Welcome to Learn To Love Food!!
As a speech-language pathologist who specializes in pediatric feeding therapy, I’ve shared many frustrations, milestones and successes with children and families dealing with feeding disorders and picky eating.
We can’t make kids eat. We can’t make them eat something they don’t like the taste of, are scared of, don’t like the texture of, or something they think will make their tummies hurt. We all have control over what we will put in our mouths, chew and swallow. We don’t want to take that control over their bodies away from kids. We can’t make them eat.
BUT…
We can teach them about food. We can teach them about how food smells, how it feels, how it tastes, how we can manipulate food with our hands, how we can taste it with our fingers, lips and tongue, how our teeth can crunch it, how we can send it to our tummies and make hunger go away. With love, compassion, fun and playfulness, we can teach kids the skills and comfort level they need to eat a wider and wider variety of foods. We can teach them to LOVE FOOD!!
In this blog I’m sharing activities from years of feeding therapy sessions. I hope you find them fun and helpful!
From my kitchen to yours, enjoy and happy food-play!!
Thank-you for stopping by staceyldehn.wordpress.com, Our Journey in Autism. It is exciting to see new people liking my blog! You followed me and I will now follow you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
This is great. *I* plan to apply your philosophy, as much as possible, to my soon-to-retire, picky eater husband!! 😀
Cheers,
Kathryn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Good luck 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I can’t believe the serendipity of this as I have a child who is an extremely fussy eater. I will be following your blog with interest 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I hope you find it helpful!
LikeLike
I’ve included your blog in my list of favorites 🙂 Here is my original post: http://heidibritz.com/2015/04/23/a-nice-surprise-and-a-lovely-blog-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! And thank you for sharing your favorite speech sites, too–I can’t wait to check them out! 😊
LikeLike
Hi, there. Thanks for liking my blog post today.
Yours is a helpful site for many worried moms and dads, I am sure. When my daughters were little there wasn’t much they wouldn’t eat, but if so, there was always good old grilled cheese sandwiches on which we could rely, especially if we were eating out. We still chuckle over that. “Steak? Prawns? Chicken Alfredo?” “No, thanks. I’ll just have grilled cheese.”
When I was growing up in a big family (ten siblings), there was little fussing over the fare–just hoping there would be enough for seconds!
Cheers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My parents would have loved you 27 years ago:) I find very interesting what you are doing and would like to nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award, if you are okay with it!:) I’ll post about it within 2 days!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, that’s really nice of you! It’ll probably take me a bit to get a post together to accept, but I’m really honored. Thanks!
LikeLike
Thanks for liking my blog. The first solid food my son had was mashed turnip, grown on our allotment. That was 30 years ago. He has always loved trying new foods and loves cooking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by at https://anujajain.wordpress.com . I really liked your blog Looking forward to learn some food presentation skills from you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I have nominated you for a award! https://anujajain.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I don’t feel I have the time right now to add another post into my schedule, but thank you so much for the honor and thank you for reading!
LikeLike
Thanks for checking out my new blog, http://www.stillchasingfireflies.com! I enjoyed browsing through your site! Great ideas! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
How interesting and a totally different side of the coin to the life I amliving right now where the kids often have zero food to eat. My brother was such a problem to my mother with his pickiness that when I gre up and became pregnant the first thing I said to my husband was “Our son will eat anything and everything!” 35 years on and he still does but he is married to a beautiful Norweigan girl who has a weight issue as in lack of weight and claims to simply “not like food.” I will look around here with interest on so many levels. Thanks for finding my humble blog offerig! xxx
LikeLike
I love this concept. I have a similar philosophy. My blog focuses a little more on education in the kitchen but we do offer advice for fussy eaters. Where are you based? I love finding like minded people and even better if they are bloggers 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Thanks! I’m based in Austin, Texas. I love how you incorporate all aspects of learning into the kitchen. You have great activities on your site, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
look forward to following you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your blog really hits home. Since I have collagenous colitis and other autoimmune disorders, and a marvelous nutritionist recommended a gluten-free diet (even though I do not have celiac disease), and I am the grandmother of a two-year-old with numerous ear infections (which tubes to be put in next week will hopefully eliminate), the importance of diet and teaching children to appreciate food cannot be stressed enough. Thank you for liking my humble blog post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award. Best wishes -T.
LikeLike
Nominated you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. Instructions to accept the award are on my page. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so sweet, thank you 🙂 I’m having trouble finding the directions on your blog though…probably because it’s taken me a bit to get back to you!! So sorry, but thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
http://threehandsoneheart.com/2015/07/10/dragons-loyalty-award/ – if you want to participate. I am taking a little hiatus from awards. Ben enjoys them, but I’m trying to stay focused. lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool, thanks! I was doing the same thing, then feel a pull when nominated by a blogger I really like and admire (like yourself :). Thank you so much for the nomination and example of using your time for what you need to do! I’m going to try to stay focused as well! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to love food, but things got a little too intense so we’re taking a break. It’s complicated.
