In our house we have the rule of "you eat what I make" and aside from a few stubborn attempts to challenge this rule, our kiddos at least try everything. They are asked to take at least a spoonful of each item offered at each meal.
Tonight was veggie night - yes an entire night devoted to veggies. However, these are fresh, colorful, organic and full of flavor. We had roasted maple pecan carrots and sweet potatoes with bell peppers and onions, roasted asparagus and a salad so full of yummy veggies you could hardly keep them in the bowl. And the kids at EVERYTHING and went back for more, a lot more, there was almost nothing left for daddy to take to work for lunch! How's that for eating your veggies.
There is really nothing special to making them. Cubed the sweet potatoes, peppers and onions and sliced the carrots in half length wise. Tossed them with some delicious coconut oil and roasted them at 425 until they were nice and caramelized (that is the key to some extra yummy goodness). The kids think they are getting something sweet but its just the natural sugars coming through. Drizzled them with a tiny bit of pure organic maple syrup and tossed in some pecans, super yummy.
There is really nothing special to making them. Cubed the sweet potatoes, peppers and onions and sliced the carrots in half length wise. Tossed them with some delicious coconut oil and roasted them at 425 until they were nice and caramelized (that is the key to some extra yummy goodness). The kids think they are getting something sweet but its just the natural sugars coming through. Drizzled them with a tiny bit of pure organic maple syrup and tossed in some pecans, super yummy.
With salads, I like to set it up like a salad bar and let the kids add as much or as little (must at least add a spoonful) of everything offered. They love this, they are in control. We ditched store bought dressings a while ago and now our go to favorites are homemade ranch and an avocado lemon.
The ranch is simple - plain yogurt and a quarter palm full of the following dried herbs and spices, garlic, dill, parsley, chives, salt and pepper. You can add a little splash of milk if you like your ranch thinner. The avocado dressing is even easier. Mashed avocado, fresh lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper - bam, that's it.
The ranch is simple - plain yogurt and a quarter palm full of the following dried herbs and spices, garlic, dill, parsley, chives, salt and pepper. You can add a little splash of milk if you like your ranch thinner. The avocado dressing is even easier. Mashed avocado, fresh lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper - bam, that's it.
On nights were we want to throw in a little protein we add cubed chicken to the roasting pan and tons of fresh rosemary. And sometimes we add some squash, butternut, yellow and zucchini!
The kids love this meal and we love to see them eat so well. Try veggie night and see how it goes!
