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www.FredParent.NET • • • • 13 • • • • • • • 13 • • 13 DIY Baby Food BY DR. NIMALI FERNANDO I s your baby getting ready to start solid foods? Consider mak- ing your own baby food. It's fun, econom- ical, and — compared to store-bought baby food — is delicious! Here are three reasons why home- made baby food is a great way to start your child on a path to adventurous eating: 1. Making baby food allows YOU TO BE IN CHARGE of the tastes and the textures of foods you offer. If your baby needs time to get used to a certain food, you can combine it with foods she already likes. You can add more or less texture depending on how your baby is progressing, too. 2. Making food for your baby TRAINS YOU as a parent to spend time everyday preparing nourishing whole food for your baby. This habit sets the tone for how you will feed him in years to come. 3. Making baby food TEACHES YOUR BABY to eat the same flavorful food that you are eating at mealtime, setting just the right pace for many years of healthy habits. If you are interested in learning more about introducing and making baby food, check out our "First Foods" class at doctoryum.com. The c lass covers basics, introducing solid foods for babies, how to make baby food, the latest trends in feeding and more. Babies are welcome and encouraged to taste our samples! even if it was pureed in the blender. To this day, they are adventurous eaters trying everything from sushi to veal and are proud members of the "clean plate" club. "Taking time to put energy into our food by cooking for ourselves, becoming educated about what fuels us, and joyfully making those foods is how we fuel our life, empower ourselves and nourish ourselves deeply," says Howard. Homendy adds, "I also try to make it fun by involving my daughter with meal prep. She is more likely to try it if she makes it." If you know what the suggested servings are for your children — based on age, gender, and activity level – you'll know what they're supposed to eat for maximum health. "Adding in enjoyable activities on a daily basis, including exercise and social interaction, lifts our mood, adds joy and connects us to family, community and nature," says Howard. GET BACK TO BASICS AND GET FRESH AIR. Play as a family in the backyard or at the playground. Being active with your kids gets you moving and is a healthy way of spending family time with them. "Rather than focusing on traditional exercises, try new things involving the whole family, like hiking, daily walks with the dog, a family game of soccer or basketball," says Homendy. Creating a family environment with healthy foods and fun physical activity encourages our children to lead happier, healthier lives. Christina Shipley, certified massage therapist and exercise enthusiast, agrees, "Group exercise is where it's at! I do Fit4Mom Fredericksburg Stroller Strides three times a week. Exercising with other moms who are going through similar situations really helps me realize I'm not the only one. We all give each other advice, comfort, support and encouragement. Plus I get to bring my daughter with me! She has even started doing squats and planks with me at home! It's a great bonding moment through exercise." Nikki Ducas is a Fredericksburg mom teaching her two young sons that eating well and physical activity makes them happier and healthier. GET BACK TO BASICS AND GET FRESH AIR. Play as a family in the backyard or at the playground. Being active with your kids gets you moving and is a healthy Seeing your enjoyment of good food choices will encourage your children to choose to eat better.