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Mothering Magazine Sponsored Chat with
Cathe Olson
--
Author of the Mothering articles
"Wellness Model in Our Schools" and "Slow Food in Schools."
Cathe is a wife and mother, as well as a writer and natural
foods cook. She is the author of
Simply Natural Baby Food and
The Vegetarian Mother’s Cookbook. Cathe has had several
articles published in Mothering as well as other
magazines as well as local publications. Cathe is passionate
about helping parents make healthy food choices for
themselves and their families and serves as
MotheringDotCommune's Nutrition and Good Eating
Moderator. She is a frequent speaker at parenting classes,
moms’ clubs, natural foods stores, libraries, and wellness
centers.
www.mothering.com
3/8/06
16
mothers in attendance
Webmama_Tina:
ok today we are so pleased to have cathe
olson with us....here's the blurb for
her chat again...
Webmama_Tina: Come chat
with our beloved Cathe Olson, author of
the Mothering articles Wellness Model in
Our Schools" and "Slow Food in Schools."
Cathe is a wife and mother, as well as a
writer and natural foods cook. She is
the author of Simply Natural Baby Food
and The Vegetarian Mother’s Cookbook.
Cathe has had several articles published
in Mothering as well as other magazines
as well as local publications. Cathe is
passionate about helping parents make
healthy food choices for themselves and
their families and serves as
MotheringDotCommune's Nutrition and Good
Eating Moderator. She is a frequent
speaker at parenting classes, moms’
clubs, natural foods stores, libraries,
and wellness centers."
Webmama_Tina: cathe, why don't you introduce yourself
and tell us a little about your
background and expertise?
Webmama_Tina: then when you're ready for your first
question, just let me know
Webmama_Tina: and angie is collecting names for the
queue, so just throw out those question
marks when you are ready to get in line
Webmama_Tina: and angie will tell you when to go. :)
TwinGirlsMama: ?
cathe: Hi Everybody - I am a SAHM/WAHM,
homeschooler of two daughters 4 and 7. I
write cookbooks and articles on was to
get families to eat healthier and
recently have written several articles
to get healthier foods into schools.
cathe: For my expertise, I studied natural
foods cooking and have cooked at natural
foods restaurants and delis in
California. Also studied nutriton and
writing.
cathe: So questions?
MOD_Angie: upcoming chatter(s): net TwinGirlsMama
Webmama_Tina: ok net, you're up!
net: I am have gotten confused about solids
now, i have always been under the
impression to start solids at 6
months(my ds will be 6 months on the
21st) now i seen this site i think it
was called stork family the doc there
said it don't matter what ........
net: age to start even at 3 month!!!!
cathe: Yikes! 3 months!
net: yes
net: and it was a bf site
cathe: There has been a lot of evidence and
studies that have shown it is best to
wait until at 6 months to reduce chances
of allergies.
net: thats what i thought just need at bit of
back up on it
cathe: You don't have to start right at 6
months either - it depends on your
child. Do you know the signs of solid
food readiness?
net: well he try to grab at our drinks and
plates
net: but he also grabs at everything now, im
reall in no hurry he eats less BM latly
cathe: Yes, that's one. Also he should be able
to sit up and not have the tongue thrust
reflex anymore - also he should be able
to pick up small pieces of food with his
hands.
cathe: Good to be in no hurry :)
earthmama369: ?
strgzrmn: am i in the wrong spot? i think im
confused!
Webmama_Tina: you're in the right spot for hte
mothering chat :)
Webmama_Tina: Welcome to this week's Mothering
Sponsored chat! This is a moderated
chat. Please make sure you read and
fully understand the Moderated Chat
Instructions before participating in
this chat. Instructions can be found
here:
http://www.mommychats.com/modrules.htm
...A Friendly Reminder: Please do not
post unless it is your turn to ask a
question. If you have a question, please
post a single ?" and you'll be added to
the queue. Have your question ready when
your name is called."
Webmama_Tina: cathe, when you're done answering a
question, just let us know by saying
next question" or something like that"
cathe: sorry - next question.
TwinGirlsMama: I have 4-1/2 year old twin girls. We are
vegan. They won't eat anything but
grilled cheeze" sandwiches and mashed
potatoes for dinner. If I make anything
else they just push the plates away. Any
suggestions on how to get them to eat?
And eat better foods?"
TwinGirlsMama: P.S. I have Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook
and love it! Thanks for writing it!!!
cathe: Glad you liked the book :)
cathe: For your question, it would be good if
you could add some veggies to the menu.
cathe: In the cookbook, I have a recipe for
mashed carrots and potatoes - maybe your
girls would go for that.
TwinGirlsMama: They are pretty good with some veggies,
but corn and peas, which aren't the
healthiest ones out there. They used to
be big broccoli fanatics, not anymore.
