10 The QUEE NS Courier • kids & education • december 25, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com ▶ kids & education Ways to get your kids to eat veggies - and like them Peas, carrots, broccoli and spinach ... some kids love vegetables, but many do not. We know that veggies provide nourishment, especially for growing children, but getting your kids to eat healthier can be a challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to increase the amount of veggies in your kids’ diets. Here are five tips to get the little ones in your life to eat - and even enjoy - their vegetables. Smooth operator Picky eaters might turn up their noses at the sight of leafy green vegetables, but they’ll gladly accept a tasty, blended treat. Incorporate a variety of veggies, plus some fruit for sweetness, into a smoothie, and your kids will just taste the sweet fruit flavor. Throw a few broccoli florets and a handful of spinach, along with some green grapes, a bit of pear and avocado, plus water and pineapple juice, into a blender to create a sweet green smoothie. Squeeze the juice Most kids enjoy a nice glass or box of refreshing juice. Rather than giving them store-bought juices, which could be loaded with sugar and missing essential nutrients, utilize a high-powered blender to make whole-food juices at home. Use carrots, pineapple and a little water to make a sweet yet healthy juice that contains antioxidants and fiber. Sauce it up Increase your children’s veggie intake by making a homemade cheese sauce with healthy ingredients. Puree cauliflower, carrots or butternut squash, add them to your sauce and serve over whole-wheat macaroni noodles for a more nutritious version of this favorite dish. You can also make a fresh tomato sauce to serve over spaghetti squash “noodles,” a wholesome, gluten-free alternative to traditional pasta. To make the “noodles,” simply halve and seed the squash, then bake in a dish with one-half cup of water at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. When the squash is cooked, use a fork to scrape the flesh, which creates the “noodles.” “Souper” healthy Another great way to get more veggies into your kids’ diets is to add them to a soup. Many kids would rather not eat plain broccoli, so try a low-fat cheesy vegetable soup that incorporates this essential ingredient. All you need is broccoli or cauliflower, low-fat milk, low-fat cheese and some spices to make a nutritious, satisfying soup. Sweet treats A frozen treat is a satisfying way to end a meal. Create an avocado sorbet using soymilk and a touch of sugar, or make a spinach-lime sorbet with fruit juice for sweetness. You can make the sorbet ahead of time and let it freeze, or use frozen fruits and vegetables to whip up a quick treat in a high-powered blender. Your kids will enjoy their dessert, and you’ll enjoy knowing it’s full of healthy veggies. You may have to be creative to get your children to eat the recommended three to five servings of vegetables each day, but there are many ways to introduce them to new flavors. Try some of these ideas, and your kids will be getting the nutrition they need. Also, when it comes to eating your veggies, be sure to lead by example. Children are much more apt to try new things if they see others enjoying the food. Courtesy BPT HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR QUEENS CHILDREN IN NEED Photo Credit: Dominick Totino Photography Pictured with Vallo Transportation employees are (l to r) Linda DeSabato, President, Vallo Transportation; Swami DurgQa Das, Executive Director, The River Fund New York; and (far right) Shirley Rice, Chief Operating Officer, The River Fund New York Vallo Transportation employees embraced the holiday spirit by donating a hundred new toys to The River Fund New York. This non-profit organization is dedicated to helping thousands of families in need receive much-needed essentials throughout the entire year. Additionally during the holiday season, it’s estimated they will distribute thousands of toys to underserved children in our community. Vallo Transportation is a family owned and managed transportation company located in Whitestone that has proudly supported The River Fund New York in the past by conducting food drives and through other contributions.
QC12252014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above