FAMILY-FRIENDLY RECIPES

When it comes to family, you want the best for them. Help them get acquainted with good food so they will live long, healthy lives. Kids repeat what they see in their childhood homes as adults, so surround them with colorful fruits and vegetables. Age 2-5 year olds are getting to know the tastes and textures of new foods. Be patient. Expect to keep exposing them to fresh produce, fish, and whole grains both on your plate and theirs. It's good to know that it usually averages 7-13 trys before a food is liked. Have you tried broccolini cooked til vibrant bright green?-sweeter and milder in flavor and easy to pick up. Don't get stuck in a kid food rut. Children in most other countries eat the same foods as their parents. Offer recognizable vegetables - there is no need to disguise them. Talk about how much you enjoy eating the foods you cook and why you choose them.  As children grow, allow them some choice in planning meals. Let them build their own Buddha bowls, burritos, fish tacos, or fruit and yogurt parfaits. Have them invent a soup chock full of their choice of veg, lentils, and spices. You're helping them become lifelong healthy eaters.