Actually, I think this blog is really cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! It is complicated! Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sweet blog. Your food creations and suggestions are beautiful. Thank you for stopping by my blog : ) and sharing one of my “birth stories”… : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
Love the pics!
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
I absolutely love the creative food art! ❤ 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! 🙂
LikeLike
This is such a great blog! Your creativity with food is AMAZING! My son has slowly become more adventurous but he’s still really skeptical of new foods. I’d never thought of letting him play with it first – genius!!! Can’t wait to garner some great ideas from you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! That’s wonderful! I hope you find the blog helpful–there are lots of activities and articles in the ‘Activities’ pull-down menu on the right 🙂
LikeLike
thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by my blog! I have a son with Autism and I have the “Don’t like it” struggle all the time even though he hasn’t tried it. I’m glad there are people out there like you trying to help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I hope you find the blog helpful! I find that if kids aren’t being asked to try it, and it’s ok if they don’t like it, and they play with it, they’re much more likely to try it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for liking my blog post. It helped me find yours. My little one has started on solids recently and I think I have found the right blog at the right time ! Thanks a ton for coming up with such great ideas 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’m so glad you found me! I hope you have fun with the activities! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, thanks for liking my Post ‘Chicken Curry-My style’. I think your blog is great! I am sure it helps a lot of people out there! Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Cheers 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your blog! It reminds me so much of games my parents used to play with us when we were kids involving broccoli trees and wimpy asparagus men. I do eat both of those today 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s awesome; I love it! Thank you and thanks so much for sharing!
LikeLike
Such a cool idea! Great work! And so creative!
LikeLike
Thank you!! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m so glad you stopped by roosruse.wordpress.com Your blog inspired me with new, fun ideas to help my family through the roughs. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
My daughter would love it if I arranged her food in your creative ways. Love your posts. Thanks for the like on my blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! You’re so welcome 🙂
LikeLike
Hi, Kim. I’ve invited you to join a 3 day quote challenge. I have learned much from you about an area that I did not realize was a serious issue for some. I have challenged you because I know you have so many important things to pass on and thought you might enjoy this. There is no obligation at all. If you don’t want to participate, please accept the honor of being invited😊. I have posted my first of three quotes and the “rules” on my blog tonight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi–Thank you so much for thinking of me! I do love the compact wisdom behind many quotes, but don’t have the time right now to participate in a structured challenge. Thank you so much for the honor of being invited! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi, Kim!:) I’m glad that I came across your blog. I went to college for speech pathology/working with the deaf at USF and thoroughly enjoyed it! My life went on a different path and my husband and I adopted twin boys from Ukraine, in 2000. They have both had eating issues and have received help from several therapists. I will enjoy trying some of these things you have on your blog, because they still deal with issues, like not chewing enough, eating too fast, etc. Nice to meet you! Thanks for your help!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Shellie! I’m so glad you found me too! I’m sure you’ve used your knowledge base and skills round the clock with your two boys!! And you’ve given me an idea to do a Thursday post on pacing, because a lot of kids also have issues with eating too fast!! Thanks for reaching out! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds good, I will keep an eye out for it! Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Kim! Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking something. I have only been writing about food for a bit over five years. It is amazing to run across someone like you who handles other eating issues besides just eating too much and not exercising. I am enjoying my visit to your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! I saw that you liked my post and as soon as I opened your ‘about’ page I was a follower. Your blog looks amazing. My toddler loves pretty much everything but I know so many mums trying hard to get their kidlets to eat something other than chips so I’m happy to share your site with them. So glad I found you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! Thank you for checking out my site, following and sharing! It makes me so happy to share these games and ideas–I hope you all find them fun and helpful! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Charles Clanton Rogers introduced us to this wonderful blog!
beautiful blog so it’s nice meeting you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I’m glad you found me; It’s nice to meet you, too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to reading yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I got a good mental laugh at your alliterative home-page banner pictures. I’m fortunate to have children who are not too picky, but I still may have to try the avocado alligator or pepper parrot one day, just for fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I love hearing that your children are adventurous eaters and I definitely agree that making food animals and topping a salad with an avocado alligator is just plain fun whether you’re picky or not! Also, if you check out the Animal Alphabet in the categories pull down menu on the right, there’s an alliterative food animal for each letter, so lots of inspiration for even more fun!
LikeLike
Thanks for browsing my site Finding Freedom With Epilepsy. You’re doing some great stuff! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike