Popsicles for breakfast?! Sign us up! Looking for some new recipes to help refresh mealtime at home? Or maybe you’d like to find some nutritious recipes that your kids will not only enjoy eating (a tricky business, we know), but will actually want to help make? One of our most tried and true beliefs when it comes to kids and food is that cooking is a multi-faceted learning opportunity. When children are involved in the cooking process, including the selection of ingredients, they’re more likely to try new, unfamiliar foods!

We love supporting programs and resources that reinforce this philosophy, and that’s why we’re thrilled to share an amazing cookbook with you: The Healthy Junior Chef Cookbook from Williams-Sonoma. Providing recipes that are simultaneously delicious and nutritious, this cookbook will inspire kids to get creative in the kitchen and enjoy the entire cooking process! Remember those ‘breakfast popsicles’ we mentioned before? Yogurt Parfait Breakfast Pops are just one of the many fun and delicious dishes you’ll find in this book. The photography alone will have the whole family drooling, parents included (just look at that cover!). The easy to follow instructions, colorful illustrations, and expert cooking tips will keep both kids AND adults engaged in the kitchen and inspired to eat well – now who doesn’t want that?  

Grab a copy of The Healthy Junior Chef Cookbook here!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I like to cook with this cookbook! It’s fun and yummy! I like the pictures!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

What a fun and easy way to get your kids involved in the kitchen (and still make something even mom and dad will enjoy)! I try to do this on my own on a regular basis, but sometimes it’s nice to have some concrete help and advice. We love each recipe we’ve tried so far, and my kids love planning out our meals for each week and picking out the ingredients we need. The recipes are easy enough to follow so my younger kids can participate, but interesting enough that my older ones are still engaged! Everything in this book is kid-friendly, but so delicious that parents will enjoy them as well. I’d recommend this book to any aspiring young chef, or even families like ours that just wanted our kids to get a little more excited about cooking. So far, my favorite recipe is the Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs, they’re perfect for summer BBQ’s! My kids’ favorite is the Homemade Fruit Roll Ups; they have a great time making those, and they’re so yummy too!

Flavorful Features:

There’s more than 70 recipes for everything from breakfast and snacks to main courses and desserts, all kid-friendly with easy to follow instructions. There’s also fun serving ideas included to keep the creative juices flowing! Recipes include: Zucchini Lasagna with Turkey Bolognese, Spaghetti with Cauliflower Pesto, Homemade Fruit Roll Ups, Broccoli Apple Lunchbox Slaw, and so much more. 

The Icing on the Cake:

Our favorite part about this cookbook is how each recipe is focused on the nutrition it provides, without sacrificing the fun and delicious flavors that kids love!

Mix it Up!

Get an extremely early start on holiday shopping with this book, perfect for any little chef who wants some more practice in the kitchen (not to mention some yummy meals and snacks the whole family can eat!).

More info here!

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

We love when we find new and interesting versions or ways to eat our favorite foods, whether for convenience or just plain fun! Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips cross both of these off the list; it’s a fun and different way to eat fruit that’s also super convenient if you can’t find the real deal in the store. Dragon fruit boasts ton of nutritional benefits, too, such as boosting your immune system and helping digestion! Pocas focuses on natural, organic food that’s carefully sourced from around the world, beneficial for living a healthful life.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

It’s crunchy fruit! AND SUCH A COOL COLOR!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

My kids love their snacks, and I mean really, really love their snacks. I try to find a good balance, but it can be hard when most of the time they just want candy! They like fruit though, so I was happy to discover these Dragon Fruit Chips by Pocas. It’s a nice way to switch up serving fresh fruit and my kids love the taste and fun color! I love the nutritional benefits of dragon fruit too; lots of vitamins and minerals all around.

Flavorful Features:

Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips come in two types: Red Flesh Dragon Fruit or White Flesh Dragon Fruit.

The Icing on the Cake:

Dragon fruit provides a ton of Potassium, Vitamins C, B1, B2, and B3, as well as Iron and Calcium. Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips are non-GMO, gluten free, and 100% natural!

Time to Eat?!

Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips are a great choice for a morning or afternoon snack, or even a dessert when you don’t want something too sweet!

Good to Go?

Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips come in re-sealable bags, so they’re perfect to take with you on the go!

Mix it Up!

Add some of these dragon fruit chips into a salad for some extra crunch and a touch of sweetness. Or, top your next smoothie bowl with them for some crunch, too!

www.pocas.com

www.facebook.com/pocasinternational

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Split Squeeze Packs are a clever twist on a beloved classic that expertly combines simple nutrition with convenient packaging to give you a well balanced snack that’s perfect to take on the go with you! This innovative product from Split provides nut butter and jelly in separate compartments of a single packet. Just fold it in half, knead, rip the lacerated top, and squeeze! The honest, real ingredients will speak for themselves, providing you with a well-balanced snack packed with protein and healthy fats. 

