Cooking With The Moms

On average, parents serve up an estimated 28,000 meals and snacks during their child’s lifetime. That's one BIG reason it's important to get this whole feeding thing right! My podcast guest this week is Jill Castle, MS, RDN an expert on feeding styles and child nutrition. While she says good nutrition is a key component to raising healthy kids, Jill believes the "how to" of mealtime is just as critical. Tune in to find out why the Authoritative style of family feeding is the gold standard. Jill is the host of The Nourished Child, which you can find on iTunes and other popular podcast sites. She is the author of Eat Like a Champion and co-author of Fearless Feeding. Her four children are now teens and young adults, and like me (and many of your, I'm sure), she has faced plenty of mealtime challenges. Her own experiences fueled Jill's passion to teach parents about the do's and don'ts of feeding kids. Tune in to hear about the four most common styles of feeding--Authoritarian, Permissive, Neglectful, Authoritat

If you're hungry for ways to stretch your food dollars at the supermarket, you're in luck. On today's podcast, you'll be eating well on just $4.00 a day. Why $4.00? That's the amount provided by SNAP, the USDA's food stamps program and the inspiration behind Good And Cheap, written by Leanne Brown. From large families and seniors to college students, people across the country face food insecurity every day. Whether you want to save pennies on your weekly grocery bill or cut your food budget in a big way, my guest, Leanne Brown, makes saving money at the grocery store doable, delicious, and nutritious. Leanne is a big proponent of cooking from scratch using real, wholesome, unprocessed foods. She says eating on a budget doesn't mean you have to live on ramen noodles. The recipes in her book are inventive, creative, and mostly plant based, because meat is expensive. Good and Cheap is available for purchase, or you can head to Leanne's website and download a copy (English or Spanish) for free. And if you do pur

Today, on the Liz's Healthy Table podcast, we’re talking about pulses–dry beans and peas, lentils and chickpeas, soybeans and peanuts. I know. I know. This is the show you’ve all been waiting for. Right? Right! Pulses are versatile and yes, they can also be pretty exotic. They’re nutritious and KIDS LOVE THEM. At least that's been my experience and the experience of my guest, cookbook author and mom, Jenny Chandler. Jenny Chandler is a mom, a cooking instructor, author of four cookbooks including The Better Bean Cook Book and Great Food for Kids, and my go-to expert on pulses. In 2016, she served as the International Year of Pulses Special Ambassador for Europe, which may sound  fancy, but Jenny is one of the most down-to-earth chefs I’ve ever met. She’s from the UK, and we became fast friends last year when we met at a nutrition conference in Vienna. She was there to talk about, you guessed it, pulses. On the show, we offer a primer on cooking with pulses, explain why they're sustainable and nutritious, and

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Chicago for the Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo, fondly known as FNCE. In addition to attending scientific sessions and hearing from thought leaders like CNN's Sanjay Gupta, Kimbal Musk, co-founder of  The Kitchen, and Dayle Hayes, MS, RDN from School Meals that Rock, I wandered through the Expo hall tracking innovative new food products and exciting nutrition trends. On this week's show, trends tracker and fellow dietitian, Janet Helm, MS, RDN joins me to dish about her favorite food finds, my top picks, and mouthwatering innovations making their way to a supermarket near you. Janet's blog is called Nutrition Unplugged, and she's my go-to resource for food trend news. I always love hearing about her insights at FNCE, which is why I invited her to chat with me on today's show. Overall, these were the biggest themes we noticed at the show: > What's Old is New Again: New food trends are fun to track, but sometimes those tried-and-true favorites make a comeback. Cottage ch

