Green is Great!

Get your children comfortable with “green.” Use whatever tactic you think will work. My son thinks green foods are the coolest. I make him delectable smoothies with frozen banana, purified water, almonds, a little honey, and whatever else I want to throw in. It is always bright green, however, because I also add “spiralina” which is a super food, full of protein, vitamins and minerals including B12. It also is a cancer fighter. You cannot taste the spiralina because of the banana and other goodies, but it is GREEN! We call this drink “army drink”. Arden thinks it is groovy, because it is green like all the camouflage army stuff and makes soldiers strong. 

He is really into swords, and when I give him his “barley green”, (a health supplement), he takes it straight from the spoon, and asks for more when I say with a real exuberant voice, “Time for sword fighting powder to give you big muscles!”

My children love “army ice-cream” which is frozen bananas whipped into the most delicious ice cream with a teaspoon of spiralina, and whatever else you want - maybe some tahini, or peanut butter, or a dash of vanilla. It is truly the best guilt-free ice cream you could serve for breakfast! Of course, you can call it “princess food” for the little girls (explaining how this food helps keep you pretty as a princess.)

Try Tadpoles!

Sprout! Children love to water them and watch them grow. You can throw them in their smoothies for an extra boost and they won’t even know it. Raw is best, but you can also bake chickpea sprouts at 350 for 15 minutes with some zesty flavors for a crunchy treat instead of potato chips. My little ones like to carry them around in their own little zip lock pouch and snack on them here and there. They are really fun with their little tails hanging down and they taste great. I call them “tadpoles” for my bug-loving boy. 

Use honey, fruit juice, blackstrap molasses or stevia instead of sugar. Lower the amount of meat and dairy in their diets, as they are high in cholesterol and fat, and contain no fiber whatsoever. If they are not farm raised, they are also filled with hormones. There are purer and higher sources of protein and calcium to be found in the plant kingdom.  Incorporate beans, lentils, and whole grains into mealtimes on the nights you don’t serve meat.  Purchase a vegetarian cookbook and make some hearty chilies with these healthful staples. Give tofu a second chance. With the right recipes, it is tasty, and healthy. 

Have fun with a “baked potato bonanza” party night. Bake plenty of taters and have an assortment of dips, dunkers, sprinkles, and sauces. Eating healthy is fun. I get excited even writing about it. It will be a challenge at times, but don’t see it as a burden. It is an exciting task to raise our children as healthy as we possibly can for God.