I have noticed my family eats a lot more vegetables when
they are conveniently available. However, I don’t like to buy the “convenience
packages.” Those words are just big, red flags to me indicating higher prices
for the same product. But my kids always want the tiny bags of carrots or the
apple slices packed into little plastic containers. I want them to eat good food, but who can
afford to pay that mark up?
Enter the “snack bag.” I actually really enjoy making these.
I will stand in the kitchen and listen to something that makes me happy—perhaps
an old movie or some music—and chop and wash and slice away. It doesn’t take all that long, and I get to
add all sorts of delicious things.
Instead of the regular carrots, celery, broccoli and cauliflower—why not
try something new?
Some things I really enjoy eating raw and are kinda
suprising:
Yams
Jicama
Blanched Green Beans
Zuchini
Button Mushrooms
Asparagas
My kids think radishes are an awesome addition, but sadly,
they give me heartburn something fierce.
You can stick just about anything that is in season or on
sale in these little bags: bell peppers, green onions, grape tomatoes in any
color.
For the most part I attempt to get my family to eat
vegetables without the Ranch dressing in the bottle. But if you have Ranch
eaters, try making your own dressing. You can buy a seasoning packet and mix it
with some Greek yogurt, or try some dill and garlic mixed into a container of
plain yogurt. Some other favorites here are our house are hummus (YUM!), salsa
(because my kids will eat anything with salsa on it), homemade guacamole,
spreadable light cheese. And you can mix just about anything with plain yogurt
(Greek yogurt or strained yogurt cheese—like taco seasoning or your favorite
herbs from the garden.
Part of getting your family to eat healthy – and eating
healthy yourself is making it easier than grabbing a bag of Doritos or that
handful of potato chips. When you open
your fridge, those lovely little sacks of snackable veggies will be smiling
back at you – and just like Yo Gabba Gabba!, they will want to go to the “party
in your tummy--So yummy! So yummy!”