The Creative Kitchen is happy to have Split as a sponsor of our Whole Foods cooking classes the week of August 12th. Visit our calendar for more information on our classes!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

They taste sweet AND salty at the same time! I like mushing up the pack and squeezing it out!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Not only are Split Squeeze Packs ready-to-use and super convenient, but they have great nutritional value too. Each packet has five grams of protein, organic sugars, and healthy fats from dry-roasted nuts. They’re gluten-free and non-GMO, making them a healthful choice that’s also environmentally friendly! My kids have fun squeezing them, and the flavors are just simply delicious.

Flavorful Features:

Split Squeeze Packs come in three varieties:

• Almond Butter and Raspberry Spread
• Almond Butter and Strawberry Spread
• Peanut Butter and Grape Spread
• Peanut Butter and Blueberry Spread

The Icing on the Cake:

The simple ingredients that are used speak for themselves: the nut butters are made from just nuts, while the fruit spreads are made from fruit, cane sugar, and pectin…that’s it! 

Time to Eat?!

Split Squeeze Packs can be incorporated into any meal to add a boost of nutrients and flavors! On toast at breakfast, or just by itself after lunch or in the afternoon for a little pick-me-up!

Good to Go?

Split Squeeze Packs are small and easily transportable, so they make it convenient to have a boost of nutrition whenever you need it!

Mix it Up!

Looking for a new way to mix nut butter and jelly into your kid’s diet? Mix Split Squeeze Packs into plain yogurt for all-natural sweet and salty flavoring. This makes a great protein-packed meal or snack!

www.splitnutrition.com

www.facebook.com/splitnutrition

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Finding a quick and healthy snack for your baby can be difficult, but White Leaf Provisions makes it easy with their Biodynamic and Regeneratively Farmed Baby Food! Not only is this a healthful choice for your baby, but the farming techniques used for this product are sustainable and promote healthy soil! White Leaf Provisions’ baby food comes in a pouch, which makes it perfect for days when you are constantly on the go. Babies will love these yummy flavors, while parents will love the simple ingredient list.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

It’s yummy! I like to squeeze it!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

One of my constant struggles is finding good on-the-go toddler snacks with simple, healthful ingredients that my kids actually enjoy eating. I was so happy to discover White Leaf’s Biodynamic Baby Food, because it checks off everything on my list! The ingredients are insanely good, it comes in a pouch which makes it so easy to bring with us in the car on the go, and the flavors are delicious (according to my kids)! The fruits and vegetables are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and are also regeneratively farmed, which means the growth process actually helps improve soil health. All around, it’s a win-win choice for everyone involved!

Flavorful Features:

These sustainable baby food snacks are available in two filling flavors!

• Carrot + Sweet Potato + Pea

• Mango + Carrot + Banana + Pear  

The Icing on the Cake:

White Leaf Provisions baby food boasts a number of wonderful qualities: 

• Certified Organic

• Certified Biodynamic

• Certified Kosher

• Gluten-free

• Non-GMO

• Vegan

• Biodynamic and Regenerative Farming

• No added sweeteners or salts

• Grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides

Time to Eat?!

This toddler snack is extremely versatile! It makes a great afternoon snack or works as a nutritious addition to meal time.

Good to Go?

These baby food pouches are perfect to throw in a purse for a busy day on the go, or into a cooler for a long road trip!

Mix it Up!

For older kids, use these as a dipping sauce for apple slices, carrot sticks, or even crackers!

www.whiteleafprovision.com

www.facebook.com/whiteleafprovisions

Written by Cricket Azima

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Want to know a secret? We know a way you can make mornings extra nutritious…with no extra effort or time! Here at The Creative Kitchen, we love using One Degree Organics Organic Sprouted Oats for one of our favorite, go-to recipes for busy mornings: overnight oats! Not only is it easy to customize oats to the specific palates you’re serving, but these sprouted oats boast more nutrients and are easier to digest than non-sprouted oats. Sprouting oats breaks down the phytate (a form of phytic acid) and some of the starch, which makes the percentage of nutrients available for absorption higher! It’s a win-win for everyone!

