Healthy Family Project

Today we talk to school nutrition director, Jeanne Riley to debunk some of the myths around today's school lunch and how families can learn more about what's being served at their schools.  Jeanne Reilly is an award-winning School Nutrition Director in Windham & Raymond, Maine. She is very involved in mentoring school nutrition directors as well as advocating for and promoting delicious and healthy School Nutrition Programs within her state and across the country. Jeanne is a co-administrator for 2 busy Facebook Groups:  Tips for School Meals That Rock, and Tips to Succeed, School Meals in Small Rural District, and she is on the Advisory Board for the Chef Ann Foundation and for Healthy School Recipes. Jeanne is a mom, grandmother, and caregiver for her 100-year-old mother. She is a wealth of knowledge and deeply passionate about creating a healthier generation.    Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great t

Today Amanda from talks to Heather Brickell, teacher, mom, and author of MySweetSavings.com. Heather is giving us the inside scoop on the things teachers wish parents knew. From communication to reinforcement and expectations. Heather shares her top 10 things teachers wish parents knew with Amanda.  Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!   3:44   About today’s guest, Heather, including her personal life and her blog 5:46   The most vital part of a relationship between parent and teacher 9:06   How students can best approach their classroom struggles 11:03  Best way to react to classroom updates as a parent 12:11  Why reinforcement is important for your child’s learning 16:05  A hands-on way to support learning at home 17:57  Why expressing interest in what interests your children matters 22:56  Helping your kids recognize that grades don’t define them as a person 24:41  Allowing their independe

Today we are talking with Tony Castillo registered dietitian, dad, husband, Instagram extraordinaire.  He has led a passionate life in the nutrition space and spent time as a sports nutritionist at the University of Florida and for the Toronto Blue Jays.  I get the honor of chatting with him today as we ask What’s the Hype! We are covering hydrating powders, creatine, pre-work out supplements, green powders and probiotics.  Tony joined us just three episodes ago on episode 83 to talk about sports nutrition for kids and teens. You’ll definitely want to check that out.   I could not wait to have him back to for this fun episode as we dive into trending hyped up topics in the world of sports nutrition.  We are asking WHAT’S THE HYPE!?! Reminder we are now on You Tube with our episodes if you prefer to watch.  Just quick disclaimer, always check with your family doctor before making any changes in your health care.  Relevant Links  https://www.healthyfamilyproject.com  https://www.nutritionfp.com/healthyfamilyp

Today we are talking with registered dietitian Chelsea LeBlanc. Chelsea creates approachable recipes using simple ingredients to help her audience and clients save money, reduce food waste, and cook healthy meals that are fast, easy, and delicious!  Relevant Links: https://realfood.tesco.com/what-can-i-make-with.html Free Meal Plan Link Instagram-chelsealeblancrdn Facebook-chelsealeblancrdn chelsealeblancrdn.com Watch this conversation on video!    Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Shop Healthy on A Budget (More Tips!)  New and Easy Ways to Use Fruits and Vegetables Dietitian Approved Grocery Shopping Tips How to Meal Plan   Time Stamps: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 1:25 An intro to dietitian Chelsea 1:48 Why budget-friendly meal planning was essential for Chelsea growing up 3:28 An easy tip to help you save on your groceries 5:47 Why you should check your

Today we have a great episode lined up! Sally is typically joining us on the show to talk about meal prep and planning and other topics around nutrition, but today, we are getting a different side of Sally. She recently sent her son off to college and of course, having a high schooler myself, I was interested in learning more about her experience.  What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a specific topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great advice and tips! 2:25 An introduction to Sally Kuzemchak 3:24 Advice for parents whose kids are gearing up for college 5:27 Why it’s important to let the school guide your child as a student 10:23 The pros and cons of submitting common applications 14:26 The reality check Sally got from her son 17:08 The right way and wrong way to do college tours 20:45 How social media influences the college application process 22:08 Signs it’s time for your kid to take a break from social media 26:05 Why it’s crucial t

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Tony Castillo, a sports and performance dietitian who helps athletes perform at their best without fad diets and unnecessary supplements. Tony brought his expertise to the podcast to talk all things sports nutrition for kids and teens while dispelling a lot of popular myths. Tony shared tried and true nutrition practices, insight on what to eat before and after big games, and what to look for in supplements. On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Tony Castillo, a sports and performance dietitian who helps athletes perform at their best without fad diets and unnecessary supplements. Tony brought his expertise to the podcast to talk all things sports nutrition for kids and teens while dispelling a lot of popular myths. Tony shared tried and true nutrition practices, insight on what to eat before and after big games, and what to look for in supplements.

