The Outstanding Value of Good Food for a Child
Now more than ever "healthy food" and "fun food education" are a “must” for every child.....right from the start!
At Willow Cottage Nurseries we understand the huge importance of giving children healthy food, and of teaching them about food and how to cook for themselves. We have therefore published some of our very successful and award winning recipes and educational resources for the benefit of parents and other professionals who wish to promote and role-model heathy food to children at this young age. Mr. Willow "The Bear Chef" helps us to do this.
Introducing Mr.Willow
Mr Willow is our healthy food hero. His quest? To improve children’s nutrition, understanding of food and cooking and to role-model, encourage and “enable” healthy food practice within the nursery school and home.
Mr. Willow says ”A child’s health depends on many factors, food, heredity, climate, hygiene, exercise – but FOOD is the most important of all these.”
Mr Willow introduces young children to, and teaches them about healthy foods and how important they are for them. His recipes and menus are full of "Super Foods" which he knows are just perfect for growing children. He makes food “fun” and encourages children to eat well and learn to cook. They don't need much encouragement however ... his recipes have won national awards for being so tasty and popular with them!
Mr. Willow’s “Super Foods for Super kids”
What are "Super" Foods for children?
Super Foods for children form the basis of Mr. Willow’s recipes. They are exactly what they say they are .... super foods. These foods are popular since children love eating them, they are practical and economical to make and use, and they are nutritionally important and appropriate. Our recipes are designed around the nutritional needs of growing and developing children, at a time when they are "laying down" structures like their teeth, bones, brain and other vital organs; the foundation stones of their whole future well-being and longevity.
Mr. Willow’s award winning recipes and Fun Food Activities are proven. they are healthy and suitable for anyone working with, or looking after young children.They encourage the use of home grown produce, lean meat, oily fish and low sugar options. Mr. Willow has lots of exciting healthy food ideas for children, their families, and for use in Early Years settings,church, school, and holiday clubs.
Mr. Willow’s “Super Foods for Super Kids” recipe and story books are packed full of healthy and wholesome food ideas, fun activities, and recipes. They encourage participation between a child and a grown up; the first step, he believes, in promoting the enormous value of healthy food and understanding in the family of a young child.
For one of Mr.Willow's Super Food Tips click <here>
N.B. Mr. Willow our bear chef is the “brain child” of Valerie Grady. Valerie is a post graduate teacher having recently gained her EYPS (Early Years professional Status) at Brookes University, Oxford. She holds a Food Sciences honours degree from Kings College, London and is a former Home Economics teacher. As such she has an in depth of understanding of a child’s nutritional needs and 28 years experience of leading teams of inspirational people who not only make food fun for children but reliably deliver healthy and popular nursery food. She is passionate about re- instating and revitalising cookery within our families and believes that we should start with the very young.
For Early Years Settings who wish to improve their delivery of healthy food and food education we have informative “working” documents, for use within the nursery kitchen, classroom, or church hall. Our resources are proven and easy to use. They come as a
CD ROM for you to print off and laminate (or place in plastic wallets). Click <here>
Nursery Owners, Managers, Early Years Professionals, and School/Holiday Club Leaders, interested in an evauation or “Taster Pack” containing samples of our resources should visit; http://www.nurseryfood.com.
Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer to England, predicts that "By 2050 90% of today's children will be overweight or obese."
Parents interested in “Super Foods for Super Kids” such as
* “Fun Food activities” to do with your child.
* Family sized versions of our award winning recipes.
* Super foods to cook with your child.
* How Mr. Willow turned the Bread green…and invented a super food.
* Mr. Willow and the Blueberry “Buffins”.
