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Tag: Building Strong Families

Building a Vehicle Emergency Kit

Posted on by Marci Metz

building-a-vehicle-emergency-kitSometimes we find ourselves on the road when bad weather hits. It is a good idea to have a vehicle emergency kit stocked for the current weather season and with essentials for all potential passengers. Check out the January Building Strong Families Insert for suggestions as you build and/or update your vehicle emergency kit.

By: Nora Rhoades

Grocery Shopping with Little Ones

Posted on by Marci Metz

Do you find grocery shopping with little ones a bit challenging? We are here to help, find tips below and in our latest “Building Strong Families” to help your family succeed at the grocery store!grocery-shopping-with-little-ones

  • Talk with your children about what you expect from them, what you will purchase, and how they will help with this process.
  • Tell your child that they can pick one new fruit or vegetable to try. Kids are much more likely to try new foods if they are allowed to choose it themselves.
  • Eat a meal or snack before heading out. Shopping on an empty stomach may lead to impulse buys.
  • Discuss MyPlate with your child and talk about where each food item will fit on their plate. This is a great opportunity to talk to them about the importance of eating a variety of food.
  • Allow your child to pick foods in each color of the rainbow. This can be a fun game to play as they are learning their colors.

By:  Ashley Svaty

Dealing With Holiday Stress

Posted on by Marci Metz

Explore suggestions to dealing with unwanted stress throughout the holiday season. Recognize potential triggers in advance and develop strategies to cope with, decrease, and eliminate stressors that keep you and your family from enjoying the season.zebra

Read the latest Building Strong Families issue at http://www.postrock.k-state.edu/home-family/monthly-column/building-strong-families/ to explore:

  • Setting expectations
  • Making connections
  • Self-care
  • Teaching kids to keep things in perspective
  • Selecting toys for children

By:  Nora Rhoades

Eat Better, Eat Together

Posted on by Marci Metz

Some of the best times your family will spend together will happen at the dinner table.  When families eat together, meals tend to be more neat-together-eat-betterutritious and kids who eat regularly with their parents are more likely to snack on fruits, vegetables, and hearty whole grains than snacking on less nutritious options. Check out our the October Building Strong Families for mealtime tips.

By:  Ashley Svaty

Build a Better Breakfast!

Posted on by Marci Metz

September is national breakfast month, what a great time to focus on delicious and nutritious breakfasts to start off your day!

Try these quick, easy, and great tasting recipe ideas:

  • Whole grain peanut butter and banana sandwichdafdadsf
  • Oatmeal with banana or your favorite fruit
  • Scrambled eggs with topped veggies
  • Layer yogurt and granola for a parfait
  • Ready to eat whole grain cereal and low fat milk
  • Pita bread with yogurt and strawberries

By: Ashley Goudey

Age Appropriate Kitchen Activities

Posted on by Marci Metz

Cooking with your children or grandchildren can teach them basic skills that they will use for a lifetime. When children help to make food they are less likely to reject it.  Allow your child to help out with the following tasks:

 2 Years:

  • Rinse fresh produceAge Appropriate Kitchen Activities
  • Throw away trash
  • Turn pages of a cookbook

3 Years:

All that a 2 year old can do, plus:

  • Add ingredients
  • Talk about cooking
  • Name and count ingredients
  • Help assemble a pizza

4 Years:

All that a 3 year old can do, plus:

  • Crack an egg
  • Set the table
  • Help measure dry ingredients

5 Years:

All that a 4 year old can do, plus:

  • Measure liquids
  • Use an egg beater
  • Cut soft fruits with a dull knife

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/sites/default/files/audiences/KitchenHelperActivities.pdf

By:  Ashley Goudey