In today's episode, I share a real + raw recap of why I have chosen to pause the Veggies & Virtue podcast. To all of those who have supported this show, thank you. It has been a joy connecting with you in this way. I look forward to continuing to support you on: my social @veggiesandvirtue my site Veggies & Virtue and through my one-on-one services

This week, we are talking through - How do you handle adding variety when your child has a small “Love it (foods)" list?   Particularly at dinner, this can be challenging to know how to navigate our child's nutritional needs (and/or our perception of them) with what as a family we have on the menu.   We want to make one meal that everyone enjoys, and yet, as a mom alludes to on today's episode, that can feel particularly difficult when our child is really specific about the foods they...

On today's episode, I am telling you the meal planning mistake I made last week! I use my own free weekly meal plan for simple, healthy meal ideas for my family. But what I failed to do was actually work through step one from my Meal Planning Playbook. The good news is, as I share on today's episode, we can always course correct midweek and learn from our mistakes next week. And I am thankful for the permission to grow in this area I have learned to give myself instead of setting...

On today's episode, I go over a topic that has come up a lot lately over on social. And that is -    Do we let our kids choose?   This could be choosing what's for breakfast, when they have another snack, or if they eat any of their dinner.   Each of those items is, in fact, a choice. And with that, if our child isn't the one choosing the answer/outcome, then we as the parents likely already have or will.   That's why, I thought this was a helpful segment to reshare from a former group...

On today's episode, I am sharing with you three of the steps outlined in my Meal Planning Playbook. You can use these three things to take my free weekly meal plan, or whatever meal plan you choose, and make it work better for your family. The key is to remember that a meal plan is only a useful tool if it works for you (not the other way around). So, learn how to meal plan smarter (and not find yourself working harder) with the three tips we talk about in today's episode. For more help...

Welcome to this episode where we dive deep into the common challenges parents face when their children want more food before finishing what's on their plate. Today, we're going to explore real-life scenarios shared by parents, starting with Erica's experience. Erica opens up about her two-and-a-half-year-old, who insists on more bites even before completing a favorite love it food. On the episode (or in the transcript), we unravel the complexities of family-style meals and the introduction of...

For this week's free, family friendly meal plan, we are talking about how to take any meal idea and make it healthy, a fan favorite, and full of the foods you already have on hand (or actually want to be buying)! You can use my free meal planner and grocery list to get started here. Or you can purchase my Meal Planning Playbook for a 20-page guide that is complete with the 5-step process we discuss on today's episode plus all the templates and printables that you could need for a rinse and...

On today's episode, we delve into the world of toddlerhood and the ever-evolving nature of food preferences.   I share a question that came from Jennifer M., a parent navigating the exciting yet sometimes challenging journey of feeding a 16-month-old.   Jennifer brings forth a common concern: how to address the principles of the Division of Responsibility (DOR) with a child who is just beginning to express their likes and dislikes.   As her little one starts asserting preferences over what is...

Need quick, easy dinner ideas that are nutritious for your whole family? Look no further! On today's episode, Ashley is sharing her dietitian mom take for a week's worth of effortless dinner ideas. Use the healthy dinner themes to make your evenings stress-free and full of delicious, nutritious goodness. Here is what is on the menu this week: DAY 1: SLOW COOKER THEMEVEGETABLE SOUP & GRILLED CHEESE DAY 2: TACO THEMESTREET TACOS w/ AVOCADO & BLACK BEANS DAY 3: SEAFOOD THEMEASIAN SALMON...

A few years ago, I saw the idea shared to leave simple love notes on each of my kid's bedroom door on the days leading up to Valentine's. Little did I know that this would become one of my kid's most favorite traditions - and something that "sticks" year-round (literally - they leave the little notes up as long as they can!). So, grab your scissors, a writing instrument of choice, and get cutting. You can easily invest the 20 minutes it takes to tune into this episode to cut up 14 hearts (for...

Fueling your family just got simpler! In this week's episode, we've got a no-nonsense meal plan packed with easy-to-make, wholesome dishes – from veggie-loaded spaghetti to salmon fillets. Join us as we break down practical tips for busy moms to ace family nutrition without the fuss. Simple, tasty, and doable – because every meal should be a win! Still need to sign up for the free meal plan in print? Get it here.

For this week's "take 10," a mom submitted this question for our weekly group coaching call. She asked, "Packing a school lunch for my kindergartener has become stressful. I worry about him getting a nutritious lunch that is fulfilling to get him through the rest of the day, but he always comes home with most of his lunch untouched and his love it foods gone. I’ve found myself only giving him things I know he’ll eat. Of course, these aren’t very nutritious. Even things he loves to eat at home...

