The Family Table Project
10 Zina Street L9W 1E1 Orangeville, ON, Canada

Doesn’t this oyster mushrooms make a fantastic toadstool for sleeping beauty?! . . . Children don’t reject food to be difficult. They actually really want to be competent eaters! Take the pressure off and try to have fun with food. Kids will automatically respond positively to this experience and may actually consider trying! ... . . . #ontariomushrooms #makefoodfun #pickyeaters #pickyeatersolution #foodplay #foodexplorers #foodlearning #ontariovegetables #veggiebased #soupseason #soup See more

Comparison Plates Here are a few meals from last week where, when I had a moment, I remembered to take a picture before we dug in to show you HOW we offer meals as parents can make a difference. We are all eating the same things but offered differently. Key points for consideration: Children are all at a different parts of the spectrum with learning to like a food. Children are more likely to try food over time with repeated exposure and practice. Mixed foods can... be overwhelming so deconstructing a meal can make it more acceptable. By doing this means you are being considerate and not catering to their preferences by giving them something totally different @ellyn_satter_institute . Important to still put a small portion of the mixed dish on the plate even if they don’t touch it. Seeing the food is an important for learning. increased acceptance of the meal if they recognize something they like on the plate. Pic 1 Adult version: Fried Salmon with vegetable rice pilaf and steamed carrots. Crumbled feta cheese on top. Child version: Fried salmon, a small portion of pilaf along with some of its components separated out (snap peas, toasted walnuts, rice, feta cheese). Cooked carrots on the side because I know she loves them! Pic 2 Adult version: Green Thai Curry stir-fry with tofu. Avocado and basmati rice. Child Version: Crispy Tofu pieces, rice, carrot stick, avocado and half a banana (she asked for this about an hour before dinner. Ideally want to wait 2.5hr between meal and snack time so I added it to dinner). Pic 3 Adult Version: Scrambled egg on top of 1/2 bagel with spicy salsa. Chopped avocado and tomato salad. Child Version: Scrambled egg on the side. 1/2 bagel with whole tomatoes (she doesn’t like them cut but enjoys how they POP in her mouth) and avocado strips. Ketchup to dip vs hot salsa. . . . #feedingfamilies #feedingkids #ellynsatter #consideratenotcatered #salmonmeals #greenthaicurry #tofu #pickyeaters #pickyeatersolutions #familytable #familymeals #familymealtimes #dietitianmom #dietitiansofinstagram #onemealonefamily

YUCK, I don’t like salad How often have we heard this at the table? Do we still serve it even though we know it will be rejected and might lead to a meltdown?? YES WE DO! Who is in charge of what foods to offer - PARENTS ARE!!! Who is in charge of whether or not they eat it - KIDS ARE!! We know through countless studies that FOOD EXPOSURE is so important and the first step to learning about food. If we never offer it they certainly won’t try it. My daughter puts up a fuss about salad but I still give her a few pieces and even though she complains she still tries (without any pressure for me!) and each time she says nope not old enough to like this yet . . #feedinglittlesdinners #familytable #foodlearner #pickyeatersolution #pickyeaters #familytableproject #feedingkids #feedingfamilies #dietitianmom #dietitiansofinstagram

Family Feeding Tip Same meal just deconstructed. Children are food learners and mixed dishes can be overwhelming. If you know your child will complain at the mixed dish try separating out the different components and see what happens! . . . This tofu stir-fry had cabbage, carrots, leeks and peppers (all from our amazing @fiddlefootfarm farm box) and the sauce was fresh squeeze orange juice, soy sauce and lime juice with a sprinkle of corn starch. Knowing she loves tofu, n...oodles and oranges I gave her a larger serving of those and she is learning to like cabbage, carrots (cooked) and peppers. Without any pressure to try she tasted all the foods on her plate. She said she would like the cabbage when she is a bit older. She got the same nutrition and was willing to try vs having it all mixed together which may have lead to a possible melt down and a less enjoyable mealtime. If you give this a go would love to hear how it went! . . . #feedingkids #feedingfamilies #pickyeaters #pickyeatersolutions #familymeals #familytableproject #familytable #happymealtimes #tofustirfry #local #fiddlefootfarm #orangevilleontario #orangevillemoms See more

