big Environmental Impact Healthy Family Project Facebook Group Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family – from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in! Listener Survey! Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We’d love it if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content for future episodes. Take the survey here. Healthy Family Project Podcast Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world. Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment. If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

It’s hard to ignore the rising costs of food, gas, and basic household items. Families are feeling the burden of inflation especially when it comes to grocery bills. Jackie Vega joined us to share tons of money-saving tips, dinner hacks, how to repurpose leftovers and tips for shopping your pantry. As a dietitian, Jackie works with tons of clients who are looking to add more nutritious meals to their rotations while having to keep budget top of mind. She's helped hundreds of families find that sweet spot that allows them to stay within their monthly allotted budget for food without sacrificing nutrious ingredients. The tips shared during this episode can go a long to maximizing your monthly budget while still enjoying your family’s favorite dinners and ingredients. Jackie shared a lot of hacks that also cut down on food waste, ultimately saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.  Jackie and Amanda also shared some key fridge organization tips. While a stocked refrigerator might look nice and seem ideal, it’s so easy to forget about leftovers or neglect your produce bin and end up with lots of food waste. With a few tweaks to your shopping habits, easy adjustments to your menu and making saving a team effort, there’s lots you can do to make the most of your grocery haul and cut your grocery bill.  About Our Guest, Jackie Vega Jackie is a registered dietitian, ACE-certified personal trainer, wife, and mom of two. She is the founder of the Wellness Solution where she offers guidance to her clients on all things health and fitness. Jackie recently launched the Busy Moms Kitchen podcast where she invites you into her kitchen to listen in on conversations about life as busy moms, reaching health and fitness goals and other things that only you and your girlfriends will understand. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:51 Get to know Sarah! 2:25 welcome back, Jackie! 4:57 how to save on your grocery bill  7:57 Jackie’s top 3 ideas for cutting food costs 16:50 Refrigerator organization tips 19:21 How to maximize your budget   21:26 how to make saving a family effort  23:27 how to think in bulk 26:02 Meal planning  28:26 themed dinner nights  33:16 loyalty programs  Relevant Links Listen to Jackie’s Podcast – The Busy Mom’s Kitchen Follow Jackie on Instagram & Facebook 35 Healthy Pantry Staple Recipes Free Printable Meal Planner Grocery Shopping Tips to Save Money on Fresh Produce 5 Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget 7 Tips to Reduce Food Waste & Save Money   Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 27: Grocery Shopping on a Budget Episode 72: How to Create a No Stress Dinner Plan Episode 18: How Families can Reduce Food Waste

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Sarah Hester to discuss easy ways to use fruits and veggies and how we can eat more of them. Sarah is passionate about making produce accessible and enjoyable for everyone and she shares tons of tips to make healthy eating easy and doable even with busy schedules and selective eating. About Our Guest, Sarah Hester MS, RD Sarah is a Registered Dietitian based in North Carolina. She is currently employed by a wholesale fresh produce distributor where she works with local farmers and helps to manage their direct to consumer delivery programs. She also provides insight into their non-profit that works to not only make fresh produce accessible in their community, but also offers programming on how to grow and cook with fruits and veggies! Her passion as an RD is to make fruits and vegetables accessible and enjoyable for everyone! What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:51 Get to know Sarah! 7:27 How can we stick to our goals of eating more fruits and veggies? 18:20 How to plan ahead for healthy eating 21:00 Tips to eat fruits & veggies outside of your home 22:30 How to make veggies more enjoyable 24:31 Ideas to make the most out of condiments 35:00 How to use dips to eat more fruits & veggies 46:18 Charcuterie and snack boards 47:22 Sarah's go-to busy weeknight dinner Relevant Links Download our FREE ebook packed with Internationally-Inspired Recipes Check out our Produce Tips page Veggie Side Dishes for a Picky Eater Hidden Veggie Recipe - Mac & Cheese Muffins 10 Healthy Dinners When You Don't Feel Like Cooking 5-Ingredient Tzatziki Dip 5 Easy Greek Yogurt Fruit Dips Homemade Ranch Hummus Dip Roasted Tomato Hummus   Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 72: How to Create a No Stress Dinner Plan Episode 45: Conquering Family Mealtime Struggles Episode 21: Meal Planning & Cooking with Kids

