IMPORTANT:  If you purchased our REAL Sweets eCookbook last week there was an error in the Pot Luck Pudding Pie recipe.  We apologize and you can access the corrected recipe HERE.  Thank you!

I overheard a 3rd grade boy say, "Hey, did you try the Swiss Chard?  You should, it's really good."

Then, I watched the other third grade boy look at him, hesitantly pick some off his plate, put it into his mouth, chew it and....swallow it.  He followed with "It is pretty good." Music to my ears.

This was not a scene from a fantasy fiction movie I rented over the weekend.  It was from two real kids in a real classroom at a real Valentine's Day Party.  A 'Naturally Red' Valentine's Day Party that is.

Read more: Can't Believe a 3rd Grader Said This!

You made it through the holidays and all of the delicious party foods.  Now you have a fresh start. While you think about what you serve your child on a daily basis, remember you have a fresh start as a New Year begins. A REAL opportunity to add more REAL food into your child's diet every day.  Just do it!  

Read more: Supercharge Your Child's Diet

Parties can be both fun and healthy! As adults who care about children, we are responsible for offering them healthy choices when it comes to party foods. Share this Healthy Parties handout with principals, teachers, day care owners and other parents to let them know nutrition is important to you.  It's a great way to start a conversation about the importance of healthy food at your school or day care.

Read more: Healthy Parties

I love this time of the year...it's all about hanging out with family & friends... and eating yummy food.  What could be better?...yes of course, don't forget the red wine!  I'm all for ping in and enjoying Mimi's homemade apple pie, topped with whipped cream.  It's special; it's a treat.  It's something to look forward to.  As she was dishing it up this year at Thanksgiving, Kaitlin (beaming) was helping her by taking orders; she couldn't contain her excitement about serving up this delicious pie. 

Read more: Holidays: Enjoy the Party Food

Santa's checking his list. Twice. And, your little one (or not so little one) is probably wondering if the word 'Naughty' or 'Nice' will be next to his or her name. While children have to learn to be responsible for their behavior, sometimes the adults who care most about them (and have to respond to their behavior) set them up for failure without realizing it. 

Read more: Keeping Your Child on Santa's 'Nice' List

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's all about gratitude. It's not over-loaded with commercialism, and REAL Food takes center stage - a time to truly appreciate nourishing foods. At Thanksgiving, it's not uncommon to hear people saying "It's a good thing we don't eat like this everyday." or "I shouldn't eat this, but..." I always smile to myself and think that if more of us fed our families the way we do on Thanksgiving we would be a lot healthier! On this day, probably above all others, we get in the kitchen and cook REAL Food - turkey, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.

Read more: Traditional Thanksgiving Foods are Healthy?