P E S T O Pick the basil before the frost ! Basil is my favourite herb. It just makes me so happy. The smell reminds me of summer and the colour is so vibrant! My daughter also loves the smell...couldn’t keep her nose away from the blender . .... Lots of sensory engagement with making pesto. Kids exploring foods using their nose, ears, hands, eyes and mouth is all part of learning about food. May not lead to tasting right away but with repeated exposure and exploration they will become more familiar and more likely to try. Inviting your child to come be with you in the kitchen while you prepare is a good time for this sensory exploration to happen and makes for great bonding . . . #sensoryplay #sensoryfoodplay #foodexplorers #foodplay #pickyeaters #toddlerfeeding #feedingkids #kidsinthekitchen #pesto #basil #localeats #localfood #fiddlefootfarm See more

This girl. She is the reason I started helping families feed their little ones. As a Registered Dietitian for nearly a decade now and with first hand experience - the challenges of feeding children healthy and well in this world is real! I wanted my girl to have a positive relationship with food right from the start and I help other families do the same from starting solids to toddler and preschool years. . . .... What does a positive food relationship mean? To me its enjoying all foods with no attached feelings of guilt or shame but for pure pleasure and enjoyment. Whether that is a freshly picked tomato off the vine or a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. My approach draws from Ellyn Satter seminal work on Eating Competence and Division of Responsibility @ellyn_satter_institute and a European model of Sensory Based Food Education called Sapere. My approach engages kids natural curiosity so they can’t resist but bite into that juicy tomato! . . . Please reach out to me if you have questions about what approach to use for starting solids, experiencing feeding challenges or just looking for some tips on how to teach children to enjoy more food variety. Even explore and try something new! #registereddietitian #startingsolids #familydietitian #pediatricdietitian #dietitiansofinstagram #pickyeaters #parenting #feedingkids #sensoryfood #foodplay #foodexplorer #foodrelationship #feedingfamilies #orangevillemoms #orangevillebusiness #orangeville #dufferincounty #orangevilleontario

Zucchini time of year! This one my daughter nickname Spinny. @orangevillefarmersmarket @fiddlefootfarm Zucchini is not a preferred veg by her right now but she is learning to like it and fun interactions like this makes it closer to accept this veg and possibly try it! Message for parentschildren are food learners and all learn at different rates. The best thing we can do is create multiple fun food exposures with no pressure to try or taste. Trust them they will try... when they are ready. . . . #foodexplorer #foodlearning #farmersmarketcsa #localeats #localfood #zucchini #foodfun #foodplay #local #farmfresh #pickyeater #pickyeatersolutions #sapere See more

S T R A W B E R R I E S I love taking pictures of fruit and vegetables. You get to examine them and see all their beauty. Have you wondered why seeds or pits of a strawberry are on the outside? I researched this a little and from what a gleaned the seeds are technically the fruit and each one has it’s own little seed. The fleshy red part that we consider the fruit is actually the swollen receptacle tissue (the part of the plant that connects the flower to the stem). ...Fascinating right?! . . We hand picked these beauties from @rockgardenfarms and froze them on trays (what was left) when we feel like a reminder that we do have a summer on those long Canadian winter months. . . . #caledoneast #strawberrypicking #preserving #freezepreserving #foodfacts #foodphotography #locavore #localfood #localharvest #farmfresh #freshfruit #ontariofruit @ Rock Garden Farms See more

Check out this cool nose! Picking up our weekly veggie box from @fiddlefootfarm at the @orangevillefarmersmarket my daughter was thrilled with the shape of this zucchini!! . . Although she doesn’t typically eat zucchini whenever it is offered this type of expose helps create a relationship with that food. When I go to shave this zucchini in a ribbon salad or maybe grill it on the bbq because of her early connection with it she will be more likely to try it simple because she... made a cool nose with it. Each exposure is important. Do your kids play with food? . . . #zucchini #farmersmarket #orangevilleontario #orangevillemoms #pickyeater #foodlearning #foodexposure #farmfresh #foodplay #foodie #earlyyears See more