What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:48 Get to know Laura! 12:15 How to transform mealtime 13:44 Family communication tips 16:30 How to delegate to your kids 19:46 Tips to start short-order cooking 29:11 How to incorporate new flavors 37:00 Meal Plans 44:22 Laura's easy staple weeknight recipe Relevant Links Check out Laura's Website Follow @LauraSFuentes & @MOMables on Instagram How to Stop Short-Order Cooking for Your Family Laura's Baked Chicken Thigh Recipe 23 Quick & Easy Sheet Pan Dinners Meal Planning Tips + FREE Grocery List Printable 50 Easy Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes or Less Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 72: How to Create a No Stress Dinner Plan Episode 45: Conquering Family Mealtime Struggles Episode 21: Meal Planning & Cooking with Kids On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Laura Fuentes, creator of MOMables, to discuss short order cooking and steps families can take to avoid it and make mealtime stress-free. We covered how to set boundaries and improve family communication, how to ease into meal planning, and tons of kitchen hacks to save time and make cooking less overwhelming. As busy parents, we're often pulled in a million directions between work, school, extracurricular activities, driving kids around, on top of all of our daily tasks. Time and time again, we hear from parents who find themselves feeling stressed spending way too much time in the kitchen cooking different meals for their selective eaters while trying to meal prep and pack lunches for the week. We're here to discuss how parents can cut back on the constant short order cooking and transform mealtime to balance their kids' food preferences without defaulting into cooking 3+ meals every night. Spoiler alert: it's totally possible and throughout the episode, you'll hear lots of tips and strategies to make mealtime work for your family in a way that reduces stress, kitchen clean up and time spent cooking. About Our Guest, Laura Fuentes Laura Fuentes is the creator of MOMables, where she’s helped thousands of families improve their health and wellness by establishing healthier eating habits as a family with her Family KickStart Program and Weekly Meal Plans.  She’s the Author of 5 Cookbooks, a successful entrepreneur, public speaker, spokesperson, makes regular television appearances like on TODAY and Good Morning America, has competed on Food Network and won! Her 100K + YouTube subscribers make her an “official YouTuber” according to her 10-year-old that is.  Laura is bilingual, born and raised in Spain, and currently lives outside of New Orleans with her husband and 3 kids. In her spare time, Laura reads, sleeps, and works out. What she loves most is taking her family on travel adventures.

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Alyssa Greenstein, registered dietitian and Senior Manager of Nutrition Affairs Communications with Florida Dairy Farmers. This episode is all about how families can make small changes and adopt manageable habits that will lead to overall healthier eating. Alyssa shares how to prioritize breakfast, the importance of writing down what we eat, and dairy nutrition benefits. Ringing in a new year always gets us excited to set new goals, rethink our habits, and reset after the holiday season when our routines take a pause. Big or small, goals can always be broken down into smaller steps that feel more attainable and realistic. If you're looking to eat healthier in the new year, this podcast episode is for you! We love inviting registered dietitians on the podcast as they are experts in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Alyssa has been a registered dietitian for over 20 years and was awarded Florida Dietitian of the year. I loved picking her brain for manageable steps families can incorporate to make healthy eating easy especially when all of us are so pressed for time. Alyssa shared lots of small changes that lead to big results when it comes to adding more nutrient-packed foods into the rotation. A little planning and creativity can go a long way to encourage our younger and sometimes more selective eaters to try new foods. Plus, getting the whole family on board ensures accountability and opens the door to trying new things together. About Our Guest, Alyssa Greenstein Alyssa is passionate about all things food. Alyssa provides timely and scientifically sound nutrition information to the media, medical professionals, dietitians, educators, students, consumers and others concerned about fostering a healthier society.  