Edison Grainery: How I Fell Back in Love with Orzo.

This is gluten-free orzo. Photo courtesy of Edison Grainery (copyrighted)

Breaking up & Making up with Orzo

"Mr." Orzo. Those pasta pearls of happiness also known as “Risoni” or “Big Rice” to his family and friends. Sadly, I had to break off our relationship when I went gluten-free.  We had different needs.  Such is love.

Not to worry, I have fallen in love once again, but this time it is oh, so much better!  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’m head over heels for Edison Grainery’s gluten-free orzo.   I’ve never found this particular shape of pasta available as a gluten-free option and was anticipating a touch of disappointment when the "new" Mr. Orzo and I met in person.  After all, we were introduced on line.  It all started with facebook…how embarrassing.

It Started with a Gluten-Free Recipe

Photo courtesy of Edison GraineryI noticed a recipe on facebook for a light orzo salad that was gluten-free.  The recipe introduced me to  the new Edison Grainery facebook page, which I liked, of course.  Edison Grainery is the offshoot of Edison Grains, one of the leading bulk suppliers of “high quality, certified organic ingredients around the globe.” Edison Grainery  is, essentially, a mini-version of the company, created for families, and offering “organic ingredients in a family-friendly #5 and one pound bag at extremely competitive prices.”   Family-friendly indeed – so much so that the owner emailed me, thanking me for my order and telling me she had visited MY facebook page too.  She wrote that she would like to know more about what I do to help children learn to try new foods.  

Before chatting with her, I wanted to test the waters to see if I was remotely attracted to the products. I was most interested in getting to know Mr. Orzo and maybe his friend “Q Mac” as in “Quinoa Mac –n- Cheese”.  It was time.

Green on the Outside, Scrumptious on the Inside

I opened the box. Hmmm…the first thing I couldn’t help but notice was the way Mr. Orzo and his friend, Q Mac, were dressed in GREEN earth-friendly packaging.  The bags are designed to stand-up in your pantry, have a re-closable zipper and are backyard compostable.  Very nice first impression.  

I won’t go into too much detail on my new love life except to say: It’s the real deal – this orzo-love.  Big Rice and I are in a permanent relationship.  It’s that delicious.  And I confess, Q Mac and I have something going on too.  Crafted from Kosher, certified organic rice and quinoa flours, Q Mac serves up perfectly al dente with a medium-aged cheddar cheese sauce that is similar to a delicate alfredo.

Healthy Salt? 

Photo courtesy of Edison Grainery
For a finishing touch, I added a touch of Himalayan Pink Salt.  The company explains that “by replacing ordinary table salt with Edison Grainery Himalayan Pink Salt, you provide your body with 84 essential minerals and support proper absorption of nutrients. It can also normalize blood pressure; eliminate toxins and help balance your body's electrolytes and pH levels.” I just bought it because it was pink, but I’ll take any added healthy benefits I can get.   Amy Barnes, the owner of Edison Grainery, tells me the color reflects the levels of minerals and iron and can range from white to a very deep pink.

SPECIAL OFFER

We feel that every saltshaker should sprinkle out Himalayan Pink Salt. To help you make the change, we're giving a complimentary 12 oz. bag of Pink Salt with every $40 order now through the end of February, 2013!  ~ Anna, Edison Grainery

Life Changing Moment, Affordable Organics

Which brings me to my phone call with Amy.  We chatted for over an hour.  Turns out, she is committed to developing a gluten-free product that appeals to the texture-sensitive taste buds of kids with feeding issues, especially autism.   I was struck by her compassion – Did she have a child with autism?  No, just a life changing experience that opened her heart.

In 2009, Amy was diagnosed with 3 kinds of cancer and Celiac disease, to boot.  For 18 months, she watched a lot of TV as she sat on her couch and asked “Why me?”  One day, she stopped asking “Why me” and said:  “Show me.” It was then that her mission became clear: MAKE ORGANICS AFFORDABLE.  Edison Grainery was born.  Affordable, organic, gluten-free and more.  For me, knowing that story makes every bite of orzo, Q Mac or any Edison Grainery Product even more scrumptious. 

Good for your belly, good for the earth, good for your soul.  I’m in love.

Quick Processing Facts - Edison Grainery

Here are a few facts -- some of which are not yet on the Edison website.

