| meals have to be quick, flavorful and nutritious. | | | | other special noodles like car shapes, etc. Make a |
| Getting little ones to eat vegetables is a major | | | | theme of the soup creation. |
| task. Finding a way to get vegetables into the | | | | Cut star shapes out of the carrot slices and |
| mouths of kids is simple when they are involved | | | | zucchini (using an aspic cutter) then set to the |
| in the fun. Creating ways to get kids involved in | | | | side. |
| the preparation and the cooking of kids' recipes is | | | | Ingredients: |
| part of the fun. Kid friendly recipes will allow you | | | | * 1-2 carrots |
| the peace of knowing your children are eating | | | | * 1 zucchini |
| healthy and they will like being in control of what | | | | * 4 cups low sodium chicken broth |
| they are eating. | | | | * 1/4 cup shaped pasta |
| Take your little ones along when you go shopping. | | | | * Dash of sage |
| Allow them to choose the fruits and vegetables | | | | * 3/4 cup chopped, cooked chicken |
| that they like. This is generally the most | | | | * Salt and pepper to taste |
| opportune way even with kids as young as 4 | | | | Bringing it All Together: |
| years old. Children learn to eat healthier when | | | | * Let the kids help you wash the vegetables. |
| they participate in the cooking and the shopping | | | | After they finish you can wash the carrots and |
| for the family. | | | | zucchini lightly with a vegetable brush. |
| Children love color. Even with food, kids will first | | | | * Cut the vegetables into 1/4-inch slices. |
| look, smell, and finally taste. So a variety of color | | | | * Cut star shapes out of the slices, and set them |
| in meals is great. Eating a variety of foods greatly | | | | aside. |
| improves the chances of getting all the nutrients | | | | * In a medium sized pot, bring the broth to a |
| you and your family require to achieve optimum | | | | simmer over medium heat. |
| health. | | | | * Add the carrot stars and simmer for about 20 |
| A creative way to get children to eat vegetables | | | | minutes or until the carrots are tender. |
| is to use the food as part of a project. Kids get | | | | * Add the pasta, zucchini and chicken. Continue |
| to count, make shapes, and then eat what they | | | | cooking the soup for another few minutes, stirring |
| create. You get the reassurance of knowing that | | | | occasionally, just until the pasta is done. Makes 4 |
| you are including nutritious foods into their meals. | | | | servings. |
| Kids Recipes for Create My Own Soup | | | | * Let your kids search for their names or count |
| Let your kids separate the carrots and celery | | | | the number of shapes in their soup bowl. The kids |
| pieces. Let them spell their names with the | | | | will like the exciting activity and fun, you will feel |
| noodles if you have alphabet noodles. You can find | | | | good knowing they are eating their vegetables. |