We developed the Sunny Side Up Feeding Framework to give parents some simple guidance for raising confident eaters in our diet culture-centric society. This framework will help you cut through the child-feeding advice that leaves parents feeling stressed, confused, and like they are doing things wrong and support you in raising intuitive eaters. Our Feeding Framework Our feeding framework supports confident eating for you and your family. There is not one way to feed a child. Each family, parent, and child is different. This framework is designed to offer you support and guidance, but without ..read more

This is an anti-diet Easter post. Despite what you read and see on social media, you don't have to stop giving kids candy in their Easter baskets. If you celebrate Easter, what are your favorite memories of the holiday? What were your favorite things to find in your Easter basket or in plastic eggs at Easter egg hunts? Were you allowed to enjoy your candy? Or was there a lot of diet talk around it?   How did you navigate Easter candy last year? If Easter candy feels stressful, take a moment to reflect on your own experience with Easter candy and food on other holidays. And know that navi ..read more

If you like regular oatmeal cookies, then you’ll love these craisin oatmeal cookies! They’re all the chewy deliciousness of traditional oatmeal or oatmeal raisin cookies but with a great tartness that enhances these already delicious cookies. They’re easy enough to make with kids, and they freeze wonderfully! Make a double batch so you have them on hand anytime you're in the mood for oatmeal cookies. I've made this oatmeal craisins cookie recipe for close to 30 years. First when I worked as a professional baker and again as my kids have grown up. My older daughter has always loved these cooki ..read more

You won’t believe how easy it is to make your own mild taco seasoning at home. With just 5 minutes of time and 6 common ingredients you can make your very own taco seasoning blend. It’s so easy and so versatile, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made your own taco spice blend before! I love making my own taco seasoning at home because it's versatile, and I can measure out exactly what I need, which means no more folded half pouches of taco seasoning hiding in the back of the spice cabinet. This mild homemade taco seasoning is also easily customizable if you or someone in your family likes things ..read more

Ah, the holidays. There are things you love about the season and things you dread. Memories of last year’s Thanksgiving when your aunt commented on the food on your child’s plate come racing back. You remember feeling your heart start to race and your protective mom instincts kick in. You’re not sure if you want to yell at her, “WHY would you say that?!”; lean over to your child and say, “You know what foods you like and don’t like.”, or ignore the comment altogether. You felt angry and caught off guard. We’re both dietitians with over 20 years of experience each helping parents navigate simil ..read more

Parent Resource: Navigating Pediatric Care We teamed up with Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders to create this parent resource. The resource is designed for parents and caregivers who are concerned about pediatric care in light of the new AAP Guidelines for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with “Obesity” (AAP Guidelines). It is meant to be supportive by providing language, resources, and ideas on how best to pursue weight-inclusive medical care for children and adolescents. You may not feel comfortable with some or all of these suggestions, depending on your ..read more

Snacks can be an important part of a child (or an adult) meeting their nutritional needs. Many kids come home from school hungry or low on energy. School lunch may be at 10:30 AM and by 3:00 PM their growing bodies need to fuel up and fast after a long day. What does "snack" mean to you?  Diet culture has co-opted the word snack for many people. For some, they may have a memory or experience of a diet rule that said “don’t eat between meals.”  For others, the word “snack” may mean only “snack foods” like chips and crackers.  We like to think of a snack as a mini-meal. Howev ..read more

We are members of the Amazon Affiliate program, therefore we may receive payment from Amazon when our readers purchase items from links in this post. Thank you for supporting the work we do to promote positive relationships with food and bodies. We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. The holidays are officially ON. The fun has begun! And so has shopping for gifts. Gift guides to the rescue! I love to give and get kitchen gifts, so I've put together a list of our favorites for you. Are you looking for great kitchen gifts for both new and seasoned cooks? I love to give and receive kitch ..read more

Kathleen Terracina, MA, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist at Current Wellness in Raleigh, NC shared her favorite holiday recipe with us. This salmon chowder is so simple to make! Print Salmon Chowder Print Recipe When I think of the holidays, I think of my Grandmother's Salmon Chowder. Author: Kathleen Terracina of Current Wellness in Raleigh, NC Prep Time: 30 Cook Time: 30 Total Time: 1 hour Yield: 18-20 servings Category: Soup Ingredients 1 ½ C. each of celery, onion, and green pepper, chopped    3 cloves garlic, chopped 8 Tbsp. b ..read more

Wendy Sterling, Registered Dietitian, Author of How to Nourish Your Child Through An Eating Disorder; No Weigh! A Teen’s Guide to Body Image, Food, and Emotional Wisdom; and Raising Body Positive Teens, shares her favorite holiday recipe with us. A delicious side dish for your next holiday meal. Simple steps for making the stuffing Toast rosemary sourdough bread cubesSauté celery, onion, and mushroomsCombine sautéd veggies, toasted bread cubes, and vegetable stockPrint Rosemary Sourdough Mushroom Stuffing Print Recipe A favorite holiday recipe. Author: Wendy Sterling Prep Time: 30 Cook Ti ..read more