Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Dreamsicle Fruit Dip & Giveaway

I struggle with getting my kids to eat healthy foods.  One way I have some success is by involving the kids in choosing foods, buying foods, and preparing foods. As I previewed The Best Homemade Kids' Snacks on the Planet by Laura Fuentes of Momables, I looked for recipes simple enough for the kids to help cook.

One of the lines from a recipe description rang true for me:
Truth be told, I came up with this easy recipe because sometimes calling it a pizza is a lot easier than getting my kids to eat fruit. 
I do this with my own children too-cookies, pizza, meatballs, and cake...the stuff my kids love. My kids enjoyed making the Blueberry Snack Cookie filled with rolled oats and ate a healthy serving of oatmeal which they ALWAYS refuse. Kids can need between 15-20 exposures to a new food before they readily eat it. Starting with oatmeal in a "cookie" works for us.

Fuentes's line about trying to associate something fun with a new recipe spoke to my teacher instincts. As I looked for easy, kid-friendly recipes to get the kids active in the kitchen, I started matching some of the recipes with well-known children's books.

  • Italian Flag Bites with Strega Nona
  • Crepes (there were tons of options for sweet or savory) with If You Give a Pig a Pancake 
  • Ninja Turtle Nuggets with The Foolish Tortoise
I am taking this philosophy into my younger children's day care to do a lesson on "Keeping Cool in the Kitchen." I'll be pairing this Dreamsicle Fruit Dip with two great books: Gregory the Terrible Eater and Eating the Alphabet. Another hint Fuentes and Parents Magazine recommend is using dips as a way to increase kids' acceptance of fruits and vegetables.

COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN The Best Homemade Kids' Snacks on the Planet





INGREDIENTS:
  • 6 ounces of vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate









DIRECTIONS:
  1. In a medium bowl, mix yogurt, cream cheese, and orange juice concentrate. Mix until thoroughly combined.
  2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Serve with fruit. 
DIFFICULTY: Easy
TIME: 10 minutes
SOURCE: The Best Homemade Kids' Snacks on the Planet

We are thrilled to be able to offer a lucky winner a copy of The Best Homemade Snacks on the Planet! To enter, just leave a comment in the comment section below.  The contest runs until 9pm August 2, 2015.












11 comments:

  1. OOOO, I am ALWAYS looking for fun, healthy & tasty ideas for lunches! This cookbook look great! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the literacy connection! Looks like a good one to add to the collection as the kids are getting more interested in helping! Might help them stay interested ;)
    Danielle Lewis

    ReplyDelete
  3. My kids are my number one helpers in the kitchen - it's a great learning opportunity in so many ways! I love this idea because I loathe making school lunches and am hoping for some new ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds yummy! Perfect for after school snacks, which will happen in less than 2 weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds yummy! Perfect for after school snacks, which will happen in less than 2 weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So much fun! My 6th grader loves to be in the kitchen with me!

    ReplyDelete
  7. So much fun! My 6th grader loves to be in the kitchen with me!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This would be fantastic for my little one and stuff that she can actually help me make. she loves to help! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to get some more recipes for healthy snacks, especially for my picky eater. ��

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would LOVE to win a copy of this book! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete