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May is one of our favorite months because it has Mother’s Day and our 3rd Anniversary. In addition to our own mothers and grandmothers, we also want to take time out to honor all mothers.
Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a mom who works outside the home, there is never enough time or energy to do it all. HAPPYFAMILY is our gift to moms everywhere who need a helping hand preparing the healthiest, most delicious and convenient meals for their babies and toddlers.
We also want to thank all of you moms who have supported us and helped us grow to become the leading premium baby food company by offering you a special discount at our online store.
Every day can be mother’s day.
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—SHAZI & JESSICA
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| As early as her first day of life, your baby preferred sweet flavors over bitter ones. This inborn preference, some believe, may serve to encourage babies to drink breast milk, a sweet tasting beverage. As babies grow into toddlers, many of them seem to continue on their quest for sweet things – juice, sweetened yogurts, the occasional ice cream cone… loved by most of the young children we know. |
New research shows that in childhood and adolescence this preference for sweets may in fact be driven by the child’s energy needs – energy that she needs to grow. Researchers at the University of Washington and Monell Chemical Senses Center found that when children were experiencing bone growth (i.e., growing taller) their preference for sweets was stronger than it was when their growth slowed. The scientists concluded that a child’s desire for sweets may be based in this physical need for energy. Sugar provides the body with a quick and easy source of energy.
But, what is a health-conscious parent to do? Here are some examples of foods that will satisfy your child’s palate in a healthy way:
- Fruit - We call it Nature’s Candy. It’s naturally sweet and delicious either fresh, frozen, or canned in it’s own juice.
- Yogurt – A good source of protein and calcium, yogurt provides natural sugars as well. If you prefer to serve plain yogurt, mix it with a few teaspoons of 100% fruit puree to add a little sweetness and additional vitamins. Try one of the HAPPYBABY fruits like Paradise Puree or Wiser Apple.
- Lightly sweetened whole grains – Pick breakfast cereals and grain snacks that are a little sweet but low in added sugar by sweetening with fruit juice. HAPPYPUFFS have half the sugar of some competing brands but with a hint of sweetness that toddlers enjoy.
- Creative combos –We used this trick in our recipe for Great Greens: Add fruits to certain vegetables to increase their sweetness and appeal for babies and toddlers. We added pears and mango to spinach and found that babies accepted the bitter leafy green more easily that way.
The bottom line:Your child may desire sweet flavors while she’s growing, but your best bet is to find healthy and all-natural sources, not to give sugary foods or sweetened beverages to satisfy her cravings.
(Source: S E. Coldwell, T K. Oswald, Danielle R. Reed. "A marker of growth differs between adolescents with high vs. low sugar preference " Physiology & Behavior, Volume 96, Issues 4-5, 23 March 2009, Pages 574-580)
 Even though Earth Day is past, we always think about different ways we can help conserve energy and reuse and recycle.
A mom in Philadelphia loves to reuse the HAPPYBABY frozen containers for many different things. Here are a few suggestions that she thinks work well:
paint containers
mix paints together to make other colors
plant those seedlings for your garden
store small beads for necklace making
store small arts and crafts items such as stickers, sparkles, glue
When you are finished with them they can be washed over and over again so please reuse those fantastic HB containers whenever possible. They areBPA-free.
Plant a Seed with Your Kids:
Get a head start on teaching your kids where their food comes from with this easy gardening activity.
What you’ll need:
HB tray, soil, seeds (dill, chives, cilantro, peas, parsley, lettuce, etc.), water
- Clean HB tray
- Poke a hole in the bottom of each cube (Tip: A screwdriver with a small head works well.)
- Fill each cube with soil (Tip:Since the cubes are small, a plastic teaspoon works best to fill the cubes.
- Make a small hole in the dirt with your finger
- Add 3 seeds in the hole and then cover the seeds with dirt
- Water the seeds with a spray bottle or small watering can (Tip:Be sure not to over water.)
- Place indoors in a sunny spot and water daily or as needed
- Once the plant begins to sprout and has a sturdy stem, you can replant in a larger pot or in your garden.
- Seeds will begin to sprout in approximately one week.
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FICTION! A few years ago everyone started talking about eating a colorful diet. Richly hued fruits and vegetables, with their abundant antioxidants provided the most nutrition and benefit, they said. Plus, white foods like white pasta, white rice, and white bread were pushed aside in favor of their browner whole grain counterparts. But oh, the poor white cauliflower! Caught up in all this rainbow talk, some may have gotten the impression that cauliflower has little to offer. Quite the opposite is true. Cauliflower is a “cruciferous” vegetable, like broccoli and kale, which may help prevent cancer. It’s loaded with vitamin C and rich in vitamin K, folate, B vitamins, and fiber. It is even a source of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids! That’s why cauliflower is one of the hidden veggies in HAPPYBITES toddler and kids meals. Serve some to your family today.
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Letter from Africa
 PPB is starting operations
in Sierra Leone, the country with the world’s most devastating child mortality rate, at 28%. In Malawi, PPB now produces Plumpy Nut to feed two-thirds of severely malnourished toddlers.
“In the field, the average number of new patients has gone from 20-30 per visit to well over 100. Days stretch from 8-10 hours to 12-15. Clinics start with teaching and songs with individual verses improvised by the mothers. For example:
“Mother of Mattias, you came even though your grain bin is not finished. You put the life of your child first and we praise you". In a place where over 85% of the mothers are illiterate, it is the community’s way of teaching.
When a child graduates and reaches his targeted weight goal, all the mothers clap and dance. And you our donors can join the dance. Without you, none of this would be possible.”
Mardi Manary
Project Peanut Butter
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VEGGIE CREAM CHEESE SPREAD
Our recipe calls for the equivalent of one serving of yummy Thank You Carrots which meets the recommended total % daily value of the essential vitamin A. Carrots are also rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants and minerals. Chives are rich in vitamins A & C.
- 1 cup low-fat organic cream cheese, softened
- 2-3 cubes HAPPYBABY
Thank You Carrots, defrosted
- 1 small bunch fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1-2 teaspoons flax seed, optional
- Mini whole wheat bagels, whole-grain crackers or celery sticks
In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese and carrots until well combined. Fold in chives. Spread cream cheese mixture on top of mini bagels, crackers or celery sticks. For an extra health serving, sprinkle flax seeds on top.
© HAPPYFAMILY 2009
Send us your favorite recipes using HAPPYBABY. If they appear in our newsletter or on our website, we will send you a special gift for baby. Also check out our Serving Suggestions and recipes online.
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