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    Healthy Family Project

    Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world.
    enAmanda Keefer90 Episodes

    Episodes (90)

    Debunking School Lunch Myths

    Debunking School Lunch Myths

    Today we talk to school nutrition director, Jeanne Riley to debunk some of the myths around today's school lunch and how families can learn more about what's being served at their schools. 

    Jeanne Reilly is an award-winning School Nutrition Director in Windham & Raymond, Maine. She is very involved in mentoring school nutrition directors as well as advocating for and promoting delicious and healthy School Nutrition Programs within her state and across the country. Jeanne is a co-administrator for 2 busy Facebook Groups:  Tips for School Meals That Rock, and Tips to Succeed, School Meals in Small Rural District, and she is on the Advisory Board for the Chef Ann Foundation and for Healthy School Recipes.

    Jeanne is a mom, grandmother, and caregiver for her 100-year-old mother. She is a wealth of knowledge and deeply passionate about creating a healthier generation. 

     

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

     

    2:18    All about Jeanne

    6:08   How to make school nutrition about more than just feeding children

    9:23   The importance of introducing new foods in a cafeteria setting

    11:54  Common myths about school lunches today

    14:53  Vegetables that encourage students to try something new

    17:39  Importance of culturally inclusive food 

    20:03 How to get involved in your child’s school nutrition program

    21:15  Guidelines school lunch programs have to follow and impact

    23:41  Surprising difference with school foods many parents don’t know about

    24:50 Unique places you could source support for your school lunch program

    28:04 Why it's easier to try new things with friends/peers

    29:50 How the mission of great school lunches influences the greater community

    32:18  One of the biggest goals with school nutrition and why it’s so important

    33:54 How the experience of having a treat has changed over time

     

     

     

    Healthy Recipes & Tips in Your Inbox

    Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive healthy recipe inspiration, our latest blog posts and more directly to your inbox each week. 

    Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

    Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!

     

     

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    What Teachers Wish Parents Knew

    What Teachers Wish Parents Knew

    Today Amanda from talks to Heather Brickell, teacher, mom, and author of MySweetSavings.com. Heather is giving us the inside scoop on the things teachers wish parents knew. From communication to reinforcement and expectations. Heather shares her top 10 things teachers wish parents knew with Amanda. 

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

     

    3:44   About today’s guest, Heather, including her personal life and her blog

    5:46   The most vital part of a relationship between parent and teacher

    9:06   How students can best approach their classroom struggles

    11:03  Best way to react to classroom updates as a parent

    12:11  Why reinforcement is important for your child’s learning

    16:05  A hands-on way to support learning at home

    17:57  Why expressing interest in what interests your children matters

    22:56  Helping your kids recognize that grades don’t define them as a person

    24:41  Allowing their independence to come into play

    28:27  What teachers want parents to know about cultivating independence

    32:27  Why happy parents make happy teachers

    34:44  Why you should never talk bad about your child’s teacher in front of them

    36:52  How small expressions of appreciation can go a long way

    38:25  Ideas for starting off the next school year on the right foot

    40:45  What can help a teacher understand classroom behaviors and attitudes

    Read the Rest of Heather's Tips! 

    Want more back to school tips and ideas? Head to our hub for back to school and juggling home and school life year-round. 

    Healthy Recipes & Tips in Your Inbox

    Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive healthy recipe inspiration, our latest blog posts and more directly to your inbox each week. 

    Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

    Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!

     

    Whats the Hype! Dietitian Discussion on Sports Nutrition Trends

    Whats the Hype! Dietitian Discussion on Sports Nutrition Trends

    Today we are talking with Tony Castillo registered dietitian, dad, husband, Instagram extraordinaire

    He has led a passionate life in the nutrition space and spent time as a sports nutritionist at the University of Florida and for the Toronto Blue Jays. 

    I get the honor of chatting with him today as we ask What’s the Hype! We are covering hydrating powders, creatine, pre-work out supplements, green powders and probiotics. 

    Tony joined us just three episodes ago on episode 83 to talk about sports nutrition for kids and teens. You’ll definitely want to check that out.  

    I could not wait to have him back to for this fun episode as we dive into trending hyped up topics in the world of sports nutrition. 

    We are asking WHAT’S THE HYPE!?! Reminder we are now on You Tube with our episodes if you prefer to watch. 

    Just quick disclaimer, always check with your family doctor before making any changes in your health care. 

