We
hope everyone will come down to Pathfinder Produce this Thursday, June 2, from
1 to 5 p.m. to stock up for the inevitable picnics and cookouts that will be
happening this coming weekend. With the
summer weather, it’s a great time to keep the heat out of the house, cook
outside, and enjoy family meals that feature lots of lively salads, cool fresh
fruit dishes, and grilled veggies. I’m
sure we have something that is just perfect for your next cookout at Pathfinder
Produce!
This
week, we welcome a new writer to the Pathfinder Produce Blog, Sr. Director of
Education Maura Iorio of Pathfinder School.
Enjoy!
***
YUCK!
It’s
a word I’ve heard uttered at the dinner table more times than I can count. As
any parent of a picky eater can tell you, sometimes family meals become a
battlefield: Kid vs. Veggies. I’ve seen broccoli skillfully hidden beneath a
strategically placed napkin, and peas mashed artfully underneath a mountain of
mashed potatoes. On at least one occasion, my little guy managed to use
surgical precision to stuff his carrots into a dinner roll…Picky Eater Skill
Level: Ninja.
My
husband and I have tried every tactic in the book to get some vitamins and
nutrients into our kids’ systems in a form other than Flintstone-shaped
candies. You want dessert? Eat those two green beans first. You think they’re
gross? Look! They’re Daddy’s favorite, mmm! Fine, if you eat at least one, I’ll
give you a dollar!
So
what happens when setting a good example and flat-out bribery don’t work?
Sneaky
Veggies
Like
anything involved in raising children, there are mixed opinions floating around
on the use of “sneaky veggies.” Some parents will protest that children should
learn to appreciate healthy food options in their true forms, and to a certain
point I agree. Making sure healthy options are always available to your
children is so important, as well as continually encouraging your child to try
new things. However, there are some children who are just NOT going to buy into
this, no matter how hard you try.
For
these children, my youngest son included, I say sneaking some fruits and
veggies into their snacks and meals won’t hurt them—but it will ensure that
they have a (sort of) well-balanced diet! One great way to do this is with
smoothies—if you add enough strawberries, the green of baby spinach leaves can
easily be hidden. Pro Tip: Blend leafy greens with whatever liquid base you’re
using FIRST, then add in the other ingredients.
This helps make sure the leafy
greens are well-blended and that there are no chunks of green stuff left behind
that will give it away! Another great option is to add grated veggies, such as
carrots and zucchini, to breads and muffins.
Sometimes, a child’s aversion to
fruits and veggies has more to do with texture and presentation. Blending them
into something that resembles bread or cake can be enticing enough to give it a
try!
Until next time, eat well and savor the
sneakiness!
Maura Iorio (and Lori)
Recipes (Just click the caption below each picture to see the recipe!)
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| http://www.superhealthykids.com/power-packed-fruit-and-veggie-muffin-for-picky-eaters/ |
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| http://www.superhealthykids.com/high-fiber-broccoli-smoothie-kids/ |
