Guest Blogger

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post written by Annabel Karmel, the British children's chef and kiddie cookbook author. This week Annabel shares an easy first fish puree to help increase lil ones' fatty acid intake.

The old saying that "fish is good for the brain" is absolutely true. Oil rich fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines are rich in omega-3 essential fats, which are vital for brain function and visual development. Our brains are made up of 60 percent fat and eating the right fats – omega-3 and omega 6 found in fish and seeds – makes us smarter. Introducing oily fish, like salmon, around 7 months will get them used to the taste from an early age.

To see the entire recipe, read more

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post written by Annabel Karmel, the British children's chef and kiddie cookbook author. This week Annabel shares some tips, tricks, and recipes for creating purees for the littlest eaters in the family.

The transition from milk to solid food should be gradual. Purees are a great way to introduce baby to a balanced diet, particularly for foods that can be difficult to eat, but provide important nutrients such as red meat or ones that are too soft to be held such as fish. You can’t rush meal time with a baby and remember at first, if they only eat a couple of spoonfuls of puree you are doing well!

To see Annabel demonstrate making stage two fruit and veggie purees, read more

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post written by Annabel Karmel, the British children's chef and kiddie cookbook author. This week Annabel shares two terrifyingly tasty Halloween recipes that will add some fright to the festive night!

Halloween is a great excuse for a children’s party, so take the children trick-or-treating and prepare some great, festive food for them to return to when they come home. You can really get into the spirit of things by getting the children to help you with the cooking. These recipes are simple to make and by using your cauldron (mixing bowl) and wand (wooden spoon), you can concoct devilish delights for all the family to enjoy.

To see Annabel's recipe for Deadman's Finger Sandwiches, read more

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post written by Annabel Karmel, the British children's chef and kiddie cookbook author. This week Annabel shares tips for ensuring lil ones get enough to eat throughout the day!

There is no definitive guide to portion sizes for tots. Babies' appetites vary for many reasons, so it is important to be flexible and not to worry if some days they don't eat very much. A baby's appetite may increase during a growth spurt and they may eat less when cutting teeth as the gums can be very sore.

Generally tots will tell you when they have had enough as they often stop opening their mouths or they throw food on the floor! Between nine-12 months, babies need to drink 18-21 ounces of breast milk or formula — any more may fill them up so they will not eat as much as they should. Giving the daytime drinks in cups (with teats) is another good way to ensure baby doesn't fill up on fluids but still remains hydrated.

For toddlers it is a good idea to make individual portions in small ramekins or bowls such as mini fish pie. Small versions of your family meal will be appetizing, rather than daunting, for them and will look more attractive than a dollop of food on the plate. You can make several individual portions at a time and then freeze them so you have your own healthy convenience food on hand on days when you don't have time to cook.

To see three of Annabel's perfectly portioned recipes, read more

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post written by Annabel Karmel, the British children's chef and kiddie cookbook author. This week Annabel shares lunchbox tips to keep lil one's midday meals exciting!

Children are all different, but by and large what they want is a quick fix – something to eat fast saving maximum time for the playground. Here are some tips on how to make healthy lunchbox ideas that will sustain them until dinnertime, and most importantly food that they will enjoy eating.

• Lunches can be prepared the night before to save time the next morning. You can prepare pasta salads, sandwich fillings or include something from last night’s dinner like soup in a flask, chicken skewers or a frittata (Spanish omelette).
• Avoid too many processed foods as they tend to contain few nutrients and too much salt, sugar, additives and saturated fat. Instead of chips or chocolate biscuits try offering toasted seeds, popcorn, rice cakes, yoghurt covered raisins and dried apricots.
• However healthy food is, it won’t get eaten unless it’s tasty and appealing to your child. Simple touches can make all the difference like cutting sandwiches into shapes using cookie cutters or threading fruit onto a straw to make a fresh fruit skewer.
• As the colder weather sets in it’s a good idea to include something hot in a lunchbox. A wide mouthed mini thermos flask would be ideal for serving up a delicious cup of home-made or good quality bought soup like tomato soup which is both warming and nutritious.
• Pure fruit juice contains 100 percent fruit juice as you would expect, however a ‘fruit juice drink’ can contain as little as 5 percent juice and high levels of sugar and artificial colors and flavors. Other good options for the lunchbox are fresh fruit smoothies, probiotic mini yogurt drinks or plain old water.

Have a picky eater that refuses to eat his greens or a lil girl who is begging to be your sous chef, but you don't know how she can help? Submit your cooking and feeding questions to The Children's Table group over in the LilSugar Community and we'll have Annabel answer them!

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post written by Annabel Karmel, the British children's chef and kiddie cookbook author. This week Annabel shares breakfast tips for keeping tots fed and full before heading off to school.

Don’t let your child skip breakfast. If your child claims not to be hungry first thing or there is no time to fit in breakfast, think back to the previous evening. When did they last eat and what time did they go to bed? The earlier your child eats and the earlier they go to bed, the more likely it is that they will want food first thing and the easier it will be to get them up 15 minutes earlier. A good tip is to get as much ready the night before so that you are not stressed in the morning. Breakfast need take no longer than 10 minutes from start to finish. Cereal with milk or peanut butter on toast, a yogurt or some cheese, and a glass of fruit juice would provide an excellent breakfast for a child.

If your child’s not hungry at breakfast you can send him off to school with a healthy muffin and a smoothie. Try my Apple and Carrot Muffins.

Eggs are packed full of nutrients and make great breakfast food. How about a Breakfast Burrito – scrambled eggs with tasty extras like ham, grated cheese, or chopped tomato inside a wrap, or try my simple recipe for the Perfect Omelette.

Try to include fresh fruit – toast with peanut butter, sliced bananas and a drizzle of honey, add berries or dried fruit to cereal, see my Granola recipe and find fun ways to serve fruit like melon balls or half a kiwi in an egg cup.

On weekends encourage your child to help prepare breakfast – pancakes, French toast, pancakes, and smoothies are fun to make.

. . . Annabel

Get the recipes for Annabel's Carrot and Apple Muffins, Perfect Omelette, and Granola when you read more

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. Here Colin touches on the importance of the aisle at your wedding ceremony.

The white aisle runner rolled out just before the ceremony begins is an elegant statement, and when rolled by attendants as the music plays, lends an element of drama to the commencement of your ceremony. There are other options that make a personal statement as well; some of my favorite ideas embellish the rolled-out aisle runner, and others are a complete departure. Which one is right for you is a personal choice. It all depends on the overall look and feel of your ceremony and the level of formality that fits.

For Colin's elaborate aisle advice, keep reading.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week Colin suggests a favor that's edible.

I've always been a big believer that the money you spend on your wedding should go towards making the best experience possible for you and your guests. Spend your money on upgrading the chicken stuffed-a-la-something to your favorite chicken dish or offer a premium bar or get that DJ you've always loved.

And, if there's money left over, don't forget the party favor. Not the terrible tchotchke you've been given that went right in the trash. Instead, make it edible. I love the idea of ending the night with a bag of homemade cookies for your guests.

Getting married amongst olive groves? Give your guests bottles of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Thinking about something timely? How about a December 31 wedding? Bagels with some delicious cream cheese will soothe the hangover.

Did you have edible favors at your wedding? Share your experience with us! To get more of Colin's wonderful wedding recommendations, sign up for his newsletter, Colin Cowie Wedding Notes.

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