Hi, lovelies!! It gives me great pleasure today to host Kalifa Rodriguez M.Sc, RD, CBS, and her new book, “Eating These Foods Makes Me…,” here on FAB!! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.
Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Kalifa and to increase your chances of winning!!
Thanks for stopping by!! Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!
Eating These Foods Makes Me...
by Kalifa Rodriguez M.Sc, RD, CBS
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GENRE: Children's Non-Fiction
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BLURB:
Is your kid a picky eater? Do you want your child to enjoy eating a variety of foods? Reading can be a proactive way to introduce your little one to the amazing world of nutrition! In this book, readers will explore healthy foods and learn how key nutrients benefit the body. These pages repeat positive affirmations that will empower and build your child's mindfulness about the foods they eat.
It is never too early to instill life-long healthy eating habits. Happy reading! Or should I say, happy eating!
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EXCERPT FOUR:
Fun Learning Activities to Promote Healthy Nutrition
1.) Using paper and crayons or coloured pencils, draw a rainbow, and then draw a fruit or vegetable that is the same colour as each colour of the rainbow. You can even use this book for ideas. Remember to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables (at least 5 servings) each day! How many have you eaten today?
2.) Do you like to play any sports or games? Do you like to walk to the park? Help your parents choose and prepare an energizing snack before the next game or walk to the park.
3.) Eat your water? That sounds silly! Did you know that some fruits and veggies such as celery are mostly made up of water and can also help to keep you hydrated? Can you think of any others? Now try adding those slices of fruit or even cucumber to your water bottle to give it some pizazz.
4.) Try introducing interactive sensory play for preschoolers (age 3 and older). Gather a variety of beans, nuts, or seeds on a tray or in a bowl with a spoon. Under adult supervision, let the preschooler feel, grab, and scoop the legumes, nuts, and seeds. See if the toddler can separate them based on different colours, sizes, and textures while the adult names each food and talks about how these foods make us strong from the proteins and smart from the healthy omega fats.
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GUEST POST:
5 Surprisingly Delicious Ways to Eliminate Writers Block, According to an Author and RD
I think as writers we can all attest to the fact that creative blocks are real, and probably one of the most annoying situations to be in.
If you’re experiencing writer’s block I’ve got a surprisingly simple remedy for you to re-energize and get those creative juices flowing again. Hint: it starts with SNAC and ends with KING!
Yes, I said it, it’s time for a snack break.
Now before I jump into the actual snack recommendations, one point I want to highlight is the benefit of practicing nutritional mindfulness, which is simply bringing a heightened sense of awareness to what you’re eating. I also introduce this concept to young readers in my book Eating These Foods Makes Me... Practicing nutritional mindfulness is a super easy technique to make the most out of everything you put into your body. The key here is to take 60 seconds to do some deep breathing before simply digging in. Then as you eat take a moment to notice how eating these foods makes you feel, notice your taste, satisfaction and satiety signals. This will activate your rest and digest nervous system thereby lowering stress levels while also making you naturally more present, alert and focused.
Here are my top 5 healthy snacks to eliminate writer’s block:
1.) Oven-baked chickpea and kale chips: Enjoy this much healthier alternative instead of reaching for that bag of Doritos. Making your own veggie chips is a great way to satisfy that craving for crunchy and salty without all the excess salt and unhealthy fats found in commercial chips. 1 cup of kale chips and chickpeas can help you reach the daily recommendation for fibre as well as vitamin A and K, which have been associated with improved cognition and whose absorption can be further enhanced when consumed alongside brain and heart-healthy fats such as olive oil. Simply rinse and pat dry some chickpeas and kale then place on a baking sheet, drizzle on some olive oil and season with a dash of salt, pepper and paprika then bake in the oven for about 15 minutes.
2.) Mason jar salads: These balanced meals are perfect for a quick snack break as they are so convenient to make, store and carry around as needed. I have loads of fun getting creative with what I decide to include in them, I just stick to the simple formula: complex carb+ protein+ veggies+ sauce. For example, add a bottom layer of quinoa, then tofu, followed by chopped yellow bell pepper, chopped tomato, and a handful of arugula. You can stop there or pour your favourite salad dressing on top. Simply mix and enjoy. The best part is you can make a couple of varieties and just leave them in the fridge for later.
