About a year ago, the Henderson’s returned from Russia with two VERY tiny, new additions to their family in-tow. Many of us know what a challenge it can be to get our picky eaters to finish what we put on their plates. This family had an entirely different version of the “picky-eater” challenge ahead of them with trying to feed two children who were severely underweight, undersized, and unfamiliar with Western food.

I must further preface this story for the readers who don’t already know that Malt-O-Meal Hot Wheat® tastes really good when prepared using the recipe on the box. Increasing the caloric content usually isn’t necessary to get adequate nutrition and flavor benefits. It’s fortified with vitamins and minerals including iron and has been approved by WIC program dietitians and kid nutrition experts in 33 States. (However, I still add a serving fruit to mine, but I’m a somewhat of a rebel.)

This blog entry from www.clutteredpantry.com was written by Mr. Henderson about 7 months ago:

” It’s been 5 months since we brought home our two new, adorable, tiny daughters from eastern Siberia. We’re so unbelievably happy to have them in our lives, and we’re even more happy that these two sisters get to stay together. That day in October, when we finally began our 18 hours of air travel home with them, they were happy, but quite small (hardly on the US growth charts) and, as they only spoke Russian, difficult to anticipate with regard to what they’d be able, or willing, to eat. Once we got home to Chicago we kind of looked at each other, looked at them, and considered how we’d reach our goals for helping them to pack on healthy weight just as quickly as possible.

Our biggest “problem” was their intense desire for fresh fruits and vegetables. We had to bribe them with broccoli and peas to get them to eat the foods that most toddlers beg for.
In 5 months there has been a lot of experimenting with menus of course, and a lot of success and failure along the way (I think it’s like this for every parent), except when it comes to breakfast. Breakfast is always a success.

We’re convinced we’ve been able to get our girls to grow so quickly (they’ve each added 6cm and more than 30% weight gain!) because their most important meal of the day, breakfast, is one they always completely and happily finish and, amazingly, one that’s even great for them.
I’m talking about Malt-O-Meal, which is what my wife grew up eating. I was a Cream Of Wheat® kid, never had Malt-O-Meal at all, but my wife was from a Malt-O-Meal family, and she insisted from Day 1 that we try it. Home Run!!

Malt-O-Meal with:

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Blueberries

(the girls’ nickname for it, “mush!”, which they evolved from their Russian “kash”) is THE signature meal in our home. In the beginning, to help get the weight-gain ball rolling, we’d make it with whole milk, and even added a little heavy cream. Once their cheeks starting getting chubby, we went back to the regular recipe. But from the start and even now, these tiny girls are putting away a whole serving of Malt-O-Meal each and every morning. Here we are, 5 months in to our parenting journey (AND the first morning of pre-primary school for our oldest girl!) looking at empty bowls, smiling, healthy, faces and full, happy tummies…theirs and our! Thanks Malt-O-Meal!! ”

I recently contacted Mr. Henderson for an update on the tiny”Russian dolls”, and this is what he had to tell us:

Happy Father's Day!

As for present day…

It’s been 10 months now that we completed our 2nd trip and brought them them home, and they continue to grow at a phenomenal rate; of course Malt-O-Meal continues to play a daily role. Each girl is about 10cm taller than they were when we first brought them home, and they’re up almost 40% in weight. The funny thing is, they’re so active that the added weight is almost all muscle. Never have I seen such triceps on a 2 year old!

One of the questions we get a lot is, do they still speak any Russian? The older one did have quite a vocabulary when we first met. We learned enough Russian to communicate with them, and to know if they were telling us if they were hungry, thirsty, had to go potty, etc., but after a few months home they both started picking up English very well. After about 5 months they didn’t know any Russian words any more (nor did they recognize pictures of their once-beloved main caretaker from their orphanage…the woman with whom they had a big farewell cry when we all left).

It’s as though they decided; okay, that stuff was all then when we were waiting for our mommy and daddy to come get us. This is now, and that chapter has closed. We do know that as they grow, and as they learn of, and comprehend their origins, they’ll want to learn Russian again. We can’t wait.

But right now, two little girls (as American as can be) are trying to wake up from a nap. I hear their two little voices on the monitor are already lobbying for a visit to the playground.

The photo is from Father’s Day 2009…..my first ever as a Dad myself!

I could not be more thrilled to hear the great news about these little darlings!

You can read more about the Henderson family and these “Tiny Russian Dolls” at www.clutteredpantry.com.

All the best,

MP Godfrey

Team Malt-O-Meal

Higher Levels of Vitamins & Minerals
Nutrients & minerals supplied in a healthy breakfast are top-flight maintenance for body & mind. By starting the day off with a well balanced meal, you provide an important percentage of your body’s daily nutrition.

Greater Energy
When rolling out of bed in the morning a body is running low on glucose, which is the body’s source of energy. If you don’t replenish it, the body begins to take glucose from reserves such as your liver & muscle tissue. Once reserves run dry, the body receives energy by breaking down fatty acids which, without carbohydrates, leaves you with low amounts of energy.

Starting Your Day Off on the Right Foot
Breakfast is fuel that will carry you throughout the day and one sure key to a healthy & happier lifestyle. Keep yourself in good condition by starting the day off right with a well balanced breakfast, your mind & body will thank you.