Facility: 

Separate gluten-free facility for all gluten-free products, gluten-free certification expected in the Spring/Summer 2013

Certified Organic

Certified Kosher

Organic:  certified organic products & facility

More Gluten-Free Facts

A large majority of Edison's gluten-free whole grains are cultivated in areas where wheat doesn’t grow; Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, and Mexico; gluten-free certification expected in the Spring/Summer 2013

Oats are tested for gluten <10 ppm (upcoming gluten-free laws will require <20ppm)

READ MORE...

ABOUT MELANIE

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLPMelanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, of www.mymunchbug.com.  Melanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts from Melanie

Why Children with Autism are Often Picky Eaters

Review:  The Magic of the BellyFull Kit (From the Hopeful Company)

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?

Ten Ways to Get Your Kid to LIKE Veggies!

BY GUEST BLOGGER & KID EXPERT, MELANIE POTOCK, MA, CCC-SLP of MyMunchBug.com

2012 is about to end (and the world too according to the Mayan calendars, but let's not worry about that now).   Are you making New Years' Resolutions?  Perhaps you are determined (or mortified) after your kids turned up their nose once again to Grandma's Thanksgiving green bean casserole  and thus, you are already muttering: "In the new year, I am going to get my kids to eat more vegetables." Hmmm...yeah, right.  Maybe you are just hoping the Mayan's are correct and you won't have to tackle vegetables in 2013.

But seriously...it could happen - kids actually eating veggies that is. As a pediatric feeding therapist who specializes in teaching kids to eat new foods, let me share with you my top ten list for getting kids to LIKE vegetables: 

• #10 Eat yours and smile.  Set the example.  That’s where to start.
• #9 Grow.  Veggies that is. Even a window box of salad greens is fun for kids to snip, wash and tear into a bowl for you.  If that’s the best your little one can do that day, then celebrate it! “Wow, this salad is filled to the brim with beautiful greens that you cut for ME! Looks DELISH and I bet it will taste that way too!  Thank you!”
• #8 Hang out with your kids in the produce isle.  Be creative as you search for the perfect veggie.  Tell your child, “I need a crown of broccoli with 8 “trees” on it.  Can you find one that size?" Hand him two bunches to examine.  Now he’s holding broccoli, counting the trees and talking about that vegetable.  
• #7 Polish up on your food jokes:   “What do garbage men eat?”  Answer: “Junk Food!”  I’m serious here folks – food should be fun!
• #6 Cook with your kids and don’t give them the boring jobs, like peeling carrots.  Learning to eat any new foods is all about exposing kids to the foods over and over and over.  It has to be more than putting veggies on their plates.   Even the littlest one can join in, especially if you use a safety tower to help them participate at the counter or the sink.
• #5 Dance in the Kitchen!  This award-winning children’s CD is filled to the brim with songs that celebrate the joy of food!  Play “On Top of Spaghetti” to signal everyone to come to the table for Pasta Night!  Or, how about a silly operetta all about peas?  Download it free here (good till December 31st, 2012).
• #4 Use “Family Style” serving plates or bowls.  Pass the serving dishes around the table and establish  the rule that everyone puts a little bit of everything on their plate.  If your kiddo protests, give him the role of “Master Server”,  allowing him to dish up everyone’s plate and thus, be exposed to the new foods several times in one meal.  Sometimes the first step to eventually eating a vegetable is just spooning it onto a plate.  Taking that first bite may be weeks away.  That’s fine.  Hang in there and proclaim him “the best at balancing Brussels sprouts on a silver spoon!”
• #3 Work your way to swallowing.  Nothing wrong (except fashionably) with a little carrot lipstick, a big fat kiss on a piece of cauliflower or seeing how long you can hold a lima bean in your front teeth before dropping it back onto your plate.  Food games help kids become more familiar with new smells, tastes, texture and temperatures of vegetables.  Chewing and swallowing are a more advanced skill and sometimes take a bit more time.
• #2  Chase it.  Make sure everyone has a water cup with a lid and a straw.  A chaser of water is a simple way to wash down a new food.  Remember your first sip of black coffee?  You probably swallowed it pretty darn fast and grimaced at the bitter aftertaste.  Now, you drive by that big green circle known as the Starbucks™ sign and suddenly, you HAVE to have a Latte.  When kids chew a new veggie for the first time, the sensations can be overwhelming.  Using a straw helps to wash down the new taste more efficiently than an open cup of water.   Don’t call a lot of attention to it, but allow your child to chase his veggies with water until he can manage to swallow small, chewed bites on his own.  And...
• The NUMBER ONE way to get your kids to eat their veggies…(drum roll please): Keep it joyful. Learning to eat new foods is a step by step process.  Take it slow…keep it fun…enjoy the journey!

