Muffin Tin Toddler Meals

A picky toddler can be a frustrating experience! Especially since his/her tastes change on what seems to be a daily basis. I have a few 'fall-back' foods to serve to my son, Jude, when he is being picky, but these days even those are not working. I found this cute muffin tin meal/snack idea from muffin tin mom and decided to try it out.

I filled the cups with the most colorful foods I could find- green beans, bananas, red peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, olives, cheese, nitrate-free ham, blueberries, and avocado.

Jude was a bit unsure at first, but then he grabbed for some fruit (of course). He finished his blueberries and I had him try one bite from two of the other cups before I gave him more. It was a great opportunity to talk about what each food was called and to name the color of each one!

Jude really seemed to like the variety and small portions in his muffin cups. And because none of it ended up on the floor- it was a success in my book :)

Change Your Definition of Fast Food

10 Ways Water Helps You to Lose Weight

 1. Water suppresses your appetite. People who drink more water feel hungry less often, as water makes a good appetite suppressant.
2. Water helps to reduce cholesterol. Water has a drastic impact on cholesterol and should help you reduce the levels in your body; it also can lead to weight loss.
3. Water helps to tone muscles. If your muscles are dehydrated, you won't see a lot of toning. Up your intake of water and you'll see a difference, fast!
4. Water is necessary for proper digestion. Your digestive system requires a certain amount of water a day to function, and if you fall short of this, it can make you feel bloated and tired.
5. Water helps liver function. The liver metabolizes fat, which is very important when you are trying to lose weight. However, it requires a lot of water to do this successfully, and if your liver doesn't have enough, it will store the fat.
6. Water helps soothe digestive problems. If you are suffering from digestive troubles, try drinking a few glasses of water. This should help jump-start your system again, as a lack of water can cause the entire process to stop.
7. The right amount of water causes the body to stop retaining water. If you usually don't drink enough, your body will have retained water to make up for it. This water retention can add pounds to your weight, making you feel very bloated.
8. Water stops you confusing hunger and thirst. It can be very easy to think you are hungry when in fact you are just thirsty.
9. Water moisturizes the skin and makes it more radiant and supple. Supermodels are known to drink about 68 ounces of water per day to make sure their skin is hydrated and looks its best.
10. Water washes the toxins out of the body. Water washes out the toxins, making your body cleaner and healthier.

**Tip: Put 8 rubber bands around your 8 oz water bottle and take one off each time you empty the bottle. This is an easy way to keep track of your intake!**