Vitamin K: Essential in strengthening your bones and facilitates blood clotting to prevent excess bleeding.
Vitamin C: Strengthens your gums and keeps your teeth healthy, helps the body to produce collagen to heal wounds faster.
Folate: Keeps your brain, nervous system and spine healthy, decreases the risk of spinal cord defects in babies, and helps your heart and red blood cells.
Shop our products to learn more of the nutrients that are in you and your kiddos favorite fruits and veggies!
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Our secret ingredient is Califia Farms Dairy-Free Mint Cocoa Almond Milk Creamer. It is dairy-free, vegan-friendly, and only made with minimal, clean ingredients. Click here to learn more about Calfia's Almond Milk Creamers. It's a holiday staple in our house.
HEALTHY, DAIRY-FREE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT SHAKE
Yields: 1 serving
Prep-time: 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Have you ever been overwhelmed at the price of some health foods when shopping at your local grocery store? It can be a little daunting to look at the price difference between that all-natural snack bar and the generic granola bars.
One thing that a lot of people get caught up on is the term organic. It feels like "organic" determines whether something is healthy or not. We're here to tell you that this is not the case at all!
The term organic actually just means that the product has been grown or made without the use of any pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), antibiotics, or growth hormones. Now, of course, we are not saying that organic is a scam; organic is better for your body, but that doesn't mean that everything you buy at the grocery store has to be organic (namely, the all-natural snack bar or those organic tortilla chips).
Focusing your money and energy on organic fruits and vegetables is more realistic and affordable. Even amongst produce, there are certain fruits and vegetables which are more likely to be contaminated by pesticides and synthetic fertilizers than others. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) is a nonprofit company that studies the fruits and vegetables being produced each year and measures the pesticide residues found in and on them. The EWG has generated a Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen which list the top contaminated and clean produce items. This guide has served us well and we want to pass on the knowledge to you! So here's our Buy This, Not That organic guide. Let's make eating healthy affordable!
1. Strawberries, Not Pineapple
2. Spinach & Kale, Not Broccoli
3. Hot Peppers, Not Avocados
4. Potatoes, Not Sweet Corn
5. Tomatoes, Not Onions
6. Celery, Not Asparagus
7. Apples, Not Kiwis
8. Grapes & Cherries, Not Cantelope
9. Peaches & Nectarines, Not Honeydew
10. Pears, Not Peas
]]>Overnight Oats are a family fav. They're SO yummy and super easy. The best part is you can use the same base and customize each jar to your kids' favorite flavors.
This overnight oat base from Organize Yourself Skinny is absolutely amazing. It's the perfect texture and super simple so you can build off it and explore lots of different flavors. On her blog, Tammy answers questions like what oats are best for overnight oats, what type of container you should use, and how far in advance you can make them! She even provides several recipe ideas to try like Banana Split, Pumpkin Chocolate, and Salted Turtle (drool, I know).
We made her Almond Joy Overnight Oatmeal and it was to DIE for. Scroll down for the recipe from organizeyourselfskinny.com!
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving size: 1 jar
Calories: 343
Fat: 13
Saturated fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 24
Fiber: 9
Protein: 10
]]>School’s back in session and these bites are the easiest way to fuel your kiddos day (and BONUS they TOTALLY taste like a sneaky treat). With only 4 ingredients, one little ball is packed with fiber, antioxidants, protein, and healthy fats. Make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a quick getaway! Get snackin’! Scroll down for the recipe from choosingchia.com!
SALTED CARAMEL COCONUT BLISS BALLS
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 ball
Calories: 129
Sugar: 12g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 3g
]]>Healthy oven-baked fajitas are sure to be a family favorite. Like little tacos packed with bell peppers and onions, this dish is the PERFECT way to get those vegetables onto your child's plate.
Add guacamole for some healthy fat or a meat/bean of your choice for some protein! We love ours topped with some guac and feta cheese. And the best part? No store-bought fajita seasoning! Truly homemade and truly simple. We also love Trader Joe's handmade tortillas (they're to die for). Scroll down for the recipie!
HEALTHY OVEN-BAKED FAJITAS
These fajitas are gluten-free and can be made vegetarian or vegan to accomindate your dietary needs. And the best part? You can top them with whatever you want! Theyre fun, easy, and customizable (which we always love for families with picky eaters). You can even make the fajita seasoning ahead of time to minimize kitchen prep before dinner! This dish is great when you need something quick and easy. Recipie yeilds 4 fajitas.
INGREDIENTS
For the seasoning:
For the fillings:
Optional:
INSTRUCTIONS
We couldn't help but share one of our favorite burger recipes with you. And no, it isn't your classic beef burger--it's a veggie burger! And a veggie burger that the whole family will love.
We know how hard it can be to get vegetables on the table, especially with young kids. This burger is the perfect way to sneak in those nutrients your growing kiddos need and serve a healthy version of your kid's favorite junk food.
This recipe from cookieandkate.com is made with sweet potatoes, packed with Vitamin B6 and Pantothenic Acid, which helps promote a smart brain and a great energy supply. Translation: you'll be a smartie pants and be able to run twice as long! The patty also has black beans, quinoa, and oats which are packed full of protein and will help you feel full longer.
And the best part about this burger is you can customize it for you and your family! Top it off with some ketchup for the kids or some guacamole and slaw for yourself (and on a toasted brioche bun??? mmmmmm)! It's the perfect family dinner and the kids will be begging for more.
Scroll down for the recipe written by Cookie and Kate!
