Summer has officially begun! Wahoo! With warmer weather, fresh gardens growing, and more time together with family, it’s a great time to experiment with your picky eaters!
I’ll be honest, I only have four-legged fur babies right now, so I’m not too experienced with little kiddos & their taste buds. However, I do have a picky hubby who doesn’t jump up and down for veggies. It’s always a battle to get him to try new recipes, so my wheels are always turning when it comes to this subject! Try some of these tips this summer to get the picky eaters of any age in your life to try some delicious new flavors!
Kabobs
If you’re grilling out, have the kids help you create those veggie kabobs! They get to decide what order to put the veggies on the grilling sticks, making a fun pattern with them! Use red, yellow, and/or green peppers, red onion, mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, and more! The more colors the better, and the more excited they might be willing to try when they were in charge of the creation! You can also make fruit kabobs for dessert or a fun snack!
 |
Pizza on the Grill
A great hands-on activity for your kiddos. Prepare some store bought or homemade pizza dough and spread out all the toppings for a fun creation! Try some fresh mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, diced zucchini, fresh herbs, & more! Don’t forget your favorite sauce & cheese. Make sure to have a parent throw them on the grill though for cooking!
Smoothies
The perfect way to mix delicious flavors, as well as hide some! Have you added some cauliflower, zucchini, spinach, or kale into your smoothies yet? I promise, if you mix it in with fresh or frozen fruit like strawberries, mango, pineapple, berries, or banana, you can’t even tell! Whether you decide to inform your little ones is up to you!
 |
Boxed Macaroni & Cheese
This might be a good first way to introduce a new vegetable. Start with your child’s favorite boxed mac & cheese variety and let them decide what add-ins they want to try! A little frozen or fresh spinach is delicious and doesn’t take away from the amazing cheesy flavor. Maybe they would try some diced tomatoes or bell peppers? If they get to decide and it’s in combination with a favorite food, it might be a good experiment!
Rainbow Roasted Veggies
If you’re cooking indoors, gather up those colorful veggies and dice or chop into uniform sizes. Make it an activity to arrange those veggies on your sheet pan in rainbow order or however they prefer! Add a light drizzle of olive oil and toss in some salt, pepper, and preferred seasonings. Garlic powder, oregano, or Italian seasoning is delicious! This is easy recipe for a little one to get their hands dirty. Throw in the oven at 375 for 20-30 min, but make sure to be present for that part.
Garden!
Get your family involved with your garden! Watching fresh plants, vegetables, and herbs grow is a rewarding experience and enticing to try at dinner time! A fresh picked tomato versus store bought is so much more flavorful & exciting!
 |
Alright moms & dads, give these ideas a try this summer and let us know, were they successful? What ideas do you have that I should put in my back pocket for some day?
For lots more recipe ideas, head to Enlightened Nutrition’s blog. Make sure to follow us on Instagram as well for daily tips & inspiration! @enlightenednutri
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
Macaroni Kid is a free weekly e-newsletter, online calendar, and website proudly serving families in the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Muskegon areas.
Subscribe HERE to become an insider so you don't miss a thing!