    Relevant Links 

     

    Other Episodes to Check Out 

     

    Timestamps

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

     

    5:14 About Tony Castillo and his nutrition approach

    8:49  What’s the hype around electrolyte drinks

    9:56 What electrolyte drinks actually provide and why it matters

    11:16 What you should be looking for in electrolyte products

    15:09 The most appropriate type of sports drink for teens

    16:12 What’s the hype  around creatine

    18:29 Who creatine is great (and not so great) for

    22:50 The dose of creatine you should be taking and why

    28:22 What’s the hype around greens powder 

    30:48 What the research has revealed about greens powders

    33:20 What’s the hype around pre-workout products 

    41:06 An analogy about probiotics that rings true

    43:14 What resources you should use before investing in probiotics

    44:34 The difference between probiotics and prebiotics



    Healthy Eating on a Budget

    Healthy Eating on a Budget

    Today we are talking with registered dietitian Chelsea LeBlanc. Chelsea creates approachable recipes using simple ingredients to help her audience and clients save money, reduce food waste, and cook healthy meals that are fast, easy, and delicious! 

    Relevant Links:

     

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

     

    Time Stamps:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    1:25 An intro to dietitian Chelsea

    1:48 Why budget-friendly meal planning was essential for Chelsea growing up

    3:28 An easy tip to help you save on your groceries

    5:47 Why you should check your fridge and freezer before making your list

    8:41 Free  app you can use to help you generate recipes 

    12:27 Examples of less expensive protein sources and how to use them

    17:14 What kind of produce to prioritize on your grocery list and why

    20:59 Common beliefs about canned or frozen produce and why it’s not true

    22:26 How much salt you can remove by rinsing canned vegetables

    27:27 The benefit of buying generic store brands for staples

    29:31 The most important (and relatable) budget shopping advice of the episode

    30:40 Strategies for avoiding entering the grocery store hungry

    37:37 Where you can find Chelsea and connect with her

    Healthy Recipes & Tips in Your Inbox

    Sign up for the Produce for Kids e-newsletter to receive healthy recipe inspiration, our latest blog posts and more directly to your inbox each week. 

    Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

    Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!

     

    Tips for Parents of College Bound Students

    Tips for Parents of College Bound Students

    Today we have a great episode lined up! Sally is typically joining us on the show to talk about meal prep and planning and other topics around nutrition, but today, we are getting a different side of Sally. She recently sent her son off to college and of course, having a high schooler myself, I was interested in learning more about her experience. 

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a specific topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great advice and tips!

    2:25 An introduction to Sally Kuzemchak

    3:24 Advice for parents whose kids are gearing up for college

    5:27 Why it’s important to let the school guide your child as a student

    10:23 The pros and cons of submitting common applications

    14:26 The reality check Sally got from her son

    17:08 The right way and wrong way to do college tours

    20:45 How social media influences the college application process

    22:08 Signs it’s time for your kid to take a break from social media

    26:05 Why it’s crucial to let your kids carve their own path (even when it’s hard)

    29:34 Why some kids don’t get excited at the prospect of going to college

    30:48 What Sally wishes she did differently when her son was applying and why

    34:23 Special dates to be aware of when your child is in the application process

    35:02 Why parents need to give themselves some grace during this time

    35:37 Tips for supporting your kids emotionally during the application process

    About Our Guest, Sally Kuzemchak

    Sally is a registered dietitian, author, and mom of two boys. She blogs at RealMomNutrition.com, a “no-judgement zone” for feeding families. She is the author of two books, The 101 Healthiest Foods For Kids, a guidebook to the best whole foods for kids, and Cooking Light Dinnertime Survival Guide, a cookbook for busy families.

    An award-winning reporter and writer, Sally serves as a Contributing Editor for Parents magazine and a blogger for WebMD. Her writing has been published in magazines including Prevention, Health, Family Circle, Eating Well, Fitness, and Shape. 

    Sally received her master’s degree in dietetics from Ohio State University and resides in Columbus, OH with her family.

    You can listen to Sally’s previous episodes! Episode 72 How to Create A No Stress Dinner Plan, Episode 54 Nutrition Label 101, Episode 37 Balancing the Holiday Sugar Rush, Episode 34 Lunchbox Packing Mistakes To Avoid

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    Sports Nutrition for Kids and Teens

    Sports Nutrition for Kids and Teens

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Tony Castillo, a sports and performance dietitian who helps athletes perform at their best without fad diets and unnecessary supplements. Tony brought his expertise to the podcast to talk all things sports nutrition for kids and teens while dispelling a lot of popular myths. Tony shared tried and true nutrition practices, insight on what to eat before and after big games, and what to look for in supplements.

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Tony Castillo, a sports and performance dietitian who helps athletes perform at their best without fad diets and unnecessary supplements. Tony brought his expertise to the podcast to talk all things sports nutrition for kids and teens while dispelling a lot of popular myths. Tony shared tried and true nutrition practices, insight on what to eat before and after big games, and what to look for in supplements.

    Sports Psychologist Tips For Supporting Your Teen Athlete's Mental Health

    Sports Psychologist Tips For Supporting Your Teen Athlete's Mental Health

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Neff, a licensed clinical sports psychologist, to talk about young athletes and their mental health. While there's a lot of fun and joy in kid and teen sports, it can also create stress and anxiety. Dr. Neff shared lots of amazing insights and tips to help us tackle mental health in a proactive way that helps kids and teens build their mental fitness and creates environments where they can feel safe working through their feelings and managing their anxiety around sports.