The Creative Kitchen is excited to feature One Degree Organics Organic Sprouted Oats in our Whole Foods Market cooking class on Thursday, December 13! Learn more at www.thecreativekitchen.com/calendar.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I like to help my mommy make this oatmeal! I add strawberries and blueberries to mine! It’s yummy and feels good in my tummy!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

One Degree Organics Organic Sprouted Oats are just what I’ve been looking for! With a number of different palates in our house, it’s sometimes hard to find something that everyone will enjoy eating. With oatmeal, my kids can add in different nut and seed butters, fruit, and other toppings, making it a truly nutritious breakfast. Now, I use these specific oats because they’re organic and sprouted, which means my kids are getting more nutrients each time they eat these oats! They’re also easier for my kids to digest than regular oats, which makes all of us feel better about using these specific oats.

Flavorful Features:

One Degree Organics Organic Sprouted Oats are available in three varieties: quick oats, rolled oats, and steel cut oats.

The Icing on the Cake:

These oats are oh-so good for you! Each serving is:

• Organic
• Sprouted
• More vitamins and minerals (iron, vitamin C, folate, zinc, magnesium, protein)
• Easier to digest
• Gluten-free
• Non – GMO
• Supports a family farm!

Time to Eat?!

One Degree Organics Organic Sprouted Oats are perfect for breakfast on busy mornings -OR- to add into dinner recipes like meatloaf!

Mix it Up!

Use these oats in baking to create healthier, gluten-free treats! For example, try these out in your favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe for a high protein and organic treat for the whole family!

www.onedegreeorganics.com

www.facebook.com/OneDegreeOrganics/

Written by Katie Auerbach

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Looking for a sweet treat your kids will love, but isn’t chock-full of fake ingredients? Try Sweet Valley Organics Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Cashews! They’re a great healthful alternative to sugary candy. Sweet Valley Organics only uses organic dark chocolate, which is known to be an excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cognitive function booster! Cashews help strengthen the immune system and improve bone health. Plus, did we mention how GREAT these taste? This nutrient-packed snack is sure to satisfy you and your kids’ sweet tooths!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

It’s sweet and yummy! Crunchy, too!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

My daughter loves anything sweet, so I feel great knowing that I can satisfy her cravings with a flavorful and nutrient rich snack, such as Sweet Valley Organics Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Cashews. I love the boost of nutrition from the dark chocolate and cashews, and the simple, real ingredients are an excellent bonus too. The resealable bags make it so easy to bring a bag with us on the go for busy days, or on long road trips!

Flavorful Features:

Sweet Valley Organics offers four other flavors of their chocolate coated fruit and nut snacks:

• Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Praline Pecan

• Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee Almonds

• Dark Chocolate Tart Cherries

• Dark Chocolate Chewy Bananas

The Icing on the Cake:

Sweet Valley Organics Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Cashews are non-GMO, USDA organic, and use Fair Trade USA Certified chocolate…plus there’s no preservatives of any kind! Pop this resealable bag in your purse for a busy day on the go!

Time to Eat?!

These Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Cashews are a great after-school treat, or as a study snack!

Good to Go?

Sweet Valley Organics makes it easy to snack on the go with their resealable bags!

Mix it Up!

Add some to your trail mix or enjoy some with your favorite piece of fruit!

www.sweetvalleyorganics.com

www.facebook.com/SVOrganics/

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Do your kids have sweet tooths? Are you looking for a more healthful way to satisfy their sweet cravings? Check out So Pure Blueberries & Quinoa Fruit Bars! This chewy, fruity bar is rich in fiber and vitamin E, which benefits the skin and immune system, as well as vitamins B1, B2, and B3, which sustain energy levels. So Pure fruit and nut bars only contain 100% natural ingredients…and there’s no added sugars! A win-win for both you and your kids!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

This bar is sweet and chewy! I like it!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

With So Pure Blueberries & Quinoa Fruit Bars, I can give my kids a sweet treat that will satisfy their sweet tooths, but the ingredients are 100% natural, which makes me happy! These are so easy to throw into their lunchboxes and backpacks, for a fiber-full snack whenever my kids need it. This bar provides beneficial vitamins and minerals, and there’s no added sugar. I love keeping one of these in my purse for an emergency snack!

Flavorful Features:

So Pure fruit and nut bars are also available in these delicious flavors:

• Apple/cinnamon with almonds and cashews (gluten-free)
• Apricot with almonds and hazelnuts (gluten-free and organic)
• Blueberry with quinoa seeds (gluten-free)
• Blueberry with quinoa seeds (organic)
• Cranberry with almonds and cashews (gluten-free and organic)
• Cranberry with chia seeds (gluten-free)
• Goji berry/raspberry with chia seeds (gluten-free)
• Pear with hazelnuts and almonds (gluten-free)

The Icing on the Cake:

SoPure Blueberries & Quinoa Fruit Bars are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that will help keep your kids’ immune systems in tip-top shape! With 100% natural ingredients and no added sugars, this is sure to become a family favorite!