Alyssa’s especially enjoys being in the kitchen cooking and showcasing recipe tips and hacks for foods that are both healthy and delicious.  Alyssa emphasizes the importance of 3-4 servings of nutrient-rich dairy every day which reinforces that dairy is good for the community and good for the planet. Alyssa has contributed to and has authored several articles and blogs sharing her expertise and topics including sustainable food systems, dairy’s role in the diet, child nutrition, chronic disease and nutrition and wellness.  She graduated with a BS in Food and Nutrition from Florida State University and was awarded Florida Dietitian of the Year, Mentor of the Year and is past President, and past Member at Large of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Alyssa holds specialty certifications in adult, childhood and adolescent weight management and has been the Senior Manager of Nutrition Affairs Communications with Florida Dairy Farmers for over 12 years. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family of five and her golden retriever and golden doodle. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:29 Meet Alyssa 4:46 Easy breakfast ideas for busy families 12:15 Why you should write down what you eat 17:42 What you need to know about the nutritional benefits of dairy 26:10 Tips for putting together your grocery list 31:50 Easy weeknight dinner idea: "trash soup" Relevant Links Check out Florida Milk's website for recipes & nutrition tips 5 Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Your Family 40 Grab & Go Breakfast Ideas Meal Planning Tips + FREE Grocery List Printable 28 Healthy Recipes to Start the New Year 12 Healthy Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas   Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 72: How to Create a No Stress Dinner Plan Episode 36: Dietitian-Approved Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips Episode 21: Meal Planning & Cooking with Kids

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by child psychologist Dr. Stephanie Smith. This episode is all about talking to teens about mental health, teen mental health and what parents need to know to navigate the teen years with their kids. Dr. Stephanie shares amazing advice for deciphering teen behavior, ways to keep family communication open and honest, and how to determine when professional help is necessary. The teen years are hard. Outgrowing childhood but not quite an adult just yet, this period of time comes with lots of changes for teens and parents. As a parent, it feels like overnight, your little one who turned to you for everything is all of a sudden an angsty teen. As a mom with a preteen and teen, this episode on talking to teens about mental health is near and dear to my heart. Especially given the events children and teens have had to face since the pandemic started, it's more important than ever to prioritize mental health and keep an eye out for changes in moods and behaviors that can signal to a larger problem. Dr. Stephanie Smith has been a regular contributor to the blog and guest on the podcast for years. She joined us for this episode to share her expertise in child psychology and help parents navigate teen mental health struggles. Dr. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of keeping strong lines of communication, even as our teens pull away and want to become more independent. Tune in to the episode to hear more about behaviors to look out for, tips concerning privacy, and resources to turn to if a teen is in need of counseling. About Our Guest, Dr. Stephanie Smith Dr. Stephanie Smith is a mother, clinical psychologist and author of Dr. Stephanie. In her practice, she works with moms, dads, teens and tweens. Dr. Smith uses humor, compassion and common sense to help people make positive changes in their lives. She especially enjoys working with parents to assist them in strengthening their families from the inside out. On her blog, she writes about technology, parenting, friendship, and pop culture – all with a mental health twist. In addition, Dr. Smith is an official blogger for the American Psychological Association’s blog, Your Mind, Your Body.   What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:08 Welcome back, Dr. Stephanie! 4:05 Tips for deciphering teen behavior 7:21 Rules for respecting privacy 12:35 How to determine if professional help is needed 16:00 School Counseling 17:37 Affordable Mental Health Resources 27:20 How can families be supportive when there's a mental health struggle 31:54 Advice to parents who fault themselves 36:02 How to gauge if counseling is working Relevant Links Ask the Psychologist: Holidays, Family, & Stress Mental Health Resources for Parents of Adolescents Helping Teenagers Cope with Covid-19 Mental Health Literacy: Parenting Your Teen Check out Dr. Stephanie's website Get in contact with Dr. Stephanie   Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 70: How to Raise an Adult Episode 42: Meditation Benefits for Kids Episode 35: Helping Kids Make Good Choices Episode 25: Easing Test Anxiety in Kids & Teens  

We’re bringing you a super special episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast in honor of Giving Tuesday. We’re joined by a panel of moms to talk about the importance of giving back and how we can set positive examples for our kids. We swapped lots of great ideas for volunteering opportunities including virtual options. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The mission is simple: to inspire people to do good. The organization's website touts thousands of giving back opportunities including a map to find local giving back opportunities ideas for individuals, small businesses, schools, and families. To celebrate and promote this amazing initiative, we gathered a panel of moms to discuss how they talk to their kids about giving back, how to teach little ones the importance of gratitude, and ideas for volunteering opportunities that are family-friendly. Whether it’s donating your time, money, household items, or expertise, the possibilities are endless when it comes to giving back. Big or small, every action is important and can make a huge difference! What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 0:50 Meet our amazing panel! 2:24 How do you teach your kids the importance of giving back? 8:12 How to find local volunteer opportunities? 11:33 Out of the box giving back ideas 21:55 Virtual volunteering Relevant Links GivingTuesday.org What Is Giving Tuesday and 20+ Ways To Get Involved 12 Gifts That Give Back for the Holiday Season Society of St. Andrew Learn more about our cause marketing campaigns Feeding America Our Military Kids   Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 70: How to Raise an Adult Episode 59: Creating New Holiday Traditions Episode 35: Helping Kids Make Good Choices Healthy Family Project Facebook Group Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family – from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in! Listener Survey! Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We’d love it if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content for future episodes. Take the survey here. Healthy Family Project Podcast Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world. Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment. If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.  

This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about how to create no-stress meal plans. We sat down with our registered dietitian, Sally Kuzemchak, to hear all about her new meal planner and get tips on how busy families can take small steps to plan hassle-free meals. Sally breaks down how to make meal planning sustainable when time feels so limited and how to get the kids on board. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 3:01 What inspired the No Stress Dinner Plan? 3:54 What does the dinner plan include? 7:08 First thing to consider when planning out stress-free dinners 14:50 How to get kids on board with the dinner plan? 17:16 How to make time for meal planning when you have a busy schedule? 18:50 Detour dinners Relevant Links Check out Sally’s No-Stress Dinner Planner Follow Sally on Facebook & Instagram Free Meal Planning Printables 10 Beginner’s Tips to Meal Planning Like a Pro 21 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Fall 6 Tips for Freezer Meal Success 5 Tips for Better Meal Planning   Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 63: How to Meal Plan Episode 23: Make-Ahead Meal Ideas Episode 9: Quick & Easy Dinner Hacks About Our Guest, Sally Kuzemchak Sally is a registered dietitian, author, and mom of two boys. She blogs at RealMomNutrition.com, a “no-judgement zone” for feeding families. She is the author of two books, The 101 Healthiest Foods For Kids, a guidebook to the best whole foods for kids, and Cooking Light Dinnertime Survival Guide, a cookbook for busy families. An award-winning reporter and writer, Sally serves as a Contributing Editor for Parents magazine and a blogger for WebMD. Her writing has been published in magazines including Prevention, Health, Family Circle, Eating Well, Fitness, and Shape.  