Get them on board -
Take your kids to the produce section and let them pick their toppings. Fruits such as apples, blueberries, grapes, pineapple, pears, strawberries, Mandarin oranges, mango, and cherry or grape tomatoes are an excellent start. Let them choose the vegetables they would like in their salad, too. Carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers (all colors) and mushrooms can be fantastic in salads.
Let them select the lettuce. Iceberg, leafy green or romaine lettuce are good choices for those just starting to eat salad. They can help to wash, dry and tear the lettuce into a large bowl.
Wash and prepare all the fruits and vegetables together as a family. Place the fruits and vegetables in small bowls, line them up salad-bar style and allow them to add them to their greens. Add sunflower seeds or almonds to give a healthy crunch, and make it a meal by adding chopped chicken breast to the mix.
Make your own dressings - Kids will love making and shaking up these dressings.
Sesame Ginger Dressing -
Ingredients: ½ cup olive oil, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce , ¼ cup rice vinegar, 2 tsp fresh ginger minced and 2 tbsp brown sugar.
Directions: Make the dressing by combining all ingredients in an air-tight container. Cover and shake well.
Lemon Dressing -
Ingredients: ½ cup Olive oil, 1 tbsp. White wine vinegar, 3 tbsp. Lemon juice , 1 garlic clove, minced or crushed and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Directions: Make the dressing by combining all ingredients in an air-tight container. Cover and shake well.
Cheryl Tallman is the founder of Fresh Baby (www.FreshBaby.com). For more than 10 years, Fresh Baby helped has helped parents foster their children’s healthy eating habits and proactively respond to the childhood obesity epidemic that plagues our nation.
