Happy Hour

What does a healthy toddler diet look like? How much protein? do they really need from cow’s milk, etc?

First I’ll say – every kiddo’s needs are different so always ask your pediatrician for specific recommendations.  I would also consult with your pediatrician about your child’s need for cows milk and discuss how else your child is getting adequate dairy intake (cheese, yogurt, etc).

Generally a toddlers diet should look similar to ours just smaller portions.  3 meals and 1-2 snacks between meals consisting of all the food groups and a variety of foods offered at each meal.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics children ages 12-36 months require 4-5 servings dairy (milk (4 oz), cheese 1/2 oz), yogurt (1/2 cup), or cottage cheese 1/4 cup); 6 servings grains (cereal, pasta, rice, bread, crackers); 2-3 servings fruit (1/3 cup canned or fresh chopped); 2-3 servings vegetables (1/4 cup); and 2 servings meat, fish, eggs, or beans.

Moderately active boys and girls age 2 require ~1,000 calories/day and ages 3-5 require 1,200-1,400 calories/day.  Hope this info helps!

I just purchased the Drunk Elephant “Littles” and have no clue what order to use everything in….help!

Totally get it.. when we first opened the packaging we were SO overwhelmed with the number of products. But don’t fear! Once you get into a groove (just like with any skincare line), it becomes second nature. The rule of thumb is to follow this order: cleanse, serums, oils, moisturizer. AND SPF.. always!!

Here’s how we use the Littles:

AM: 1. Jelly cleanser 2. C Firma Day Serum 3. Marula Oil (skip if your skin is naturally oily) 4. Lala Whipped Moisturizer 5. Umbra SPF

PM: Jelly Cleanser 2. TLC Night serum 3. Eye Serum 4. Marula Oil 5. Lala Whipped Moisturizer

We use the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum in combination with our day or night serums (step 2) if our skin is feeling extra dry. Day or night.. doesn’t matter.

Important to note: you can mix your serums and oils all together into a little skincare cocktail and apply. No need to do it step by step.

Sounds like a lot? It’s not.. AM and PM routines take 5 minutes or less.

With the Nordstrom anniversary sale coming up in July, what are you hoping to score some deals on?

Alix and I were chatting about things we truly “need” from the sale this year and the list is short (although I’m sure that won’t stop us from making some bad decisions on sale day).

We’re both hoping to load up on some new athletic wear like these Zella high waist leggings, tees for layering and a new Patagonia pullover for winter. Maybe a new pair of boots or booties would be nice?! The Stuart Weitzman’s have always been on my wish list but there’s no way I’m paying over $600 so hoping they go on sale this year… they usually do.

For the kids, I usually like to get them a new North Face jacket and a pair of sneaks for fall.

Lastly, both of our husbands love these RVCA tees that hopefully go on sale and we can score a deal.

When you were pregnant, did you read any parenting or birthing books? What classes, if any, did you take? What do I really need to know.. is anything going to prepare me?!

Heather here.. and I’m the worst because I didn’t really read anything. I honestly don’t think there’s a book out there that can prepare you for parenthood or birth, really. During pregnancy, I just read my Babycenter app and took one CPR and Breastfeeding class. The breastfeeding class was POINTLESS.. there is nothing that can prepare you for the s-show that is breastfeeding. It just takes real life practice. And once Jackson was born, I read Becoming Babywise in order to try and get him on a bit of sleep, eat, play schedule. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have read this book so early after giving birth because a newborn doesn’t have a routine. But I would recommend it once baby turns 6-8 weeks old and and starts to really wake up 😉

Maybe Alix can be more helpful with book recommendations because I’m more “fly by the seat of your pants” type parent ha.

Alix here…I liked this book and found it easy to read and just a good basic book about pregnancy and birth. Once I got to the birthing part I had to stop reading because it was just making me anxious! I knew she was coming out one way or another and my plan was not to have a plan. I took a one day birthing class at the hospital I was delivering at and felt that was more helpful for my husband than me. It helped him better understand what we were in for and what my body was going through haha! I learned a few good tips. I also took a 2 hour breastfeeding class because I was already having mom guilt for not taking more classes like my friends and didn’t find it helpful. What was most helpful was asking to be seen by the lactation consultant in the hospital. She came to my room after delivery and gave me some great pointers. I had a few follow up appointments with her after that and found it really helpful. Do what you feel is right and what you need…not what other people say you “should” be doing.  Like Heather said it really is a learn by doing kind of thing…nothing can truly prepare you, but do what you need to do to feel comfortable.