Sally received her master’s degree in dietetics from The Ohio State University and resides in Columbus, OH with her family. In the midst of kids, homework and after-school activities, life can get really busy and finding time to meal prep and stick to a perfect meal plan can seem daunting. We’re excited to welcome back Sally Kuzemchak, our amazing registered dietitian to get all the details on her new meal planner. As a mom of two boys, Sally understands the struggles of fellow parents and wanted to create a resource that would allow families to plan dinner with no stress or guilt. Her meal planner emphasizes the fact that we all get busy, things don’t always go as planned, and it’s important to have staple “detour meals” to turn to when life happens. She reminds us that cereal for dinner is acceptable. Because sometimes that’s all we can handle, right parents?! I know that I struggle with being consistent with meal planning. One week I am great and I seem to have it all figured out, then the next week the kids are asking about dinner and I don’t think I even had lunch yet. Those weeks happen! That’s life! That’s 100% normal, and thankfully Sally understands that. And that’s why we love this podcast episode and hope that you will too 🙂 Sally shared tons of tips on how to ease into meal planning and how to get the kids on board with your weekly menu. Healthy Family Project Facebook Group Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family – from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in! Listener Survey! Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We’d love it if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content for future episodes. Take the survey here. Healthy Family Project Podcast Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world. Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment. If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

Check out the full Episode 71 show notes on our website! This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about tips for families with a diabetic child. We're joined by Tampa blogger, Marisa Langford, to hear about her family's journey with diabetes and how they made important dietary and lifestyle choices to eat more balanced meals and prioritize physical activity. Marisa shared early signs of diabetes, advice for parents with newly diagnosed children, and her approach for balanced eating and encouraging her daughter to enjoy healthy foods. Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 3:19 Meet Marisa! 4:45 Early signs of diabetes  8:45 Advice for parents with newly diagnosed children  10:18 How Marisa’s family approached balanced eating 12:22 The benefits of getting kids in the kitchen 22:03 Family gardening  27:33 Marisa’s partnership with GoGo squeeZ There's nothing easy or simple about finding out your child has diabetes. In this episode, we sat down with Marisa Langford and heard about her family's journey with diabetes and the dietary and lifestyle changes they adopted following the diagnosis. Marisa's youngest daughter, Shelby, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 8. This started a parenting and life-long educational journey that centered around healthy eating. This process can be very nerve-wracking for families and Marisa shares great tips to navigate the early stages, how to not get immediately overwhelmed with all the medical jargon, and how to practice moderation when it comes to food. Over the 3 years that Marisa's family has lived with this diagnosis, they've learned a lot of nutrition and have been able to pass on these learnings to their kids in a palatable way while empowering Shelby to get in the kitchen. Relevant Links Check out Marisa’s blog Follow Marisa on Instagram & Facebook Get 70+ ideas to Power Your Lunchbox The Ultimate Guide to Packing Healthy Lunchboxes Tips for Packing Healthy School Lunches Food Rx: Creating a Balanced Family Meal 3 Healthy Snack Boards for Kids Gardening Tips for Beginners  GoGo squeeZ About Our Guest, Marisa Langford Marisa Langford is the founder of the Tampa Mama Blog, a blog dedicated to sharing the best places for kids and families around the city. She also writes about motherhood, family travel, and how to manage a household of 6. She is a working Mom of four, carefully juggling a full time career in experiential marketing, leading Girl Scouts and all the chaos that goes along with a family of 6. She has a daughter who is a Type 1 Diabetic and 3 children with rare medical conditions. Marisa is a speaker, influencer, and passionate about all things mom. She partners with brands that share her passion for healthy living, on the go fun and family togetherness. Marisa has been published by Huffington Post, Where Traveler, Parents.com, the Today Show Parenting Blog, Trekaroo, Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, and many others. She contributes to a variety of online publications and also appears monthly on Great Day Tampa Bay on WTSP New Channel 10. Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 43: Helping Kids Make Good Choices  Episode 34: Lunchbox Packing Mistake to Avoid Episode 18: How Families Can Reduce Food Waste   Healthy Family Project Facebook Group Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!   Listener Survey! Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We'd love it if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content for future episodes. Take the survey here. Healthy Family Project Podcast Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world. Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment. If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

