Healthy Recipes for Young Children

I am so excited by my son's and daughter-in-law's efforts to create healthy habits with my grandsons. Already the 21 month old loves his green smoothies and one of his favorite books is "Smoofie Magic" (Green Smoothie Magic by Victoria Boutenko). He is limited to reading this three times a day as he requests it continually. What a gift they are giving him by teaching him that it is fun to enjoy greens, fruits and vegetables, essentially the plants that God gave us.

So in their honor, I share a few recipes for smaller children who can't eat salads yet and are beyond baby food.  I would love to know what recipes you enjoy with the young people in your life. Please share them in the comments below. Be sure they are free from chemicals and food coloring, artificial sweeteners or table sugar and use wholesome ingredients. We can all learn from each other. Thank you in advance!

Homemade Apple Sauce
Homemade apple sauce is quick and easy with a blender.
1-2 apples, cored, peeled (if desired) and chopped
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Blend and enjoy.

Yummy Fruit Sauce
Just like applesauce, adding other fruits can offer variations. My family members love these sauces.
1 pear, chopped
1 banana, chopped into pieces
1 apple, chopped
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
Add the fruit to the blender in order and blend until smooth after each addition.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and flaxseed.  Remember, the riper the fruit, the sweeter the sauce will be.
Variations:  add a stalk of celery, kiwi, mango, cucumber or try your own variation.

Berry Bonanza
1/2 cup of two different berries: blueberries, raspberries, pomegranate, cut grapes
1 banana, sliced
1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
2 Tbsp walnuts, hazelnuts, or pecans, coarsley chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon or vanilla powder
Honey or agave nectar, to taste
Mix all together and enjoy alone or over yogurt or oatmeal.

Curry Roasted Cauliflower
1 head cauliflower
1/2 red onion, diced
1 Tbsp curry powder
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 425 F. Clean and cut cauliflower into florets. Toss vegetables in bowel with all other ingredients. Place in roasting pan and cook for 25- 30 minutes.  You can enjoy as finger food or serve as a side dish.  Delicious!

Orange Smoothie
Juice from 2 oranges
1/2 cup frozen berries (blueberry or rasperry)
1 pear, chopped
1 tsp spirulina powder
2-3 drops of Young Living Orange or Tangerine essential oil
Mix all the fruit in the blender and blend until smooth.  Add spirulina and essential oil and blend again.
Spirulina is a superfood, high in protein (1 tsp = 3+ grams of protein). It is great for adding nutrients and protein to the diet.