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…with fun and healthy ideas for kids!

Jul 3

Healthy snack idea for kids for July 4! 7/3

by megacoolmama

Are you looking for a kid-friendly healthy snack idea for July 4?  Well, then you have come to the right place because I have a little example to show you of what I did with my little ones!  Honestly, what I did was very simple, but sometimes it takes someone else to point it out before we realize the ease with which we can actually do something healthy.  Here is the patriotic snack that my kiddos and I made:

Yum!

 

What you need:

-fresh strawberries

-fresh blueberries

-celery sticks

-mini snack crackers (or regular size will work…I used the Trader Joe’s mini snack crackers)

-light whipped cream cheese

-kid-safe knife (I use and LOVE the IKEA brand of tableware for the kids.  The knives are safe and excellent for little hands that are just learning to cut and spread!)

 

What to do:

1.  You will need to wash the strawberries and blueberries first.  Then, cut the tops with stems off of the strawberries and toss them.

2.  Next, slice some of the strawberries width-wise (so that they make nice circular shapes when sliced) and some length-wise (so that the slices are longer and narrower).

3.  Then take the snack crackers and spread a bit of cream cheese on each one.

4.  Top each cracker with one circular strawberry slice and one blueberry.

5.  Evenly spread some cream cheese on to each celery stick.

6.  Top the celery stick with the long strawberry slices and two to three blueberries.

7.  Enjoy!

 

What the kids can help with:

-washing of the fruit

-taking crackers out of the box and counting them

-spreading the cream cheese on the crackers and celery sticks (with a kid-safe knife or spatula)

-placing the strawberry slices and blueberries on top of the crackers and celery

-EATING THEM!

 

Come back and let me know if you and your little ones did this!  Also, this would be a great snack/appetizer to serve at a Fourth of July BBQ!  That is what we will be doing!  :)  Happy Fourth of July!

 

 

 

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Oct 2

Megacool recipe for Healthified Crunchy Parmesan Chicken Tenders! 10/1

by megacoolmama

Here is a recipe that I got as a recommendation from a friend (thanks, Amber!) that is originally done by Giada De Laurentiis.  I have modified it just a bit and then added links where possible to coupons.  Let me know if your little ones like it!  (or if the big ones like it, too)! 

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (COUPON)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (Go here to see how to make a substitution for buttermilk if you don’t have it)
  • 1 1/2 lbs. chicken tenders (about 18) (COUPON)
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt (COUPON)
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (COUPON)
  • ground black pepper (freshly ground, if possible) (COUPON)
  • 1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs, mixed with basil and oregano for flavor

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
  2. Brush 1 tablespoon of oil over each of 2 heavy large lined baking sheets. Place the buttermilk in a large bowl. Add the chicken tenders and stir to coat. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, mash the garlic with the salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the vinegar and then the remaining 1/2 cup of oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with pepper. Transfer the vinaigrette to a small serving bowl.
  4. Stir the Parmesan and bread crumbs in a pie dish. Remove the chicken tenders from the buttermilk and dredge them in the bread crumb mixture to coat completely, pressing to adhere. Arrange the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheets, spacing evenly. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over the chicken tenders and bake until they are cooked through and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
  5. Transfer the chicken tenders to a platter and serve the vinaigrette alongside for dipping.  You could also serve with Hunt’s all natural ketchup for the little ones!

 

 

 

 

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Aug 17

Happy Face Sandwiches! 8/17

by megacoolmama

I wanted to share with you all a cute idea for a fun lunch for the kiddos!  When my kids want a sandwich for lunch, I “healthify” it by adding some fruit & veggie sticks and by using whole wheat tortillas and all natural deli meats and cheeses.  My son was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at two years old, so I had to become creative with the kinds of sandwiches I served him at lunch…thus, the “Happy Face Sandwich” was born!  Take a look at the pictures below to see an example!

cheese, ham, veggie straws, grapes and strawberries!

 

whole wheat tortilla, cheese, veggie straws, grapes and strawberries!

Making these “sandwiches” is really not much more work than you would do to make your child’s lunch.  You can get even more creative than me by making your own combination!  I have used apple and avocado slices and banana slices (for the eyes) as well! 

