TRICKS & TIPS PART 2

Last night we had brussel sprouts for dinner.  Luke ate about a dozen baby sized brussel sprouts (which make them sweeter and more tender).  When they were all gone he cried!  It was the only time he ever threw a really big tantrum where it really did not upset me at all.  I felt even a tiny bit of joy knowing that he was longing for my delicious brussel sprouts :)  Truth be told he was so tired that no matter what we had run out of he would have gotten worked up about it, but it is nice that he still enjoys a good brussel sprout.  One of the things we did when he was little was talk about eating veggies A LOT!!  We did not do it in a parent "You must eat your veggies" sort of way but rather we would talk about how much we love each item.  When we were playing store we always asked for broccoli or brussel sprouts or fruit.  If we played with our little men and he was feeding them my man always would request a healthy treat for dinner.  I involve Luke a lot at the grocery store in helping me find the special treats: brussel sprouts, asparagus, etc.  Eating needs to be fun not a chore so the more it becomes part of our play the better we are.  To that end I have noticed that if he helps in cooking in even a small way : cracking an egg, pushing the button on the blender, he is more likely to eat it.  Kids sense your enthusiasm so it has to be authentic!  

2)PROTEIN PACKED FRENCH TOAST

* The key to this is the bread.  Almost all kids enjoy bread but if you introduce them to the white UNHEALTHY kind it is hard to make the switch.  Instead keep a good whole grain bread in your house that does not have any sugar in it.

* We eat sprouted wheat bread that is full of nuts, berries and protein!

* Also this recipe calls for Almond Butter which I recommend over Peanut Butter.  It is much higher in protein, calcium and lower in fat.  If your child is introduced to it instead of peanut butter then to them it is a treat.

1. Take two eggs and and two teaspoons of whole milk and beat together in a shallow dish for dredging.  Add cinnamon and a drop of vanilla extract.

2.  Take two pieces of sprouted bread and spread organic Almond Butter onto one piece

3.  On the second piece of bread drizzle a TINY bit of agave and spread it along the bread

4.  Then slice one banana and place it on top of the agave side of the bread.

5.  Put the two pieces together into a sandwich and cut in half

6.  Dredge the two halves in the egg mixture and then place in a hot pan and cook like french toast.

7.  IF needed serve with St. Dalfour's Jam (all fruit)

8.  Serve with a side of fresh fruit for added fiber.

* this recipe is both kid friendly and yummy.  It is a favorite in my house.

  

TIPS & TRICKS PART 1

    I recently had a girlfriend of mine ask me for a few tips on getting her son to eat more vegetables.  He is two years old and since about a year old has been REFUSING to go green if you know what I mean :)  While I do have a few "tricks" up my sleeve I think part of getting a child to eat well is about modeling behavior..YOURS.  If you and your husband always eat well and include your son or daughter in your meals instead of making a separate more "child-friendly" meal chances are that over time they too will eat your food.  Since my son was born I have been introducing him to a variety of "adult" tastes and did not want him to get a more bland palate.  So he has been having foods with garlic and all sorts of spices since he was born.  That said here are a few of my more child friendly tricks and tips.  This will be an ongoing post.

1) THE SMOOTHIE 

*Be sure to serve your smoothie in an OPAQUE glass so that the added "treats" can't be see

*Use a mixture of both fresh and frozen fruits (frozen is important in making it yummy

*Keep organic frozen mango, strawberries, blueberries and bananas on hand for smoothie

*the banana is a KEY ingredient in hiding other food

*The pureed organic baby foods from Earth's Best are great if you don't have time to pure

*Kale blends up well with a banana and is easily hidden in a smoothie

*Romaine too is virtually without taste and adds extra fiber

*Avocado can be added for thickness but go light as it can make it gloppy

*Can throw in wheat germ, flax meal, oats, etc..

Sample Recipe

1 banana

1/4 cup frozen strawberries

1 /4 cup frozen blueberries

1 large leaf of kale

cup water

1/4 100 percent juice (pomegranite, orange, apple)

BLEND and enjoy!!

Another sample

1/4 cup grapes

1/4 cup frozen mango

1 orange

1 cup water

1/4 cup orange juice

1 jar squash

BLEND and enjoy!!

*** NOTE: I will often put some Greek yogurt in smoothies as well. When doing this it is best to

stick with fruit blends and NOT add the veggies. For some reason it can really heighten the taste of the

veggie and blow your cover :)