The Train To Crazy

Make It Wear It

Link up what you've been making!! 

Rule #1: You have to be able to WEAR it (thus the name)

Rule #2: Check out the other links.

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Get kids to eat 5 a day, easily: free printable

 

If you are like me, you care about what your kids put in their bodies. And, if you're like me, you sometimes fail to give them all the fruits and veggies they should be eating. Life happens. Empty fridges happen. Picky eaters happen.

At some point we noticed our oldest daughter had become a much pickier eater. Always asking for sweets over healthier options. We decided to do a bit of healthy eating education.

First we taught them about serving size.

Then we created the 5 Or More A Day chart we use in our house.

Each circle represents a full serving of a fruit or vegetable. The center line allows for half servings. Sometimes our little eaters have half a serving of a fruit so they get to color in half.

Color them in? What colors you might ask? 

Purple/Blue: blackberries, blueberries, plums, purple grapes, purple asparagus, purple endive, purple peppers, purple carrots, eggplant

Green: avocados, green apples, green grapes, honeydew, kiwi, limes, pears, artichokes, broccoli, brussels sprouts, green beans, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, leafy greens, leeks, okra, peas, green peppers, snap peas, spinach, zucchini

White: bananas, cauliflower, jicama, kohlrabi, mushrooms, onions, white potatoes, turnips, white carrots

Yellow/Orange: yellow apples, apricots, cantaloupe, grapefruit, lemons, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papaya, peaches, persimmons, pineapples, tangerines, butternut squash, carrots, yellow peppers, pumpkins, rutabagas, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, yellow squash

Red: red apples, cherries, cranberries, red grapes, pink grapefruit, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, beets, red peppers, radishes, radicchio, red onions, red potatoes, rhubarb, tomatoes

Implementing the chart

Stop fighting. Make sure you are offering the healthy foods, set your expectations, then leave it up to them to eat enough to fill in a circle. We are consistent about serving sizes and we don't bargain. Or beg.

Offer an incentive. If you are fortunate, the idea of filling up a chart is enough motivation for your child. Chances are, you might have to provide more incentive. We link dessert to the chart. Perhaps you could implement a "5 a day all week and you get dessert on the weekend" policy. Maybe your kids need more frequent reinforcement? Perhaps a few m&ms or a sticker after dinner if they eat 5 a day without complaining? It's up to you. Obviously the goal is to create habits that don't require incentives but that takes time if your kids aren't used to eating a lot of veggies and fruit.

Make decisions about the questionables. We don't count juice (except fresh squeezed) or overly processed veggies/fruits as a serving. That's up to you but make your decisions early.

Get organized. Feeding your kids at least 5 full servings of fruit and veggies every day takes planning. Once your kids get excited about this chart (and they probably will) they won't let you slack! Don't even think about not offering them enough. My kids are on my case if they don't have enough for the day. Make sure there are fresh, clean, cut fruits and veggies ready for them to snack on throughout the day. Spend 5 minutes at night preparing for the next day. It makes a difference.

Emphasize COLOR. Eating lots of strawberries is wonderful but we want kids that eat a wide variety of colorful veggies. The more colors they eat the wider variety of nutrients. Added bonus? Their chart is prettier.

Be realistic. If you have a kid who refuses any and all healthy food right now you could consider starting small. You know your kid best. Though I've found that kids are able to rise to the occasion. If you tell them what you expect from the outset, and if they want that reward enough they'll get on board.

Have fun. I've never seen my kids so excited about getting healthy. Talk it up, get excited with them. If you act like it is a dreadful chore they will too. Find fun ways to serve veggies. Try kale chips, green smoothies, frozen peas or rainbow kabobs.

Want to start creating healthy habits in your home?  Download 5 a day chart 

Soon enough your charts will be looking like this:

What are some creative, healthy ways you increase fruit and veggie consumption in your house?

Make It Wear It

**What have you been sewing/knitting/creating to be worn?

The rules:

1. Link to something made by you (flickr is fine!)

2. It must be wearable. If you take a picture of yourself wearing that super cool picture frame you made, well, I won't delete your link.

3. No shops please.

4. Visit the other links! Leave me a comment to let me know which are you favorite!

Grab a button if you'd like!!

**Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway for Lily Bird Patterns!**

Lily Bird Pattern Giveaway

Have you had a chance to check out the patterns from LIly Bird Studio yet? From unisex shorts patterns and unisex pants to cute girly shirts, beautiful dresses and even a toddler backpack pattern you won't be disappointed with any of these patterns. 

Each PDF pattern is computer drawn making lines clear and easy to read. The instructions are very thorough and include photos to help you along the way. I've been very impressed with the patterns from Lily Bird Studio.

These are just a few of my favorite patterns from Lily Bird Studio. Which are yours?

3 lucky readers will each win a pattern of your choice!

CLOSED

Congratulations to the 3 lucky winners, Katie, Jo Baines, & Kristina

Sewing Inspiration

A few of my favorites from last week's link party...

icandy handmade shows you how to add lace to a shirt. Simply. Gorgeous.

Peanut to Princess did a fabulous Crew Cuts knockoff she calls the Swirl Ruffle Suit. She may entice me to enter the swimsuit making scene again.

Want to make a swimsuit? Heather at Featherty Sews will inspire you to start.

What have you seen lately that inspires you to create?

Birdsong Giveaway- CLOSED

Welcome to my newest sponsor, Birdsong! If you've got a little girl in your life you'll want to check out Birdsong's beautiful bows and accessories tutorials!

Deanna's easy to learn tutorials will have you hooked on hair bows. From tiny to large, she'll teach you how to make them all.

