Fun holiday eating for your child!

Raising kids with LOVE ♦ December 8, 2014 ♦ Leave a comment

How about a fruit candy cane to encourage a little healthy eating?!

Wow, the weekend seems like it was only a few hours!  Busy times in all of our homes during the holidays.  I opened my refrigerator last night and was shocked at what I saw.  After a Christmas party at our home, my choices for dinner ingredients seemed to contain either sugar or cheese!  If you are like me, it is difficult to continue to eat in a somewhat healthy way during the holidays.  It is fun to have festive food, but continuous unhealthy choices can make you feel sluggish not to mention what it does to the waistline.  So, this week I commit to going back to 5 days of healthy eating, because I am sure the weekend will bring some more holiday eating again!  I found some great ideas to focus on some fun healthy holiday eating for your kids.  Give a few of these a try and then share some fun ideas you have too!  Remember, one of the keys to healthy eating, especially for toddlers, is having fun.  These ideas will give your child’s meals a little bit of the holiday spirit, but just might help him eat a few fruits and vegetables too!  Happy holiday eating!

Candy Cane Fruit

Slice strawberries and bananas.  Alternate the slices in the shape of a candy cane.www.kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com

Rudolph

Use Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Wedges to form Rudolph’s head.  Place two mini-pretzels in the corners of the wedge for antlers.  Add raisins for eyes and a little red pepper for a nose!  www.cutefoodforkids.com

Holiday Wreaths

Cut cucumbers into one inch thick slices.  Scoop out a bit of the middle and fill with a favorite dip.  Put a few chunks of red pepper for berries around the edge.  www.superhealthykids.com

 Pasta Shish-ka-bobs

Cooked cheese tortellini, sliced cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices on a skewer

Fruit on a stick

Mandarin oranges, marshmallows, sliced strawberries, pineapple chunks, and banana slices on a skewer.  How about some yogurt dip too!

Mini cheeseburger on a stick

Place a chunk of whole wheat bread, meatball, chunk of cheese, sliced cherry tomato, and maybe even a pickle on a skewer!  Try a little ketchup for dip!

Frosty the Snow Man

Mini bagel spread with cream cheese.  Place a carrot stick in the center hole and use raisins to make the button eyes and a smile!

White Chocolate dipped Oreo Cookies…oh wait that is for ME…!  Have some healthy fun with food during the holidays with your child.  You will all feel better!

Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.

Cindy