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Why I’m Taking the Challenge

by Claire on April 22, 2012

Help me help you. After you have signed up to take the challenge, leave me a comment on this post about why you are taking this challenge. This will help me support you through the challenge.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Permalink | Comments (28)

Comments (28) -

Jessica
4/23/2012 7:24:02 AM #

I am taking this challenge because I think it will be a great way to introduce new food to my son. He is a very picky 2 year old and I have been looking for ways to introduce new food and also teach him something at the same time. He is a very curious 2 year old so I think he will love this!

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Claire
4/23/2012 12:32:58 PM #

Thanks Jessica,

One of my goals is to appeal to the natural curiosity in people, and get them to try new things because they want to, not because they have to. Let me know how it goes along the way.

Thanks,
Claire

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Anna Fahey
4/23/2012 9:46:58 AM #

I have a two year old with a good appetite and, so far, a pretty open mind about food. But I can see it changing. She's starting to say "I don't like it" more often (I'm hoping it's simply a function of being 2.) I also blog and do research for a sustainability policy think tank. I'm interested, professionally and personally, in the politics of food, for our bodies' health but also for the health of the planet and the climate and a sustainable economy. I want to teach my daughter about healthy eating, and instill healthy habits to last a lifetime, while also thinking about food as a way to build community and to "vote" with our dollars. (She's obviously not ready for the political stuff at her age, but it's definitely part of my motivation.) As a family, we've already cut back on red meat almost entirely. I don't want to be a vegan, but I don't like what I read about the dairy and meat industries. I'd like to know as much as I can about a healthy diet that isn't dependent on dairy and meat. Thanks so much for doing this!!

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Claire
4/23/2012 12:40:08 PM #

Thanks Anna,

I think some of the political awareness comes naturally once the child gets to a certain age. I remember when it was all the rage to drink water from bottles to be environmentally friendly. Just thinking about it, I could see that this didn't make since (plastic to carry the water, gas to ship the water, and so on).

If we use food as community building and not as a control aspect, I think we encourage our children to eat much healthier.

Also, thanks for the callout in your blog post the other day.


Thanks,
Claire

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Stacey
4/24/2012 5:31:31 AM #

Hi Claire, when I read about this, I just thought, no matter how hard you try or how well you think you're doing...you can always improve.  The body and the spirit are two things no one can maintain for us, and i hope to instill in my children that food can keep both of those in tact.  I have three kids ranging from 7 to 14, I love to cook, and letting them help me has always been a great way to get them to try new things...not so scary when you know exactly what's in it because you've chopped it, and tasted it along the way. Smile  I hope with your help I can really light a fire inside of them to want to be healthy for a lifetime, and to gain a love and respect for the food we put inside our bodies, because there is nothing more important.  Thanks so much, this is going to be fun!

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Claire
4/24/2012 5:29:26 PM #

Thanks Stacey, I agree, what we eat is one of the most important things. Let light a fire inside your children for a love of food!

Thanks,
Claire

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Susan from Little Ladies Who Lunch
4/24/2012 8:45:38 AM #

We are fairly mindful of our eating and the way we present food, but as we continue on our journey we're always looking for new suggestions and love hearing what everyone else is doing.  My kids are now 7, 9, 12 and 16.  

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Claire
4/24/2012 5:26:45 PM #

Great to see some older children taking the challenge Susan! Also, I love your website. I bet you are not the only challenge taker with a great website. I think I will start collecting them to include in the "Setting Up for Success" section.

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Brenda
4/24/2012 9:11:16 AM #

Hello!
I joined because I have a picky 7 year old daughter and I do like introducing her to new things. Also my youngest daughter is 10 months old so it will be fn trying new things with her as well. Our whole family needs to work on eating better and making a little "revolution" of our own!

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Claire
4/24/2012 5:32:30 PM #

Thanks Brenda, One of my goals is to make food not just about the food, but about the food culture. Hopefully that will help your 7 year old want to explore more food. With any lucky, we will make a little "revolution" right there in your house!