Adding good nutrition to your family’s table starts with flavor. After all, if your food doesn’t taste great, no matter how healthy it may be, no one will eat it. That’s why I like to shake things up with my recipes by turning to interesting cuisines and countries from around the world, including Mexico. Avocados, beans, chicken, eggs, mangos, and chile peppers (some are surprisingly mild!) can be found front and center in Mexican kitchens, and each brings a world of possibilities to the table. Joining me on this week’s show to demystify Mexican cooking and share some of her family’s favorite recipes is Pati Jinich. She’s a cookbook author, PBS cooking show host, and the mother of three boys. I hope you’ll tune in for a taste and travel adventure Pati. Pati Jinich is the host of Pati’s Mexican Table on PBS. Each season she explores the culture and cuisine of a different region of Mexico and then turns those culinary experiences into recipes home cooks everywhere can make for their families. Here in the U.S.,

As you might know, I’ve been a little obsessed with Kombucha lately. Kombucha is a lightly fermented tea that’s a little fruity, a little fizzy, and good for your gut to boot! The power comes from the biological process of fermentation. Fermented foods are often the unsung heroes of the culinary world. Practical and nutrient-rich foods like pickled vegetables, kombucha, and sauerkraut have a unique range of benefits all their own. Today, I’m talking with Sandor Katz, the King of Fermentation himself about why we should be excited about eating fermented food!    It might be surprising to you to find out that the superpowers of fermented foods do not come from the foods themselves. Instead, the cultures of good bacteria and yeast are the heroes. These probiotic foods can lead the way to a healthier gut and more balanced nutrition. Would you like to know how to harness the power of fermentation to feed your family? Sandor and I talk about all the wonderful flavors and sensations that adding foods like pickles an

Today, we are all about reinforcing your healthy diet with Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Typically, my show is more "apron" than "lab coat," but today we are going to dig into some of the incredible health benefits of a diet rich in Omega-3s. Scientists have been studying heart-healthy Omega-3s for a while now, so let's break down that research into easy, yummy ways to feed your flock.  We know Omegas are good for your heart but did you know they are essential for just about every system in your body? Incredible, right! My guest today is Adam Ismail, director for GOED (the Global Organization for EPA and DHA,) a seafood enthusiast, talented chef, and devoted father. He is on a mission to ensure that consumers are educated on the miraculous benefits that a diet rich in Omega-3s can provide. Together, we will get to the bottom of why and how Omega-3s can transform the health of your family.      In this episode, I’ll also share my delicious recipe for Teriyaki Salmon, Snow Pea, and Carrot Foil Packets. It is so easy and

Today’s show is all about tips and tricks for making family mealtime easy with freezer cooking. That’s right! Your humble freezer is full of untapped potential. Freezing meals saves time and money, and it can easily expand your cooking skills as well as your family’s appreciation for new foods and flavors. Are you ready for a freezer feast? How about a freezer party? This week’s guest, Rachel Tiemeyer, takes us on a deep dive into our frosty freezers. This week, Rachel and I will chat about how you can get started freezer cooking today. She will share how you can start your own freezer club and throw a freezer cooking party with all of your friends. Are you worried your thawed-out meals will taste mushy or stale? No worries there! Rachel will share her best practices for saving your food from freezer burn. We also discuss a few of the surprising ways your freezer can save your food longer, and so you can reduce food waste.  Along the way, Rachel and I will both share our go-to freezer cooking recipes, like th

Breakfast! Is it really the most important meal of the day? What’s all the buzz about getting more protein at breakfast? And does it matter if you eat breakfast the minute you wake up in the morning? If you’re curious about breakfast or just looking for a few new and nutrient-rich recipes, I’ve got you covered on this week’s Breakfast Benefits episode with guest, Lauren Harris Pincus.   Lauren’s new cookbook, The Protein Packed Breakfast Club, is filled to the brim with delicious and balanced recipes to help you make the most of her breakfast. Today, I’ve asked Lauren to help me break down the science of breakfast into bite-sized pieces, perfect for changing your lifestyle one plate at a time. Together, we will share our mutual love of blueberries, dish about our best recipes like my Savory Oats with Shiitake Mushrooms and Spinach, and show you just how easy and delicious it can be to eat protein at breakfast.    More in this protein-packed episode!    Childhood struggles with weight-gain influenced her view