ABOUT MELANIE

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLPMelanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts from Melanie

Review:  The Magic of the BellyFull Kit (From the Hopeful Company)

The 12 Days of Christmas -- My Favorite Lunchtime Things (Part 1)

Tips to Help Your Food Allergic Child Belong During the Holidays

How to Talk Turkey (and Food Allergies) at Thanksgiving

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?

I Spy Blue! Using Food to Teach Your Child Colors

As a speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding, I can’t resist combining speech and language lessons with food activities.  Here’s my method of teaching colors while learning about new foods!

Blue with Blue!  Red with Red!

One of the first language concepts parents enjoy teaching their preschoolers is colors – but did you know that learning to identify “blue” begins with learning to match two blue objects? I teach children the primary colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple (add pink if your little princess identifies with that one early on!) in a hierarchical process, beginning with matching two colors.  Start with red and blue.  Keep in mind that the most common form of color blindness is difficulty distinguishing between red and green or between blue and yellow.  Save those pairings for later in this process.

While I often start with Legos™ or colored balls when learning to match colors, food works beautifully too!  If you have a child who is hesitant to try new vegetables, this is the perfect opportunity for him/her to learn to simply pick up a new food and drop it in a bowl without the pressure of having to bring it to the mouth.  Starting with two solid white or solid black bowls, place a piece of red pepper in one bowl and a blueberry in another.  Pick up another piece of pepper and hold it in front of the child, and say “Red with red,” encouraging the child to take the pepper and put it in the bowl with the other red pepper.  At first, additional cues may be needed to guide the child, such as lifting the red pepper bowl into the air just slightly, or pointing to the bowl.  Over time, fade those cues as your child learns to distinguish between the two colors.  Once two colors are mastered, add a third color and a third bowl.  Be sure to present the foods in random order so that your child has to pause, look and process which color goes in which bowl.   

Orange with Oragne & Red with Red!

Roll Blue Down a Celery Shoot!

Once six to seven colors have been mastered, move on to teaching your child to  imitate color names.  Say “blue” and pause before handing the blueberry over to the child, allowing up to 3 seconds for him/her to repeat “blue”.  Try rolling blueberries down a celery shoot after each time he/she imitates “blue”.   Finding fun and silly ways to reward your child is much more reinforcing that just saying “good job!” 

Next, children begin to label colors on their own.  The best way to teach labels is to “bombard” the child with one color all week and mix in the occasional “other” color.  “I see blue!” is a favorite game at this stage.

Finally, the child learns to discriminate and find colors:  Say “Find blue!” and the child picks up the blue object among a field of one other color, such as a piece of yellow pepper among a field of red peppers, spread out on the kitchen counter.   Simply add other colors as the child’s skill progresses.  Soon, the two of you will be playing “I spy yellow!” throughout the produce section of your local grocery store.

Colors Can Expand the Palate, Nutrient Intake, & Literacy

In the process of learning colors, children can learn to eat a rainbow!  Blue and purple foods include purple potatoes and plums; green foods include asparagus, edamame and peas; yellow foods include squash and pineapple; orange foods include orange peppers and dried mangos; and red foods include tomatoes and red beans.  Introduce other colors, such as brown or white, using the same process.  

Did you know that matching objects and colors is actually an early literacy skill?  It’s one of the first steps to learning symbols (letters) and understanding that two things go together  - they match!  And you thought you were just putting blueberries and red peppers in a bowl…

 We Did it!

About Melanie

Melanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts from Melanie

Why Children with Autism are Often Picky Eaters

Review:  The Magic of the BellyFull Kit (From the Hopeful Company)

The 12 Days of Christmas -- My Favorite Lunchtime Things (Part 1)

Tips to Help Your Food Allergic Child Belong During the Holidays

How to Talk Turkey (and Food Allergies) at Thanksgiving

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?

Back to School Shopping for a Tender Foodie's Lunch

IT'S THAT TIME ALREADY?

YIKES!  It’s August and it’s already time for back to school shopping.  Got pencils, notebooks, glue sticks?  Got any ideas for what to pack for school lunches, especially for a Tender Foodie?  I do.