TwinGirlsMama: yum, that sounds good!
TwinGirlsMama: And the white and sweet potatoes, too.
cathe: Would they drink smoothies? Smoothies
are a great way to sneak in some veggies
and protein foods - like yogurt, kale,
carrots. The creamy greens smoothie is a
hit at all my workshops.
cathe: Another option that I've found good for
kids is pureed soups - that way there's
nothing to pick out.
TwinGirlsMama: Awesome ideas! They love smoothies and
soups!
TwinGirlsMama: Is the creamy greens recipe in the
cookbook? I don't see it here.
cathe: Oh tought of another one - how about
mashing some white beans (navy or
cannelli into the potatoes).
TwinGirlsMama: good idea...that'll get 'em some protein
cathe: It's the Creamy Greens Smoothie - page
372
CJ: ?
TwinGirlsMama: ah, there it is! thanks so much!
Webmama_Tina: well both my mod helpers have children
emergencies in their homes...so bear
with me while i take over the queue and
such... :)
cathe: Unless Twingirlsmama has more, I'm ready
for next question.
TwinGirlsMama: So basically, hide as much as I can from
them!! :)
Webmama_Tina: i think earthmama was next
earthmama369: DD is 15 months old and I'm 26 weeks
pregnant. We're mostly vegetarian, but
I've been trying to learn about seafood
-- what would your recommendation be for
the healthiest (and safest!!) seafoods
for us to eat at this point?
earthmama369: My main concern is dd getting enough
healthy fats and me getting enough
protein, which I'm having trouble doing.
(Hence, probably, the weird seafood
cravings).
Webmama_Tina: upcoming chatters: CJ
earthmama369: The whole mercury/toxins thing just
freaks me out, you know?
cathe: Wild salmon is a good one and high in
omega-3 fatty acids which are very
important at this time - small fish like
sardine and herrings are good too if you
like them.
earthmama369: I can find those locally -- are they
hard to prepare? *lol* (Can you tell I
don't cook very much?)
cathe: The ones to stay away from are shark,
tilefish, swordfish, albacore tuna, king
mackeral.
cathe: I would also stay away from farmed
salmon. There are some kinds of fish
that are farmed organically - those are
okay.
earthmama369: ok, cool
cathe: But for any seafood while pg - I
wouldn't eat more than twice a week.
cathe: Some veggie sources of healthy fat are -
organic eggs, nuts and seeds (walnuts,
flax, hemp, pumpkin have most
omega-3's), beans and legumes, avocado,
olive oil.
earthmama369: I don't think I could afford it more
than that anyway! ;)
earthmama369: Groovy. Those are all foods we both
like. It's hard when people are telling
me I need to give dd meat/seafood to
have enough healthy fats in her diet.
But those all (nuts, flax, etc.) make
complete sense when I think about it.
Thank you!!
cathe: Also, if you eat dairy - go for organic,
full fat - yogurt is a great food.
cathe: Your welcome.
cathe: next question :)
CJ: Love your cookbook. My 5 yr old doesn't
like food mushed up, whirled up (soup,
etc.). She isn't getting enough protein.
Ideas? I don't really cook or like to
deal with meat. She eats eggs
occasionally, likes cheese.
cathe: Does she like to dip?
cathe: My girls love hardboiled eggs dipped in
a ketchup/mayo mixture, apple slices or
carrot sticks dipped on almond butter,
pita and hummus.
CJ: a little. carrots w/ranch. nothing fancy
though. She will eat hummous. She is
getting pickier for some reason.
cathe: For dinners - in my baby food book there
is a recipe for tofu fish sticks and
tarter sauce. How about just plain beans
- my girls love baked beans. Also
burritos.
CJ: She used to devour plain black beans,
has given that up too. I don't want to
pressure her. She will eat loads of fruit
but I worry about all the sugar...
cathe: We also eat tofu stirfries, pasta with
toasted nuts, quiche.
cathe: In my Veg Mother's Cookbook, there is a
recipe for bean/nut loaf and veggie
burgers too.
cathe: You are right not to pressure - that
will send the wrong message but you are
also right about too much fruit being
too much sugar.
CJ: I'll try the tofu fish sticks. I am
struggling because she is skeptical when
things are mixed together. Is this
common?
cathe: It is not uncommon - I think a lot of it
is children wanting more control over
their meals as they struggle to become
independent.
CJ: What about making the pasta and letting
her put on the nuts herself? Or do you
always mix it up yourself? Will your
kids eat most everything you serve?
cathe: What I do a lot with my girls is explain
the nutrients they need. I tell them
they need protein so they can grow
taller. Then I give them a choice - for
example for breakfast if they don't want
eggs, they can have yogurt, cottage
cheese, toast with almond butter, etc.
