family food services
Are you a busy mom wishing her kids would eat something other than chicken nuggets and mac’ and cheese? School lunches stressing you out? Looking for healthier, convenient alternatives to fast food dinners on those rushed evenings?
I can help you make changes in a realistic, manageable way that will get your whole family eating better.
Do you suspect or know your child has a food allergy or sensitivity?
I can help you identify and navigate food sensitivities and provide specific, child-friendly non-gluten, non-dairy, and other restricted meal plans and recipes to get you started.
Does your child have a learning challenge, developmental delays, or difficulty focusing and paying attention?
Consistent dietary changes can have a significant positive impact on behaviour and learning ability. I can suggest foods to avoid and tailor a meal plan to suit your child’s specific needs and tastes.
Transitioning kids to a whole foods diet can be daunting and challenging. No matter what your circumstances or goals, I always offer simple, economic steps as part of a plan to reduce processed foods and additives, increase natural whole foods, and introduce a simple balance to your family’s diet. I take a realistic approach to family food and will support you in implementing gradual and maintainable changes towards healthier family eating.
My family meal plans are individualized to meet the needs of your particular family, and tailored to your tastes and schedule. I provide simple, tasty recipes that have all been “kid-tested” and strategies for organizing your kitchen and getting into the habit of effective weekly meal planning. Your life will be less hectic, and you’ll feel great about what you are feeding your family and the habits you are instilling in your children.
I also provide one-on-one in-home fun learning sessions for kids of all ages, where I teach the basics of healthy foods and get them involved in snack and meal planning exercises.
Family Food Services include:
1. Family Food Consultations:
Got picky or unadventurous eaters? Has your family gotten into some less-than-healthy patterns you would like to change? Have a family member with food allergies, dietary restrictions or at an unhealthy weight? Feel like you could be doing better in terms of feeding you family but not sure where to start? Overwhelmed with busy work and kids’ schedules?
I offer a consultation program consisting of an initial 1.5 hour meeting where we review together your family’s eating patterns and your specific concerns, and follow-up appointments as necessary to get you to where you need to be. Together, we will come up with some realistic changes you can start implementing in your family’s diet along with some strategies to help you stay committed. I have loads of “kid-friendly” recipes to get you started, as well as a whole foods grocery list and family meal planner tool. I do guided grocery tours, mini cooking lessons, and pantry makeovers. Many of my Family Food clients also have me do private Simple Kids’ sessions with their children to get them motivated, involved, and supportive of the healthy changes.
Initial consult is $95, follow ups are $75/hr or $40/half hour. Number of visits required varies depending on family’s needs and goals. For help getting your family eating better, contact me!
2. Simple Kids’ Consultations:
Wish your kids made healthier choices and ate better? Frustrated with the resistance you face whenever you put a healthy meal on the table?
I will provide your children with fun one-on-one education through games and interactive learning, thereby motivating them to eat better. My sessions are fun & informative. I give kids practical motivation to choose healthier meals & snacks, and the basic tools they need to get involved in healthy meal preparation. It’s like a private nutrition class in your home! If you are trying to make positive changes in your family’s diet but are facing resistance, this type of session can make all the difference!
Initial consult (with parent) is $95, follow ups are $75/hr or $40/half hour. I normally meet with parent(s) in separate consultation before meeting with younger family members. Number of visits required vary depending on child or family’s needs and goals. To arrange an appointment, simply contact me now.
3. Family Meal Plans with Recipes:
I will design a meal plan for your family which includes healthy, easy recipes and a preparation guide to make it manageable. The plan will take into account your family’s specific tastes, schedule and activities, as well as your concerns and goals. All recipes are “kid-tested and approved” and easy to prepare. A meal plan tailored to your family’s needs provides a simple way to get everyone on a healthier track and start developing better habits and patterns.
1-week personalized family meal plan with recipes is $45 (and must be preceded by an intial 1.5 hr consultation at rates above) To get started, contact me now.
4. Grocery Store Tours:
Meet me at your grocery store, and let me explain to you why certain choices are better for your family and where to find all those healthy foods you’ve heard of but never seen! This session provides an opportunity for you to ask, in a completely non-judgmental and relaxed setting, whatever you want about the food you currently buy or think you should be buying.
Questions might include: How do I know when something is truly “whole-grain”? What should I try to buy organic? What types of eggs should I buy? What does kale looks like and what do I do with it? How do I read a label? How do I know if something is really organic? What are some healthy school lunch options? Are some processed foods better than others? Clients on the tour receive my whole foods grocery list that they can then modify and use on future trips to keep them on track. I get rave reviews after these tours!
45-60 minute tour and whole foods grocery list is $120 (I will take up to three people on a tour at a time) To book a tour, contact me now!
Here’s what some Simple Kids’ clients have to say:
My seven and nine year old children viewed Wendy’s arrival for our Simple Kids’ session with some trepidation. When asked if she knew why Wendy was coming, the seven year-old responded: “To take all our candy away!”. I thought, “Good luck, Wendy!” One hour later, both children cared much less about candy and far more about eating fruits and vegetables. She engaged them by getting them to give examples of the numerous healthy food choices they were already making. She appealed to the athlete in both of them by explaining how the right combination of food can provide results in sports. A mother herself, Wendy was able to effectively respond to any query, no matter how silly, with ease and charm. Wendy addressed my concerns with practical advice and recipe suggestions. We are now all much more aware of and focused on making healthier food choices and and the reasons why such choices are important. Wendy accomplished all of this in a fun and creative way.
-T. Miller, Halifax, N.S.
From the time he was born, my second child (now 5) suffered from a chronically runny nose and mucous congestion, and had great difficulty sleeping. After seeking advice from Wendy, I finally agreed to remove dairy products from his diet to see if any of his symptoms improved. It seemed overwhelming at first, but Wendy coached us through the changes, suggesting healthy dairy substitutes and “child-tested” recipes to replace his old favourites. The improvements have been dramatic, to say the least. He is mucous-free and sleeping well for the first time in five years. We have noticed that if dairy is re-introduced, even in small amounts, his symptoms immediately re-appear. We will never go back! One simple change has made a huge difference in his wellness and our family’s life.
-M. Milloy, Bedford, N.S.
