Eating These Foods Makes Me...
by Kalifa Rodriguez
GENRE: Children's Non-Fiction
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!
PURCHASE LINKS EATING THESE FOODS MAKES ME…
AMAZON.COM ~ AMAZON.CA ~ B&N
INDIGO CHAPTERS ~ BOOK DEPOSITORY
Excerpt:
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.
Interview with Kalifa Rodriguez, M.Sc., RD, CBS
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I would say to always write on subjects you are truly passionate about, not necessarily what you think will sell. If you have a great idea, just go for it! Stay true to yourself and your creative vision.
What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?
To be honest, since becoming a writer I haven’t subscribed to any magazines; however, I do believe that magazines geared to writers could be a source of useful information and inspiration, especially in overcoming creative slowdowns or writer’s block. As a new author, some magazines that interest me include The Writer and Writer’s Digest. I wish I knew some magazines specifically for writers of children’s literature, if you know any please do share!
What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?
The characters in my book represent children of various racial, ethnic and social demographics. It also celebrates those who identify with equity deserving groups. For example, Eating These Foods Makes Me… includes illustrations of characters with a physical disability as well as one with a “hidden” challenge such as ADHD. There is a persistent problem in children’s literature, and that is a lack of diversity. Furthermore, misrepresentation of underrepresented communities. I believe that reading books can be a powerful means of self-affirmation and seeing someone who looks like you doing things, in turn, plants the idea of that possibly being you someday. I owe it to the people whom I based my characters on to be validated, empowered and feel a sense of belonging as they read the pages of my book.
What is the first book that made you cry?
One book I connect with on so many levels is the children’s book “When I Pray for You” by Matthew Paul Turner. It is beautifully written and illustrated. It makes me emotional almost every time I read it with my family because it is as though Turner has taken what’s in my heart and expressed it on paper. It brings me back to the times I would pray many of the same prayers expressed in this book as I sat and watched my daughter lay -so small and fragile- in the incubator of the NICU. I long with everything in me to be able to watch her grow and experience the world. “When I Pray for you” truly captures my own dreams, hopes and love as a parent.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Although writing is one of the most exciting and rewarding activities it can be exhausting. Trying to find the ideal words to use or the best way to express the thought/concept you want to get across in a way that truly resonates and impacts the reader does take a lot of mental energy.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I strive to be more original than to deliver what I think the readers will want.
I believe it’s more important to stay true to myself and write a great original piece of work than to focus on what I think may sell. Originality is what leaves a lasting impression, and that was the whole reason why I wanted to write a nutrition and wellness book targeting pre-readers and young readers.
Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing/etc. come from?
Reading has always been one of my favourite pastimes, however, I would say after my daughter was born, my passion for children’s books in particular skyrocketed. In the NICU we were encouraged to read storybooks to her and the bond this created has resulted in a deep-rooted love for children’s books/reading and now writing. Back then, I would spend my days and nights in the NICU singing, praying, and reading to her, and this sparked my dream to write my own children’s book someday. Also, after searching for a nutrition-related children’s book that encompassed the values and concepts I wanted to share with my daughter, I noticed there weren’t many available, and since I’m a practicing registered dietitian I figured what better way to share my passion for nutrition than to fulfill that need and write a credible nutrition book for kids.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
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.
CONNECT WITH KALIFA RODRIGUEZ
WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ GOODREADS
YOUTUBE - Power of Nutrition - YouTube
2 comments:
nice excerpt
looks interesting
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