Episodes

  • 182. Two words I am uncomfortable with: I QUIT.

    182. Two words I am uncomfortable with: I QUIT.
    Feb 28 2024

    In today's episode, I share a real + raw recap of why I have chosen to pause the Veggies & Virtue podcast.

    To all of those who have supported this show, thank you. It has been a joy connecting with you in this way. I look forward to continuing to support you on:

    • my social @veggiesandvirtue
    • my site Veggies & Virtue
    • and through my one-on-one services
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    14 mins
  • 181. Help! My Child Has Very Few "Love It Food" Options for Dinner

    181. Help! My Child Has Very Few "Love It Food" Options for Dinner
    Feb 21 2024
    This week, we are talking through - How do you handle adding variety when your child has a small “Love it (foods)" list? Particularly at dinner, this can be challenging to know how to navigate our child's nutritional needs (and/or our perception of them) with what as a family we have on the menu. We want to make one meal that everyone enjoys, and yet, as a mom alludes to on today's episode, that can feel particularly difficult when our child is really specific about the foods they like.
    • How do we meal plan when our child has such few preferred (love it) foods?
    • If we change from red apples to another kind, does it still work as a love it food?
    • Does milk count as a love it food?
    We tackle these questions and more in today's episode. SHOWNOTES:
    • Sign up for my free weekly meal plan.
    • Work through my five-step process for meal planning with my Meal Planning Playbook.
    • Looking for added support to your family's unique situation? Sign up for a free, 30-minute strategy session with Ashley to get started.
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    16 mins
  • 180. Don't Make THIS Meal Planning Mistake (Spoiler: I did last week!)

    180. Don't Make THIS Meal Planning Mistake (Spoiler: I did last week!)
    Feb 19 2024

    On today's episode, I am telling you the meal planning mistake I made last week!

    I use my own free weekly meal plan for simple, healthy meal ideas for my family. But what I failed to do was actually work through step one from my Meal Planning Playbook.

    The good news is, as I share on today's episode, we can always course correct midweek and learn from our mistakes next week. And I am thankful for the permission to grow in this area I have learned to give myself instead of setting unrealistically high ideals that exhaust me to try to carry out.

    It's really, really hard to be consistent with those kinds of self-imposed demands amidst all the real-life demands we as moms carry.

    So, take your meal plan this week and run it through a real run through, like that outlined in my Meal Planning Playbook. Doing so will help you identify ways that you can make your family's meal plan work smarter for you...so you don't find yourself needing to work harder than you already do!

    Need one on one help with this? Schedule a free 30-minute strategy session!
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    14 mins
  • 179. Is Letting Your Child Choose Ruining Their Diet? (and What Parents Ought To Do About It)

    179. Is Letting Your Child Choose Ruining Their Diet? (and What Parents Ought To Do About It)
    Feb 14 2024
    On today's episode, I go over a topic that has come up a lot lately over on social. And that is - Do we let our kids choose? This could be choosing what's for breakfast, when they have another snack, or if they eat any of their dinner. Each of those items is, in fact, a choice. And with that, if our child isn't the one choosing the answer/outcome, then we as the parents likely already have or will. That's why, I thought this was a helpful segment to reshare from a former group coaching call. Because I know for many of you, you are likely amidst what I call, role reversal. Your child is the one deciding what, when, and where they eat. And you, loving parent, are deciding if/whether and how much they eat. The challenge is this is backwards. And as I will talk through on today's episode, it is assuming too much choice from our kids in areas they aren't equipped to handle. Further, it is often perpetuating a lot of the nutritional problems and power struggles we see in feeding our kids because the role and boundaries are, well, backwards. So, let's talk through how much choice is healthy to give our kids. I am confident that after listening or reading through this, you will have a new sense of how to partner with your child (instead of experience the ever so common pushback of parenting or other feeding pitfalls).
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    23 mins
  • 178. Do These 3 Things This Week: How to take any meal plan and make it work for your family

    178. Do These 3 Things This Week: How to take any meal plan and make it work for your family
    Feb 12 2024

    On today's episode, I am sharing with you three of the steps outlined in my Meal Planning Playbook.

    You can use these three things to take my free weekly meal plan, or whatever meal plan you choose, and make it work better for your family.

    The key is to remember that a meal plan is only a useful tool if it works for you (not the other way around). So, learn how to meal plan smarter (and not find yourself working harder) with the three tips we talk about in today's episode.

    For more help personalizing your family's meal plan, feeding picky eaters, or coordinating a menu that offers something for everyone, be sure you follow the Veggies & Virtue podcast, so you are notified each time a new episode drops.

    Or you can reach out to schedule a free 30-minute strategy session so we can chat through your struggles with feeding picky eaters and raising healthy kids and together come up with a doable action plan.
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    15 mins
  • 177. Can my child have more (when they haven't eaten what's already on their plate...)?

    177. Can my child have more (when they haven't eaten what's already on their plate...)?
    Feb 7 2024

    Welcome to this episode where we dive deep into the common challenges parents face when their children want more food before finishing what's on their plate. Today, we're going to explore real-life scenarios shared by parents, starting with Erica's experience.

    Erica opens up about her two-and-a-half-year-old, who insists on more bites even before completing a favorite love it food. On the episode (or in the transcript), we unravel the complexities of family-style meals and the introduction of new rules to minimize pushback and promote peace.

    As we navigate through these scenarios, I want to highlight the importance of consistency, especially when there are recent changes in mealtime routines. Join me as we delve into practical insights on handling boundary testing and setting expectations, including portion sizes and addressing common concerns about children favoring specific foods.

    Stick around to discover practical approaches and effective strategies to navigate these mealtime struggles with our little ones. Let's jump right in!

    Ready to work together? Sign up for a free 30-min strategy session here!
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    19 mins
  • 176. No-Fuss Family Dinners: Effortless Recipes for Busy Moms

    176. No-Fuss Family Dinners: Effortless Recipes for Busy Moms
    Feb 5 2024

    For this week's free, family friendly meal plan, we are talking about how to take any meal idea and make it healthy, a fan favorite, and full of the foods you already have on hand (or actually want to be buying)!

    You can use my free meal planner and grocery list to get started here.

    Or you can purchase my Meal Planning Playbook for a 20-page guide that is complete with the 5-step process we discuss on today's episode plus all the templates and printables that you could need for a rinse and repeat meal planning process as a busy mom.
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    15 mins
  • 175. 5 Takeaways for Feeding Toddlers (including, can they have applesauce upon request?)

    175. 5 Takeaways for Feeding Toddlers (including, can they have applesauce upon request?)
    Jan 31 2024
    On today's episode, we delve into the world of toddlerhood and the ever-evolving nature of food preferences. I share a question that came from Jennifer M., a parent navigating the exciting yet sometimes challenging journey of feeding a 16-month-old. Jennifer brings forth a common concern: how to address the principles of the Division of Responsibility (DOR) with a child who is just beginning to express their likes and dislikes. As her little one starts asserting preferences over what is (or isn't) being offered, like requesting crackers and applesauce during dinner, Jennifer seeks guidance on instilling a healthy relationship with food at this crucial developmental stage. Join us as we explore practical strategies and expert advice on fostering a positive feeding environment for toddlers, where the principles of the Division of Responsibility can lay the foundation for a lifetime of balanced and enjoyable eating habits. SHOWNOTES:
    • If you 1-on-1 support or want to book a free 30-minute strategy session for the new year, secure a spot on my calendar here.
    • If you are not yet signed up for my free weekly meal plans, make sure to do so here!
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    19 mins