Here’s the deal: I’m all for those adorable little gadgets and  Bento boxes with food arranged into creative scenes from the latest episode of Spiderman®  - you know, the ones made out of intricately-sliced red peppers and black beans and celery strands fashioned into a spider web.  But, the first few weeks of school are so HECTIC – who has time?  Take the pressure off and try some of these new, healthy and allergy-friendly alternatives in convenient small portions for kids of any age.  Yes, they cost a bit more and perhaps you might not put these in your kids’ lunches/snacks every day, but that also makes them a nice treat every once in a while. 

(See Notes on Potential Allergens at the end of the Article).

FRUIT BLISS™

Let go of the stress and start experiencing a little Bliss.  Fruit Bliss’ ™ soft, dried and unsulphured (preservative-free) Turkish apricots come in a mini 1.76 package.  Moist but not sticky, they’re packed with iron and fiber.  They’re Certified Vegan and Non GMO Project Verified and just plain delish!  The mini apricots are sold at 39 Whole Foods stores across the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as many natural food stores from Maine down to Florida.  Want some now?  Use coupon code 10FRUIT for 10% off any order online.

COCOMAMA™

For kids old enough to operate a microwave in their cafeteria, try Cocomama™ Quinoa Cereals in Banana Cinnamon, Wild Blueberry and Orange Cranberry flavors.  Simply tear open the BPA-free pouch and warm slightly for 20 seconds and 

wah-lah – it’s quinoa! That means scrumptious gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and vegetarian organic quinoa sweetened with light coconut milk and other yummy ingredients.  Unlike oatmeal, which can transform into glue in a matter of minutes, kids will love the consistent texture with no extra lumps, bumps or worse - drippiness. Cocomama™  is currently available in 28 Whole Foods in the North Atlantic Regionand launching this month with Whole Foods nationally, as well as Wegman’s stores in September.  

Just as easy, go online to purchase 6-packs for $21 (10% discount over retail).  The convenience and peace of mind knowing your child is having a nutritious  protein-rich food when you need a quick addition to the lunch box makes it worth it.  Plus, shipping for ANY order is always $3.99, so stock up.  

purely elizabeth™

Recently, purely elizabeth™ created mini packs of their fabulous ancient grain granolas.  Gluten-free certified, soy-free, no refined sugar and made with organic ingredients whenever possible, the 2 oz. bag mini bags even serve as their own bowl.  Just pour in milk or a dairy-free alternative  or ok, don’t;  I am  all for pouring it straight into your mouth.  My fave is the Pumpkin Fig, but just as yummy are the Cranberry Pecan, Blueberry Hemp and Original flavor.  A case of 8 bags is $22.  Try packing a tall container (I love a Ball canning jar) of yogurt with alternate layers of frozen fruit to keep it cold till lunchtime.  Your kids can add the granola on top for an instant yogurt parfait! 

Simple Squares™

If your Tender Foodie can enjoy nuts, try a Simple Squares™snack bar.  Choose from 4 flavors: Cinnamon Clove, Sage, Rosemary or Coconut.  Each kosher bar is infused with organic herbs and contains unsweetened coconut, organic nuts, 

organic honey, organic vanilla and a touch of sea salt.  Made of “unfired fare™” to maintain the integrity of the nutrient rich bars, the sweet treats contain just 10 grams of sugar (must be the lovely organic honey) and a whopping 10% daily value of iron and 6 grams of protein.  Now, that’s a satisfying snack that’s also good for your kids.  Sold in natural food stores, via  Abesmarket.com or simply visit the Simple Squares™  website, and use the coupon code GFD to get 10% off of these nutritious sweets!

Notes on potential allergens:

 Fruit Bliss™ products are produced in a facility that processes soy, milk, egg, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts.  

 Cocomama™ products are not manufactured in a gluten-free facility, but the line is cleaned thoroughly and each batch is tested to 10 pmm. The products are gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, but are not necessarily peanut or tree nut-free since that is not part of their testing process.

 Purely elizabeth™ granolas are certified vegan by Vegan Action, certified gluten-free by GFCO and are non-GMO Project Verified. 

 Simple Squares™ are certified gluten-free and are soy and dairy-free with no refined sugars. Simple Squares packaging states “Good manufacturing practices are used to segregate ingredientsin a facility that processes other products, which may contain peanuts, tree nuts, wheat (gluten), milk, soy and/or eggs."

About Melanie

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLPMelanie Potock is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts From Melanie

Why Children with Autism are Often Picky Eaters

Review:  The Magic of the BellyFull Kit (From the Hopeful Company)

The 12 Days of Christmas -- My Favorite Lunchtime Things (Part 1)

Tips to Help Your Food Allergic Child Belong During the Holidays

How to Talk Turkey (and Food Allergies) at Thanksgiving

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?

