Food To Keep Those Germs Away

Winter is on it's way and as all parents know this means 'sniffle season' is just around the corner!

Toddlers can be very fussy eaters, so these foods might have to be sneaked into meals in a creative way. But just think, if it keeps them healthy that little bit longer, then it'll be worth it in the end!

Vegetables can be blended for sauces, fruits can be smoothed for smoothies and fish, eggs or meat can be shredded and hidden in pastas, omelettes or rice dishes...We are very sneaky!

Or alternatively make a funny face with the food, get them to help in the preparation, Mums.. I have faith, you will find a way! :)

I've highlighted a few important food groups for this winter, include these in most of your meals and you'll be doing mighty well..


Vitamin C

Good old Vitamin C! It's an antioxidant, so helps fight the bugs, it's other cool powers are to boost our immune system.. Putting it into layman terms, prepping the army ready for the fight.


Eat :-

Oranges, Peppers, Broccoli, Berries, Kiwi, Strawberries, Lemon,
Green Leafy veg, Mushrooms are some of the major contenders but most vegetables and fruits contain good amounts of Vitamins C.







Tryptophan

That's a long word! Believe you me it has it's uses... It's role?.. well it helps us stay happy, and also helps with our circadian rhythm (sleep pattern). And we all know if our little ones are happy and getting enough sleep our lives are always so much better.

Eat :-

Oily Fish, Salmon, Bananas, Turkey - Yey not just for christmas!






Vitamin D

Not a secret..this is non existing in the British winter, it keeps your child's bones and teeth strong and healthy and is another great vitamin for the immune system.

Eat:-

Eggs, Oily Fish, and not a personal fan but look out for foods fortified in Vitamin D


Zinc

Great for boosting the immune system

Eat:-

Eggs, Beef, Lamb, Lentils, Cashews



Other foods

Garlic - This is a superfood, antiviral, antibacterial, anticoagulant, anti vampire (well it might keep away the monsters ;))

Ginger - Can be great for coughs and sore throats.. Also another one for building a strong immune system. Fresh is obv the best.. But why not try out homemade ginger biscuits..or pop some in a noodle dish..

Honey - Not only soothing on a spoon to help with sore throats and coughs, It's also antibacterial.




If you need any recipe ideas, I stumbled across this fab website www.superhealthykids.com, where if you are all out of ideas of what to cook, just a quick flick through and you'll definitely be inspired and raring to go!

Stay At Home v Nursery: The Age Old Debate

After losing my job and starting my own business at home. I've had to rethink my childcare plans. Since my little girl was 11 months old she's always been to nursery.  Only 3 days a week, but still consistently 8-6pm 3 days a week. But as any small business start up will tell you, initially money is infrequent and you have to cut back where you can.

So what cut back was in questions??.. the second biggest expense of our household of course.. The Nursery!

This did send me into panic mode..how was I meant to do any work with a toddler at home?? and how will I cope with a toddler at home full time??!! I know other people do it, but I was rather enjoying my life of having a few days to myself.. I know working doesn't really count, but I could browse around the shops, have a cup of tea, or even catch up with friends for lunch and actually have a 'whole conversation'. But I had to be realistic, we were now short of money, and common sense had to prevail.

After MANY discussions, my husband agreed we didn't want to pull our little girl out of nursery totally, as she LOVES it there. But the 3 days was now out of the question.. For now we've settled on just 2 days (still bloody expensive) but for now at least it works..

My previous statement of 'days to myself' is a little redundant, as my 2 days are now packed with trying to drum up business.. no swanky lunches or trips to the shops.. my bum is firmly rooted to the chair from drop off to pick up! However, even just 2 days a week was a blessing, to all concerned!

This did make me think. After having a child, I think the biggest decisions and conversations in most households are concerning childcare.

Can you afford not to work?
Can you afford to work when you have to pay for childcare?
Who will do the pick ups/drop offs?
Do you want somebody else bringing up your child?
Is it better for your child to socialise?

I have many friends who have all sorts of opinions on this.  My sister was adamant nobody else was going to look after her children and she often says to me 'You're one of those career women that 'need' to work'.  But I really don't think it's that easy.

Regardless of the financial issues.. I cannot paint, make play dough, dress up, sing, dance, messy play, play games and read books the 'whole day' long like she does at nursery. At home she has to watch me cook, clean and do household chores.. How boring is that!! why would that be better than nursery??

However, since her timetable change to 2 days, I have had to be a lot more organised on those other days. On the extra day I've turned into a truly pushy parent and organised French lessons..which she certainly does not get at nursery! So have I enriched her life by minimising the days at nursery..possibly??

It does highlight how complex this childcare business is..and how we should not judge.

I'm working, but on my 'mum days' I'm trying to be as proactive as possible. But what of all those parents who decide to stay at home, but at the same time don't get out much.. Is that better for the child?

I have friends that send their child into nursery full time, but at night purposely co-sleep as it's their chance to spend as much 'non working' time together. Is that also right?

I've often thought I'd like to work a little bit more to bring more money into the household, but finding a job where I could to leave at 4:45 for a nursery run, is also slightly challenging.

So for now I'll conclude with the next time you feel guilty or unsure about your childcare decisions. You have to just say to yourself. I have to do what feels right, what is possible and what we can manage as a family. There is no right or wrong way.. There is only finding 'your way'.

Pregnancy Is A Strange Business

Being pregnant for the second time is very different.

Let me explain..Although I left it quite late at the ripe old age of 36, to have my first I was still mainly surrounded by childless singles. I suppose thats what happens in the London media industry, young or living a life of Peter Pan denying age would ever catch up.

So when I found out I was pregnant I was the first amongst my peers, and my journey was very much filled with naive excitement. Although I looked at all the possible scenarios, googled the worst that could happen, I didn't really think about it too much.

Fast forward nearly 3 years, that bit older, that much wiser and surrounded with many mums I seem to be exposed to different lifestyles and different life stories.

For example my best friend after many years of trying is nearly due with her second IVF baby, her first is 3 years old. There is absolutely nothing wrong with either parent, mysteriously they just cannot conceive naturally. Then there's a mum friend who so sadly is on her 7th miscarriage in the past year, once again for unknown reasons. And the saddest of all, and this rips my heart out, my neighbour, who tried for many years for a baby, finally with elation she conceived but cruelly and tragically was still denied a baby as she had a miscarried at 38 weeks due to a placenta problem.

These stories sent shockwaves through our household. Scenarios we never even thought of before were unfolding in front of our eyes. It just seemed that making a baby was more complicated than ever.

So at 15 weeks pregnant we are currently waiting for my blood results after our 12 week scan. We then have the nerve-wracking 20 week scan where they check for all sorts of abnormalities. I might add for my first, the 20 week scan was purely to find out the gender, I didn't even think about all the other checks which had to take place (personally I think this was a better way to be!) so for the first time ever I'm actually quite nervous.  Of course I have to think on the positive side and I have to remind myself I am already blessed with one very happy healthy toddler. However, by being close to these people, these stories have become real, they are no longer 'a friend of a friend'  they are a stark reminder of how delicate and precious life is and how making a baby is not to be taken for granted.

I might have experienced the worst morning sickness ever, and the sleepless nights have already kicked in.  But when my body is performing such an amazing task, should I expect anything less? Making a baby is a privilege, it's not a right and it certainly is no easy task. Of course I'm trying not to worry, however there is a long journey ahead, so now I feel humble and I plan to take it one day at a time.