Raphael Stevens

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    in Children

    The evolved nest approach fosters children’s well-being

    New parents today often are given conflicting information about how to raise their children. This was not always the case. Millions of years ago, our species established childraising practices that shaped children to be cooperative and intelligent. These practices were passed from one generation to another through children’s observation and practice before they became parents. With civilization, industrialization, and other historical trends, these practices have diminished and sometimes have been replaced by practices that have outcomes opposite to the original ones.

    “Millions of years ago, our species established childraising practices that shaped children to be cooperative and intelligent. It is time to remember them.”

    We call these practices the evolved nest. What are those long-established practices?
    1. Soothing perinatal experiences where mothers are highly supported during pregnancy and follow natural biological rhythms during childbirth, and where neither mother nor child are traumatized during childbirth or separated afterward
    2. Several years of on-request breastfeeding and frequent suckling that shape not only the jaw and skull, but also the brain and body, with the thousands of ingredients in breast milk, including ingredients that protect babies from infectious agents
    Babies who aren’t breastfed have less brain myelination at three months (myelination is associated with intelligence) and biological consequences related to obesity, asthma, and allergies.
    3. Nearly constant affectionate touch in the first years and no negative touch to shape multiple systems like the stress response, the vagus nerve (which interrelates with all major body organs), and the oxytocin hormone system
    4. Responsive, companionable care from mother and others that reassures the baby, keeping him or her optimally aroused during rapid neuronal growth, and keeping the child feeling supported and connected throughout life
    5. A social climate that welcomes children at every stage, keeping them in the middle of community activities
    6. Self-directed free play with playmates of different ages that builds executive functions (e.g., redirecting actions and plans, empathy, and control of aggression) and leadership skills
    7. Immersion in nature and ecological attachment so children feel like members of the earth community with responsibilities to non-human members
    We know that each evolved nest practice shapes the neurobiological structures of children’s brains and bodies to work optimally, affecting everything about the child, including personality, sociality, and morality. In my lab, we study these components and their relation to well-being, self-control, sociality, and morality.
    Babies are so immature at birth, looking like fetuses of other animals, that to grow well they need nearly constant touch. In a recent article, parents who endorsed providing greater affectionate touch and less corporal punishment, than parents with the opposite pattern, reported that their preschool-aged children had less psychopathology and greater sociomoral capacities, like empathy and cooperation. In another study, of mothers from at-risk situations, children who received more positive touch and less negative touch over the first years of life had better self-regulation and cooperation than children who received less positive touch and more negative touch.
    In a recent study, colleagues and I asked parents in the China, Switzerland, and the United States to report on their preschool children’s evolved nest experience, specifically, experiences of affection, corporal punishment, indoor and outdoor self-directed free play, and family togetherness inside and outside the home. In every country, children whose parents practiced more evolved nesting in the prior week were more likely to be thriving socially and mentally.
    In a survey study of 383 mothers of three-year-olds in China, we collected information on children’s behavior and attitude as they related to components of the evolved nest. Mothers also completed standardized measures of their children’s behavior regulation, empathy, and conscience. We found significant effects for most caregiving practices and attitudes on children’s outcomes after controlling for maternal income and education, and most effects remained significant after controlling for responsive, companionable care.
    In another study (Narvaez, Wang & Cheng, 2016), adults reported on their childhood experiences, as well as their mental and social health. Childhood experience more consistent with the evolved nest predicted ethical orientations of social engagement via a pathway through secure attachment, mental health, and perspective taking. In addition, experiences that lacked components of the evolved nest through low levels of secure attachment and less optimal mental health predicted social opposition through low perspective taking and social withdrawal through personal distress.
    The evolved nest provides concrete ways for parents to be responsive to the needs of their children to foster optimal neurobiology, as well as psychological and social development.
    Header photo: Proggie. Creative Commons.  More

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    in Recipes

    Caramel Apple Crumble Tart

    Ingredients:
    1 pie crust (ready-made)
    3 Granny Smith apples, chopped
    Caramel topping
    Crumb:
    1/4 cup cold butter
    1/2 cup light brown sugar
    1/2 cup flour
    Instructions:
    Preheat oven to 400°
    Line tart pans with crust, pinching along the rim to form the crust. Pile the sliced apples in the crust evenly. Drizzle with caramel.
    In another bowl, using a pastry cutter or fork, cut the cold butter, brown sugar and flour together until it forms a coarse sand consistency. Then using your hands form the mixture into larger crumbs. Sprinkle that on top of apples. Drizzle with caramel again.
    Bake for 30 minutes until top is lightly browned and the crust is golden.
    Allow to cool before enjoying.
    To watch the video, click here. More