Deanna started making hair bows when her oldest was going to kindergarten. She began teaching other moms how to make them and developed a line of tutorials to help. Some of her bow-making tutorials come with a free subscription to her private video blog where she shows some of the trickier steps for those who learn better by watching! This year she started adding mini-tutorials to her public blog, Birdsong Bows, and you can catch up with her on Facebook.

You can purchase her tutorials her Birdsong Bows Etsy Shop or at Birdsongbows.com, and she's giving a 10% off coupon for all readers until March 31! Just use code "crazytrain" at checkout, on either site.

Two lucky readers will win some of Birdsong's tutorials. The first place winner will receive two single tutorials of you choice and the second place winner will receive one single tutorial of your choice. 

CLOSED

Congratulations to commenter #9, Laura from On{the laundry}Line for winning 1st place and receiving TWO patterns!

Congratulations to commenter #2, Janella for winning 2nd place and receiving one free pattern!

Green!

(Make It Wear It is HERE)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My oldest daughter wears uniforms to school but today is one of those special days where they don't have to wear uniforms. As long as they wear green. So today she is wearing green. Girly style.

I used an existing shirt and sewed a ruffled skirt on the bottom. I know the trend is to have a high elastic waist but I made it low. You know, so she can still wear it next year.

 It's a hit. 

My 4 year old got a classic monster shirt. More her style.

Are you wearing green?

Linking here 

Make It Wear It

**What have you been sewing/knitting/creating to be worn?

The rules:

1. Link to something made by you (flickr is fine!)

2. It must be wearable. If you take a picture of yourself wearing that super cool picture frame you made, well, I won't delete your link.

3. No shops please.

4. Visit the other links! Leave me a comment to let me know which are you favorite!

Grab a button if you'd like!!

Cuffed Shorts

I have a new sponsor! Welcome Lily Bird Studio! I'm very excited to show off some of her great patterns!

I'm going to be doing a pattern review for the Cuffed Shorts.

You know what I'm excited about the most? Is it that the pattern is sized 12m through 8? Nope. It's this:

There is a zipper!! Yay! I'm seriously excited about trying out this pattern. Now I need to check out my stash to see which fabrics I'm going to use!

Check out Lily Bird Studios to see what other great patterns are available (at terrific prices, I might add).

Do you want to make a pair of Cuffed Shorts with me? Ready to tackle zippers?

Book sling. A good idea. Kind of.

Ever since Penny Carnival posted her Hanging Book Display tutorial I've wanted one. I finally got one. My mom made it for my toddler for Christmas and she loves it. Having books right next to her in bed has encouraged a love of books.

However... I wouldn't put it right next to a bed if I did it again. She kicks it constantly. It is off the wall more than it is on the wall.

I put them on the wall for my other girls. Even anchored in the wall they still got ripped out. No matter how many times mom says not to hang on them it is hard to remember in the moment. Apparently. 

• Book Sling: by Grandma (tutorial by Penny Carnival)
• Crocheted Doll: by Great Grandma (find good patterns here)
• Elephant: by Mom (pattern from Sew Everything Workshop)
• Quilt: by Mom (pattern based on pattern in Bend-the-Rules Sewing)
• Wall letters: by Land of Nod

Do your kids get surrounded by handmade?

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Mama made clothes "in action". Or inaction, as the case may be.

We have this awesome spinning seat at our playground. It entertains forever and gets everyone nice and dizzy, just like they like. I wrote about the pants here. These pants get worn at least once a week. Or whenever they are clean. They fit so well and the girls just adore them. If something is going to take me more than 4 hours to make, I'm very glad they are a hit.

The Go To Dress. We usually require leggings with the dress because they are a bit on the shorter side and my girls aren't inclined to remain "lady like". But sometimes you've just got to scoot and have no time to get pants. By the way, this is the most amazing scooter. We LOVE them. They ride so smooth and are easy to steer or break. Even my 2 year old can scoot a mile. This is an affiliate link for the Mini kick Scooter and this is the affiliate link for the maxi kick Scooter. Just check the reviews, I'm not just trying to link to these to make money. They are truly my favorite outdoor kid toy.

And this is the inaction picture of the Little Cap. This isn't the best picture so trust me when I tell you how cute it is on!! This is the one I adjusted the size to fit a baby. See the sew along for details. I had originally called this size 0-6 months but I think it is more accurately sized 3-12 months. Depending on the size of your baby's noggin.

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Make It Wear It and a WINNER!

Please link up anything you've made that can be worn!! I love getting inspiration from all of you!

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We have a winner!! Jennie has won the Shabby Apple LeCoeur dress! Enjoy your dress Jennie!

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In other news, I've made a facebook fan page for The Train To Crazy. I had been reluctant to create one but I'm excited to interact a bit more with you all and facebook is where you are. Am I right?! I know I spend a lot of time there! You can find me and "like" me HERE. I'll be using my facebook page to link to some of my favorite sewing projects I find as well as offer tips. I hope it is useful to you.

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I've also begun dabbling in Pinterest. So fun! You can find me HERE.

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Are you on Stumble Upon? I'm there too! 

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And finally, if you're on Twitter, you can find me rambling about sewing and children or discussing human rights. 

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NOW, what have you been sewing/knitting/creating to be worn?

The rules:

1. Link to something made by you (flickr is fine!)

2. It must be wearable. If you take a picture of yourself wearing that super cool picture frame you made, well, I won't delete your link.

3. No shops please.

4. Visit the other links! Leave me a comment to let me know which are you favorite!

Grab a button if you'd like!!