I found a coupon for Hormel All Natural deli meats that you can find here  (it’s a Target coupon)!  These deli meats use NO nitrites/nitrates, NO preservatives, and NOTHING artificial!  Read here about the dangers of nitrites/nitrates in your deli meat. 

Also, send an email to wrldgourmet1@gmail.com to get some coupons sent to you for the Veggie Straws from Sensible Portions! 

And, don’t forget…if you go to the Driscoll’s website and sign up, they will send you a coupon for $.55 off their berries!  You can find some good deals on strawberries and blueberries at Target and Jewel right now!

I also love Target’s Archer Farms Simply Balanced Whole Wheat tortillas…my daughter eats them right up!

Have fun with your “Happy Face” sandwiches!

 

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Aug 6

Megacool “healthy” chocolate Ovaltine coupon and Smoothie recipe! 8/6

by megacoolmama

It is a well-known fact that most kids like chocolate, and my kids are no exception!  One chocolate that I don’t feel bad about giving them is the Rich Chocolate Ovaltine mix.  First of all, there are only 9 grams of sugars in 2 tbsp. of the mix and there are 12 vitamins and minerals found in it.  Also, there are NO artificial flavors or colors in this mix- megacool!  I figure, if my kids are going to drink chocolate milk, why not put a healthy spin on it?  :)   Here is a link that I found online for $1 off any size any flavor Ovaltine!  Drink up, kiddos!  (Thanks, RegularMom!) 

Devin’s “Freezie Smoothie” Recipe

My son loves his smoothies!  We kinda just threw this together one day in the kitchen.  I love making smoothies with him because it gives me an opportunity to throw so many healthy things in his diet.  Also, he is there with me making the smoothie and knows exactly what is going in it.  I explain to him what everything is, and he gets excited about it because smoothies always taste great!  Here is our Megacool twist on the classic smoothie recipe.  Of course, I have linked to coupons where possible!  Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • One Stonyfield Activia vanilla yogurt
  • 6 or 7 ice cubes
  • 1-2 tbsp. Rich Chocolate Ovaltine
  • 2-3 tbsp. flaxseed meal (Nature’s Path is a good brand found at Costco for a good price)
  • 5 strawberries (de-stemmed) (currently on sale at Jewel)
  • 1 banana (peeled)
  • a few spinach leaves
  • 1 c. blueberries (currently on sale at Jewel)
  • dash of cinnamon
  • any other fruit you have handy!  (we have used pitted cherries and even a slice of watermelon!)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Serve immediately.  Freeze leftovers in small containers for single servings.  Makes about 4 one-cup servings.

Did you try our recipe?  Devin and I would love to know what you think!

 

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Aug 5

Megacool Recipe for “Pea, Broccoli & Feta Pasta Salad” 8/5

by megacoolmama

This is a recipe by British chef Jamie Oliver that I found in my PEOPLE magazine today.  Jamie is dedicated to healthy, clean eating and has started a movement to get artificial ingredients out of school lunches.  This recipe is great for a light dinner or even lunch.  I have provided links to coupons for main ingredients where I could!  Enjoy!

Pea, Broccoli & Feta Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb. whole wheat penne (2/$3 at Jewel!)
  • 1 head of broccoli, cut into small florets
  • 4 tsp. red wine vinegar (coupon for Heinz vinegar here)
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard (you could use regular mustard if you don’t have Dijon)
  • 1 tsp. honey (coupon for Sue Bee honey here)
  • 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (Bertoli olive oil on sale for $4.99 at Jewel!)
  • 1/3 c. frozen peas, thawed (frozen veggies on sale at Meijer $5/5!)
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 c. chopped fresh mint
  • 1/4 c. chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 c. crumbled feta cheese (coupon for Athenos feta cheese here)
  • sea salt and black pepper

Directions

1.  Cook penne in a pot of boiling salted (sea or kosher salt is best!) water according to package directions. Add the broccoli florets for the last three minutes of cooking.  Drain and set aside.

2.  Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, mustard, honey and olive oil in a small container (that has a lid) with a pinch of salt and pepper.  Shake well with the lid on.

3.  Toss the pasta and broccoli with half of the dressing in a large bowl.  Stir in the peas and red pepper flakes and leave to cool.

4.  Once the pasta is cool, add the chopped herbs and feta.  Toss with the remaining dressing, add salt and pepper to taste, and serve!

ENJOY!!!

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