Our family watched a documentary last year that really inspired us to want to try juicing, that documentary by Joe Cross, is called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  So we started saving up to buy a juicer and this January it arrived and with it a whole new world of juicing!  Our daughter wasn’t too thrilled with our first attempts but we kept trying new combinations and added more sweet produce like beets, carrots and apples and now she can’t get enough of our juice.  We also make them into popsicles which she loves.

This was my breakfast this morning…mmmm it was delicious and quite filling! As much as we strive to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables there’s no way I’d eat this many in one meal!

This particular combo had apples, carrots, beats, kale, celery, cucumber, baby spinach and red lettuce.

We’re really excited for all the new combinations that we can try this summer when we are once again surrounded by a bountiful supply of fresh produce!

Happy Healthy Eating,

Kia Robertson

Kia Robertson is a mom and the creator of the Today I Ate A Rainbow kit; a game that helps parents establish healthy habits by setting the goal of eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day. Kia is passionate about creating tools that help parents raise healthy kids

Now that we’ve gotten half way through the school year it can sometimes be challenging to come up with creative lunch ideas. I find it helpful to mix up the lunch gear, bags and foods I use in order to keep things interesting.

In this lunch we’ve put together some California rolls, veggies, grapes and a side bag with rice crackers. I find that kids really enjoy the bento style when it comes to their lunches because it’s visually appealing, it keeps foods from touching and it just makes it more fun!  There are all kinds of great lunch gear these days…I love using re-useable cloth bags instead of clear plastic bags…especially ones with fruit and veggie graphics!!

We also always do our best to include at least two colors of produce into every lunch we prepare as we’re always striving to eat a rainbow of colorful fruit and veggies everyday!

Happy Healthy Eating
Kia

Kia Robertson is a mom, children’s book author and the creator of the Today I Ate A Rainbow kit; a tool that helps parents establish healthy habits by setting the goal of eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day. Kia is passionate about creating tools that help parents raise healthy kids!

We were really curious to try this orange fruit that looks like a cross between a tomato and an apple!

We each had a slice…it was pretty good!  The inside was soft and the skin is kind of tough…almost a bit crunchy!  I didn’t find that it had a lot of flavor but it was still enjoyable.

I’m sure there are plenty of recipes using this fruit…but the easiest way is just to cut it up and eat it!  You could add persimmon slices to salads or puree them to make smoothies,  a topping for pancakes, or use it as a flavoring for plain yogurt.

They are in season from October through December so if you find some at your local grocer or market give one a try! Going on a fruit and veggie adventure, trying something new makes it fun for kids!

Happy Healthy Eating
Kia

Kia Robertson is a mom and the creator of the Today I Ate A Rainbow kit; a tool that helps parents establish healthy habits by setting the goal of eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day. Kia is passionate about creating tools that help parents raise healthy kids!

Looking for something fun to do with your kids? Try cooking together! Sure it can mean a little extra time and clean up when you have little “helpers” but it’s worth it. Of course this isn’t something that needs to happen for every meal, even if you just cook together once a week, it can create cherished memories and traditions that will last a lifetime! Getting your kids involved in preparing meals is a fantastic way to develop healthy eating habits. Kids are far more likely to dig into a new dish if they helped prepare it!

There are lots of things even very young children can do in the kitchen. Toddlers can wash and rip lettuce, preschoolers can measure and stir, and older kids can find recipes and help create meals.

Here are a few ideas that don’t require much “actual cooking” but they are fun recipes for kids!

Rainbow Fruit Sticks

Need a colorful, tasty, healthy item to bring to your next potluck or school event?!? Try these easy to make Rainbow Fruit Sticks!  They are a huge hit at any event with kids of all ages.

All you need is a collection of colorful fruit and some skewers! I like to use: Pineapple, Green Grapes, Cantaloupe, Raspberries, Honeydew Melon and Blackberries to give the skewers a nice rainbow effect!

1. Wash your fruit and let dry a little so that they are easy to work with.
2. Arrange your fruit and skewer them in the same order.
3. Display your Rainbow Fruit Sticks on a platter and get ready for the compliments!

Cinnamon Apple Slices

All you need is an Apple and some Cinnamon

This is an easy snack.  Wash and slice an apple then sprinkle with cinnamon.  Adds a yummy twist to eating apples!

Kids want to have fun…that’s part of what makes them such great people to be around! So when you want to get your kids on board for something, try making a game out of it! Look at your kitchen through the eyes of your little one and suddenly the salad spinner becomes a merry-go-round for lettuce and the sink turns into a car-wash for vegetable vehicles! Use mini cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes in fruits and vegetables. Get them involved and have fun!!

Happy Healthy Eating!
Kia Robertson

Kia Robertson is a mom and the creator of the Today I Ate A Rainbow kit; a tool that helps parents establish healthy habits by setting the goal of eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day. Kia is passionate about creating tools that help parents raise healthy kids!

Why should Christmas have the all fun?

Build a (yummy) family tradition your kids will scream for (in a good way, of course). It’s an activity, decor and dessert – all rolled into one!

Just use a traditional gingerbread recipe (swapping conventional ingredients for local and/or organic, when possible) OR organic graham crackers as the “house.” Decorate with edibles and organic/all natural confections that conjure the Halloween spirit.

Colors to consider: orange, black, purple and of course, GREEN! For a list of Halloween foods colored naturally by Mother Earth, visit out food page. (Who says you can’t use kale grass?)

Don’t have time to cook, but want to create the tradition? Buy the kit (photo above) online from Magic Cabin.