Welcome back to another fun and food-filled episode of Liz’s Healthy table! School is back in session, or it will be soon, and it’s time to start thinking about ways to fuel your family with healthy foods to get them through the school day. Today, I have my friend Rebecca Scritchfield on the show. We are going to discuss the ways that you can feed your family with healthy food that is simple and stunning.    Rebecca is a dietician and a mom of two beautiful girls, ages 3 and 5. Rebecca knows that it can be a bit of a puzzle to eat well with your kiddo’s picky pallets. Instead of food being a struggle, Rebecca wants you to find joy in the food you eat. Today, she is going to show you how to eat well using some of those beautiful Zespri Kiwifruits that sing of sunshine and sweetness. That’s right—summer is not quite over yet! You’ll want to check out all of the recipe links below to bring bright summer kiwi into your weekly meals.  Rebecca’s secret weapon for meal planning and packing school lunches.  Life-sav

When you and I make choices about the food we eat, it is easy to look at all the options and choose what is going to be healthy and beneficial for our bodies. But when was the last time you made a food choice based on what was healthy and beneficial to the environment? Sustainable eating is more than picking up local produce or reducing the amounts of harmful chemicals we use on our crops. Did you know what 40% of the food produced in the U.S. is wasted? When I found out, I was floored! What can we do as consumers to fill our bodies with healthy and delicious food, while also taking care of the environment.    This week, I sit down with Chris Vogliano, a Registered Dietitian, and Ethical Food Warrior. He shared with me how we have the ability to reduce the amount of food we waste, choose foods with low carbon and water footprints, and still maintain a healthy lifestyle! Chris has an easy way to repurpose your leftovers and stop wasting food using the crockpot. I’ll also show you how to use up beautiful cherry

I think it’s safe to say we all carry around a little anxiety when it comes to our little ones and food allergies, particularly to peanuts. Many schools have banned peanuts, and more and more moms have delayed introducing their little ones to the nut for fear of developing a peanut allergy. However, peanuts are delicious, nutritious, and allergies are not quite as prevalent as you might think. Here to ease some of your worries and give us the facts is my guest this week, Sherry Coleman Collins A.K.A Ms. Peanut RD.  Sherry is a Registered Dietician who shares her love of all things peanut with her husband, furry pup, and her little “peanut” of her own. Sherry has been working with the National Peanut Board for years now building on her experience with Pediatrics and School Nutrition. She is on a mission to encourage parents to do their homework, and introduce their little ones to peanut protein earlier than they might think—as early as 4 months for some! Surprised? Confused? Don’t be! Tune in to find out every

For busy parents and caregivers, it can sometimes feel like an added struggle to get our kiddos eating healthfully and adventurously. As tempting as we make our meals, and as cleverly as we hide those veggies, it can be exhausting trying to get our kids engaged with the food they eat. Well, what if I told you there was an elegant end to the Dinner Wars? Why don’t you pass the mixing bowl or cutting board over to your little one?  My guest this week is my dear friend Diana Rice. She runs the show at The Baby Steps Dietician blog, and is also involved in Kids Cook Monday. Diana is extremely passionate about getting kids involved in the cooking process. Now, I know what you might be thinking. It’s messy! I’d never trust my toddler with a cutting knife! What’s great about Diana’s approach is that she has easy and (mostly) mess free methods that will engage your children without sacrificing your kitchen. Yes, there might be a Blueberry Smoothie Incident or two (listen for more details,) but the rewards are great.