Check out the full Episode 70 show notes on our website! To say that parenting is hard would be the understatement of the year. It's a delicate balance of keeping your children safe, providing their essential needs, helping them navigate transitional periods, and providing them the tools to help them blossom into adulthood. Several years ago, Julie observed the long-term effects of overparenting while working at a university. This inspired her to publish her best-selling book, How to Raise an Adult. During our conversation, we got lots of great insights for Julie to help us break those parenting habits that make children become overdependent on us and less likely to develop agency. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:36 Welcome, Julie! 3:52 What was your inspiration for writing How to Raise an Adult? 6:52 Advice for parents who want to avoid being helicopter parents 12:20 4 Step Method to Getting Kids to do things for themselves 15:26 Tips to help parents let go during transitional phases 22:40 Opportunities for teaching moments 25:30 Advice for the college arm race 30:43 Relationship between overparenting and the negative impact on confidence 34:03 Inspiration for Julie's new book 42:29 What does a healthy family mean to you? About Our Guest, Julie Lythcott-Haims Julie Lythcott-Haims is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult and Real American. She holds a BA from Stanford, a JD from Harvard Law School, and an MFA from California College of the Arts. She resides in the Bay Area with her partner, their two itinerant young adults, and her mother. Relevant Links Follow Julie on Instagram and Facebook Check out Julie's books Fiske Guide to Colleges Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 69: Tips for Better Sleep for Your Family Episode 60: Teaching Kids to Prepare Healthy Snacks Episode 35: Helping Kids Make Good Choices

Check out the full Episode 69 show notes on our website! This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all easy steps we can take to get better sleep. We're joined by Jackie Vegar, registered dietitian and author at The Wellness Solution. Jackie shares foods and supplements to improve sleep, tips fo changing nighttime routines, and how lack of sleep affects our hormones. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 4:08 Welcome back, Jackie! 7:20 Why are teens always so tired?  11:50 How lack of sleep affects hormones   12:50 Change nighttime routines  16:15 Foods to keep on hand for energy & for bedtime  23:07 How does Magnesium help with sleep? 25ish Supplements that help with sleep  31:20 Foods high in B vitamins 35:40 Benefits of drinking tea before bed   39:40 Bedtime snacks About Our Guest, Jackie Vega Jackie is a registered dietitian, ACE-certified personal trainer, wife, and mom of two. She is the founder of the Wellness Solution where she offers guidance to her clients on all things health and fitness. Jackie recently launched the Busy Moms Kitchen podcast where she invites you into her kitchen to listen in on conversations about life as busy moms, reaching health and fitness goals and other things that only you and your girlfriends will understand. Relevant Links Listen to Jackie's Podcast - The Busy Mom's Kitchen Follow Jackie on Instagram & Facebook Food Rx: Foods That Help Reduce Anxiety Is Caffeine Safe for Kids? What You Need to Know about Probiotics for Kids Better Sleep, Clean Home & a Healthier You 10 Proven Tips To Make Your Sleep-Deprived Teen Sleep Better Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 58: Realistic Self-Care for Families Episode 64: Tips to Declutter Your Home Episode 6: Mindful Eating for Your Family Healthy Family Project Facebook Group Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in! Listener Survey! Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We'd love if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content future episodes. Take the survey here. Healthy Family Project Podcast Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world. Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment. If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.  

