I don't know about you, but I'm living with some really picky eaters. Here are some of the ways I trick them into eating healthy.

Fruit Creamsicle Drink

About 3/4 cup of low fat vanilla yogurt
One individual serving applesauce cup (any flavor)

Mix them up in a cup, add a straw, and you've got a serving of dairy, a serving of fruit, along with both fiber and protein, too (all subject to which yogurt and applesauce cups you buy, of course). It makes a great lunch on a really hot day.

Yogurt Banana Split

One banana - sliced
About 1/2 cup of yogurt (any flavor)
Sprinkles - any kind except colored sugar (the sugar makes it very messy - trust me)

Slice up the banana and put it in a bowl. Spoon the yogurt over the banana slices. Stir a couple of times to coat the bananas. Add sprinkles. The kids think they're really getting away with something since you've included sprinkles when actually, YOU'RE the one getting away with something - a healthy snack!

There are no Vegetables in my Mac and Cheese!

Make any brand of mac and cheese you wish to make.
Finely grate about 4 or 5 baby carrots (don't use the bigger carrots or the rooty taste will give you away every time).
Add the carrots directly after mixing the cheese into the macaroni.

Serve immediately and act like nothing is different. They just don't need to know.

Quesadillas for Kids

Everyone thinks Mexican when they hear 'Quesadillas' but it doesn't have to be that way. You can put anything between tortillas (I like to use Fajita size). Try these, then try your own. And remember to just have fun!

Butter one side of two tortillas (just like making a grilled cheese).
Place one tortilla - butter side down - in a frying pan over medium/low heat.
Add cheese and other fillings in sparse layers. Remember, you're going to have to flip this, so don't make it 'mile high.'
Top with the second tortilla - butter side up.
Flip carefully when the bottom tortilla starts to get toasty and the cheese is almost completely melted.
Once both tortillas are a toasty brown, turn off the heat and put the Quesadilla on a plate.
Let the Quesadilla rest for about a minute.
Cut the Quesadilla into 4 or 6 pieces.

Here are some fillings we like to use:

Turkey Pepperoni
Shredded Cheddar, Mozzarella, Colby, Jack, American, etc. (you get the picture)...
Fresh Spinach (tear it up before you put it in the Quesadilla or it'll be a messy meal)
Grated Carrots
Chopped Chicken (cooked)
Ground Beef (cooked)
Cilantro
Finely Chopped Broccoli

Toppings:

Sour Cream
Chives
Cracked Black Pepper
Cilantro (we love cilantro)
Salsa

**and you know... you could make it a dessert, too. Some sliced apples... a little butter, brown sugar, cinnamon... Oh wait, this is supposed to be healthy. Never mind!

Peanut Butter Surprise

Sometimes a peanut butter sandwich can get boring. Here's an idea that Jack came up with...

Toast one piece of bread.
Spread on some peanut butter.
Sprinkle on some sprinkles (you can use the colored sugar. It won't be messy.)

Try this with other spreads such as Sun Butter (sunflower seeds instead of peanuts), soy nut butter, Nutella, cashew butter, almond butter, etc.

If you have any other recipes, just send them my way and I'll post them up here. I always love to hear new kitchen tricks!

©Copyright 2009. O'Brien Technologies. All Rights Reserved.