Easy Dairy Free Pumpkin cupcakes

Looking for a yummy dairy free dessert for the holidays? Some Duncan Hines brands are completely milk free--be sure to check labels! Another favorite is the spice cake mix. You can add some canned pumpkin to the mix for added nutrients and flavor, yum!

Don't ask me why this "Buttercream" frosting happens to be milk free but it is and its good! We also mixed the pumpkin and frosting together for a 'pumpkin mousse' topping for some of the cupcakes...or hey, just eat a little of it by itself! Some of the little ones who have not yet developed the ability to chew may love it!

Visual Learning!

I am trying to capture realistic opportunities for the parents who cannot be a part of weekly feeding sessions to implement at home…both on video and in writing. I am hoping that others will find this beneficial as well. I am considering posting more video of some food prep with my daughter helping or just simple ‘how to’ videos of food that was targeted during a session. The video serves a dual purpose—watching the video with your child can plant the seed so to speak. He may feel a little more anxious when not knowing what to expect and often being in the same vicinity as the undesired food triggers anxiety. Video on the other hand is a safe way to explore what would otherwise induce anxiety. Watch a video, talk about it and give it a try! I also feel it is important to do what you can to mentally prepare your child for any new food or change. I talk more about this in an example given in the post entitled The Bigger Picture.

Back to the topic of video learning—I recommend that parents of these very selective little ones watch some of Roni’s videos with her son on her website GreenLiteBites. She has so many great video clips of how food exploration should be! I came across this particular post Crazy Fruit Day the other day and wrote to her immediately asking if she would mind if I linked this video to my site. New fruits, new experiences, no pressure---this is hard to teach! Positive outlooks are so contagious! So I encourage you to watch this video and first and foremost take note of the comfort level between both parent and child in relation to the food. With a child who has a hard time getting past even touching or smelling the food you take several steps back…maybe talk about the color and the shape and use your own judgement with setting your expectations beyond what you feel is his level of comfort. This will pay off in the long run! It can be easy to confuse “What you Know you need to target” and “How to target”…for example you may know that your child is having a very negative response to your requests to touch a food. This is because it is being asked of him and his anxiety is still pretty high. Incorporating these sensory steps is also a process as is eating. Instead of saying “Can you touch the food?” you could try asking your child to hand you pieces of food or help clean up as well as incorporate other nonfood sensory play: play dough, rice or bean box, shaving cream, textured balls and other toys, etc. There are many articles on these topics and websites dedicated to sensory integration that may be very helpful in your child’s acceptance of food and the many steps involved in eating.

Pediatric Basics--The Journal of Pediatric Nutrition and Development

This is a wonderful resource for anyone, especially pediatricians who would like to learn more about pediatric dysphagia. I encourage you to read this as it includes a great summary of oral and sensory motor feeding development as well as a few one page articles related to Understanding Why children Won't Eat and How to Help, Treating and Preventing Food Jags and Putting Research Into Practice .

http://www.arslpedconsultant.com/documents/Relevant%20Reading/Ped%20Basics%20Feeding%20Gerber.pdf

Thank You

I wanted to post a special thank you to Alisa Fleming of godairyfree.org who featured an article of mine entitled Food Allergies and Intolerances and their Impact on Feeding. Her post can be found at http://www.godairyfree.org/200909303749/News/Nutrition-Headlines/Food-Allergies-or-Intolerances-and-Their-Impact-on-Feeding.html

Alisa's website features many vegan, gluten free and casein free recipes that many of you may find helpful in your dietary challenges! Take a look at the Top Ten Cutest and Tastiest Dairy Free and Vegan Halloween Treats for 2009!

Favorite 'crunchies'

These are a few favorite 'crunchy yet dissolvable' picks for working on lateral munching skills, transitioning to fruits and veggies (pairing the veggie crunchy foods with soft or pureed fruits or veggies of similar color) and 'waking up the mouth'. Very tasty too!

Little Chef of the Week!

If you have a little girl then you are probably familiar with Pinkalicious, the tale of a little girl who can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite the warnings from her parents. This is one of my daughter's favorite books...that and of course Purpilicious!

Pictured below is sweet 4 year old Caroline from Arkansas making her very own Pinkalicious cupcakes! The results look...well, pinkalicious for lack of a yummier description! A special thanks to Caroline's mother who took these great pictures and shared them with me! If you have a picture you would like to share feel free to email it to me and I will be sure to post it!

Turkey Nuggets

Simple and daughter approved!

1 package lean ground turkey (1-1.5 pounds I believe)
1/4 cup egg beaters or 1 egg
1/4 cup Sesame Ginger Dressing (use any type of vinaigrette or favorite dressing)
1/4 cup bread crumbs


Spray muffin tins with baking spray. I used a mini muffin tin and a regular tin, filled both up with none to spare! Pack each tin approximately 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.