Thanks,
Claire

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Jen
4/24/2012 2:52:01 PM #

Hi, I'm taking this challenge for two reasons -

1.  I have twin 5 year olds & want tips and tricks on how to make their meals healthier & more interesting. I think they eat reasonably healthy foods, but its not always easy to maintain. One loves sugar & salt almost exclusively & the other loves carbs & processed chicken nuggets with the occassional veggie. If I can get them both to eat more vegetables & be more tolerant of different textures & complex tastes that would be awesome. For instance right now they won't eat any foods that are mixed up, all ingredients/foods need to be seperated.
2. My job is to sell lunch storage items to mass retail. So, I spend a lot of time thinking about what we pack for ourselves & our kids & how those foods travel & taste at school & work. So, I'm thinking this experience might give me some insights on what optimized meals really require to be yummy on the go and actually be eaten by kids at school.

Thanks!

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Claire
4/24/2012 5:42:28 PM #

Thanks Jen,

Here is to sparking the love of food in your twins. The challenge is designed to make children want to eat a more healthy and rewarding diet, not just to "have to".

Your job sounds very interesting. Do you have a website? On the go food can be a challenge, but the more you learn about different foods, the easier it becomes.

Thanks,
Claire

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Jen
5/14/2012 10:33:30 PM #

Hi Claire, here is the aladdin website & we are on facebook too. Our products are currently available at Target, container store, etc.

http://www.aladdin-pmi.com/

I'm getting excited for May 19th! Do you have a grocery list that i should have ready for the first day/week?

Thanks, Jen

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Claire
5/15/2012 9:47:16 PM #

Awesome Jen! Thanks for sharing your site.

I am more than excited for May 19th! We are going to start of with eating together, so there is not to much you need to do ahead of time. Just be ready to spend some quality time with your family each day at the family meal. When you make food only about eating healthy, your twins might fight it because it seems like work, but by starting with eating together, and going through the different aspects of food, your twins will learn there is more to food than the number of calories in it. This, and your example, may very well encourage your twins to want to eat their veggies. It is what my parents taught me, and it is what I am teaching my Samantha. It is also how I got my husband off Kraft Macaroni and cheese and onto real food. He got jealous of watching me eat these wonderful meals he said he wouldn't touch.

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Cindy
4/25/2012 6:53:22 AM #

I have two boys, 6 and 2, who have totally different tastes in food.  My two year old will eat just about anything, and my six year old is pretty picky. I am happy to say that we've gotten away from a lot of the processed foods that we used to consume, but looking for more truly healthy kid friendly ideas, not just for supper, but for the lunchbox as well!  

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Claire
4/25/2012 7:03:52 AM #

Thanks Cindy,

It is great that your two year old is an adventurous eater. The challenge will help to intrigue your six year old to eat more! Getting away from the processed foods is a good step to an enriching relationship with food! You are not the first to mention lunchbox needs, I will be sure to include information on that!

Thanks,
Claire

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Buzz
4/25/2012 1:34:49 PM #

We've come a long way in the past two years, but we are eating complex carbs, low GI foods now and less booze.  The children are 11 and 14 and are both pretty aware of what they eat, though they both struggle in different ways to make healthy choices - as do I and hubby too.  The challenge will help us to take the next step forward.  I think we may be ready - my son came home the other and told me that eating red meat can raise your chances of getting cancer (I already knew) and now he's willing to look beyond meat, which is quite a surprise coming from an out and out carnivore.  He's trying to get his head around fruit and I'm seeing answers to my prayers about being able to enjoy some years with them both at home when they are not being awkward eaters.

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Claire
4/25/2012 2:08:03 PM #

Thanks Buzz, It sounds like your family has made great progress! Here is to the next step forward!

Thanks,
Claire

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Pam
4/28/2012 2:02:41 PM #

I feel like I do a great job when it comes to feeding my four children, but I know I can always improve.  I think what Claire has put together is awesome!  It goes beyond food in that it makes one examine our relationships with food and with each other.  I can't wait to get started!  Thank you Claire - you are doing some great work!!!

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Claire
4/28/2012 9:28:44 PM #

Thanks Pam,

Fuel has always been more than just fuel for me. It is at the center of many celebrations and holidays. It can help us understand nature, and the natural rhythm of the world. Most importantly, it can feed so much more than our bodies. It can enrich our relationships, it can sharpen our minds, it can deepen our spirits, and it can strengthen our bodies. It was one of my main goals to explore these aspects of food when I put this challenge together. I am glad it has come through.

The challenge is less than a month away!

