Junk food just looks good doesn't it? I mean it's colorful, cream-filled, and just down right pleasing to the eyes. Take for example what my kids want for breakfast every morning. Without doing any name dropping here - it's cream-filled, has sprinkles and has the word sundae in it. I mean come on, what kid wouldn't want that first thing in the morning, right?
We, as parents, have a lot of competition out there when it comes to trying to get our kids to eat healthy. Instead of caving in and throwing our hands up in frustration, let's get creative shall we and make healthy recipes for kids?
Think about the foods that your kids beg you to buy at the grocery store. How can you make the same thing that is fun and yummy looking, right at home with healthy ingredients instead? It is possible! Part of it is just the packaging. Oh, those cute little characters they throw on there that our kids just can't resist. Or those free little toys that you have to buy 5 boxes AND send in money for shipping and handling. You just gotta love those advertisers!
So, maybe we can't create cute little boxes and bags with free toys inside. (Well, I guess you actually could if you wanted to, but who has the time for that!) What we can do is make food fun. Here are 3 quick and healthy recipes for kids that I think your little ones will eat up in no time. They can also make these with you, which in their eyes will make it taste better already.
Fruit Kabobs - Now this is one colorful recipe and so much fun to make!
Small cluster of green or red grapes
Tangerine
Banana
Apple (any kind)
Wooden Sticks
Take the grapes off of the stem, split the tangerine into sections, slice the apple and banana. Alternate pushing each piece of fruit onto the wooden stick. Lay the sticks on a decorative platter and serve.
Monkey Mix - This is an on-the-go snack. It's great for kids' lunches too.
3 cups Cheerios
1 cup banana chips
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chocolate chips (substitute raisins if you'd like)
Mix all the ingredients together. Keep it stored in a gallon Ziploc bag.
Fish in a Pond - This is such a fun recipe to eat. Finally kids can play with their food!
Goldfish crackers
4 celery stalks, cut off leafy tops
½ cup cream cheese (low-fat is good to use)
1 drop blue food coloring
Put the cream cheese into a bowl and add the drop of food coloring to make it look like a pond. Put goldfish in a separate bowl. Give the kids a piece of celery and let them dip it into the cream cheese pond and then go fishing by sticking it into their bowl of goldfish. Make it a game to see how many fish they can catch.
Those are some fun recipes aren't they? Try them out and definitely get your kids in on the action. Next time your little monkeys gets hungry, tell them to go grab a scoop of monkey mix.