CSA Box #communitysharedagriculture is making an upfront commitment to support local farmers and they supply you with glorious vegetables and fruits over the harvest months. Visit @inthehillsmag for the 2020 list of local farms in the Dufferin Area. We love ours from @fiddlefootfarm . . These local food boxes help build positive food relationships with our children by:... making memories of picking up the boxes. @orangevillefarmersmarket meeting the farmers building connections of where our food comes from creating excitement of the foods that are in the box EXPOSES them to new or unfamiliar foods which is the first step toward trying it . . #csabox #supportlocal #locavore #farmfresh #localfood #localfoodbox #fiddlefootfarm #springgreens #foodmemories #farmersmarket #orangeville #orangevillefarmersmarket #feedingfamilies #childfeeding #foodlearner #foodexplorer

Barbecued Shrimps with Spicy White Bean, Mango and Tarragon Salad . . Skewered meats, veg and fruits cooked on a barbecue makes for a simple and satisfying weekday meal. How did our 4 year old react to this meal? Applying child feeding expert @ellyn_satter_institute one meal, one family she did not get anything different than the adults. That has been a rule in our home so she doesn’t know any different. I did leave the heat to be added after but that was the on...ly difference. She was excited to pick off the shrimps from the skewer but ate only a bite of a tale, she picked out the mango strips and had a few white beans but found it difficult to pick off the chopped tarragon so gave up after about a couple tbsp. In the end she didn’t eat much. . . Did I give her anything different? Nope. Did I make her take more bites? Nope Did I tell her she could have dessert if she ate more? Nope. . . We know that the above tactics to get our kids to eat do not lead to a healthy food relationship. It is Ok if children do not eat much at some meals; they will enjoy the next one. Important to expose them to new and unfamiliar foods often so they can expand their food repertoire and have more variety / nutrition. . . #feedingfamilies #ellynsatter #feedingkids #bbqshrimps #legumes #mangosalad #whitebeansalad #shrimpandmango #onemealonefamily See more

Strawberry Mountains Feeding children well is challenging and sadly fresh fruits and veggies can’t compete with the processed foods covered with superheroes! . . A great way to get your fruit and veggies eaten up is to make it easy and accessible for little hands to eat and fun! The less work they need to do the better. Simply cutting the tops off the strawberries and calling them mountains was easy and attractive enough to get them gobbled up. .... . #feedingfamilies #feedingkids #foodplay #strawberryseason #eatlocal #healthykids #feedwell #choicearchitecture #foodfun #foodfunfamily See more

ASPARAGUS When asked what is my favourite vegetable? Although I love many, Asparagus is always what pops into my head first. Simply roasted and lightly salted but also fantastic wrapped in pig - prosciutto. . . Like many of my favourite foods this delightful fern evokes memories of my childhood. My parents garden had an asparagus patch and because it was one of the first fruits of the season it was so exciting seeing them poke out of the ground. Growing up asparagu...s was steamed and served on toast with a deliciously rich cheese sauce. . . These food memories are so important to building your child’s food relationship. If your child sees how food is grown or better yet experiences harvesting or planting their own food they are more like to enjoy! . . How do you like your asparagus? Do you have a favourite childhood food memory? . . . #asparagus #roastedveggies #foodmemories #pickyeatingtips #pickyeater #springtimeveg #foodlearning #growingfood #childhoodmemories #growingfoodwithkids #springveggies #edibleferns See more

Simple Tofu Stir-fry A great way to use up your veggies and a quick family meal! Using @thekitchn and @ohsheglows tips on making the prefect crisp tofu it was prepared first in the oven by baking it with a little cornstarch and soya sauce. . . .... Veggies used: 1/2 Napa cabbage, red & yellow pepper, celery rib, and mushrooms. Cilantro sprinkled on top. . . . Sauce: soya sauce, clove of chopped garlic, a heaped tsp of finely chopped fresh ginger, sesame oil, squeeze of lime juice. The cornstarch used to bake the tofu helps thicken the sauce when added back in at the end. . . . Knowing my 4 year old is still learning to like stir-fries I served about a tbsp of it mixed together and than also separated out the noodles and added more tofu to her portion. Considerate to current food preferences but not catering (offering something different) @ellyn_satter_institute . . . #simplestirfry #tofustirfry #zerowaste #feedingkids #tofurecipes #bakedtofu #feedinglittles #familymeals #quickdinners #halfyourplate #lotsofveggies #miseenplace #feedingtips See more

