I believe that one of the best gifts we can give our littles ones is the gift of health and wellness, and that starts in the kitchen.
The earlier we can educate kids about the benefits of healthy eating, the better.
The food we eat has a strong effect on every aspect of our life: the energy we bring to activities, our sleep, our mood, our state of health, and ultimately what we attract into our reality.
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a good cook, rest assured, you don’t have to be in order to treat yourself to some nutritious and delicious foods made in the comfort of your own home.
We are pretty much obsessed with amazing food in our house. Dinner prep time in our house is precisely where music video meets cooking show, as we’re dancing around the kitchen, using wooden spoons as microphones. No such thing as too many cooks in the kitchen at our house, as the younger sibs are usually in the mix too.
My littlest, who is 10, has been the executive chef in our kitchen recently, whipping up healthy breakfasts, after-school snacks, simple dinners, and everything in between.
This week I’m sharing some of her favorite recipes. Send this along to the little ones in your life and have fun creating amazing meals, and memories together.
Healthy meals start with a well-stocked kitchen. Here’s the shopping list:
Shopping list
Chia seeds
Rice milk
Avocados
Agave
Blueberries
Strawberries
Granola
Bananas
Almond butter
Arugula
Lemon
Slivered almonds
Cinnamon
Dried cranberries
Steel cut oats
Vanilla protein powder
Chocolate protein powder
Cacao powder
Maca powder
Almond milk
Coconut milk yogurt
Other Plant-based milks (cashew milk, rice milk, oat milk)
Sprouted grain bread
Cinnamon
Your favorite fresh veggies
Hummus
Chia pudding
4 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup plant-based milk
Mix chia seeds and milk, cover, and refrigerate overnight. No cooking involved! Pudding will be ready to enjoy in the morning. Top with our favorite fruits or nuts.
Chocolate-banana protein shake
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 banana
1 cup almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
1 teaspoon cacao powder
½ teaspoon maca powder
1 tablespoon almond butter
Blend the above ingredients in a blender and enjoy!
Strawberry protein shake
1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder
1 cup of ice
1 cup of almond milk
¾ cup strawberries
Optional: add one banana for a strawberry-banana version
Blend the above in a blender and enjoy!
Avocado toast
Avocado Toast
1 slice sprouted grain bread (found in frozen section)
½ avocado, smashed
arugula
salt and pepper to taste
fresh lemon
Toast one slice of bread. Top with smashed avocado. Add a little arugula and a bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Banana toast
Toast one piece of the sprouted grain bed. Top with almond butter, sliced bananas, and drizzle with honey or agave.
Berry Yogurt Parfait with Granola
½ mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries)
¼ cup of your favorite granola
small scoop of coconut-milk yogurt
drizzle of honey or agave
cinnamon
Put mixed berries in a small bowl. Add a scoop of coconut milk yogurt. Top with mixed berries, dust with cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey or agave. Enjoy!
Steel cut oats
Steel-cut oatmeal bar
1 cup steel-cut oats
2 ½ cups water
plant-based milk
assorted toppings (berries, other fruit, sliced nuts, agave, honey, cinnamon, shredded coconut)
Add water and oats to a medium-sized pot. Cover, bring to a boil and simmer until oats are cooked and thick. Scoop into bowls, add plant-based milk, and top with your favorite ingredients.
Fresh veggies and hummus
Carrots
Cucumbers
Broccoli
Red peppers
Hummus
Cut up fresh veggies and dip in your favorite hummus. Lots of vitamins and protein in this snack!
Have so much fun trying out these new recipes. I’m sure the budding chefs in your life will have a blast making them with you. Happy cooking!