Walk the Earth

There is something to be said about stepping down on Mother Earth with your bare feet. You become aware of every blade of grass, sharp pebble or warm grain of sand. Your feet have no choice but to be present to their surroundings. To me , wandering sans shoes, signals relaxation especially after a rough day. My feet are begging to feel the Earth and it is quite freeing. For those that know my husband they are aware that he is a barefoot runner and hiker because this is more comfortable to him than heavy sneakers (I agree!) and he has had less injury to his feet (we always get stopped on trails by folks who are mesmerized by this). With my own little guy I have decided to let him wear soft, flexible shoes that keep him closer to the Earth, like moccasins or our new favorite, Soft Stars.

This desire to pretty much go shoeless may just be the tip of something more meaningful. Read on.

Earthing, or grounding/ connecting, to our Mother Earth with bare feet (or by using a special device for the purpose) is something that I have heard some buzz about lately and am by no means at all an expert in. The rationale is, that by making this intentional connection with the ground, we absorb electrons from the earth that get to work squashing harmful free radicals in our body thus reducing disease causing inflammation and stress (just like antioxidants in our fruits and veggies!). I have read the best conductors are the grass and sea water, both of which are yummy to walk around on to me! I have also read that all of this is basically a bunch of bologna too based on a little something called chemistry.

I am not sure how rigorous research studies have been in the earthing concept to date, but I am intrigued reading about claims that grounding is associated with healing injury and anti-aging benefits.

Overall, I think we can all learn something from earthing. We often associate being barefoot with carefree moments or vacation, both of which are fantastic for your emotional well being. A friend's mother taught her that you should step barefoot on the Earth at least once per day. I have also heard advice that earthing in your garden can create fruits and veggies with a nutritional composition specifically for you. True? Maybe , maybe not,  but I like the idea!

So, similar to my thoughts toward the good ol' adage that an apple a day will keep the doctor away, why not kick off your heels AND eat an apple outside every once in a while? It's almost free and can't hurt (unless you step on glass I suppose...)!

Have experience or insight on earthing? Please share!

Kicked off my shoes this morning to "earth" a bit in the dewy grass and play with my little one. He preferred to stay in his Softstars!

Tips for Feeding Your Toddler (AKA your Picky Eater)

Toddlers don’t often eat well. And when they do, they make a huge mess.  I have learned this first hand with my son, from my teeny patients and from other mamas I have spoken with. It is unrealistic to expect your little adventurer to sit down, properly pick up their fork and spoon, and then clean their plate three times per day. With my own little guy I have seen his once voracious appetite calm down quite a bit as he now prefers to run, jump, play,” paint” with his food and try out different ways to style his hair (with tomato sauce, with applesauce, with milk……….). At first I was frustrated, but now I realize I am just going to have to count the number of good meals he eats per week (not per day) and try to make sure his nutritional gaps are filled in. The term I learned in school for this is "food jags" and they are totally normal and often result from a period of slowed growth around two-years old or so. During this time toddlers can refuse once favorite foods and may want their new favorite foods over and over. They also may have a preference for soft foods at times due to teething. 

 I have taken note of some things that have worked and others that have not in hopes that I may be able to provide guidance for other parents out there! Here we go, and in no particular order:

•  Go With the Flow: If set mealtimes and scheduled snacks do not work out for your toddler, consider offering little nutritious mini meals all throughout the day. I have to do this with my little guy. He eats small portions at a time and is more likely to nibble on something while he is on the go verses sitting in his high chair. With that said, still include your toddler at the table for mealtime when you can. It is good for him to see other folks eating and to be exposed to a variety of foods.
•   Don’t force it! So she won’t eat her carrots? Stay calm, don’t overreact. If you force the food you are more likely to end up with a frustrated toddler who won’t ever want to eat it. Try again later. It can take a child 10-15 times of being exposed to a new food before they even taste it.
• Encourage exploration. Offer your toddler a variety of foods and let them have at it! If making a mess stresses you out, invest in a full protective long sleeve bib (we found one at IKEA that we termed his little “hazmat” suit) and put down a sheet or towel under the high chair. I have found that when my son plays with his food he is more likely to take a taste. This is especially true with dipping. He loves to dip carrots into hummus and eat the humus off.....it makes a huge mess but I am so happy that he sometimes takes a few bites of the carrot too!
• Get in the garden. My son does not always eat his broccoli at the dinner table but will never pass on it right out of the garden. He also liked to grab asparagus out of the ground and chomp away. 
• Be a Role Model: Eat your veggies. Eat your fruit. After all, your little one often wants whatever you have right? 
• Nix the Not So Good Stuff: Avoid filling up your toddler with juice and non nutritious foods so they are actually hungry for the good stuff. Some toddler friendly snackable options include freeze dried or fresh fruit, whole grain English muffins spread with nut butter, whole grain cereal, small pieces of cheese, unsweetened yogurt mixed with applesauce etc.
• Offer a Choice: Your little one is asserting his or her independence so why not offer a situation in which you both win? Encourage decision making by asking "would you like kiwi or grapes?" "Green beans or cauliflower?"
• Don't give up: Keep offering healthy foods so they become familiar. Try new recipes and serving foods in a variety of ways. If you are worried about wasting food, you can offer some of your serving to your child and then eat what they don't later on. 
• Fill in the Nutritional Gaps: If you are concerned your little one might be missing out on some key nutrients talk to your pediatrician (if nutrition savvy!) or a dietitian. Your child's iron level should be checked regularly as milk anemia can be common among toddlers drinking too much milk. Chances are they are getting just what they need as long as you offer a variety of colorful foods and iron-rich foods (fortified cereal, most meat, dark green leafy veggies). My go to lately has been offering my son small portions of smoothies or popsicles made with nut butter, kale, strawberries, banana, carrots and flaxseed. And, remember, the correct portion size for the wee ones is only a tablespoon for their age. For example, if your daughter is three- years old, one serving from each food group is only three tablespoons.