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Neff, a licensed clinical sports psychologist, to talk about young athletes and their mental health. While there's a lot of fun and joy in kid and teen sports, it can also create stress and anxiety. Dr. Neff shared lots of amazing insights and tips to help us tackle mental health in a proactive way that helps kids and teens build their mental fitness and creates environments where they can feel safe working through their feelings and managing their anxiety around sports. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:49 Welcome, Dr. Neff! 7:36 What can families do to be proactive about mental health? 13:06 Tactics for building mental fitness 10:32 Travel hacks most people overlook 19:36 Tips for transitioning to different levels of sports 27:06 What's a normal level of stress? What red flags to look for?

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Jennifer Johnstone Lopez to chat all things tech and how we can use apps, platforms, and cool gadgets to make life easier! Jennifer is a wealth of knowledge and shared tons of apps she uses to maximize her limited free time and be super efficient when it comes to things like everyday tasks, meal planning, house chores and more. One recurring thread in so many of my conversations with friends, colleagues and fellow parents is too many to-dos and not enough time. When you're juggling a million responsibilities, it's natural to want to find tools to help but it can be difficult to wade through the crazy amount of options available. We're here to offer a great foundation for lots of pain points we face in our everyday lives like efficient meal planning, staying on top of tasks, and managing our homes. Our guest, Jennifer, is the definition of techy and she's tested tons of apps and different systems to bring us the creme of the crop when i

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Lauren Gay to chat all things budget travel. Lauren is a travel writer, podcaster and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure. She joined us to share tons of tips that make travel accessible for all budgets including how to save on airfare, take advantage of reward systems, and tips for working with travel agents.   Summer break is here and we could all use a vacation! Inflation is driving price increases in all industries especially travel, but there are lots of ways to save and still be able to enjoy a much-needed family getaway. We're so excited to have Lauren Gay, creator of Misadventures of an Outdoorsy Diva Blog, join us to share all her top budget travel hacks. With a little flexibility and planning, families can enjoy a variety of trips from exploring the national parks to embarking on international adve

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we’re joined by Kim Chackal to get a crash course on all things Fair Trade. You may have heard the term or seen the label on a coffee package, but what does it mean? Kim breaks down what the Fairtrade label means, how much more expensive are Fairtrade products, and how Fairtrade agreements help farmers.   These days, there are so many labels and buzzwords on food packaging, it’s hard to decipher what they all mean. One label that you’ve probably seen or heard of is the Fairtrade label. The most common fair trade commodities are coffee, sugar, tea, chocolate, and bananas. We were lucky enough to be joined by Kim Chackal to pick her brain and get the 101 on all things Fairtrade.   Fairtrade is a global movement that seeks to create standards in the production and supply of certain products. The overall goal is to foster equitable trading partnerships based on transparency and sustainability. Fairtrade partnerships protect the farmers, ensuring they receive

It’s hard to ignore the rising costs of food, gas, and basic household items. Families are feeling the burden of inflation especially when it comes to grocery bills. Jackie Vega joined us to share tons of money-saving tips, dinner hacks, how to repurpose leftovers and tips for shopping your pantry. As a dietitian, Jackie works with tons of clients who are looking to add more nutritious meals to their rotations while having to keep budget top of mind. She's helped hundreds of families find that sweet spot that allows them to stay within their monthly allotted budget for food without sacrificing nutrious ingredients. The tips shared during this episode can go a long to maximizing your monthly budget while still enjoying your family’s favorite dinners and ingredients. Jackie shared a lot of hacks that also cut down on food waste, ultimately saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.  Jackie and Amanda also shared some key fridge organization tips. While a stocked refrigerator might look ni

What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:48 Get to know Laura! 12:15 How to transform mealtime 13:44 Family communication tips 16:30 How to delegate to your kids 19:46 Tips to start short-order cooking 29:11 How to incorporate new flavors 37:00 Meal Plans 44:22 Laura's easy staple weeknight recipe Relevant Links Check out Laura's Website Follow @LauraSFuentes & @MOMables on Instagram How to Stop Short-Order Cooking for Your Family Laura's Baked Chicken Thigh Recipe 23 Quick & Easy Sheet Pan Dinners Meal Planning Tips + FREE Grocery List Printable 50 Easy Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes or Less Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out: Episode 72: How to Create a No Stress Dinner Plan Episode 45: Conquering Family Mealtime Struggles Episode 21: Meal Planning & Cooking with Kids On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Laura

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by Alyssa Greenstein, registered dietitian and Senior Manager of Nutrition Affairs Communications with Florida Dairy Farmers. This episode is all about how families can make small changes and adopt manageable habits that will lead to overall healthier eating. Alyssa shares how to prioritize breakfast, the importance of writing down what we eat, and dairy nutrition benefits. Ringing in a new year always gets us excited to set new goals, rethink our habits, and reset after the holiday season when our routines take a pause. Big or small, goals can always be broken down into smaller steps that feel more attainable and realistic. If you're looking to eat healthier in the new year, this podcast episode is for you! We love inviting registered dietitians on the podcast as they are experts in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Alyssa has been a registered dietitian for over 20 years and was awarded Florida Dietitian of the year. I loved picking