Fiddleheads . . When I see these edible ferns I am transported back to my childhood forging with my mother and sisters in local riverbanks. We got a little too close to some geese once who were protecting their eggs and got chased out of the banks! We would pick buckets and lay them out on the garage floor and my Dad would use his air compressor to blow away the brown paper-like material that covers the fern. The memories of picking these veg makes them somehow ...taste better! #foodmemories . . Taste is kind of like a mix between broccoli and spinach and a hint of nuttiness. Season is very short - 2 weeks! Boiled first for 5 minutes and then sautéd in garlic and lots of butter! What other wild foods are people forging this time of year? . . . #fiddleheads #wildfoodlove #springveg #naturesbeauty #healthyeats #lotsofbutter #springtimeveg #edibleplants #greens #foragedfood #forage #gratitude #mothernature #harvestsustainably #fiddleheadferns See more

Wild Ramp Pesto Thanks again to my dear friend @cliffordwright3 for the lovely gift of springtime’s glorious wild veg! Decided to make a load of pesto out of this bunch! Pesto-crusted Salmon on the menu tonight! . .... . Simple Ramp Pesto: about 2 dozen ramp leaves (blanched) 1/2 cup toasted almonds 1/4 cup grated Parmesan olive oil kosher salt and ground pepper *added zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon before spreading on salmon. . . How did this meal go down with a 4 year old? Typically we cook salmon with a soy/sesame oil/mustard arrangement or with lemon and some herbs but not a crust of green so naturally she wasn’t too enamoured with it! Most children (and adults too!) do not like change especially with food. It is difficult for them to try (even if we know they will love it). What do we do in this scenario? Following @ellyn_satter_institute Division of Responsibility to feeding we don’t try and force, reward or pressure our kids into eating food we have offered. So what did I say ? you don’t have to try or like what is in front of you but you need to sit with us as a family....after about 5 minutes into the meal she had scrapped the pesto off and ate some of the salmon that was not contaminated Lol! #givemepatience . . . #feedingfamilies #wildleeks #ramps #rampseason #ramppesto #salmondish #pestocrustedsalmon #pesto #feedingkids #pickyeatersolutions #pickyeater #familymealtimes #familytableproject #familytable See more

ARTICHOKE - The Armoured Spring Ambassador! Probably one of the most exquisite vegetable my little food explorer and I have explored together! A lot of effort and prep involved for the smallest tasty morsel. . . . Referring to @thekitchn to help us prep this glorious veg! Prepared a zingy lemon and mayo with parsley dip to dip the individual leaves in and scrap off the tiny piece of heart at the bottom. We then took the artichoke apart and explored each individual pa...rt. It was likened to a ; a ; a ; and to my husband and a demogorgon (from @strangerthingstv ) . . . #artichokes #foodexplorer #eattherainbow #rainbowplate #purplefood #foodbeauty #foodphotography #simplyveg #vegexplorer #artichokehearts #foodie #foodlove See more

Spaghetti Bolognese . . This dish has become so common but it has never lost its beauty in this household. I love this dish for so many reasons and this one has a few different ingredients that made it extra delicious. Admittedly I had to use up some of the remaining veggies in my crisper. I didn’t have any carrots but used a single lonely parsnip which I believe provided a sweetness that made you gag for more! My favourite herb at the moment was also in this one - marjo...ram. Of course a glass of red wine and Parmesan rind added depth and the rich colour. . . This dish is prefect for all ages including your 6 month old who has just started solids! May need to modify the texture to their ability but you can all sit down and enjoy the meal together. . . . #spaghettibolognese #familymeals #firstfoods #ironrich #startingsolids #familyfood #zerowaste #parsnips #magicingredient #feedingfamilies #healthymeals #ontariobeef #happyinthekitchen #foodie #foodphotography See more

