Felton’s Sue Kuivanen has penned her first book, “Parent’s Diet Handbook,” an exploration of healthy eating for children with a backdrop of the San Lorenzo Valley.
Kuivanen, a graduate school-level researcher and a former English teacher, wanted to write a book — and what better inspiration than her and her young daughter’s journey of learning to be healthy?
“It’s not another health or cookbook,” Kuivanen said. “It goes beyond diet paths and gives practical ideas for parents.
“Experts tell us, ‘Eat kale,’” she said. “I show how you can get your child to eat kale.”
Kuivanen’s book entwines the challenges of parenthood with strategies, stories and experiences that could help other parents make decisions about how to feed a child in today’s society.
“So far, the people who have read it have felt very inspired,” Kuivanen said.
The book has chapters on sugar consumption, teeth, and growing and gathering healthy foods. Each chapter is an easy-to-read resource for parents hoping to help girls and boys eat well.
Kuivenan’s 5-year-old daughter, Savannah, is growing up as a vegetarian, and her mother has formally observed her for three years. Based on her experience and research, Kuivenan’s book shares ideas about how to feed children in the Central Coast region using the abundance of fresh, natural food at local stores and farmers markets.
The book describes the struggle of a parent helping her child grow up healthy.
“(Savannah) is being raised as a vegetarian,” Kuivanen said. “But I don’t proclaim that it is going terrific. This book helps (parents) get crystal-clear on their positions.”
She shares her best ideas of how to get more natural and simple foods into a child’s diet and talks about her journey working with the San Lorenzo Valley School District to improve the quality of lunches at its elementary school by incorporating produce from local farmers.
“We vote with every purchase,” Kuivanen said. “That’s not my idea or a new idea. The book shows the complexity and importance of voting with your food choices.”
At a glance
• WHAT: “Parent’s Diet Handbook,” by Sue Kuivanen, 117 pages
• COST: $16.95
• WHERE: www.lulu.com; search “Kuivanen”
• To comment, e-mail Peter Burke at
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, call 438-2500 or visit www.pressbanner.com.
