Flowfit

Sometimes the best of intentions go awry.   With Halloween just past, I figured a good dose of vitamins and nutrients in the form of a healthy snack would be just what the doctor ordered.  A good idea?  Yes.   A well received idea?  Not so much.

This weeks snack was red and yellow peppers, cucumber slices, mini cauliflower flowerettes and hummus to dip.  GREAT snack, right?

For the grades 6-8, I have to be honest, it was not a hit!  It is interesting, because I chose this snack not only for the health benefits, but because in the past it has been one of the most popular!  The peppers especially.  The draw of bright colours has always been a hit with the kids, and yellow peppers aren’t something they all see very often.  This time though, we got snubbed!  Literally… huffs and puffs walking by the table.  At first I was shocked, then I took a step back and looked around….. I saw a lot of colourful foods – bags of chips, candy bars and lolly pops….not ‘food’ exactly, but it sure was colourful!  I guess my idea of colour didn’t compare to the brightly coloured wrappers of all their left over Halloween treats.  Sigh…..

On a positive note though, the kindergarden classes devoured theirs, and were begging for more – even the cauliflower was a huge hit!!  They needed twice the amount of hummus provided and were frowning when it was all gone.  Grades 1 – 5 had a positive reception for the most part with most trays coming back nearly empty.

Lesson learned?  Maybe.  Truthfully, although there were loads of leftovers from the older grades, the little ones and their eagerness was totally worth it.  Next time though, maybe I’ll do the super healthy snack BEFORE Halloween… not right after ;o)

Veggies and Hummus are still a great snack choice in my book!  Fear not – some things take time.  Repeated attempts are needed for new lessons to sink in…. remember the toddler years?  We didn’t give up so easily back then, so why should it be any different now?

I WILL serve this snack again, and it WILL be different…. you’ll see…..

YUM!

Who doesn’t love an assortment of things to nosh on?  It’s like grazing…. lots of little yummies – all about one bite each.  Why not try this in your kids lunch?  Add in a toothpick and it feels like a special treat!  The best thing?  It’s SUPER easy!!

In this box I put a selection of veggies (raw baby turnip, green peppers, purple carrots), whole grain bread and apple slices.  The top left corner has cubed organic turkey balogna (buy a chunk and cut into cubes), rolled salami, cubed goats milk cheddar and some fresh cranberries.  These lunch boxes came home empty!

Pick and choose what your kids like and add something they’ve never seen before – it makes things exciting and unexpected!

YUM!

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon. – Doug Larson

For the love of veggies –

They’re good for you and over a flame they taste like candy – well not literally, but certainly sweet.  Everything from asparagus to eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, zucchini…. the list goes on and on….all come to life when grilled – seriously!

I’ve never eaten a veggie I didn’t like… well, let me rephrase that… I’ve never eaten a properly prepared veggie I didn’t like – especially when grilled!  The combination of flavours – smokey carmelized crunchy juiciness – YUM!!  It’s natural goodness at it’s best.

I often read varying reports of just how many vegetables you should consume each day.  While you may question the amount necessary to get in all your vitamins and nutrients, one thing is absolutely certain – your mother was right!  Vegetables are good for you!  There is no question in that.  Veggies are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals, and beneficial in hydration (veggies have a high water content).  A diet that includes a rainbow of veggies is simply smart.

I know so many people (shocking to me) that do not like veggies – children especially.  I would have to guess that this is largely do to how they are prepared and presented.  Vegetables offer their own natural sweetness.  Boiling them should be a crime!  So please hear me… DO NOT BOIL YOUR VEGGIES!  Potatoes of course are the exception.  With summer upon us… get outside!  Use your grill!  If you don’t already have a grill basket – go out and get one.  Try mixing a variety of colours and textures.  Toss them all together with some good quality olive oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper and something acidic like citris or balsamic vinegar.  Add in some herbs and garlic and presto!  Dee-lish!

The most wonderful thing about vegetables for me is, they are food from the earth.  Directly from the earth.  How great is that?

Veggies – go out and get some.  Have them for dinner tonight!

YUM!

Tell me…. did your mom ever say, “eat your veggies”?  Have you ever told  your children to, “eat your veggies”?