Klean Your Plate with Kirsten! Talking with the Confident-Cook!

I had the pleasure of hanging out with Amanda Darby, the owner of Confident Cooking today, it was a great time! Amanda is a certified nutritionist and has a lot of experience getting picky kids to eat healthy food (she worked for the WIC program). Here is a bio on Amanda…

Amanda Darby founded Confident Cooking as a way to inspire good health in men and women through easy to prepare, eye catching and nutritious food. When you become jovial and engaged with your food, Amanda has yet another success story. From planning to execution, learn how cooking and eating is rousing, straightforward and an energizing boost to your body.

I. Love. It. You can have Amanda come to your kitchen (in the Seattle area) and she will work with you one on one to help you become confident in the kitchen as well!

Today, with the topic being picky eaters, Amanda made two great recipes that I know my kids would love: Apple sandwiches and homemade Ranch dip. My son even made the apple sandwiches for lunch today! He made Mommy lunch too…it was delicious! The ranch is something I put on menu plans for clients but hardly make myself! I have a love for Ranch dressing but don’t want all of the additives…this one is going to be whipped up weekly in my house now, thanks for inspiring me Amanda!

Here are some pictures of my son making Amanda’s Apple Sandwiches…a great recipe for kids to make! He caught a picture of Mommy doing her part…coring and slicing the apple – the rest of the show was his!

Amanda also shared some tips for parents – watch the video for all of her tips but here is a breakdown:

• Repetition – Pick one vegetable a week and present it every day. Each day your child will become more familiar with the vegetable and eventually will try it – and hopefully like it. Don’t give up!
• Healthy Fat – Children need fat for brain growth – do not give your kids fat free/low fat alternatives to healthier full fat foods. As well, Amanda pointed out that children have more sensitive taste receptors and the additional fat helps coat their tongue and makes the bitterness of some vegetables less noticeable.
• Tough Love – DO NOT GIVE IN. Do not fall for the trap of “I can’t get my child to eat broccoli and chicken so I just give them macaroni and cheese”. Amanda has some great information about this on the video, I hope you check it out!

Here is some more information on Amanda Darby and where you can connect with her:

Amanda, The Confident Cook, earned her MS in Nutrition from Bastyr University and is a Certified Nutritionist. She has over 10 years of culinary experience that includes working at Seattle’s favorite Italian restaurant Serafina, to spending a summer on Martha’s Vineyard.

Amanda Darby 

Cheers, may your day be delicious! 

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