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:49 Welcome, Dr. Neff!
    • 7:36 What can families do to be proactive about mental health?
    • 13:06 Tactics for building mental fitness
    • 10:32 Travel hacks most people overlook
    • 19:36 Tips for transitioning to different levels of sports
    • 27:06 What's a normal level of stress? What red flags to look for?
    • 34:16 How to help our kids deal with injuries
    • 40:27 How to help kids accept disappointment in a healthy way
    • 44:16 How can parents keep emotions under control?

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    As a mom with a preteen and teen who have been active in sports for most of their lives, this topic is near and dear to me. I often think about how we as parents can tow the line between encouraging our kids to work hard and gain all the lessons to be gained from the dedication required in sports while also ensuring we don't apply undue pressure that leads to added stress and anxiety.

    Lots of parents in our Facebook group had tons of questions about this topic and it was great to have an expert in sports psychology on the podcast to walk us through how we can help our active kids work on their mental fitness.

    Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness when it comes to sports. Dr. Neff reinforced the importance of being proactive versus reactive when it comes to mental health. This involves being an active listener, creating a safe space where our kids can feel comfortable talking about their feelings, helping to guide them to come up with solutions, and keeping an eye out for red flags.

    While there's so much joy in seeing our kids do well and celebrate a big win, disappointments are also inevitable and Dr. Neff helped guide us through how to navigate deterring a negative headspace after injuries or disappointments.

    As parents and caregivers, we also play a big role in this. Dr. Neff covered simple ways we can be supportive and avoid our own emotional outbursts that only add to our kid's anxiety. Something as simple as a hand gesture from across the field can help to ease anxiety in a stressful moment and help our kids to refocus.

    About Our Guest, Dr. Neff

    Dr. Rick Neff is a Licensed Clinical & Sports Psychologist, and the owner and founder of Inner-Edge, LLC. A former college baseball player, and standout three sport athlete in high school, he is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in developing performance mindset. Through his extensive study and integration of clinical and sports psychology, neuroscience, and mindfulness, Dr. Neff has become known as the "Yoda" of mental skills training.

    His ability to connect with players and develop trusting relationships sets him apart. Dr. Neff worked with players who have gone on to play at Duke, Oregon, Kentucky, Florida State, North Carolina, Michigan State, Texas, Georgetown, Florida, Miami, Penn State, LSU, Clemson, Temple, Indiana, Purdue, UConn, Arizona, Pitt, Syracuse, Bucknell, Colgate, Penn, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, USC, Virginia, and many more.

    Tech Tips & Apps That Make Life Easier

    Tech Tips & Apps That Make Life Easier

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Jennifer Johnstone Lopez to chat all things tech and how we can use apps, platforms, and cool gadgets to make life easier! Jennifer is a wealth of knowledge and shared tons of apps she uses to maximize her limited free time and be super efficient when it comes to things like everyday tasks, meal planning, house chores and more.

    One recurring thread in so many of my conversations with friends, colleagues and fellow parents is too many to-dos and not enough time. When you're juggling a million responsibilities, it's natural to want to find tools to help but it can be difficult to wade through the crazy amount of options available. We're here to offer a great foundation for lots of pain points we face in our everyday lives like efficient meal planning, staying on top of tasks, and managing our homes.

    Our guest, Jennifer, is the definition of techy and she's tested tons of apps and different systems to bring us the creme of the crop when it comes to tech tips and apps that make life easier. Plus, she offered some really great insight on digital decluttering. It's not enough to find the right apps, but also cut down on all the noise by eliminating the ones that aren't serving you. This cuts down on the app overload!

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:14 Get to know Jennifer
    • 4:48 What technology have you come to rely on as a parent?
    • 6:27 Task management apps and platform
    • 11:30 Jennifer's favorite home automation tools and apps
    • 16:10 Self-care app recommendation
    • 18:35 How to cut through the noise & avoid "digital clutter"
    • 26:50 Tips for managing the overload of photos we have on our phones
    • 32:34 Apple Air Tags
    • 39:01 Jennifer's books
    • 42:56 What does a healthy family mean to you?

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    About Our Guest, Jennifer Johnstone Lopez

    Jennifer Johnstone Lopez is a mother of three, Cameron (3), Caroline (2) & Carly (1), and wife to a serial entrepreneur, Ricky. She is also an international award-winning digital marketer, and co-founder and managing partner of Jalapeño Digital, a 7-figure ad agency lovingly deemed her “fourth child.” Jennifer loves to cook, entertain and tell stories. Why I Cried: Tales from Hysterical Pregnant Women is her debut (hilarious) book, though she is credited with many other published works including articles and blogs in her field, as well as poetry dating back to 2002. Much of the proceeds from the book go back to supporting Postpartum Support International (psi.org). In 2022, she is slated to publish the next book in the series called "Why I Laughed: Tales from Talkative Toddlers"

    Jennifer's mission is to help women see the joy in pregnancy & motherhood. To remind them to take time to breathe, laugh at themselves, laugh with their kids and find camaraderie among other moms, encouraging them to build a strong tribe. Also, since she has a background in digital marketing, she is up to speed on a lot of tech that mothers might not even know exists, and loves sharing all about tech resources that simplify motherhood - everything from apps to getting a load of laundry done, to the best resources out there to meal plan and prep.

