Coconut Apricot Sticky Rice

It’s the Year of the Ox. A year marked by prosperity through fortitude and hard work. And I say it’s about time! In this economy, we could all use a little more prosperity for our hard work. So in honor of Monday’s Chinese New Year, my one-quarter Chinese 2-year-old, one-half Chinese husband, and I are doing all things Chinese all week. Including eating every dish (from stir fry to spinach pancakes to raisins) with chopsticks.

Now before you say “I can’t” or “I won’t” or even “Why use chopsticks when I can use a fork”—I’m going to tell you my latest parenting secret. A secret that makes feeding a toddler who’d rather be running around with dragons and monsters a million times easier.

Flaxseed for Omega 3s

I’ve been noticing a ton of new kids’ food products that proudly proclaim supplementation with things that are “hot” right now—like omega 3 and ALA. I’m not saying there’s always something wrong with that. Supplementation definitely has its place.

But Stacie and I do believe that, for the average healthy kid, the ideal vehicle for any nutrient is a natural whole organic food. Fact is, the idea of scientifically perfected foods freaks me out a little. Didn’t Mother Nature already make it perfect? No surprise, then, that since Atticus was born I’ve been a little (okay, more than a little!) obsessed with flaxseed.