Check out the full Episode 68 show notes on our website! This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all all about how to shop for organic foods. We're joined by Sally Kuzemchak, our official registered dietitian and author of RealMomNutrition.com. Sally dispels the myths and breaks down everything you need to know about buying organic. You can't walk into a grocery store without seeing all sorts of labels making bold health claims including organic labels on fresh and packaged foods. There is a lot of confusion among shoppers around what the organic label means, does organic equal healthy, and what nutrition information should actually be taken into account when making food purchases. As Sally notes "organic cookies are still cookies" and shoppers should not be duped into thinking organic always means the food item is healthy. Sally breaks down the meaning of organic when it comes to food labels, what we should know about the dirty dozen list, and what food items to prioritize when it comes to deciding between conventional and organic. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:40 Welcome back, Sally! 3:24 Does organic mean healthy? 5:58 What we need to know about the dirty dozen list? 11:40 Prioritizing conventional vs organic foods 14:14 Healthy Bite Featuring YoQuiero Brands 17:09 How are organic labels regulated? 19:30 Online resources to learn more about organic foods and labels 22:17 What should parents be doing when it comes to shopping organic? Healthy Bites Featuring the YoQuiero Brands YoQuiero's guacamole is made with hand-scooped hass avocados and contains no preservatives. It's perfect for taco night, tailgating season, Cinco de Mayo and so much more. With Cinco de Mayo celebrations around the corner, check out this Ultimate Taco Board loaded with all the must-have taco toppings including YoQuiero guacamole, queso, and salsa. About Our Guests, Sally Kuzemchak Sally is a registered dietitian, author, and mom of two boys. She blogs at RealMomNutrition.com, a “no-judgement zone” for feeding families. She is the author of two books, The 101 Healthiest Foods For Kids, a guidebook to the best whole foods for kids, and Cooking Light Dinnertime Survival Guide, a cookbook for busy families. An award-winning reporter and writer, Sally serves as a Contributing Editor for Parents magazine and a blogger for WebMD. Her writing has been published in magazines including Prevention, Health, Family Circle, Eating Well, Fitness, and Shape.  Sally received her master’s degree in dietetics from The Ohio State University and resides in Columbus, OH with her family. Relevant Links Salt and Kids: Should You Worry? Sally's article about the dirty dozen The Biggest Myths (and Truths!) About Carbs Follow Sally on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter Check out Sally’s blog Understanding the USDA Organic Label EWG's 2021 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce Follow Food Science Babe on Instagram The Farm Babe Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 47: New Nutrition Label 101 Episode 34: Lunchbox Packing Mistakes to Avoid Episode 62: How to Avoid Added Sugars

Check out the full Episode 67 show notes on our website! This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about the anti-inflammatory diet. We're joined by co-authors of The Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook. This plant-forward style of eating improves overall health and can prevent chronic and inflammatory-driven illnesses. The anti-inflammatory diet can help families tackle health issues like obesity, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and high blood pressure. Stefania and Hilary joined us to break down the anti-inflammatory diet and share how they put together a cookbook with 100+ recipes that is mindful of the entire family including guidance for babies and kids. Stefania and Hilary go back to basics by explaining what is inflammation and how it affects our bodies. They share how making tweaks to your diet and incorporating this style of eating early in a child's life sets them up for success in health. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 3:54 Meet Stefania 6:05 Meet Hilary  7:38 What is inflammation? 9:40 What inspired you to create this cookbook?  15:28 How did you create the recipes?  23:20 How to make these meals baby-friendly 31:40 Which foods are the worst for inflammation? 36:43 What are the benefits of anti-inflammatory eating? 43:01 Hot Takes with Stefania and Hilary About Our Guests, Stefania Patinella and Hilary McClafferty Stefania Patinella and Hilary McClafferty are co-authors of the new book The Anti-Inflammatory Family Cookbook. Stefania is a Chef and the Founding Director of the Go!Healthy cooking, nutrition, education, and gardening programs at The Children’s Aid Society of New York City. Hilary is a board-certified doctor in pediatrics, pediatric emergency medicine, and integrative medicine. She’s the Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at the Tucson Medical Center in Arizona and a founding member of the American Board of Integrative Medicine. Relevant Links Defining Diets: What to Know About Popular Diets Foods for Gut Health Healthy, Energy-Boosting Foods Check out Stefania's website Dr. Hilary McClafferty Creating Balanced Family Meals Herbs & Spices: Foundations of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 66: Small Garden, Big Environmental Impact Episode 62: How to Avoid Added Sugars Episode 6: Mindful Eating for Your Family     Healthy Family Project Facebook Group Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!         Listener Survey! Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We'd love if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content future episodes. Take the survey here.         Healthy Family Project Podcast Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world. Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment. If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

Check out the full Episode 66 show notes on our website! This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about how to get started with gardening. Heather Manzo gives us a crash course on different types of gardening and what to consider before deciding which style best suits your space and lifestyle. Gardening is a relaxing hobby that requires a decent time commitment but offers big rewards and positively impacts the environment. Whether you have a small balcony or large backyard, you can work with your space and choose plants that can thrive in your environment. From edible landscapes and container gardens to flower beds and indoor gardens, it's all about balancing your goals with your limitations. Heather gives us a crash course on different types of gardens and their benefits, plus useful tips to help you succeed and work on your green thumb. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:45 Get to know Heather 4:47 How can beginners get started with gardening? 6:23 Limitations to consider when deciding what to do with your space 8:06 Beginner-friendly plants 11:05 What are companion plants? 12:46 How to select native plants for your garden? 14:08 What is a plant palette? 16:20 What are the benefits of container gardening? 20:20 How to attract bees and butterflies? What you need to know about soil and composting? How to choose plants that will work well with your environment? What can the act of growing plants do for us? Hot takes About Our Guest, Heather Manzo Heather Manzo is the executive director at the Allegheny County Conservation District. Heather is passionate about preserving the world around her and helping others discover how they can make a difference in our current environment. She practices permaculture and urban ag at her home, tends to grow pumpkin patches in her front yard, and in her free time documents the plants and people of wild places armed with hiking boots, a camera and plenty of trail mix. Relevant Links 16 Gardening Tools for Kids How Gardening Can Improve Mental Health 4 Steps to a Backyard Garden 8 Fruits & Veggies You Can Regrow From Scraps 10 Beginner Steps to Starting a Garden How to Grow Milkweed USDA hardiness zone map Mother Earth News, ‘What to plant now tool’. Lead guidelines Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 64: Tips to Declutter Your Home Episode 48: Self-Care for Busy Families Episode 36: Dietitian-Approved Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips

Check out the full Episode 65 show notes on our website! This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about tackling the world of first foods for babies and toddlers. Kathryn Doherty shares tips to ensure kids are being exposed to the right foods, how to conquer struggles around baby foods and toddler meals, and ideas for baby food meal prep when you're in a pinch. The world of baby and toddler food can be overwhelming. With so many styles of eating from baby lead weaning and purees, to figuring out when to start solids and how to introduce new foods, parents are left with lots of questions. Today on the podcast, we're sharing lots of tips and insights to help new parents easily navigate this exciting stage. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 1:16 - Meet Katheryn 5:16 - How can we ensure kids are being exposed to the right foods? 8:15 - How to get kids involved and interested in food and cooking 11:00 - Resources for parents looking to learn more about baby and toddler eating 14:58 - Healthy Bite Break Featuring Arctic Apples 16:13 - How to tackle common struggles around baby & toddler food 21:32 - Meal prep and freezer-friendly meals for toddlers 24:32 - What does a healthy family mean to you? About Our Guest, Kathryn Doherty Kathryn Doherty is a health and nutrition editor and a food blogger at Family Food on the Table, where she shares easy, healthy, family-friendly recipes for the everyday home cook. She made 100 percent of the baby food for both of her children when they were little and enjoys cooking with them in the kitchen now, making delicious healthy foods that they (most of the time) gobble up.     Sh recently released a new cookbook, Healthy, Quick and Easy Baby Food. This cookbook is packed with everything you need to make homemade baby food, plus tons of toddler and little kid recipes that are yummy for the whole family. Healthy Bite Featuring Arctic Apples Today, we're snacking on Arctic® Golden slices paired with tasty homemade fruit dips. We partnered with Arctic Apples® to share 5 Easy Fruit Dips for Kids that make snack time fun and nutritious. These dips can be prepped ahead of time and paired with Arctic non-browning apples that come conveniently pre-sliced for snacking greatness. No prep work required! Relevant Links Check out Kathryn's blog Follow Kathryn on Facebook and Instagram Healthy, Quick & Easy Baby Food What to Know Before Starting Solids with Baby Veggie Side Dishes for Picky Eaters Baby Food Resources Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 5: Navigating First Foods Episode 45: Conquering Family Mealtime Struggles Episode 41: Developing a Positive Relationship with Food Healthy Family Project Facebook Group Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in! Listener Survey! Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We'd love if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content future episodes. Take the survey here.