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    in Recipes

    Grilled Salmon with Sweet Red Chile Sauce

    Ingredients:
    Four 7oz salmon portions boneless with skin on
    2 tbsp Texas Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    2 tsp kosher salt
    2 tsp ground black pepper
    2 tsp sweet red chile sauce 
    Instructions:
    Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat, between 450⁰F – 550⁰F. Brush the cooking grates clean and close the lid to heat.
    Generously coat the flesh side of the Salmon fillets with oil and season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper. 
    Grill the Salmon skin side down over direct high heat with the lid closed between 6-8 minutes or until the fish lightens in color, becomes firmer to the touch and the fillets can be lifted off the cooking grates without them sticking. 
    Turn the Salmon over, close the lid, and cook to 130⁰F between two and four minutes for medium rare or longer to desired doneness. 
    Remove and brush with chile sauce and serve.
    Recipe courtesy of: The Executive Chef at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Frank Majowicz
    Frank Majowicz, Executive Chef at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines More

  • 125 Shares159 Views

    in Children

    A solid foundation: Building children’s self-esteem during the COVID-19 pandemic

    The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the pillars of children’s lives. Faced with quarantine, school closures, and social distancing, many children are deprived of the everyday experiences that normally build their self-esteem — their sense of worth as a person. Self-esteem is a critical ingredient of children’s mental health. Children with higher self-esteem tend to have happier lives, better relationships, and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.
    Many parents see the process of raising self-esteem as building a structure: The first step is to lay a solid foundation. How, then, can parents help lay a solid foundation for children’s self-esteem during the COVID-19 pandemic?
    According to theories in psychology, children’s self-esteem is built on two pillars: acceptance and competence. Children feel good about themselves when they feel loved and supported by significant others (acceptance) and when they master new skills to achieve their goals (competence).

    “Parents can continue building warmer, more supportive relationships with their children. In warm, supportive relationships, parents share joy with their children, show fondness for them, and express interest in their activities.”

    Here, we present evidence-based strategies that parents can implement to cultivate acceptance and competence in children. These strategies do not require much time or resources on behalf of parents. Indeed, our aim is to ease — rather than increase — the burden placed on parents during these remarkable times. Parents may be under extreme stress: the stress of going to work while risking exposure to the virus, of homeschooling their children while struggling to meet their own job demands, and of caring for elderly parents while being concerned about their own health. It is important for parents to be compassionate to themselves and to embrace the imperfections of their new routines.
    Acceptance
     What can parents do to make children feel more loved and supported? For one, parents can continue building warmer, more supportive relationships with their children. In warm, supportive relationships, parents share joy with their children, show fondness for them, and express interest in their activities. Parents can do so, for example, by spending time with their children and letting them know they are enjoying their presence, by asking children with curiosity about their interests and daily activities, and by talking to children about their worries and fears in age-appropriate ways regarding the current pandemic.
    Photo: Unsplash.

    Such experiences of warmth are most likely to cultivate self-esteem when they are provided unconditionally, in good times and in bad. This isn’t about being a super-parent: “You just have to show up, allowing your kids to feel that you get them and that you’ll be there for them, no matter what.”
    Of course, as children age, they develop more friendships outside the family. Such friendships are an important source of self-esteem. Unfortunately, quarantine, school closures, and social distancing have made it incredibly difficult for children to maintain their friendships. When playdates are unsafe or simply impossible, children might need their parents’ guidance in connecting with their friends. For example, parents can help children meet up with friends online through games or video chat apps, encourage children to watch a show with their friends remotely, or assist children in making a playlist of their favorite songs and sharing it with their friends.
    Although seemingly trivial, these strategies may create upward spirals of self-esteem over time. Indeed, when children build deeper relationships with others, they develop higher self-esteem. And when they develop higher self-esteem, they become more inclined to approach others, show warmth to others, and forge even deeper bonds with them. This, in turn, further buttresses their self-esteem.

    “Parents can encourage children to find a topic that fascinates them and provide them with the resources they need to learn more about it.”

    Competence
    Children are born curious and spontaneously practice new skills. They often seek novel and challenging experiences that help them build their competence. As they feel increasingly competent, their self-esteem rises.
    Amidst school closures, children may attend online classes, get homeschooled, or not receive any education at all. In these cases, a large burden is placed on children’s intrinsic motivation. How can parents nurture children’s interest and joy in learning? Parents can encourage children to find a topic that fascinates them and provide them with the resources they need to learn more about it. They can use free educational resources (such as National Geographic Kids’ YouTube channel); create art projects; and help children build structures with Legos, blocks, or even household items.
    In these activities, it is critical for children to experience a sense of learning and growth. Even small steps on the road toward self-improvement should be celebrated. When children know they are improving themselves, they feel proud and eagerly seek out more activities to hone their skills.
    Conclusion
     The foundation of children’s self-esteem is laid early in life. We’ve shown that parents can help build this foundation by making children feel loved and nurturing their interest and joy in learning. Given the worries and fears that surround a global pandemic, a solid foundation can help children build toward a better future.
    Header photo: The Lowry. Creative Commons.  More

