No Mommy, Trees Aren't For Eating!

How many of you have children that just wouldn't eat their vegetables? No matter, what you do, what you try, even if you cover it with chocolates, well......no, really, they still wouldn't eat their vegetables. "Broccoli looks like trees and they shouldn't be eaten", that's what my three year old would say. "No way mom!", he protests!

Well, have no fear. Here are some Kid-Friendly Recipe ideas from Christine Steendahl, The Menu Mom. She has some Kid Approved Meals to download. It's your very own personal 13 week breakfast and lunch menu made just for kids!

As Christine states, "kid's meals should be easy, delicious and healthy. Getting children to eat vegetables is a major negotiation. Finding a way to get vegetables into the mouths of babes is easy when they are part of the fun. Coming up with creative ways to get kids involved in the preparation and the cooking of kids' recipes is part of the fun. Child friendly recipes will allow you the peace of knowing your children are eating healthy and they will enjoy feeling in control of what they are being fed."

Following is a sample recipe from The Menu Mom:

Kids Recipes for "Create My Own Soup"

Let your children count the carrots and celery pieces. Let them spell their names with the noodles if you include alphabet noodles. You may find other novelty noodles like car shapes, etc. Create a topic of the soup creation.

Cut star shapes out of the carrot slices and zucchini (using an aspic cutter) then set to the side.

Ingredients:
*1-2 carrots
*1 zucchini
*4 cups low sodium chicken broth
*1/4 cup shaped pasta
*Dash of sage
*3/4 cup chopped, cooked chicken
*Salt and pepper to taste

Bringing it All Together:

*Let the kids help you wash the vegetables. Once finished you can wash the carrots and zucchini softly with a vegetable brush.
*Cut the vegetables into 1/4-inch slices.
*Cut star shapes out of the slices, and set them aside.

*In a medium sized pot, bring the broth to a simmer over medium heat.
*Add the carrot stars and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
*Add the pasta, zucchini and chicken. Continue cooking the soup for another few minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the pasta is done. Makes 4 servings.

*Let your kids find their names or count the number of shapes in their soup bowl. The kids will like the adventure and fun, you will feel good knowing they are eating their vegetables.

Would you like more Kid-Friendly Recipes? Christine Steendahl „The Menu Mom invites you to visit Kid Approved Meals to download your personal 13 week breakfast and lunch menu made just for kids!