Dina Deleasa Gonsar : Veggie-Packed Salmon Cakes

 Q + A

Tell me about yourself!

I have a 3 year old daughter, Siena, and I am the the girl behind DishItGirl.com. I showcase how I feed my friends, family, and anyone else who is hungry, wIth a focus on encouraging others through showing real life not just lifestyle.

What do you love about this recipe, and how has it helped you with feeding your toddler?

These salmon cakes are packed with veggies and flavor, and are soft enough for toddlers on the younger side. I feel like anything in patty form I usually have a good chance of getting her to eat. You can definitely freeze the salmon cakes and they are great for lunch or dinner. You can try serving it with a dipping sauce or even just applesauce!

What is your biggest tip when it comes to feeding a toddler?

I fed Siena whatever I could (that was safe!) very early on. All different flavors and textures with the hope that when the picky eating phase hit, maybe it wouldn’t hit so hard.

I also tried to sit and eat with her as much as could, in order to model good eating habits. I think it is good for your kids to see you sit and pay attention to eating. Also, having her seeing me eat similar things that were/are on her plate. There have been times she has grabbed something off my plate to try it. 

I have to remember to offer her things I don’t like as well. Just because I do not like peas, doesn’t mean she won’t love them! I also never made too big of deal of it if she wouldn’t eat the way I wanted her too. Although, it would stress me out when she wouldn’t eat a certain food or the amount I thought she should, I didn’t put that on her. I truly believe for the most part they eat when they are hungry and etc. I never wanted to buy into the power struggle.

What is your current eating challenge and how are you working to overcome it/how did you overcome it?

Siena changes her likes and dislikes almost every couple of days. One days she’s all about strawberries then she won’t touch them for two weeks. I never make anything extinct from her eating routine. I find that if she doesn’t like something one week it doesn’t mean she will not like it two weeks from now. So I always offer her small portions of different things. Even if she hasn’t touched blueberries in a month I still put them in front of her. She has always circled back!

How do you keep your child entertained when prepping a meal?

Ok, honestly it is her Mickey Mouse or Paw Patrol time. I spend time playing with her before I know I am going to start dinner prep. Then I tell her mommy is going to make dinner and ask her what she would like to watch. I set out crayons and a coloring book so she can color or puzzles she can do on her own. Sometimes she independently plays while it is on , other times she is in the mood to just watch. When she was younger and not entertained by the tv, I would put her in the pack and play near me, or dump something on the floor in the kitchen to entertain her. Like tupperware, or little people toys.

Follow Dina at: @dishitgirldina