Time to Eat?!

So Pure Blueberries & Quinoa Fruit Bars can be a great addition to lunch, or a delicious after-school snack or dessert.

Good to Go?

Each box of So Pure fruit bars contains individually wrapped bars that fit wonderfully into lunch boxes, backpacks, and purses!

Mix it Up!

Chop up a So Pure Blueberries & Quinoa Fruit Bar and add it to homemade trail mix for some fruit flavor and added nutrients! 

www.sopurefruit.com/en/

www.facebook.com/SoPureFruit/

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Finding a snack that’s equally yummy and healthful can be hard, but Nature Valley makes it easy for parents everywhere with their granola bites! Their Almond Butter Chocolate Granola Bites are a perfect bite-sized combo of creamy almond butter on the inside and a chewy bite of whole grain oats on the outside, with a touch of sweetness from the chocolate. They may be tiny, but their taste sure is mighty! What’s even better is that Nature Valley believes in using real ingredients in all of their products, and no artificial colors or sweeteners.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

Wow! They’re so soft and chewy and chocolatey!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I love Nature Valley’s new line of granola bites because they’re easy to take on the go, and they’re the perfect bite-sized snack for my kids! Not only are their Almond Butter Chocolate Granola Bites delicious, but they’re a better option to give my kids in the morning, for dessert, or as a snack at any time of the day – they’re so versatile! Ever since I first purchased them, they’ve been a go-to for after-school snacks, and my kids can’t get enough of them! I love the simple ingredients, and that there aren’t any artificial colors or sweeteners. The vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber are added bonuses!

Flavorful Features:

Nature Valley currently has two additional flavors of granola bites:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate

• Almond Butter Toasted Coconut Chocolate

The Icing on the Cake:

The main benefit to Nature Valley’s granola bites is that they’re made with whole grains, which are packed with nutrients such as protein, fiber, B vitamins, and antioxidants! The minimal ingredient list is also a bonus!

Time to Eat?!

These Almond Butter Chocolate Granola Bites are great whenever you need a sweet treat but a boost of nutrition in addition! Try them as an after school snack or a healthful dessert!

Good to Go?

Nature Valley has made their packaging perfect for on the go snacking by using resealable bags!

Mix it Up!

Try chopping up some Nature Valley granola bites and stirring them into your favorite yogurt!

www.naturevalley.com

https://www.facebook.com/naturevalley

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Do your kids seem like they have a stomach that just never seems to get full?! Our friends at Baby Center and Sandra Bastin a Food and Nutrition Specialist help make sense of why kids can eat so much!

So don’t worry too much about your little bottomless pit. Children are born with an innate sense of how much they need to eat, and you’ve got to respect these inborn cues. That doesn’t mean that you should give your child free rein in the snack closet, but you should offer your child healthy food whenever she’s hungry, while making sure that she also gets plenty of physical activity in his day as well.

Here are some suggestions for working with a constant eater:

Encourage Healthy Choices

When your child asks for a snack ten times a day, don’t let her choose chips all the time. Kids don’t need any more fat in their diets than adults do. While chips are an okay snack every once in a while, try to steer your child toward more nutritious choices on a regular basis, like fruit, cheese, and whole grains. Even crackers, popcorn, and pretzels are usually less fattening options.

Have Food Available for Her at all Times

When my son gets home from elementary school, he’s hungry, and he should be. He’s been at school learning, running around at recess, and playing with his friends all day. He’s used a lot of energy, and when he gets home he wants to replenish his energy reserves. So what do I do? I always have fresh fruit out for him when he walks through the door. I’ve seen firsthand how having a fruit bowl out on the counter will inspire family members to eat from it, and fruit is a great handy snack that kids enjoy.

Don’t Force Your Child to Clean her Plate

 You may think that if you can get your child to eat all of her macaroni now, she won’t bug you in a few hours for a snack. But making kids eat when they don’t want to is not a good idea. If children are taught to ignore their “I’m full” cues, that can lead to eating problems down the line, including overeating and obesity.

“I’m Hungry” Tactic

If your child is using the “I’m hungry” refrain to delay bedtime (a common stalling tactic), offer her a snack one to two hours before bedtime — and then make it clear that the kitchen is closed for the night. In addition, if it seems like your child is using food for psychological reasons, it’s probably a cry for attention. Try to spend more time with her individually or make an effort to spend time together as a family.

As long as your child isn’t overweight (according to the growth charts at the pediatrician’s office) and you’re offering nutritious foods, then your child’s constant eating isn’t really a problem. It just means you have to make more frequent trips to the supermarket.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner.  Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children.  She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.