Build an Easy Breakfast
Mornings can be a hectic time to get everyone fed and off to the places we have to be often early in the morning. Breakfast may not always be a top priority. However, breakfast is a very important part of the day for you and everyone in your family. For some ideas, Super Healthy Kids has a list of recipes to help make your mornings a little easier: http://www.superhealthykids.com/10-healthy-breakfasts-help-kids-well-school/
Here are some of the highlights:
- Be sure to check out the 25 different ways to enjoy toast.
- Check the breakfast burrito bites for a quick breakfast: http://www.superhealthykids.com/finger-food-breakfast-burrito-bites/
- Think about how you can involve your kids in the process. I found another resource to share that gives suggestions for recipes youth can prepare for themselves: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3543/breakfast-ideas-for-kids-to-make-themselves/. Who would think to use a paintbrush to prepare snacks?
However you choose to make breakfast a part of your family’s day, be sure keep it simple!
Emily
Food Safety: Are We Making These Mistakes?
We know that food safety isn’t something to take lightly in your home. In fact, some of our simple mistakes can be much more dangerous than we think.
In an article posted on FoodSafety.gov, some of our biggest food safety mistakes are highlighted.
For instance, do you wash meat or poultry? What about eat raw dough, cookie dough, or other foods with uncooked eggs or uncooked flour?
To read all the common mistakes, read the full article here: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/mistakes/index.html .
Grow a Family Garden
Gardening is a great activity to do as a family all year long. Between digging, pulling weeds, raking, and other tasks, gardening is undoubtedly hard physical work! Not only is gardening a great physical activity, but it also allows you to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. Your children having a hand in growing their own food can even make them more willing and excited to try fruits and vegetables they may not have normally tried.
Get your children involved in gardening by asking them what they’d like to grow. After gathering necessary materials, children can help with digging and planting. Also, you can have them help with garden maintenance by pulling weeds and watering the plants. They’ll be sure to enjoy the fruits of their labor!
Growing your own garden may seem difficult, but with enough patience and time you can reap the benefits of your hard work. If you need help getting started, contact your local extension office. You can also read this article to learn the basics of starting a vegetable garden: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/home-vegetable-gardening-a-quick-reference-guide. To find out what’s in season now, follow this link: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/chart.htm.
What will you grow in your garden?
Child’s Play
Spending time with your children is a great way to show them you love them and care about their interests. Sometimes, children may have a hard time expressing themselves through conversations and answering questions like “how was your day?” Participating in your children’s activities and hobbies with your children can help you connect with and relate to them in a way they can appreciate.
Whatever activity your children participate in, take part so you can Move More together. You can throw a Frisbee or a baseball, or play one-on-one basketball. Whatever they choose to do–join in! This can also be a great opportunity for both you and your children to try new activities that you may find you all enjoy. As the saying goes, “don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!”
Setting a good example for your children can help them want to be involved in regular physical activity. Children are always looking to their parents for guidance, which gives you a great opportunity to shape your children’s attitudes about living a healthy lifestyle. For more ideas on how to get your children active, visit https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adding-pa/activities-children.html.
What day this week will you join your children in active play?
Banana Split Ice Cream – Wait Until You Try This Twist
Although you may fool some, this delicious icy treat has no cream or ice. This dairy-free alternative to ice cream is a great option for our lactose-intolerant friends and a healthier option for us all! Even better, this sweet-treat has no added sugar and contributes to our daily recommended intake of fruit. According to the USDA’s MyPlate, most adults should consume 1 ½ to 2 cups of fruit each day.
Makes 4, ½ cup servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium bananas, sliced and frozen
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced and frozen
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Equipment
- Food Processor (A powerful blender can be used but may require a longer blending time.)
Instructions
- Peel and slice the bananas. Wash, de-stem and slice the strawberries. Freeze the fruit ahead of time (at least 3 hours.)
- Place frozen fruit slices into a food processor.
- Cover and process until the fruit reaches a creamy consistency, about 3-5 minutes. You may have to scrape the sides of the food processor periodically, patience is key here!
- Add the cocoa powder and continue to process until the desired consistency has been reached.
- Scrape the mixture into a bowl, enjoy immediately or store in the freezer.
Try mixing it up with different fruits and flavors to find your family’s favorite combination. My personal favorite is bananas, peanut butter powder, and cinnamon!
Megan
Megan is the Adult EFNEP Nutrition Educator at NC Extension, Orange County.