3.) Peanut butter and 70-85% dark chocolate: This simple snack is not only delicious but also nutritious and offers a powerful source of antioxidants. The peanut butter adds some sweetness and protein, while the dark chocolate (made from cacao) provides one the best sources of antioxidants known as well as a combination of the brain-boosting minerals manganese, copper and magnesium as well as stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine.
4.) Blueberry parfait: This only requires 3 ingredients, 2 of which (blueberries and walnuts) are known as the ultimate brain foods. Both blueberries and walnuts are extremely high in fibre and antioxidants, and walnuts additionally provide healthy omega 3 fatty acids. I absolutely love how quick and easy it is to put this snack together, simply sprinkle both on top of some Greek yogurt (a great source of protein and probiotics) and you’ve got yourself the perfect brain food blend of nutrients.
5.) Avocado toast: I like to finely chop some garlic and mix it in with avocado and lemon then eat it with toasted multigrain bread. This snack is super filling and satisfying due to the nutrient-dense foods involved. The avocado and whole grains provide fibre, protein and healthy fats, which also happen to be the most filling nutrients you can eat. You can also get creative by drizzling some hot sauce, balsamic or dipping it in salsa or hummus to add extra flavour and variety.
From indulging in baked veggie chips to antioxidant-rich sweet treats, these dietitian-approved snacks are full of flavour and nutrients to give you just the brain-boosting pick-me-up that you’re looking for.
Happy eating, or should I say, happy writing!
Kalifa Rodriguez M.Sc, RD, CBS
Author of Eating These Foods Makes Me…
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AUTHOR BIO:
Kalifa Rodriguez is a registered dietitian and certified breastfeeding specialist. She currently works as a clinical nutritionist in Montreal, Canada. After receiving her bachelor's degree in nutritional biochemistry, she went on to complete a master's degree in human nutrition and dietetics at McGill University. Kalifa is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyle choices through nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness. She also hopes to leave a positive impact in the community through her work by giving nutrition education sessions to community groups and organizations. Kalifa and her husband are parents to their delightful toddler, who is the inspiration for this book.
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CONNECT WITH KALIFA:
Website:
https://www.kalifarodriguezbooks.com
Blog:
https://kalifarodriguezbooks.com/category/blog
Email:
kalifa_r@hotmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kalifa.author
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the.nutrition.connection
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw5t_yqK7-FU12NsaBdNpHg
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22168564.Kalifa_Rodriguez
Goodreads Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59724616-eating-these-foods-makes-me
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon US Paperback:
Amazon US Hardcover:
Amazon CA Paperback:
https://www.amazon.ca/Eating-These-Foods-Makes-Me/dp/0228860911
Amazon CA Hardcover:
https://www.amazon.ca/Eating-These-Foods-Makes-Me/dp/0228860903
Barnes and Noble Paperback:
Barnes and Noble Hardcover:
Book Depository Paperback:
Book Depository Hardcover:
https://www.bookdepository.com/Eating-These-Foods-Makes-Me-Rd-Cbs-Rodriguez-M-Sc/9780228860907
Books-A-Million Paperback:
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Eating-These-Foods-Makes/Rd-Cbs-Rodriguez-M-Sc/9780228860914
Books-A-Million Hardcover:
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Eating-These-Foods-Makes/Rd-Cbs-Rodriguez-M-Sc/9780228860907
Bookshop Paperback:
https://bookshop.org/books/eating-these-foods-makes-me-9780228860914/9780228860914
Bookshop Hardcover:
https://bookshop.org/books/eating-these-foods-makes-me/9780228860907
Indigo Chapters CA Paperback:
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/eating-these-foods-makes-me/9780228860914-item.html
Indigo Chapters CA Hardcover:
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/eating-these-foods-makes-me/9780228860907-item.html
Powell’s Paperback:
https://www.powells.com/book/eating-these-foods-makes-me-9780228860914
Powell’s Hardcover:
https://www.powells.com/book/eating-these-foods-makes-me-9780228860907
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Kalifa will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**
This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
Kalifa ~ Good morning!! Welcome to FAB!! It is so great to have you here!! Congrats on your new book and good luck on the book tour!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeletefun snacks
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very interesting. Love the cover!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good.
ReplyDelete