Family-Style Serving Sausages stewed in tomatoes (dish my Mum used to make and reminds me of camping), green beans, roasted sweet potatoes and crispy onions with couscous. . . . I am a big fan of putting food lovingly prepared on the table in the pots/pans that you have prepared them in and letting the people around your family table pick and choose what they want to eat out of what you have offered. ... . . . Admittedly it pains me sometimes to watch kids be fussy and sloppily put their choices on their plate. I keep reminding myself there is an opportunity to really know your child’s current food preferences (saying this as often they change day to day so don’t panic if they don’t choose any vegetables!). As you can see even though she normally loves green beans only one was selected and a token extra crispy onion which she ended up not eating. . . . #familystyleservice #familymeals #easymeals #feedingfamilies #feedingkids #eatingtherainbow #rainbowplate #kidseatright #pickyeaters #feedingsolutions #toulosesausages #halfyourplate See more

Peter’s Lamb Curry @jamieoliver Return of the Naked Chef cookbook circa 2000. During these uncertain times I am finding I am spending even more time in the kitchen! Are you finding the same? . . My husband has been requesting this recipe for many years! My delay in doing it has been the +++spices involved and grinding them to a powder using a pestle and mortarMy daughter got involved in the bashing part! #kidsinthekitchen. We talked together about the different spices inv...olved and how the smell changed when combined and roasting them. #teachingkidsaboutfood . . The result was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Totally worth the effort and apparently the smell travelled down the street! . . #jamieolivernakedchef #lambcurry #spices #sensoryplay #indianspices #corrianderseed #driedfennelseed #fenugreek #cuminseed #cinnamon #slowfood #foodmadewithlove #covid19meals See more

Following @rainbowplate food explorer videos - green foods were next in the rainbow . . The core of the kiwi fruit reminded my daughter of a ice cream cone! .... . Exploring foods with our senses - by describing it helps children become more familiar with food (less scary!). Food neophobia (fear of new food) is very common at toddler age and a way of helping overcome this is by exploring new or unfamiliar foods in this way. Children are on a spectrum of learning about food and exploring them together helps create and form a food relationship that is pressure free! @rainbowplate is doing a series of videos showing how this can be done at home with your families. . . . #foodexplorer #rainbowfoods #foodplay #kidfood #kidfoodexplorer #pickyeater #foodlearning #foodrelationship #sapere #tasted #tasteducation #greenfood #kiwi #kiwifruit See more

Rainbow plate, rainbow plate, tell me the colours that you ate @rainbowplate is doing a series of fabulous videos exploring different foods from the rainbow. Today was YELLOW . . We explored the different foods using all our senses - . While exploring ginger we noticed was it looked like a Scottie Dog!! We excitedly pulled out her Scottie dog mug and book that were gifts from when we visited Scotland. We are looking forward to exploring our green foods i...n the next video. . . #rainbowfood #yellowfood #freshginger #gingerroot #foodexplorer #foodsenses #sapere #foodactivity #foodlearning #foodexplorers #funwithfood #foodplay #kidfoodexplorers See more