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    in Recipes

    Deep-Fried Twinkies Recipe

    By George Geary | Certified Culinary Professional
    The State Fair of Texas was the first to offer this decadent treat.
    Makes 6 Twinkies
    Supplies:
    Dutch Oven
    Candy/Deep fry thermometer
    Skewers (6)
    Baking sheet, lined with parchment paper
    Paper towels
    Ingredients:
    6 Twinkies
    3 cups of all-purpose flour
    3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
    3 teaspoons of baking powder
    1 teaspoon of baking soda
    3/4 teaspoon of sea salt
    1 cup of buttermilk
    1/2 cup of whole milk
    3 large eggs
    3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
    Canola oil
    Confectioner’s sugar
    Directions:
    Skewer each Twinkie and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 2 hours.
    Meanwhile, prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
    In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, milk, eggs, and melted butter. Pour into the flour mixture and blend until smooth.
    In a Dutch oven, heat 2 inches of Canola oil over medium heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Working two at a time, dip the Twinkies into the batter until fully coated. Place in the hot oil, turning after a few seconds until all sides have reached a light brown color—about 4-6 minutes.
    Drain on paper towels, then dust with confectioner’s sugar.
    Editor’s Note: Recipe and photo reprinted from FAIR FOODS: The Most Popular and Offbeat Recipes from America’s State and County Fairs by George Geary Santa Monica Press.

    ABOUT GEORGE GEARY:George Geary is an award-winning chef, best-selling author, and renowned educator. A former pastry chef for the Walt Disney Company, George is a Certified Culinary Professional, and was recently awarded as the Culinary Educator of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. He is perhaps best known for creating all the cheesecakes for The Golden Girls and other top-rated television programs.
    George has worked as a critic and/or judge for ABC’s The Taste with Anthony Bourdain, The American Baking Competition with Jeff Foxworthy, Hell’s Kitchen, Supermarket Superstar, and many other popular television shows. For eight years, George was a guest chef on board the Holland America Line’s ships, sailing to over 118 countries and every continent.
    For over thirty years, Geary has been a culinary contest judge for such major food manufacturers as Canola Producers, Veg-All, Hormel Foods, the Hershey Company, Knott’s Berry Farm Foods, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Fleischmann’s Yeast, the San Diego Union Tribune, ABC News, and many more. From 1982 to 2010, George was the culinary coordinator of the Los Angeles County Fair. Visit his website, www.GeorgeGeary.com. More

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    in Recipes

    One Pot Shrimp Pasta

    Ingredients:
    12 oz angel hair pasta
    2 Tbsp butter
    3 cloves garlic, minced
    1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and quartered
    1 lb large shrimp, peeled
    Salt
    Pepper
    ¼ cup squeezed lemon juice
    1 lemon thinly sliced
    ¼ cup grated parmesan
    2 Tbsp cream
    Instructions:
    In a large pan of salted, boiling water, cook pasta.Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Set pasta aside.
    In the same pan over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic. Stir until fragrant.Add asparagus and cook 4-5 minutes until tender.
    Add shrimp and cook until pink (about 3 minutes).
    Add lemon juice and salt and pepper. Add lemon slices and cream.Let simmer and add pasta and pasta water.
    Toss until coated, add grated parmesan.
    Enjoy!
    To watch the video, click here. More

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    in Recipes

    Banana Split Berry Yogurt Parfaits

    By The American Heart Association
    This Simple Cooking with Heart simple but indulgent-tasting banana split recipe might become your new favorite dessert.
    Ingredients:
    2 6-ounces packaged, fat-free pineapple yogurt
    1 cup sliced strawberries OR 1 cup mixed berries
    1 large banana (about 1 cup sliced)
    1/4 cup low-fat granola (4 Tbsp)
    1 tablespoon cocoa (unsweetened)
    1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar
    2 tsp hot water
    Directions:
    To assemble parfaits, in small dish, layer about 1/3 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup sliced bananas and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon granola.
    In small cup, stir together cocoa, confectioners’ sugar and hot water until smooth. Drizzle 1 teaspoon over each parfait.
    Quick Tips:
    Keep it Healthy: Yogurt can be a delicious, healthier substitute for ice cream or whipped cream in any recipe.
    Tip: Instead of fresh berries you can substitute 1 cup frozen mixed berries, thawed.
    Substitute any flavor of nonfat yogurt you enjoy.
    Nutritional Information:
    Calories: 157 Per Serving
    Protein: 6g Per Serving
    Fiber: 2g Per Serving
    Cost Per Serving: $1.24
    To learn more about the Banana Split Berry Yogurt Parfaits Recipe from the American Heart Association, click here. More

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    in Recipes

    Easy Salmon Dinner Recipe

    Ingredients:
    Brussel Sprouts (2 cups halved)
    Asparagus (one bunch)
    3 small cuts of fresh Salmon 
    Lemon wedges
    Olive oil
    Lemon pepper
    Optional: Ready to Serve rice (whole grain)
    Instructions:
    On a baking sheet lined with tin foil, place halved brussel sprouts on one side and whole asparagus on the other.
    Place the desired amount of salmon in the center of the sheet and top with lemon wedges.
    Drizzle with olive oil and cover with lemon pepper to taste.
    Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees
    Optional: Use Ready to Serve rice as a quick and easy side.
    In a bowl place cooked rice, asparagus and brussel sprouts. Top with salmon and enjoy!
    To watch the video, click here. More