Today it is important to remember we need people around us that are trustworthy, remind us how to laugh at the craziness of today, and help us to have hope for tomorrow. Enough with the sappiness and on to the song.  I just know some of you have never heard it and those of you that have probably haven’t heard it in a while.  And so especially for you I picked a version with the words that change color with the song so you to can sing loudly and dance (or pretend you did for my sake).

In case you needed something substantial for this blog: Each county around the U.S. has free, anonymous depression screenings available through Oct 8th this year.  Just google:  ”your county” depression screening 2011.

Did you know the toddler FAT FETISH is actually a developmental journey?  It happens for most children starting when they are about 18 months old and continuing until they are 2.5 to 3 years old.  Butter seems to be the fat of choice for many, but sometimes it is almond butter, hummus, olive oil, salad dressing, avocados, cheese or coconut.  Every toddler finds their favorite fat and clings to it closely.

Fat at this age is vitally important.  Brain growth and learning are happening faster now than at any other age and our brains are mostly fat.  It only makes sense toddlers want fats so frequently.  As a nutritionist and parent the quality of fat becomes critical, especially when I know it is creating the foundation of Jedidiah’s brain and cellular health for the rest of his life.  So when it comes to butter, make sure to it’s organic and preferably choose grassfed.  If you can’t find grassfed/pasture butter in your local health food store check out www.eatwild.com for a local source.

The moral is feed your toddler healthy high quality fats frequently.  And don’t be scared if they eat an entire stick of butter.  Just laugh and chant to yourself “butter is brain food for toddlers.”

They are so great I purchased 6 lbs last week knowing my family would eat them quickly. I hadn’t realized how quickly until last Thursday morning. About 5:20 a.m. I was woken to a thud followed by a patter patter patter. Stop, no sound for a minute. Then a crinkle, patter, patter, patter directly into my bedroom on my side of the bed. I then felt a little boy, my little boy, climbing into bed and settling in very still with his head at my feet and feet at my head to go back to sleep. Nothing was all that unusual so I closed my eyes to go back to sleep.

Then I heard… slurp smack smack smack, slurp smack smack smack, slurp smack smack smack.  I reached down and felt a peach in my son’s little hands.  Trying not to laugh because 5:20a.m. is way to early to be getting up in our household, I gently removed the peach from his hands and we fell back asleep.

I will forever laugh about my little 2 year old waking at 5:20 a.m. to a peach craving, remembering where mama had put them and not wanting to eat it alone he brought the peach to bed.  It was a long journey from his 1st taste of peach one year ago, which he quickly turned down for the venison stew waiting on his plate.

Do you have a funny food story of your own you would like to share?

Turkey Soup

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped finely
• 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
• 5 Carrots
• 12 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 Tbsp dried Thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 rutabaga, cubed
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 lbs cooked turkey, cubed
• 3/4 cup chopped parsley

1. In a large stock pot saute onions in olive oil until soft.
2. Add celery, carrots, chicken broth and salt and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmering.
3. Add rutabaga, turkey, parsley and black pepper.  Cook until rutabaga is soft and serve.