On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by child psychologist Dr. Stephanie Smith. This episode is all about talking to teens about mental health, teen mental health and what parents need to know to navigate the teen years with their kids. Dr. Stephanie shares amazing advice for deciphering teen behavior, ways to keep family communication open and honest, and how to determine when professional help is necessary. The teen years are hard. Outgrowing childhood but not quite an adult just yet, this period of time comes with lots of changes for teens and parents. As a parent, it feels like overnight, your little one who turned to you for everything is all of a sudden an angsty teen. As a mom with a preteen and teen, this episode on talking to teens about mental health is near and dear to my heart. Especially given the events children and teens have had to face since the pandemic started, it's more important than ever to prioritize mental health and keep an eye out for changes in mood

We’re bringing you a super special episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast in honor of Giving Tuesday. We’re joined by a panel of moms to talk about the importance of giving back and how we can set positive examples for our kids. We swapped lots of great ideas for volunteering opportunities including virtual options. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The mission is simple: to inspire people to do good. The organization's website touts thousands of giving back opportunities including a map to find local giving back opportunities ideas for individuals, small businesses, schools, and families. To celebrate and promote this amazing initiative, we gathered a panel of moms to discuss how they talk to their kids about giving back, how to teach little ones the importance of gratitude, and ideas for volunteering opportunities that are family-friendly. Whether it’s donating your time, money, household items, or expertise, the possibilities are endless whe

This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about how to create no-stress meal plans. We sat down with our registered dietitian, Sally Kuzemchak, to hear all about her new meal planner and get tips on how busy families can take small steps to plan hassle-free meals. Sally breaks down how to make meal planning sustainable when time feels so limited and how to get the kids on board. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 3:01 What inspired the No Stress Dinner Plan? 3:54 What does the dinner plan include? 7:08 First thing to consider when planning out stress-free dinners 14:50 How to get kids on board with the dinner plan? 17:16 How to make time for meal planning when you have a busy schedule? 18:50 Detour dinners Relevant Links Check out Sally’s No-Stress Dinner Planner Follow Sally on Facebook & Instagram Free Meal Planning Printables 10 Beginner’s Tips to Me

Check out the full Episode 71 show notes on our website! This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about tips for families with a diabetic child. We're joined by Tampa blogger, Marisa Langford, to hear about her family's journey with diabetes and how they made important dietary and lifestyle choices to eat more balanced meals and prioritize physical activity. Marisa shared early signs of diabetes, advice for parents with newly diagnosed children, and her approach for balanced eating and encouraging her daughter to enjoy healthy foods. Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 3:19 Meet Marisa! 4:45 Early signs of diabetes  8:45 Advice for parents with newly diagnosed children  10:18 How Marisa’s family approached balanced eating 12:22 The benefits of getting kids in the kitchen 22:03 Family gardening  27:33 Marisa’s partnership with GoGo squeeZ There's nothing easy or sim

Check out the show notes on our blog: https://healthyfamilyproject.com/episode-70-how-to-raise-an-adult/ To say that parenting is hard would be the understatement of the year. It's a delicate balance of keeping your children safe, providing their essential needs, helping them navigate transitional periods, and providing them the tools to help them blossom into adulthood. Several years ago, Julie observed the long-term effects of overparenting while working at a university. This inspired her to publish her best-selling book, How to Raise an Adult. During our conversation, we got lots of great insights for Julie to help us break those parenting habits that make children become overdependent on us and less likely to develop agency. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 2:36 Welcome, Julie! 3:52 What was your inspiration for writing How to Raise an Adult? 6:52 Advice for p

This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all easy steps we can take to get better sleep. We're joined by Jackie Vegar, registered dietitian and author at The Wellness Solution. Jackie shares foods and supplements to improve sleep, tips fo changing nighttime routines, and how lack of sleep affects our hormones. What We Cover: Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks! 4:08 Welcome back, Jackie! 7:20 Why are teens always so tired?  11:50 How lack of sleep affects hormones   12:50 Change nighttime routines  16:15 Foods to keep on hand for energy & for bedtime  23:07 How does Magnesium help with sleep? 25ish Supplements that help with sleep  31:20 Foods high in B vitamins 35:40 Benefits of drinking tea before bed   39:40 Bedtime snacks About Our Guest, Jackie Vega Jackie is a registered dietitian, ACE-certified personal trainer, wife, and mom of two. She is the founder of the Wellnes