"What to do for the families in our care???" No matter what holiday you or your families celebrate, we all want to show our appreciation by giving. Families are busy and stressed by all the demands of the holidays and they start turning to fast foods for convenience. I like to share a little comfort and joy by having the kids “make dinner” for their family. The kids take pride in telling their parents that they “cooked” dinner for them. I usually make a crockpot meal but yo

I happened to purchase this book recently and to my surprise, it's a new favorite of mine. This visual children's cookbook will encourage any child to cook. We all know if kids are the ones who cook it, they will likely be the ones to eat it. This book offers children and families easy, healthy, and delicious recipes that encourage everyone to have fun in the kitchen together. Each recipe appears twice, in words for the adult or older child and visual graphics for the non-rea

In my household, Halloween may be surpassing Christmas as everyone's favorite holiday. The crisp, cool weather, playing dress-up, walking around collecting candy and other fun giveaways in neighborhoods, nursing homes, and other venues with friends. It's just so FUN for kids. However, as a registered dietitian, I will come out and say that the buckets of candy can be a bit much. I am that parent that truly appreciates containers of Play-Doh or bags of crackers to mix it up a

HAPPY Fall, Y’all! Leaves are falling and autumn is calling, pretty colors fill the air. It’s time for hoodies, flannel, sweaters, and football. It doesn’t matter which Iowa team you cheer for, we all "root" (pun intended) for our Iowa farmers!! One way to show your support is to participate in Iowa Local Food Day on October 11th. I plan on participating in this event. At Little Steps and Beyond Daycare, we will be serving local foods for all meals and snacks that day. I

It's fall, and do you know what that means?! It's apple orchard season! If you've been thinking about how to introduce local foods into your child care program or own household, here is your opportunity. First, purchase local apples from your nearest apple orchard. You can make a day of it by picking your own and partaking in some of the other attractions on site (if applicable), buying from a farm stand or market, or purchasing from a retail store that sells locally grown ap

The kitchen probably has to be one of the most favorite places for children to play – but they can also learn a lot, too! It is a natural place for young children to take steps toward independence in concrete, fun, and creative ways. By providing a few items within their grasp and reviewing safety, you are setting them up for success! Every child has a huge capability of learning and they can surprise us a lot if we just trust and allow them to be independent. Preparing food

Looking for a way to use those berries from your fresh berry-picking adventure or from your own garden? How about serving these star-spangled pancakes from the USDA Mixing Bowl in honor of the upcoming 4th of July holiday? In addition to serving fresh, local, or garden-grown berries, consider purchasing yogurt from an Iowa dairy such as Kalona Supernatural, Country View Dairy, or AE. Note: This recipe is written for large quantity preparation, but can be adjusted for househol

A note about the author: Nathan Spalding is the Iowa FoodCorps Food Program Coordinator. It’s that much-anticipated time of year when teachers pack up their colorfully adorned classrooms and students clean out their lockers before setting off into the summer sun. But as the school year comes to close, communities are gearing up for a summer of continued learning and summer meals. In Iowa, 10 FoodCorps service members are joining summer schools, meal sites, and day camps to de

If you're looking for a way to serve local foods year round and get kids in the kitchen, give this recipe from the National CACFP Sponsors Association a try. Purchase yogurt from an Iowa dairy such as Kalona Supernatural or Country View Dairy. If strawberry flavor is not available, simply substitute with vanilla. Both of these brands are creditable in the CACFP because they contain less than 23 grams of sugar per 6 oz serving. Use fresh, local berries during the summer or fre

The 2018 Early Care and Education Fall Institute was held in Altoona, Iowa on October 5-6, 2018. Early childhood educators came together from across the state to share their expertise and learn together. This year's event was planned with the theme, It Begins with Me in mind, highlighting the power and potential of professionals in the lives of young children. Recognizing that whole child development is key, this year's institute featured 4 unique workshop tracks: - Curriculu