Do you know what the week ahead has for you? Sometimes, we have a general idea about our family’s busy schedule, kid’s activities, and late work meetings. But add to that variable like winter weather, kids getting sick, and a whole host of other unknowns, and it can feel overwhelming as a mom to know how to prepare for real life. That’s why this week, I take a hot second to pray and meal plan with you. With family-friendly meal ideas that are easy for even the busiest of families, I hope you...

Hey, moms! Welcome to "Episode 169: Nurturing Nutrition & Kids' Tastes in the New Year." I'm Ashley Smith, MPH, RD, LD and your family's Christian Dietitian. I am here to accompany you on the journey of creating meals that not only fuel your child's health but also cater to their unique taste preferences. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable strategies specifically designed for proactive moms like you, keen on turning mealtime struggles into moments of joy and nourishment. We'll...

On Mondays, us mamas are going to gather and pray + meal plan for the week! That's right, whether you need a drink so that you can fill your cup or an easy meal idea to insert into your family menu, these Monday episodes are going to give you the encouragement you and your family need in the upcoming week. I believe - When we plan…we feel a sense of peace. When we feel a sense of peace….meals become more positive. When mealtimes become more positive…our efforts to raise healthy eaters become...

I know many of you may be getting ready to shop some of the holiday sales, so I wanted to share this list of 30 tried and true favorites for kids ages 2-10. In this episode, we chat about: 10 of my favorite food-related stocking stuffer ideas 10 of my favorite food- or cooking-related gift ideas 10 of my kids' favorite general gifts from over the years (that I would recommend to any mom wanting a guaranteed good gift idea at varying price points!) For each of the items listed (or to search...

It seems like everyone has something to say about how other people eat...including at holiday gatherings. Whether your child eats too much...or too little. Sits barely at all...or never seems to finish. Fills out their festive outfit well...or is still fitting into last year's. Friends and family alike often make comments prematurely about how much our kids eat, the order in which they choose to eat different foods, their behavior in and around mealtimes, and how their bodies appear on the...

On Monday's episode, we discussed the risk factors, signs and symptoms, and how to check for iron deficiency in your child. In part II of this interview, with Angela Dodge, we are going to discuss: How to improve iron intake from foods first, including with picky eaters The best options for iron supplementation, if needed How to monitor and evaluate if your child's iron status is improving To listen to part I from this interview, go to episode 164.   SHOWNOTES: Connect with Angela online at...

If you have a picky eater, you have likely wondered (or worried!) whether or not they are getting enough macro- and micronutrients in their diet. Because if they are eating "enough (calories)" and their growth is tracking appropriately for their age, you may have been given the advice to just "wait it out." But even when a person's caloric needs are being met (from things like protein, fat, and carbohydrates, their micronutrient needs may not be. This includes important nutrients for a...

On Monday's episode, we first addressed a listener's question: Should moms be taking a supplement? Today, we are going to be talking through part two of this conversation with Ayla Barmmer, MS, RDN, LDN. For almost 20 years, Ayla Barmmer has advanced the health and empowerment of thousands of clients, patients, peers, and mentees by fusing her expertise in nutritional science, functional medicine, and evidence-based holistic solutions. While currently on sabbatical from private practice work,...

On a past episode where I was talking about a new hair care routine I wanted to try, a listener submitted a question asking: Should moms be taking a supplement? I knew as soon as the question came in, I wanted to have Ayla Barmmer, MS, RDN, LDN on the Veggies & Virtue show to talk about all things supplements. For almost 20 years, Ayla Barmmer, MS, RDN, LDN, has advanced the health and empowerment of thousands of clients, patients, peers, and mentees by fusing her expertise in nutritional...

We made it through Halloween!   Now, begins one of the best times to begin neutralizing sweets and treats in our homes.   While our kids already have candy top of mind, take the opportunity to role model an intuitive eating approach through regular opportunities to enjoy candy, including having it as dessert with dinner.   By reinforcing food freedom over arbitrary food rules, we learn to better trust our children’s ability to self-regulate and in doing so, encourage them to do the same.   In...

Whether it is the week before Halloween or a typical weekend of kid's activities, I have no doubt this is a lie that you have both heard and probably bought into yourself. That's why, on today's episode, I want to arm you with an accurate understanding of the relationship between sugar and behavior and how we can set our kids up for less of a sugar rush and more of a sweet time as we approach Halloween. Let's be parents who are proactive about creating healthy relationships with food above...

I know you don't need the dietitian to tell you this, but…   The sugar ramp up is here!   Halloween is less than a week away, and I know like many moms, you are probably wondering how to handle all the candy on the horizon.   Whether it be amidst the runway between now and trick or treating, the seeming rampage on the night of, or how to taper after their candy tote is overfilling and October ends, let's look at how to handle Halloween candy before, during, and after the day...