There’s been a good bit of buzz in the Modern Mom circle of the blogosphere about this thing called “Baby-Led Weaning” or “Baby-Led Feeding.” It sounds interesting, but what exactly is it, and why is it the latest movement in nutrition for our little ones? My guest this week is a Baby Feeding expert, Katie Ferraro, and boy does she have the chops to teach us all about Baby-Led Weaning!   Katie is a mother to five children, her oldest daughter and a set of quadruplets. Yes, you heard me, quadruplets. After struggling to feed her older daughter, Katie knew something was going to have to change for her four new babies. As a nutrition expert herself, Katie started to do some digging, and what she discovered was the brave new world of Baby-Led Weaning. Gone are the days of mushed peas and rice cereal spoonful-by-spoonful. This is a process of introducing your child to a whole world of foods by the little fistful. Katie has a wealth of knowledge and experience times four to share, and it was a pleasure to learn fro

Sharon Palmer is my guest for today’s show. She is a registered dietician, cookbook author, and mom of two sons. Her books are The Plant Powered Diet and Plant Powered for Life. They are packed full of wonderful recipes that I’m having fun trying, and I know you will, too. Visit my blog to find out about the book giveaway! The topic for today is one that is of interest to many listeners. I’ve heard your questions about how to “go meatless” more often. So, how do we prepare more meatless meals for our families? Is it something you’ve needed some practical tips about trying? Sharon has the answers and she’s sharing them right here. Join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: The differences in terminology: vegan, vegetarian, plant-powered omnivore, etc. All the options within the plant world, like grains, legumes, soy, fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, chocolate, and coffee! The “SAD” (standard American diet), which lacks a wide variety of plants The health benefits of a plant-based diet: reduced risk of chroni

Why are kids picky? Is it possible to turn finicky eaters into adventurous eaters? You'll be surprised, the answer is YES! Listen in to lots of veggie talk today, because I'm going to be talking about picky eating and I'm going to be sharing two recipes from Chop Chop. One of them is for a delicious, Raw Brussels Sprout Salad and the other is for a Carrot Salad, with mint, honey, lime juice and peanuts (only if you like them). Sally Sampson will be joining me on the show, today. She is the founder of Chop Chop Kids, which is the non-profit publisher of Chop Chop, the fun Cooking Magazine for Families.  This was named The Publication Of The Year by the James Beard Foundation, back in 2013. Sally has written twenty-three cookbooks, so she knows a thing or two about cooking! She's a mom of two and she's written a book called The Picky Eater Project, Six Weeks To Happier, Healthier Family Mealtimes.   Whether you have picky eaters or not, I still think you're going to love this episode, because we have so many id

Do you love eating pasta, but you don't think that it makes a healthy meal? Then you're really going to enjoy today's show, as Alexandra Caspero and I, dig into pasta, with a modern, Italian twist and share some easy and nutritious recipes that I’m sure you're going to want to make for your family. Listen in to find out why you really can eat pasta! And yes, you can eat pasta and be gluten free! Today’s guest, Alex, is a vegetarian, who is based in St Louis. She is a registered dietician and she's the voice behind the beautiful food blog, Delish Knowledge. She's also the author of the new cookbook Fresh Italian Cooking For The New Generation. Listen in to today's show and discover more about healthy eating, the Italian way. Today, Alex and I talk about:   •Two of the recipes from Alex's book - Roasted Vegetable Ziti and Pasta E Fagioli. •Alex's book- Fresh Italian Cooking for the New Generation. •Making meat-free meals really enjoyable. •Alex's meat-free, delicious Mushroom Lasagna. •The story behind Alex's r

Your host, Liz Weiss, is a dietician, cookbook author, food blogger and the mom of two grown boys, who have eaten her out of house and home, for the past two decades. Liz used to co-host a show called Cooking With Moms and also an online platform called Meal Makeover Moms, from 2008 to 2016 with Janice Bissex. The time, however, came to move on and so came the birth of Liz's Healthy Table. On today's show, Liz tells you about her journey in the world of nutrition, as a mom and a foodie. She also talks about what you can expect to hear on the show, moving forward, as she's done a survey, to find out what you, the listener, would like as topics. Her guest for today, is her husband, Tim, who is a pescatarian. Listen in to find out what Tim has to say and also what's in store for you on Liz's new podcast.   On today's show, you'll hear:   About Liz's closed Facebook Group, Podcast Posse- how you can join it and what you can expect to find there. Some upcoming guests and topics for future shows. What it's like fo