Nourish Gently

12/10/2023

07/02/2022

I’ve been holding onto exciting news for quite some time!
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

I’m so honoured to be the Dietitian representing Nurturenest Mother and Baby Wellness Centre.

I’ll be hosting Nurturenest’s successful Starting Solids Course as of Feb 2022! 🥑🍌🍓Come grab your seat before it’s sold out.
Bookings can be made on website.

07/12/2021

Hello! ✋🏻A word I’ve used a lot in the last month reuniting family and friends for the first time in two years.

As you know, I gave birth to my second little angel in June. It’s been wonderful being home with my 5 month old (yes, she is already 5 months old!). I feel so blessed. Since then life has just been next level crazy. Read below 👇🏻

A little update on my life:
💪🏻 gave birth end of June
💪🏻 packed up our home in Georgia, USA while husband was working in LA
💪🏻 moved to South Africa, Cape Town (my home town)

And yes, I flew with two kids on my own. DM me for some tips🥴. Hubby joining us in Dec for a little family trip.

I’m happy to be back on this platform. Things have been chaos, as you can imagine. But kids need to eat 😹! I have some exciting projects that will be launching 2022, focusing on kids and family.

Thinking about all of you that has been affected by covid. Stay safe this December and may 2022 bring more happiness and recovery for everyone 🌼

26/05/2021

Bonus! Visit my website for a free 5-day Lunchbox Meal Plan download 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

26/05/2021

Hi friends!

Please see my latest video for helping parents successfully pack lunchboxes to make them more balanced, fun and easy!

A complete video discussing all there is to know about lunchboxes to make it easier for parents while meeting all your kid's nutritional requirements to perf...

05/05/2021

Homemade snack alert! Colourful Yoghurt Popsicles 🍡

Are you kids asking for ice-cream way too often for your liking? Here is a good alternative that takes a few minutes to make while maintaining control of the ingredients.

I used paper cups as I find many people find it difficult to get their hands on affordable ice-cream mounds (and if you do, the prices are often exorbitant). I used a 90-100ml paper cup size as I find any bigger produces a popsicle that is too big. For the smaller kids, it’s perfect as there will be less wastage. A great option for soothing little ones struggling with teething.

Don’t forget about getting your hands on wooden sticks and you are good to go.

What I love about these is that they are packed with protein, vitamins, minerals (calcium specifically), and fiber.

What I love even more is that it takes a few minutes to put together.

Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remove paper cup just before serving.

Recipe link found below. Check out the rainbow challenge for your kids which is included at the end of the recipe. 🌈

https://www.nourishgently.co.za/post/colourful-yoghurt-popsicles

30/04/2021

Cheers to the weekend❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
May it be one filled with colour and no tantrums.

By the way - one way to get the kids to eat a new fruit, make it fun for them by serving it in variety of ways like:

🌈 👇🏻rainbow
🌈 using shape cutters (the only way my toddler even considered watermelon)
🌈 adding a new fruit along side a loved fruit
🌈 making fruit skewers
🌈 food role play (making shapes, animals or anything out of fruit)
🌈 adding a fun dipping sauce be it melted peanut butter, yoghurt or even melted chocolate

Fruit can be expensive so if making a rainbow isn’t part of your budget then I do recommend a few budget friendly ideas in order to offer a variety of fruit:

☀️ buy frozen fruit in bulk and rotate accordingly
☀️ if buying fresh, do not buy the same fruit every week, alternate among as many as you can to improve exposure (even if your kid hasn’t eaten it before or they may not prefer it, it’s okay - serve it alongside an accepted food)
☀️ only buy in-season fruit

See you next week on the other side of the rainbow.

29/04/2021

Iron-deficiency Anemia (IDA) - a serious condition that needs to be managed and not ignored.

Okay let’s be more positive. Luckily we can easily prevent it by eating sufficient iron-rich sources of food.

BUT...

Some populations are more prone to IDA due to increased needs or higher risk of low intake such as:

⚡️Breast infants (low amount in breast milk but usually fine if born with a good iron store which is pregnancy dependent)

⚡️Toddlers (taking in too much milk and “pickiness”)

⚡️Teenagers (increased requirements during puberty)

⚡️Females with heavy menstrual bleeding

⚡️Pregnant women (increased blood volume; supplying iron to your growing fetus and the placenta; and to build up fetal iron stores)

⚡️Individuals with medical conditions such as celiacs disease, Chron’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Helibacter Pylori infection (leads to malabsorption of iron)

⚡️Individuals that have undergone weight-loss surgery especially gastric bypass or gastrectomy

⚡️Individuals on certain medications such as proton-pump inhibitors, antacids, blood thinners and anticoagulants

⚡️Vegetarians and vegans not meeting their increased requirements (plant iron sources are not as well absorbed as animal iron sources. Plants also contain iron-absorption inhibitors)

Swipe the image above to the right to see if you are meeting your needs as well as what are good sources of iron. Please read the “A few considerations” slide as it’s just as important as knowing where to get iron from! 💛

May this information resonate with you in whatever life phase you are in.

To my pregnant ladies, postpartum moms or my kiddies, are you struggling with iron-deficiency anemia or need individualized assistance on meeting your requirements? I would love to help you. Send me a DM or visit Nourish Gently to book an apt with me.

21/04/2021

Could I help you?

If you are not sure, swipe the image to the right to decide. These are generalized lists so feel free to send me a message if you are still not sure.

❗️I consult women and children only. ❗️

Why? Not only are these are my areas of interest, I am highly confident, educated and experienced here which makes you receive a complete and comprehensive service🤍

Together we accomplish more

21/04/2021

The all-time FAVOURITE snack in my household! Yoghurt Bark 🍓🫐

I know it’s mainly for your kids but good luck not trying them yourself (not that you need to).

Using a peg for the little ones can help them manage the cold. Also great option for teething!

My main aim is to use the usual household food products but do yourself a favour and buy a bag of chia seeds and h**p hearts (both or one or the other for now). They are packed with extra nutrition and I do use them often in many recipe ideas. If you haven’t use chia seeds or h**p hearts before, give them a try. If it’s only for my recipes, then great. You can also add it into smoothies and/or sprinkle it on foods and salads.

Find this quick and easy recipe in the link below😘

https://www.nourishgently.co.za/post/yoghurt-bark-your-kids-will-adore

20/04/2021

Alert - adding another easy homemade snack to our list ❗️No-Bake Sunshine Balls.

Not only are these filled with goodness, your kids will love them too.

Filled with high fiber ingredients, it will aid in regular bowel movements. Just make sure you offer sufficient water throughout the day for your kid(s). Apricots and dates also provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Making 45 balls and freezable, these are worth it.

Get the kids involved in making these, either by rolling them or coating the balls in the ‘snow’. ❄️

Click link below to get your hands on this 3-step recipe. Let me know how your kids love them🙌🏻

https://www.nourishgently.co.za/post/sunshine-balls-a-3-step-recipe

15/04/2021

Baby Spoons 101 🥄

When it comes to [all] baby products, sometimes I wish we only had one option. We are spoilt for choice. This can lead to anxiety for new parents as we just want to choose the best option for our loved one.

Let’s chat about baby spoons. 🥄🥄🥄🥄🥄

If you are starting off with puréed foods or more solid safe finger foods, you will always use a spoon in someway or another.

Choosing spoons isn’t complicated but some just make the acceptance and functionality easier for your little one. Slide the image above to the right to see simple but effective advice on choosing spoons.

Comment below on additional helpful advice when it came to feeding your little one.