Claire

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Sam
5/2/2012 8:20:09 AM #

My daughter is 20 months and we are both vegetarians. I think we have pretty healthy diets, not much processed junk here, but you can always learn more. I'm looking forward to the buying food and cooking together themes, I'm hoping it can help me budget better and get my daughter in the kitchen. Less waste would be nice but I do think most of the time it is just teething that puts her off her food

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Claire
5/2/2012 9:58:03 AM #

Thank you Sam,

It is great that you are raising your daughter without much processed junk. I think with good budgeting, eating healthy can be less expensive than many processed diets. But it does take planning, which will be in the buying food theme. I, too, am looking forward to the cooking together theme. Some of my most wonderful childhood memories are with my family in the kitchen. I look forward to both creating some for my daughter, Samantha, and to helping others create their own memories. Samantha, who turns 1 May 20th, also wastes some food. I try to give her small helpings and listen to when she says she is done. Like you, I am hoping age and the ability/knowledge to take what she can thinks she can finish will help. As vegetarians, I think you will also enjoy the Variety in Food theme. It will look at ways to vary a diet within different diet types.  I look forward to sharing the challenge with you and your daughter.

Thank you,
Claire

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Lorian
5/11/2012 9:57:22 PM #

I'm always interested in learning of foods I can try with my 17mo old son. It seems like a lot of books and sites have recipes for soups or purees, but he wants to feed himself and doesn't like bland foods, he's not coordinated enough with a spoon yet for soup. Finger foods for toddlers that I've found have been limited and uninspiring, or they take a long time to prepare. I'm interested in learning about easy, healthy foods to try with him. Also ways to make vegetables appealing. He'll happily eat grains, meat and fruit, but he's not a fan of veggies, raw or cooked.

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Claire
5/12/2012 9:32:13 PM #

Hi Lorian,

It sounds like you are in a similar spot as many parents these days. I personally have always had a hard time with the concept of "baby food" or "toddler food" as being something different and special. Samantha mainly gets what we get. The homemade pizza may be cut into bit sized pieces, and I may need to hose her down after she eats beets, but I figure that is a small price to pay for not having to get her to like food I serve later.

There are many people who are short on time, and want to put healthy food on the table, so that is something I will include in several of the themes. There are a few themes- buying food, cooking together, and gardening - which should be of specific interest to you in relationship to veggies.

Thanks,
Claire

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Kerensa
5/18/2012 3:05:52 PM #

We are always looking for ways to stimulate my daughter to be excited about new things.  This includes food culture.  My daughter is three and she wants to know more and help more.  I am excited about learning how to include her more in food planning, gardening and cooking.  I want her to grow up having a positive relationship with food and family.  Our family is looking forward to starting the challenge.  

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Claire
5/18/2012 8:30:10 PM #

Thanks Kerensa,

I am excited to have you as a Challenge Taker. I second the desire to have a positive relationship with food and planning. I am especially excited about the gardening theme, as I think I came up something that is rewarding within a four week time period, and that is not easy with plants that generally need more time to grow. (My dad helped me plan that theme's activities.)

Thank you,
Claire

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willow
6/1/2012 9:05:32 AM #

oops i forgot to do this earlier Smile  we are taking the challenge because there is always room for improvement and new ideas.  we try very hard in our family to eat well and stay connected to our food.  The learning possibilities are endless for both us and the kids, they learn about so much more then eating.  great job with this Claire, we are ready bring on the challenge Smile

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Claire
6/1/2012 1:44:04 PM #

Thanks Willow,

I hope you enjoy the challenge.

Claire

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Take the Challenge starting Saturday after you sign up.

For one year, receive one enriching food activity a week through email, plus the Challenge Taker's Update packed with helpful information. Learn more about the thirteen themes.

Here is what others are saying:

"Thanks Claire - so important for our kids!"
- Kerensa Allison

"this looks really cool, Claire! of course, we are definitely food-centered around here, but I'll be excited to incorporate your ideas for an even richer "kitchen heart" family life."
- Rachel Macmorran

"Hey parents check this out!!! Let all do this, are you in??? "
- Willow Mckinney

Start enriching your child’s life through food now:

About Claire

My parents raised me right. Food has enriched my life from childhood. Now that I am a mother, I am taking a one year challenge to enrich my daughter’s life through food. I invite you take this challenge with me, for your child.

When I decided to share this challenge, I decided that if a single activity was not appropriate for children 6 months to 18 years, I would break it into several sub activities, each targeting a different age group.

What are you waiting for? Take the Your Child’s Food 1 year challenge today!