CJ: Good idea. I try to give choices but her
diet seems so limited. Should I worry?
cathe: I think that's a great idea about
letting your dd put on the nuts herself.
Also, you might have her help shop and
plan the meal or help cook it.
SaraS: I'm just joining the chat, so I
apologize if you already covered this.
At what age do you think kids can eat
nuts and nut butters? My DD turned 1
this weekend. I hear everything from 1-3
years old. What are your thoughts?
cathe: Sorry - I always seem to be a question
behind. I think you are right to keep
off the pressure however, you do want to
make sure your dd is getting the
protein, fat, etc. that she needs. She
should have some kind of protein food at
every meal - even if she just eats a
couple of bites.
Webmama_Tina: since we didn't have any other questions
in queue, we can take sara's question
next. :)
CJ: How do I make" her have bites? I don't
want the dynamic of pressure..."
Webmama_Tina: after CJ's, of course
Webmama_Tina: ;)
cathe: It is tricky, you are right. Have you
tried talking with her about why you
want her to eat those types of food. I
make it fun with my girls. For example,
my 7 year old is losing teeth so we talk
about how calcium food will make her new
grown up teeth grow in big and strong
and push out those old baby teeth
quicker. Then she wants to eat a food
with calcium. For my four year old, she
sometimes rebels against beans but I
tell her how protein will make her grow
taller and her hair grow longer and she
starts shoveling them in.
cathe: THen we joke and I say, you just grew an
inch. Soon your going to pop out of the
roof. Stuff like that.
CJ: I love these ideas! I haven't tried that
enough. I think it will make sense to
her. What do you do when your 4 year old
rebels?
cathe: I also ask that the girls try a new dish
before deciding they don't like it.
After they taste a bite, if they don't
like it they don't have to eat anymore.
They are willing to do that and usually
end up liking it.
CJ: Thank you...I don't want to ask too many
questions if others have them. You are
so helpful! I will try these things
tonight.
cathe: For rebelling, if they don't want to eat
what I cook (after one bite) they don't
have to but I don't make a special meal
for them (unless it is something I know
they don't like like something spicy.)
cathe: Great questions CJ. You and anyone else
are free to email me (see my web site)
for future questions.
Webmama_Tina: SaraS is next
cathe: Okay - give me a sec to find her
question again.
cathe: My thoughts on nuts:
cathe: If there are no allergies in family,
nuts (except peanuts) can be started
after 1 year. Almonds are a good one to
start with because they are technically
a fruit so not as allergenic. Peanuts
can be started after 2 years. If there
is a history of allergies - add 1 year
to each of those.
cathe: A good way to serve nuts/seeds to little
ones is to grind in a little coffee
grinder or blender to powder and mix
into oatmeal, rice cereal, etc. Nuts and
seeds are a great source of minerals and
essential fatty acids.
cathe: Also almond butter or tahini are a great
(and high calcium) replacement for
peanut butter.
cathe: Does that answer your question SaraS?
Webmama_Tina: 5min left...anyone else have any
questions for cathe?
cathe: Wow! That went fast.
Webmama_Tina: sorry i've been back and forth...my mom
wasn't able to come play with my 5yr old
today so i've been distracted, lol
earthmama369: I have a random one. How do you
pronounce your name?
downundermum: ?
CJ: ?
cathe: ha, ha - it's pronounced Cathy. It's jus
that when I was growing up it was such a
common name, I changed the spelling. My
full name is Catherine.
earthmama369: :)
Webmama_Tina: ok 2 more questions....hopefully we can
squeeze them in in the remaining 3min,
lol
CJ: What sweets do your kids get?
cathe: Well - if you have my books, that's what
they get. Sweets with whole grains,
unrefined sweeteners, homemade ice
cream, etc. but not everyday - fruit
everyday though I'd say.
cathe: I don't forbid treats though - if we go
out to eat or a party etc. they can have
something
Webmama_Tina: downunder mom has a question too and
then that will be it for today. :)
CJ: Thank you!
downundermum: cathe my 32mo old is still breastfeed
and not eating much at all, what would
you recommend to ensure he is getting a
balanced diet?
cathe: Hm - well, I always recommend that each
meal contain protein, complex carb, good
fat, and vitamin food. For example,
lentil/brown rice soup with veggies.
cathe: I would like to know more - what he
likes to eat, why he's not eating -
since we are running out of time, why
don't you email me.
cathe: And anyone is welcome to email me for
recipes I mentioned if you don't have my
books - or questions that we didn't get
to. My web site is
www.simplynaturalbooks.com and you can
choose the contact cathe option.
downundermum: love too chat more
earthmama369: Thanks for the chat, Cathe!
TwinGirlsMama: Thanks so much, Cathe!
cathe: Thanks for coming everybody. This was
fun.
downundermum: thanks cathe
Webmama_Tina: thank you so much!
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