    Budget Travel Hacks

    Budget Travel Hacks

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Lauren Gay to chat all things budget travel. Lauren is a travel writer, podcaster and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure. She joined us to share tons of tips that make travel accessible for all budgets including how to save on airfare, take advantage of reward systems, and tips for working with travel agents.

     

    Summer break is here and we could all use a vacation! Inflation is driving price increases in all industries especially travel, but there are lots of ways to save and still be able to enjoy a much-needed family getaway. We're so excited to have Lauren Gay, creator of Misadventures of an Outdoorsy Diva Blog, join us to share all her top budget travel hacks.

    With a little flexibility and planning, families can enjoy a variety of trips from exploring the national parks to embarking on international adventures. Lauren walked us through what type of trips are best for families looking to keep budget top of mind plus how to take advantage of reward systems to score free hotel nights or reduced airfare prices. All of these hacks add up to tons of savings & ensure you get the best bang for your buck! Tune in below to get all of Lauren's trips and hear about her favorite trips to date!

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:14 Get to know Lauren
    • 4:22 Lauren's favorite trip
    • 7:38 What are some of the most affordable vacations for families?
    • 10:32 Travel hacks most people overlook
    • 14:12 How to find a travel agent?
    • 19:04 What are some of the best ways to save on airfare?
    • 25:42 Lauren's top travel tip
    • 32:24 What does a healthy family mean to you?

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    About Our Guest, Lauren Gay

    Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of an Outdoorsy Diva Blog,  host/producer of the award winning Adventure Is A Lifestyle Podcast, published photographer, speaker, consultant, on-air TV travel expert, and adventure coach.  She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy.  Lauren is also an empty nest mom and a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel and a founding member of the Black Travel Alliance.

    What is Fair Trade?

    What is Fair Trade?

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we’re joined by Kim Chackal to get a crash course on all things Fair Trade. You may have heard the term or seen the label on a coffee package, but what does it mean? Kim breaks down what the Fairtrade label means, how much more expensive are Fairtrade products, and how Fairtrade agreements help farmers.

     

    These days, there are so many labels and buzzwords on food packaging, it’s hard to decipher what they all mean. One label that you’ve probably seen or heard of is the Fairtrade label. The most common fair trade commodities are coffee, sugar, tea, chocolate, and bananas. We were lucky enough to be joined by Kim Chackal to pick her brain and get the 101 on all things Fairtrade.

     

    Fairtrade is a global movement that seeks to create standards in the production and supply of certain products. The overall goal is to foster equitable trading partnerships based on transparency and sustainability. Fairtrade partnerships protect the farmers, ensuring they receive fair prices and have safe working conditions.

     

    About Our Guest, Kim Chackal

    Kim is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Equifruit. Over the past 7 years, she has established Equifruit as the Canadian market leader for Fairtrade bananas and her sights are set on global Fairtrade domination. 

    Her fearless and bold approach is making waves in the produce industry.  In 2021, Kim was recognized as “Produce Person of the Year” by the Ontario Produce Marketing Association. With 20 years of sales experience, she loves challenging people to rethink their consumption habits and consider Fairtrade as a sustainable solution in produce.

     

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 3:20 Get to know Kim
    • 5:25 What is Fairtrade?
    • 11:25 Common Fairtrade items
    • 12:16 How much more expensive are Fairtrade products?
    • 17:00 Fairtrade bananas
    • 19:50 Fairtrade chocolate
    • 21:40 The future of Fairtrade
    • 25:38 What does a healthy family mean to you?

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

    Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family – from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!

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    Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We’d love it if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content for future episodes. Take the survey here.


    Healthy Family Project Podcast

    Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world.

    Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don’t forget to subscribe on Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment.

    If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

    Dietitian Tips to Shop Healthy on a Budget

    Dietitian Tips to Shop Healthy on a Budget

    It’s hard to ignore the rising costs of food, gas, and basic household items. Families are feeling the burden of inflation especially when it comes to grocery bills. Jackie Vega joined us to share tons of money-saving tips, dinner hacks, how to repurpose leftovers and tips for shopping your pantry.

    As a dietitian, Jackie works with tons of clients who are looking to add more nutritious meals to their rotations while having to keep budget top of mind. She's helped hundreds of families find that sweet spot that allows them to stay within their monthly allotted budget for food without sacrificing nutrious ingredients.