BLACK BEAN + SWEET POTATO VEGGIE BURGERS
These sweet and spicy veggie burgers are both vegan and gluten-free. For best results, prepare the burger mixture in advance and let it chill in the refrigerator (you can let it chill overnight or longer if you’d like). These veggie burgers don’t have to be served as traditional burgers—the patties are good on their own with toppings like guacamole and pico de gallo or in a salad with Southwestern flavors. Try serving them with corn on the cob in the summer (they grill well, too). Recipe yields 8 patties.
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
NOTES
IF YOU’D RATHER BAKE THE BURGERS: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush the patties liberally with extra-virgin olive oil, then place them on the baking sheet and bake until the patties are deeply golden on the outside, about 35 minutes, flipping halfway.
FREEZER STORAGE: These burgers freeze well in a sealed freezer bag. To defrost, thaw in the microwave for about 1 minutes or in a 400-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until warmed through.
Vitamin A: Keeps your hair healthy and strong, improves your vision and helps prevent blindness.
Vitamin K: Essential in strengthening your bones and facilitates blood clotting to prevent excess bleeding.
Vitamin C: Strengthens your gums and keeps your teeth healthy, helps the body to produce collagen to heal wounds faster.
Shop our products to learn more of the nutrients that are in you and your kiddos favorite fruits and veggies!
]]>It’s that time of the day again… the afternoon hunger has set in and your kids are begging for their favorite sweet treats (full of refined sugars and processed foods). With the chaos of life, it becomes so easy to throw a bag of Chips Ahoy their way to satisfy their wants. But wait an hour, the crash will come and the hunger will return.
Finding quick snacks to fill up your little ones’ bellies shouldn’t be hard! We have searched to find quick, easy snacks that your kids will love and you can feel great about giving them!
These rice cakes are the perfect snack. They combine antioxidants from the fruit, complex carbohydrates from the rice cakes, and healthy fats from the peanut butter. And they will keep your kiddos feeling fuller longer!
The best part about these adorable rice cakes is their versatility! Here’s some of our favorite ways to top them!
Rice Cakes:
Toppings:
Try these combos:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
Avocado Toast
PB&J Sammie
Turtle
The Classic
Studies show that kids who participate in at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity often have less stress, do better academically, and have stronger muscles and bones.
Helping kids stay active in our world today is becoming more and more difficult with all the distractions that technology can provide. Here are 5 ideas to help you keep your little ones happy and active!
1- Participate in the fun! This is a great way to help your kids be active as they follow your example!
2- Let your kids play! The word “play” can be very powerful because it is associated with having fun! Look for simple ways where your kids can have fun, like tag, playing catch, or even hide and seek!
3- Create family activities that are fun and easy. These activities could include taking the dog for a walk, riding a bike, or going on a small hike.
4- Limit the amount of time your children spend in front of a screen. Not only can computer and phone screens be harmful to our eyes, but they can become addicting as well.
5- Listen to your children and mix it up! If you notice that your children are bored or uninterested in any activity, mix it up! Look for new ways to keep things fun!
Combining healthy eating habits with daily exercise is the perfect way to kickstart your children’s mental, emotional, and physical health for the future!
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Vitamin C: Helps heal cuts and wounds, aids with healthy teeth and gums, protects against free radicals, and encourages a healthy brain.
Copper: Helps with healthy bone and tissue, provides antioxidant protection, enables energy production, and supports cholesterol balance.
Pantothenic Acid: Aids in energy production and facilitates the metabolism of fats
]]>But sometimes the best "Pinterest Valentine's Breakfasts" are loaded with sugar and are guaranteed to leave the kids hungry. It's hard to find something quick, easy and festive to fuel your kids for the day ahead.
This tasty strawberry banana smoothie from buildyourbite.com is the perfect Valentine's day breakfast! It's packed with Vitamin C to help fight off the winter sniffles and so good even the pickiest eater will love it. Top it off with a fun straw or dig in with a spoon. You and your kids are going to LOVE it!
Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Makes: About 2 smoothies
Ingredients
Instructions
This smoothie is thick like a milkshake. Blend in a high-speed blender or add extra liquid to make sure it's well-blended. Serve with a straw or spoon.
Enjoy!
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About 4 years after completing my degree, I became a mother!
I was certain my children would be the healthiest eaters ever! How could they not? While I felt successful in some things, I always wished my kids would eat more fruits and veggies than they often did.
One day (I had 3 kids by now!), while feeding my children fresh pears for a snack, I was talking with my 4 year old daughter about antioxidants. I explained that antioxidants are like "good guys" and they go after the "bad guys" (free radicals) in our body.
I then explained that the peels of fruits and vegetables contain the most antioxidants (the "good guys") so the more peels we eat, the better!
It was like a light went on in her head and she ate every last bite of the peel! I realized I might be on to something here. At the next meal, I explained the benefits of carrots, and she happily ate some proclaiming, "look, I can see better!"
After this, my children often wanted to know what nutrients were in the fruits and vegetables that I was serving. While I could remember the major nutrients in some of the fruits and vegetables, I certainly couldn't remember them all. And pausing at mealtimes to look up something on my phone wasn't always feasible.
I went on a search to purchase something I could use at mealtimes that would be a quick reference about the major nutrients in fruits and vegetables. After many google searches and checking various websites, I discovered the resource I was looking for simply didn't exist.
My husband suggested I come up with a product that would provide information for moms/caretakers to help even "picky eaters" improve their eating habits.
We have spent many late nights together brain-storming, researching, and dreaming about ways to fulfill our mission of giving kids a reason WHY to eat fruits and vegetables. We have been through many ideas, designs, material, and suppliers in hopes of bringing only the best, most useful tools under our brand.
While plates and flashcards are the initial products under the "Healthy Kiddos" brand, we're excited to bring many more to the market in the coming months!
Cheers!
Ann
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