Great Greens – How on Earth Do They Grow?

Great Greens – How on Earth Do They Grow? Artichoke and Asparagus facts and recipes!

And the Beet Goes On!

Kids can be picky eaters, especially when it comes to trying new and nutritious foods like beets. Many parents don’t even consider serving certain foods thinking their kids will turn up their nose at them. Don’t underestimate this tiny, red root vegetable though. It’s packed full of energy-boosting, heart-healthy nutrients and makes a colorful addition to any dish. Go ahead and give beets a chance!

Monday Menu: Irish Soda Bread

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your kids and make this recipe and a Recycle Leprechaun Craft! Traditional Soda Bread was not the sweet raisin-and-caraway-filled loaf many Americans eat today. A real soda bread is a simple loaf with a beautifully browned, craggy crust and a nice chew, best eaten liberally smeared with salty Irish butter.

An Inspired Childhood | Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

An inspired childhood is our gift to our kids and it is built on what we give emotionally, do to set an example, and provide as a means to supporting the skills our children will need to grow up and be successful independent contributive adults. It is the giving of ourselves and the sharing of our own stories – how will you build your family foundation?

Chipper Snacks: Mummy Madness Monday

Monday Mayhem: You start off strong ready to conquer the week and by the end of the day you wonder if you’ll even make it to Wednesday. Sound familiar? Part of this feeling comes from being conscious of everything you have on your “to do” list rather than the task at hand. So start the week of by listing your “to do’s” on a daily basis then let it go so everything can fall into place and happen. At the top of the list is probably what you need to pick up or make for dinner. As we welcome a week we know will end in screams – rightfully so – let’s kick-off some Halloween fun that will also encourage your kids into the kitchen.

Here are two simple Mighty Mummy dinner ideas to kick off this Monday …and maybe even repeat before you go Trick o’ Treating. “Playing with your food” never tasted so good …er ghoulish.

Mummy Pizza

Ingredients:

• ½ cup black olives, sliced
• 1 package of mozzarella cheese, sliced
• English muffins
• ½ cup pizza sauce (click in the link for an easy recipe or buy it pre-made!)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Open your English muffin and spread some pizza sauce on it. Let the kids do this – they’ll loved it!
3. Next, give each mummy two eyes using the black olive slices.
4. Lastly, use to cut the mozzarella cheese slices into strips. Again, it doesn’t have to be perfect. The kids can lay them over the top of the crust.
5. Bake 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Enjoy 🙂

Mummy Dogs

Ingredients:

• 8 hot dogs
• 1 can prepared dough of your choice
• mustard or ketchup, for serving

 Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375˚F
2. Roll out the dough very thin, then use a pizza cutter to cut skinny strips of dough.
3. Wrap each hotdog. Leave a little bit of open space around the “face” of the mummy. Keep wrapping in a crisscross pattern until covered. Let the kids do this, it feels sticky & fun. Repeat, then lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or baking mat.
4. Bake 18-20 minutes, until the dough is nice and golden brown.
5. Use a toothpick to make ‘eyes’ with mustard or ketchup, admire, then enjoy 🙂

What other Halloween snacks do you and your kids love to make? Share with us in the comments below or on Facebook.

School Just Started and I’m Cheating Already

Sometimes it’s okay to cheat.

Chipper Snack Recipe: Mushroom Nuggets

Mushroom Nuggets

Tell your kids Mushrooms taste better than slugs! Bruce the Banana Slug LOVES mushrooms!

If Meatless Monday is the only day on your calendar for vegetarian dishes we have a new recipe for you to be chipper about. Even your picky eater whom refuses to eat their veggies will consider these healthy bite-size bursts of flavor on any day. Mushroom Nuggets – call them “earth balls” – are a delicious alternative to “chicken nuggets.” Each bite-sized nugget is packed with flavor and conveniently hides the healthy stuff like beans, mushrooms and veggie protein – yes, the stuff your kids bemoan.

Or make as veggie burgers…

These bites are savory, slightly cheesy, with a hint of sweetness and accents of earthy flavors. Do you think your kids will notice the health benefits? Just tell them that they are going to have a ball at dinner tonight.

Mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamin D; they boost your immunity, are high in antioxidants, and increase your metabolism. And they go from snack to meal; try stuffing these tiny falafel-sized bites into pitas, wraps or over pasta.

Store a few mushroom bites in the fridge for a grab and go lunch. Salads, sandwiches, pitas and more love these bites. Use any way you would a meatball!

Mushroom Nuggets
Makes about two dozen | Recipe & photos by KATHYPATALSKY

Spices:
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 cup nutritional yeast (add more if you’d like more cheezy flavor)
1 Tbsp mushroom powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
A few dashes pepper
2 Tbsp salt-free spice blend

Liquid:
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp maple or agave syrup
2 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce
2 Tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup water (or low-salt veggie broth for added flavor)

Base:
1 1/2 cups TVP or TSP (textured veggie or soy protein)
1 can Cannellini beans, drained
1 1/2 cups mushrooms, chopped
1/3 cup diced sweet onion (omit for onion-opposed kids)
1/2 cup flour

Sauté in 1-2 Tbsp safflower oil.

To make:

1. Combine all the spices in a large mixing bowl. This can be a fun math moment for kids: How many tablespoons of spices are we adding? How many teaspoons in a table spoon?
2. Add in the liquids and the base ingredients. Grab a large fork and start mashing well – especially the beans. Another great step for kids to jump in and help. Wear ’em out with the mashing! Try to break them down as much as possible so they provide a sticky agent which binds the mixture. The TVP will begin absorbing the liquid as well to thicken the mix.
3. Next, add in the flour for the final step. You can add in a tablespoon at a time until you are comfortable with the consistency. You want the mixture to be like a very wet bean patty.
4. Turn a nonstick skillet on med-high heat – add about 1-2 Tbsp of safflower oil. Safflower oil is perfect because it gives these nuggets crispy edges.
5. When oil is hot, grab golf ball sized balls and roll in a big of flour (roll in some nutritional yeast for added savory flavor) – then plop onto skillet. Another fun moment for kids to help out and get a little messy! Allow each side to cook for about a minute or two. Try not to burn, but you do want a nice brown color to the exterior.
6. Place on a paper towel to rest a few minutes – they will further bind as they cool – serve hot and enjoy!