    The tips shared during this episode can go a long to maximizing your monthly budget while still enjoying your family’s favorite dinners and ingredients. Jackie shared a lot of hacks that also cut down on food waste, ultimately saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint. 

    Jackie and Amanda also shared some key fridge organization tips. While a stocked refrigerator might look nice and seem ideal, it’s so easy to forget about leftovers or neglect your produce bin and end up with lots of food waste. With a few tweaks to your shopping habits, easy adjustments to your menu and making saving a team effort, there’s lots you can do to make the most of your grocery haul and cut your grocery bill. 

    About Our Guest, Jackie Vega

    Jackie is a registered dietitian, ACE-certified personal trainer, wife, and mom of two. She is the founder of the Wellness Solution where she offers guidance to her clients on all things health and fitness.

    Jackie recently launched the Busy Moms Kitchen podcast where she invites you into her kitchen to listen in on conversations about life as busy moms, reaching health and fitness goals and other things that only you and your girlfriends will understand.

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:51 Get to know Sarah!
    • 2:25 welcome back, Jackie!
    • 4:57 how to save on your grocery bill 
    • 7:57 Jackie’s top 3 ideas for cutting food costs
    • 16:50 Refrigerator organization tips
    • 19:21 How to maximize your budget  
    • 21:26 how to make saving a family effort 
    • 23:27 how to think in bulk
    • 26:02 Meal planning 
    • 28:26 themed dinner nights 
    • 33:16 loyalty programs 

     

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    New & Easy Ways to Use Fruits & Vegetables

    New & Easy Ways to Use Fruits & Vegetables

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Sarah Hester to discuss easy ways to use fruits and veggies and how we can eat more of them. Sarah is passionate about making produce accessible and enjoyable for everyone and she shares tons of tips to make healthy eating easy and doable even with busy schedules and selective eating.

    About Our Guest, Sarah Hester MS, RD

    Sarah is a Registered Dietitian based in North Carolina. She is currently employed by a wholesale fresh produce distributor where she works with local farmers and helps to manage their direct to consumer delivery programs. She also provides insight into their non-profit that works to not only make fresh produce accessible in their community, but also offers programming on how to grow and cook with fruits and veggies! Her passion as an RD is to make fruits and vegetables accessible and enjoyable for everyone!

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:51 Get to know Sarah!
    • 7:27 How can we stick to our goals of eating more fruits and veggies?
    • 18:20 How to plan ahead for healthy eating
    • 21:00 Tips to eat fruits & veggies outside of your home
    • 22:30 How to make veggies more enjoyable
    • 24:31 Ideas to make the most out of condiments
    • 35:00 How to use dips to eat more fruits & veggies
    • 46:18 Charcuterie and snack boards
    • 47:22 Sarah's go-to busy weeknight dinner

     

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    Stop Short Order Cooking for Your Family

    Stop Short Order Cooking for Your Family

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:48 Get to know Laura!
    • 12:15 How to transform mealtime
    • 13:44 Family communication tips
    • 16:30 How to delegate to your kids
    • 19:46 Tips to start short-order cooking
    • 29:11 How to incorporate new flavors
    • 37:00 Meal Plans
    • 44:22 Laura's easy staple weeknight recipe

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Laura Fuentes, creator of MOMables, to discuss short order cooking and steps families can take to avoid it and make mealtime stress-free. We covered how to set boundaries and improve family communication, how to ease into meal planning, and tons of kitchen hacks to save time and make cooking less overwhelming.

    As busy parents, we're often pulled in a million directions between work, school, extracurricular activities, driving kids around, on top of all of our daily tasks. Time and time again, we hear from parents who find themselves feeling stressed spending way too much time in the kitchen cooking different meals for their selective eaters while trying to meal prep and pack lunches for the week.

    We're here to discuss how parents can cut back on the constant short order cooking and transform mealtime to balance their kids' food preferences without defaulting into cooking 3+ meals every night. Spoiler alert: it's totally possible and throughout the episode, you'll hear lots of tips and strategies to make mealtime work for your family in a way that reduces stress, kitchen clean up and time spent cooking.

    About Our Guest, Laura Fuentes

    Laura Fuentes is the creator of MOMables, where she’s helped thousands of families improve their health and wellness by establishing healthier eating habits as a family with her Family KickStart Program and Weekly Meal Plans. 

    She’s the Author of 5 Cookbooks, a successful entrepreneur, public speaker, spokesperson, makes regular television appearances like on TODAY and Good Morning America, has competed on Food Network and won! Her 100K + YouTube subscribers make her an “official YouTuber” according to her 10-year-old that is. 

    Laura is bilingual, born and raised in Spain, and currently lives outside of New Orleans with her husband and 3 kids. In her spare time, Laura reads, sleeps, and works out. What she loves most is taking her family on travel adventures.

    Healthy Family Project
    enFebruary 14, 2022

    Tips From A Registered Dietitian to Help Your Family Eat Better

    Tips From A Registered Dietitian to Help Your Family Eat Better

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Alyssa Greenstein, registered dietitian and Senior Manager of Nutrition Affairs Communications with Florida Dairy Farmers. This episode is all about how families can make small changes and adopt manageable habits that will lead to overall healthier eating. Alyssa shares how to prioritize breakfast, the importance of writing down what we eat, and dairy nutrition benefits.

    Ringing in a new year always gets us excited to set new goals, rethink our habits, and reset after the holiday season when our routines take a pause. Big or small, goals can always be broken down into smaller steps that feel more attainable and realistic. If you're looking to eat healthier in the new year, this podcast episode is for you!

    We love inviting registered dietitians on the podcast as they are experts in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Alyssa has been a registered dietitian for over 20 years and was awarded Florida Dietitian of the year. I loved picking her brain for manageable steps families can incorporate to make healthy eating easy especially when all of us are so pressed for time.

    Alyssa shared lots of small changes that lead to big results when it comes to adding more nutrient-packed foods into the rotation. A little planning and creativity can go a long way to encourage our younger and sometimes more selective eaters to try new foods. Plus, getting the whole family on board ensures accountability and opens the door to trying new things together.

    About Our Guest, Alyssa Greenstein

    Alyssa is passionate about all things food. Alyssa provides timely and scientifically sound nutrition information to the media, medical professionals, dietitians, educators, students, consumers and others concerned about fostering a healthier society. 

    Alyssa’s especially enjoys being in the kitchen cooking and showcasing recipe tips and hacks for foods that are both healthy and delicious.  Alyssa emphasizes the importance of 3-4 servings of nutrient-rich dairy every day which reinforces that dairy is good for the community and good for the planet. Alyssa has contributed to and has authored several articles and blogs sharing her expertise and topics including sustainable food systems, dairy’s role in the diet, child nutrition, chronic disease and nutrition and wellness. 

    She graduated with a BS in Food and Nutrition from Florida State University and was awarded Florida Dietitian of the Year, Mentor of the Year and is past President, and past Member at Large of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

    Alyssa holds specialty certifications in adult, childhood and adolescent weight management and has been the Senior Manager of Nutrition Affairs Communications with Florida Dairy Farmers for over 12 years. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family of five and her golden retriever and golden doodle.

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:29 Meet Alyssa
    • 4:46 Easy breakfast ideas for busy families
    • 12:15 Why you should write down what you eat
    • 17:42 What you need to know about the nutritional benefits of dairy
    • 26:10 Tips for putting together your grocery list
    • 31:50 Easy weeknight dinner idea: "trash soup"

     

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    Talking to Your Teen About Mental Health

    Talking to Your Teen About Mental Health

    On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by child psychologist Dr. Stephanie Smith. This episode is all about talking to teens about mental health, teen mental health and what parents need to know to navigate the teen years with their kids. Dr. Stephanie shares amazing advice for deciphering teen behavior, ways to keep family communication open and honest, and how to determine when professional help is necessary.

    The teen years are hard. Outgrowing childhood but not quite an adult just yet, this period of time comes with lots of changes for teens and parents. As a parent, it feels like overnight, your little one who turned to you for everything is all of a sudden an angsty teen. As a mom with a preteen and teen, this episode on talking to teens about mental health is near and dear to my heart.

    Especially given the events children and teens have had to face since the pandemic started, it's more important than ever to prioritize mental health and keep an eye out for changes in moods and behaviors that can signal to a larger problem.

    Dr. Stephanie Smith has been a regular contributor to the blog and guest on the podcast for years. She joined us for this episode to share her expertise in child psychology and help parents navigate teen mental health struggles. Dr. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of keeping strong lines of communication, even as our teens pull away and want to become more independent. Tune in to the episode to hear more about behaviors to look out for, tips concerning privacy, and resources to turn to if a teen is in need of counseling.

    About Our Guest, Dr. Stephanie Smith

    Dr. Stephanie Smith is a mother, clinical psychologist and author of Dr. Stephanie. In her practice, she works with moms, dads, teens and tweens. Dr. Smith uses humor, compassion and common sense to help people make positive changes in their lives. She especially enjoys working with parents to assist them in strengthening their families from the inside out.

    On her blog, she writes about technology, parenting, friendship, and pop culture – all with a mental health twist. In addition, Dr. Smith is an official blogger for the American Psychological Association’s blog, Your Mind, Your Body.

     

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:08 Welcome back, Dr. Stephanie!
    • 4:05 Tips for deciphering teen behavior
    • 7:21 Rules for respecting privacy
    • 12:35 How to determine if professional help is needed
    • 16:00 School Counseling
    • 17:37 Affordable Mental Health Resources
    • 27:20 How can families be supportive when there's a mental health struggle
    • 31:54 Advice to parents who fault themselves
    • 36:02 How to gauge if counseling is working

     

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    Ways to Encourage Kids to Give Back

    Ways to Encourage Kids to Give Back

    We’re bringing you a super special episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast in honor of Giving Tuesday. We’re joined by a panel of moms to talk about the importance of giving back and how we can set positive examples for our kids. We swapped lots of great ideas for volunteering opportunities including virtual options.

    Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The mission is simple: to inspire people to do good. The organization's website touts thousands of giving back opportunities including a map to find local giving back opportunities ideas for individuals, small businesses, schools, and families.

    To celebrate and promote this amazing initiative, we gathered a panel of moms to discuss how they talk to their kids about giving back, how to teach little ones the importance of gratitude, and ideas for volunteering opportunities that are family-friendly.

    Whether it’s donating your time, money, household items, or expertise, the possibilities are endless when it comes to giving back. Big or small, every action is important and can make a huge difference!

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 0:50 Meet our amazing panel!
    • 2:24 How do you teach your kids the importance of giving back?
    • 8:12 How to find local volunteer opportunities?
    • 11:33 Out of the box giving back ideas
    • 21:55 Virtual volunteering

     

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

    Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family – from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!

    Listener Survey!

    Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We’d love it if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content for future episodes. Take the survey here.

    Healthy Family Project Podcast

    Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world.

    Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment.

    If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

     

    How To Create A No Stress Dinner Plan

    How To Create A No Stress Dinner Plan

    This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about how to create no-stress meal plans. We sat down with our registered dietitian, Sally Kuzemchak, to hear all about her new meal planner and get tips on how busy families can take small steps to plan hassle-free meals. Sally breaks down how to make meal planning sustainable when time feels so limited and how to get the kids on board.

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 3:01 What inspired the No Stress Dinner Plan?
    • 3:54 What does the dinner plan include?
    • 7:08 First thing to consider when planning out stress-free dinners
    • 14:50 How to get kids on board with the dinner plan?
    • 17:16 How to make time for meal planning when you have a busy schedule?
    • 18:50 Detour dinners

     

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    About Our Guest, Sally Kuzemchak

    Sally is a registered dietitian, author, and mom of two boys. She blogs at RealMomNutrition.com, a “no-judgement zone” for feeding families. She is the author of two books, The 101 Healthiest Foods For Kids, a guidebook to the best whole foods for kids, and Cooking Light Dinnertime Survival Guide, a cookbook for busy families.

    An award-winning reporter and writer, Sally serves as a Contributing Editor for Parents magazine and a blogger for WebMD. Her writing has been published in magazines including Prevention, Health, Family Circle, Eating Well, Fitness, and Shape. 

    Sally received her master’s degree in dietetics from The Ohio State University and resides in Columbus, OH with her family.

    In the midst of kids, homework and after-school activities, life can get really busy and finding time to meal prep and stick to a perfect meal plan can seem daunting. We’re excited to welcome back Sally Kuzemchak, our amazing registered dietitian to get all the details on her new meal planner.

    As a mom of two boys, Sally understands the struggles of fellow parents and wanted to create a resource that would allow families to plan dinner with no stress or guilt. Her meal planner emphasizes the fact that we all get busy, things don’t always go as planned, and it’s important to have staple “detour meals” to turn to when life happens. She reminds us that cereal for dinner is acceptable. Because sometimes that’s all we can handle, right parents?!

    I know that I struggle with being consistent with meal planning. One week I am great and I seem to have it all figured out, then the next week the kids are asking about dinner and I don’t think I even had lunch yet. Those weeks happen! That’s life! That’s 100% normal, and thankfully Sally understands that. And that’s why we love this podcast episode and hope that you will too 🙂

    Sally shared tons of tips on how to ease into meal planning and how to get the kids on board with your weekly menu.

    Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

    Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family – from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!

    Listener Survey!

    Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We’d love it if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content for future episodes. Take the survey here.


    Healthy Family Project Podcast

    Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world.

    Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don’t forget to subscribe on Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment.

    If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

    Tips from a Mom of a Diabetic Child

    Tips from a Mom of a Diabetic Child

    Check out the full Episode 71 show notes on our website!

    This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about tips for families with a diabetic child. We're joined by Tampa blogger, Marisa Langford, to hear about her family's journey with diabetes and how they made important dietary and lifestyle choices to eat more balanced meals and prioritize physical activity. Marisa shared early signs of diabetes, advice for parents with newly diagnosed children, and her approach for balanced eating and encouraging her daughter to enjoy healthy foods.

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 3:19 Meet Marisa!
    • 4:45 Early signs of diabetes 
    • 8:45 Advice for parents with newly diagnosed children 
    • 10:18 How Marisa’s family approached balanced eating
    • 12:22 The benefits of getting kids in the kitchen
    • 22:03 Family gardening 
    • 27:33 Marisa’s partnership with GoGo squeeZ

    There's nothing easy or simple about finding out your child has diabetes. In this episode, we sat down with Marisa Langford and heard about her family's journey with diabetes and the dietary and lifestyle changes they adopted following the diagnosis.

