This week I wanted to blog on the importance of getting kids in the kitchen at an early age!  Even toddlers can “help” out in the kitchen!!  They can help by doing easy things like washing fruits and veggies, tearing up lettuce, helping to stir ingredients etc… There are so many ways to involve little ones in the kitchen.  I know that sometimes having their “help” actually makes things slower and messier but it really is worthwhile on the days where you have the time.  Getting kids involved with their food helps them to build trust and interest in the food that they eat.  Studies have shown that children are more likely to try new foods if they have helped prepare it.

Spending time together in the kitchen gives you a wonderful opportunity to chat about food, the importance of eating healthy food, and will provide you with fond memories of your time together!  By teaching your children cooking skills and passing down secret family recipes you are providing them with gifts that will last a lifetime!!  They might soon forget the latest toy you bought them, but it’s likely they will remember spending time whipping up creations with you in the kitchen

So set aside some time and find ways to get your little ones in the kitchen with you!!! Try to take some pictures too…it’s always nice to be able to look back on those special times together!  I can’t believe my little helper Hannah was only 2 yrs old in this picture…she’s now almost 8…time flies when you’re having fun in the kitchen

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!

I must admit that I had no idea how easy it is to make homemade granola!  So when I saw a recipe in The Whole Family Cookbook I was pretty excited to see that it was so easy that my seven year old daughter did most of the work by herself!  I’m a big believer in getting kids in the kitchen, it is such a great way to spend time together and pass on life long skills.

My favorite things about making your own granola:

1. I know all the ingredients that go into the granola
2. My daughter can practically make this by herself
3. We can tweak the recipe to add our choice of optional ingredients (nuts, seeds, dried fruit)
4. It makes the house smell SO good!!!!
5. Let’s be honest it sounds a bit impressive to make your own granola

Head over to my Rainbow Blog to see what my daughter had to say about making homemade granola!

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!

We are very excited to introduce you to our newest weekly guest blogger, Kia Robertson!  Kia is a mom and the creator of the Today I Ate A Rainbow kit.  She is passionate about creating tools for parents & educators that make it easier to set healthy eating habits!

Every Monday Kia will be sharing ideas on simple and fun ways to get your family eating healthy!

My friend Deb recently shared a recipe for a cookie/chewy bar that really appealed to me because it’s healthy and VERY easy to make.  What a great combination!  This is also the perfect recipe to make with your kids, in fact my daughter only needed my help with the oven!

What you’ll need:

4 mashed bananas
2 cups of oats
1/2 cup of raisins
Cinnamon  A dash will do unless you’re like my daughter who feels the more the better!

Directions:

1. Peel and mash bananas
2. Stir in oats
3. Add raisins and sprinkle with cinnamon
4. Roll into balls or fun shapes and spread on baking sheet
5. Bake at 350 for approximately 15 mins

Once they cool get ready to enjoy these tasty treats!!

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!