My son is turning 16 months old and I know I should start weaning him from the bottle to a sippy cup.. when did you transition your kids to cups and how long did it take?

With Jackson, I weaned him from the bottle at about 17-18 months and just went cold turkey on him. They just magically disappeared and if he wanted milk, he had to take it from a cup. I will say, he has always been good with transitions and taken them in stride. If I didn’t think he got enough protein or nutrition during his meal times, then I would give him a little bottle of milk before bedtime to ensure he would sleep through the night but quickly realized that it didn’t really matter.. he would sleep no matter what. My pediatrician also wanted me to stop the bottle at bedtime for tooth decay reasons but I always thought this was kind of silly.. don’t they lose these teeth anyway?! Maybe I’m naive but I still allowed him some milk before bed to fill him up and didn’t feel bad about it. But at about 19-21 months he didn’t get a bottle anymore and got used to drinking milk from these cups. They’re the best.. spill proof and dentist recommended.

Cam’s a different story.. he’s 16 months now and still LOVES his baba. I’m slowly transitioning him as he just doesn’t handle change as well as Jackson did. I try to avoid a bottle first thing in the morning and put him straight into his high chair for a real breakfast. If he doesn’t eat a ton, I’ll give him a sippy cup of milk but he usually shakes his head “no” and I back off. He’s also just a fussier kid and I think his bottle is a coping mechanism. Another thing I am trying to break but let me tell you, sometimes I just cave and give it to him #enabler. Still working at this and hoping to have him off the bottle entirely in a few months like Jackson but hey, if he’s two and sipping on his baba don’t judge..

Alix: Quinn is 22 months and still obsessed with her “baba” and “paci”.  I tried around 15 months to wean her off and she just wasn’t having it.  I own every sippy cup you can imagine and she will drink water out of those just fine, but the second you give it to her with milk in place of her “baba” she’s like nope!  At her 18 month pediatrician appointment I asked her doctor what to do and he wasn’t concerned at all.  He said it was a control thing and that bottles and pacis didn’t start to effect their teeth until age 4, so I’m picking my battles here.  She still isn’t a great eater so I like to know she’s getting the nutrition from her milk.  I plan to try again when she’s 2 to get her off the bottle…the paci she might be taking to college…kidding…sorta. I’ll take all the advice on this one from you guys too!

My workout wardrobe needs an overhaul. Any pieces you’d recommend or are eyeing yourself?

Alix: I did a round-up of my current fav workout gear on this post a few weeks ago. I just got these camo Onzie leggings and they are super comfortable (these camo leggings are also so cute!) I’ve been wearing this crop tank in yoga and thinking of getting it in another color because it’s so cute and comfortable. You can’t go wrong with a good pair of Zella high waisted leggings like this pair and this pair is on sale!  I just introduced Heather to one of my all time fav lulu tanks and she’s obsessed too.  She got white and I have the black and the moss rose.  I ran  my half marathon in these Nikes and felt great.  I’ve been doing my HIIT workouts in these and loving them (also eyeing these ones right now!)  Lastly, protect your face during summer outdoor workouts with a cute hat like this one. I wear mine all the time.

Alix – you posted a new milk alternative from Trader Joe’s but I didn’t catch it. What was it and how do you incorporate it into your daily diet?

TJ’s has a new dairy alternative milk that is called “unsweetened almond cashew and macadamia nut beverage.” Obviously I had to check it out.  It pretty much tastes like almond milk…I added it to my coffee the other morning and didn’t love the taste of that. I think it would be best in a smoothie, but I haven’t tried that yet. I’ll keep ya posted. It doesn’t offer much nutrition…so make sure to add some fats and protein to your smoothie and just use this as a base.

Thanks as always for stopping by and showing us some love! Email us your questions to champagnetheory@gmail.com with subject Happy Hour. xx