Follow Your Gut:  What's Eating My Daughter's Stomach? (Part I)

Harvest Time: From Farm to Table to Little Mouths!

 

By Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, of MyMunchBug.com

The Joy of Gardening

When I walk about my neighborhood, I love to stroll past our community garden: plot after plot of vegetables lined up in perfect order, ready for inspection.  In the cool Colorado evenings, parents and kids gather to ooh and ahh at what new plant is peeking out of the earth.  Today I saw a three year old cutting lettuce with “safety scissors” that his mom had brought especially for his little fists.

Teaching kids to become more adventurous eaters begins in the garden.   When I decided to produce a children’s CD that celebrated the joy of food, I knew it had to include a garden song.  Joan Huntsberry Langford, the singer and songwriter, titled it “Harvest Time” and recreated the sensory experience of growing food in the garden, harvesting and ultimately, enjoying it together around the family table.

Healing Picky Eating Begins in the Dirt

Cucumbers curling around a trellise.Got a picky eater at home?  Learning about new foods doesn’t start with steamed broccoli sitting on their dinner plate.  It starts with a seed, or a tiny plant and most importantly, little hands in dirt.  Children love to take care of living things, and plants are no exception.  Daily watering and tending to a garden gently exposes a child to a new food until harvested, when it eventually finds its way to a lovely family dinner.  

When I work with children in the community and we are exploring a garden, I bring a clean bucket of cool water with us.  While most children love to play in dirt, some are tactilely defensive, especially picky eaters.  Having a bucket to swiftly drop a muddy carrot in or to wash tickly palms eases their uncertainty about touching something gritty.  Plus, we may get up the courage to wash that carrot right then and there and even see how loud we can crunch it!  Feeding therapists like kids to get dirty, the sensory experience is part of learning about new food.  But, if your child is particular about keeping his hands clean, child sized gardening gloves are an option.  Better yet, kid-sized tools make it twice as fun!  Ideally, larger family gardens have paths for little feet and rows of hardy crops (to ensure success) that are within easy reach for children to explore.  Smaller, raised bed gardens are perfect for any child to explore the perimeter or sit on the edge as they pick sugar snap peas or cucumbers. Have you tried growing your cucumbers up a trellis or chicken-wire fence?  Brilliant method and so easy!

My Dad & Family Gardening Love

My daughter & my Papa breaking garden ground, many moons ago.
When I was a child, my Dad kept a pocket knife in his “dungarees” when we gardened together.  My Dad is now almost 91 and this is the first year that he has not planted a garden.  One of my fondest memories of Dad was growing kohlrabi, a cabbage like veggie that has a tough, outer skin.  Dad would let the 5 year –old me tug away at the vegetable until it popped out of the dirt, almost toppling me backward.  Then he would slap it against his thigh to shatter the dirt clods, dunk it in a bucket of water (hmmm…that’s where I go that idea!) and use his pocket knife to carve away at the hard outer core.  What lie beneath was a cross between a mild radish and an apple. Similar to the texture of jicama, but not at all like jicama; well,  more like kohlrabi. 

Kohlrabi, cleaned and ready to eat.

It may be hard to describe the taste and texture of a kohlrabi, but what I remember vividly is that time with my Dad.  It was our time.  As I grew to have a family of my own, I asked my Dad to start a planting tradition with my girls.  Each summer, he would be bring over giant pumpkin seeds to plant in our horse pasture.   Daddy would dig a decent hole and hand the seeds to my daughters to drop in before he covered it, patted down a nice mound and finally handed the hose to the girls for the pumpkin seed’s first long drink. 

Gardening creates memories for your family.  Whether a pot of herbs on the kitchen window sill or an acre of corn, there is nothing quite like the experience of coming together as a family to plant and enjoy the harvest.  Best wishes to all of you during Harvest Time!

About Melanie

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLPMelanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts From Melanie

Why Children with Autism are Often Picky Eaters

Review:  The Magic of the BellyFull Kit (From the Hopeful Company)

The 12 Days of Christmas -- My Favorite Lunchtime Things (Part 1)

Tips to Help Your Food Allergic Child Belong During the Holidays

How to Talk Turkey (and Food Allergies) at Thanksgiving

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?

Follow Your Gut:  What's Eating My Daughter's Stomach? (Part I)