I often get the question from parents “How do I get my kid to eat his veggies?!” So far idle threats and giving the evil eye haven’t worked so today I’ve invited Lindsay from Earth Monkey Moms to give us some sneaky tips on getting more veggies into our kids.
The greatest secret I’ll never tell my kids…
I have never been accused of being a domestic diva. In fact, everyday when the clock strikes 4 I almost break out into a cold sweat… in a panic I try to decide what to make my monkeys for dinner. When you combine little kitchen know how with 3 very picky monkeys (well four if you include the daddy monkey) and a very restrictive GFCF diet on top of everything… you get a recipe for a prepackaged processed feast with little food value or nutrition. Over the years though I have perfected a few meals that are EASY to make, something everybody loves… and let’s just say, pack a hidden punch of veggies and vitamins… [insert wicked mommy laugh here]. I’m not saying it’s ok to lie to your family… but sometimes in the name of avoiding scurvy it’s a necessary evil. So without further ado… here is my fave dinner recipe my kids will never know is good for them:
Loaded Spaghetti:
1 Jar Organic Marinara
1 Small Can Tomato Paste (it’s a lot but hides the green color)
1 15 oz Can of Butternut Squash Puree (or if you’re betty crocker you can make your own☺)
2 Cups of Spinach
2 Tbs water
1 lb of lean ground beef or turkey
Gluten Free pasta or Chips
Brown meat in a pan with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder to taste. While meat is cooking put butternut squash puree, spinach and water in blender on high until all chunks are gone. When meat is browned add spinach mixture followed by tomato paste and marinara. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Put over GF pasta or chips. It’s really yummy and filling and loaded with nutrients.
Secret Veggie Loading Tips:
Invest in a good blender (we use a vita mix)
Find ways to incorporate pureed veggies in meals your kids already love
If your kids have aversions to new colors and textures just add a little at a time
DON’T LET THEM SEE YOU MAKE IT … at least the first time☺☺
Check out books like the Sneaky Chef and deceptively delicious to find sneaky ways to modify meals (of course you will have to further modify recipes if your family is on a GFCF diet)
Lindsay has been married to the love of her life for 11 years. She’s a stay-at-home mom of three boys and is the co-founder of Earth Monkeys, a green baby gear company. She spends her time raising her little ones, two who have been diagnosed with PDD-NOS, and running her company and blog from her home. This past September, the McPhails were chosen to be the recipients of a home makeover from ABC’s hit show Extreme Makeover Home Edition. She’s excited about the awareness the show will bring to autism and about the chance to reach out to millions of other ‘mother warriors’ with a message of hope and encouragement that they are not alone in their struggles.
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Filed under: autism, busy moms, casein free, diet, dinner, gluten free, PDD-NOS, recipes, Welcome Wednesday