    Marisa's youngest daughter, Shelby, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 8. This started a parenting and life-long educational journey that centered around healthy eating. This process can be very nerve-wracking for families and Marisa shares great tips to navigate the early stages, how to not get immediately overwhelmed with all the medical jargon, and how to practice moderation when it comes to food.

    Over the 3 years that Marisa's family has lived with this diagnosis, they've learned a lot of nutrition and have been able to pass on these learnings to their kids in a palatable way while empowering Shelby to get in the kitchen.

    About Our Guest, Marisa Langford

    Marisa Langford is the founder of the Tampa Mama Blog, a blog dedicated to sharing the best places for kids and families around the city. She also writes about motherhood, family travel, and how to manage a household of 6. She is a working Mom of four, carefully juggling a full time career in experiential marketing, leading Girl Scouts and all the chaos that goes along with a family of 6. She has a daughter who is a Type 1 Diabetic and 3 children with rare medical conditions.

    Marisa is a speaker, influencer, and passionate about all things mom. She partners with brands that share her passion for healthy living, on the go fun and family togetherness.

    Marisa has been published by Huffington Post, Where Traveler, Parents.com, the Today Show Parenting Blog, Trekaroo, Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, and many others. She contributes to a variety of online publications and also appears monthly on Great Day Tampa Bay on WTSP New Channel 10.

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

     

    Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

    Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!

     

    Listener Survey!

    Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We'd love it if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content for future episodes. Take the survey here.


    Healthy Family Project Podcast

    Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world.

    Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment.

    If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

    How to Raise an Adult

    How to Raise an Adult

    Check out the full Episode 70 show notes on our website!

    To say that parenting is hard would be the understatement of the year. It's a delicate balance of keeping your children safe, providing their essential needs, helping them navigate transitional periods, and providing them the tools to help them blossom into adulthood.

    Several years ago, Julie observed the long-term effects of overparenting while working at a university. This inspired her to publish her best-selling book, How to Raise an Adult. During our conversation, we got lots of great insights for Julie to help us break those parenting habits that make children become overdependent on us and less likely to develop agency.

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 2:36 Welcome, Julie!
    • 3:52 What was your inspiration for writing How to Raise an Adult?
    • 6:52 Advice for parents who want to avoid being helicopter parents
    • 12:20 4 Step Method to Getting Kids to do things for themselves
    • 15:26 Tips to help parents let go during transitional phases
    • 22:40 Opportunities for teaching moments
    • 25:30 Advice for the college arm race
    • 30:43 Relationship between overparenting and the negative impact on confidence
    • 34:03 Inspiration for Julie's new book
    • 42:29 What does a healthy family mean to you?

    About Our Guest, Julie Lythcott-Haims

    Julie Lythcott-Haims is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult and Real American. She holds a BA from Stanford, a JD from Harvard Law School, and an MFA from California College of the Arts. She resides in the Bay Area with her partner, their two itinerant young adults, and her mother.

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    Tips for Better Sleep for Your Family

    Tips for Better Sleep for Your Family

    Check out the full Episode 69 show notes on our website!

    This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all easy steps we can take to get better sleep. We're joined by Jackie Vegar, registered dietitian and author at The Wellness Solution. Jackie shares foods and supplements to improve sleep, tips fo changing nighttime routines, and how lack of sleep affects our hormones.

    What We Cover:

    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

    • 4:08 Welcome back, Jackie!
    • 7:20 Why are teens always so tired? 
    • 11:50 How lack of sleep affects hormones  
    • 12:50 Change nighttime routines 
    • 16:15 Foods to keep on hand for energy & for bedtime 
    • 23:07 How does Magnesium help with sleep?
    • 25ish Supplements that help with sleep 
    • 31:20 Foods high in B vitamins
    • 35:40 Benefits of drinking tea before bed  
    • 39:40 Bedtime snacks

    About Our Guest, Jackie Vega

    Jackie is a registered dietitian, ACE-certified personal trainer, wife, and mom of two. She is the founder of the Wellness Solution where she offers guidance to her clients on all things health and fitness.

    Jackie recently launched the Busy Moms Kitchen podcast where she invites you into her kitchen to listen in on conversations about life as busy moms, reaching health and fitness goals and other things that only you and your girlfriends will understand.

    Relevant Links

    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

    Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

    Join our Healthy Family Project Facebook group! This group will serve as a safe space for parents and caregivers to talk all about raising a healthy family - from dealing with a picky eater and tips to get more fruits and veggies onto plates to exercising as a family and mental health. We welcome all of you to join in!

    Listener Survey!

    Thank you so much for supporting the Healthy Family Project Podcast! We'd love if you could take 5 minutes to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content future episodes. Take the survey here.


    Healthy Family Project Podcast

    Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world.

    Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google PodcastsSpotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment.

    If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.