Cheese anybody that knows me knows how much I love and appreciate cheese. I am known amongst my neighbours, colleagues and friends as The Cheese Fairy . When I see cheese go on special at the grocery store I stock up and leave a little gift on my friends porches/front door. But also I do love to visit and support the local fromagerie @fromageorangeville . . My love affair of cheese really grew when I worked at a gourmet local food store in Toronto after I gra...duated from my nutrition program @ryerson_u. I learnt a lot about how cheese was made and had a few lessons from a professor from @gbcollege. I meet some of the amazing cheese farmers and procedures from Ontario @bestbaadairy @fifthtownartisancheese @monfortedairy @gunnshillartisancheese @thornloecheese @glengarryfinecheese to name a few! . . As a dietitian people are surprised I love cheese. It is high fat! Shouldn’t you be recommending low fat cheese?! Without getting too technical and scientific - no. I would never recommend low fat cheese or low fat dairy in general. This is a strongly controversial topic in the nutrition world. What is important is that you love the food you are eating and appreciate it in all aspects. What I want people to feel is satisfaction with their food. A good food relationship should be treasured. People eat food not nutrients. When I eat cheese, I think about the time, love and energy as well as how it looks, feels, smells, sounds (when I cut into it or bite it) and tastes. I rarely think of the nutritional value. Engaging your senses while eating is so pleasing you often don’t need to eat much to feel satisfied. . . Nothing excites me more than to see a good cheese displayed on a board or to go to a wedding where the cake is cheese! @lisa_5353 @cheese_boutique. What are your favourite foods? Any other cheese lovers out there? Please share your favourite. I would love to hear. . . #cheese #cheeseboards #lovecheese #ontariocheese #cheeselover #dietitiansofinstagram #dietitian #registereddietitian #localcheese #artisianalcheese #eatwhatyoulove #mindfuleating #intuitiveeating #foodpeace #foodlove See more

Prefect Stay Home Meal : Homemade Chicken Soup ! Tonight I would have been instructing a cooking workshop on how to build your own homemade soups. One of my favourite soups is chicken noodle but tonight I added a fusion twist by adding some fresh ginger and a splash of soy sauce. Here are my basic steps to perfectly delicious soups: Base: sauté diced onions, carrot and celery (Mirepoix) Flavour: dried or fresh herbs, spices, curry paste. In this soup: garlic, ginger a...nd fresh parsley were added Veggie: squash, beets, potatoes. In this soup: parsnips Additions: beans, whole grains, lentils, leftover meat, seafood. In this soup: chopped cooked chicken and chickpeas stock: add stock to generously cover vegetables to the pot, bring to a boil and let simmer. In this soup: added some previously made chicken stock Technique: depending on the type of soup. Squash - you may want to purée. Lentil - purée half and keep some pieces whole. Season: with freshly ground pepper and salt. Toppings: my favourite part that makes the soup pop with flavour and look pretty. This could be chopped nuts or toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh herbs, drizzle of honey or speciality oils, balsamic or croutons. In this soup: freshly chopped parsley, squeeze of lime and a dash of soy sauce. . . . #homemadesoup #chickensoup #familymeals #mealbasics #simplesoup #foodtechniques #feedingfamilies #healthymeals #feedingkids #foodphotography #dietitiansofinstagram #dietitian #dietitianeats #familyfave See more

This is a lovely video introducing the magic of the Rainbow Plate . Janet has a wonderful way of engaging kids to explore food using all our senses! She is doing a series of videos. We are excited to watch them!

Shiitake Mushrooms were explored today in prep for one of my fave beef and mushroom stew recipes! Thanks @benningtonhillsfarm for the delicious beef! Also side note fresh marjoram has to be my new fave herb! Citrus and pine notes...reminds me of stepping off the plane when arriving in Greece. Do smells transport you to a place? #foodmemories . . Talking to our kids about the foods we eat helps them develop a relationship and memory with these foods. PLUS it can lead to ...less protest when it appears on their plate for dinner. Ask your kids what they see, hear, smell, feel and taste when exploring food together. Here are some my of my daughters comments about Shiitake mushroom: . . Looks like an umbrella feels like elephant skin (top) and snake (underneath). She hasn’t touched an elephant before but to be fair the top does appear to have an elephant skin look about it smells like the ground tastes like a nut and sweet (I was impressed with this as I thought she was going to comment on the texture). . . Although she tasted the cooked Shiitake mushroom she did tell me she didn’t really enjoy it. My response maybe you will like it more next time. I often tell her that although it looks like I like and enjoy all food I never used to but it takes time and practice. This takes the pressure off to like and makes for a more pleasurable mealtime experience. . . #ontariomushrooms #shiitakemushrooms #shiitake #beefmushroomstew #feedingkids #sensoryfoodplay #foodexplorer #senses #foodie #grassfedbeef #familymeals #heartystews #familytableproject #foodlanguage #foodculture #foodsense #happymealtimes #foodphotography See more