Summer Fun Vegetable Tips
With ninety-six percent of kids ages two to 121 not getting the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables, it’s no wonder moms are struggling to find ways to get their kids to eat two to five cups of veggies each day. And with summer vacation and a relaxed eating schedule looming, it can be even more difficult for moms to keep their kids’ tummies full of the nutrients they need (especially veggies). Registered dietician Jodie Shield has some great tips to help parents who are looking for effective and inventive ways to get their children to eat their veggies and beat the heat this summer. With years of experience in childhood nutrition, Shield’s tips will help parents cultivate in their children a life-long love of vegetables through activities, recipes and tips that can be applied at home, while kids are away from the school routine:
On March 11, Hidden Valley hosted Veggie Central – a veggie-licious celebration of vegetables - in New York’s Grand Central Station.
The event featured interactive elements, including a vegetable forest, ranch fountains, kid-friendly games, a hands-on vegetable gardening demo from The Organic Gardener Jeanne Pinsof Nolan, and much more.
Check out great photos of the event and click on each of the experts on the right to view their tips from the event to enjoy at home.
With ninety-six percent of kids ages two to 121 not getting the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables, it’s no wonder moms are struggling to find ways to get their kids to eat two to five cups of veggies each day. And with summer vacation and a relaxed eating schedule looming, it can be even more difficult for moms to keep their kids’ tummies full of the nutrients they need (especially veggies). Registered dietician Jodie Shield has some great tips to help parents who are looking for effective and inventive ways to get their children to eat their veggies and beat the heat this summer. With years of experience in childhood nutrition, Shield’s tips will help parents cultivate in their children a life-long love of vegetables through activities, recipes and tips that can be applied at home, while kids are away from the school routine:
- Veggie Totem Poles: Your kids will have a blast turning vegetable kebobs into totem poles. Help them thread fresh vegetables such as baby carrots, zucchini chunks, diced cucumber, and cherry tomatoes through a wooden skewer. Then using their imagination and a little ranch dressing, let them make faces with small pieces of veggies such as olive bits for eyes, shredded lettuce for hair. Be sure to use leftover dressing as a dip.
- Beat the heat: Lighten up your summer family picnics with refreshing and cool veggie salsas. We have two recipes that are sure to be hits with the whole family. Combine chopped cucumber, red onion, tricolor bell peppers, fresh oregano, and mint with crumbled feta cheese and a splash of orange juice and tarragon vinegar; serve with baked pita chips. Or try tossing yellow corn kernels, black beans, chopped red and green bell pepper and cilantro with lime juice and a dash or olive oil and serve with crispy tortillas.
- Cool Pizza Down this Summer: On a hot summer day let your kids “veg” out on this no-bake pizza. Start with a pre-baked whole-wheat pizza crust. Let your kids spread a mixture of equal parts low-fat cream cheese and Hidden Valley® Ranch Dressing on top of the crust. Encourage your kids to add their favorite veggies on top – try broccoli florets, bell peppers rings, sliced portabella mushrooms and diced green onion. This meal is a snap to make and delicious to eat!
- Farmers’ Market Scavenger Hunt: This summer visit your local farmers’ market and bring the whole family. Give everyone a list of vegetables to find that includes family favorites and new additions to try (such as new potatoes, arugula, spaghetti squash and pea pods). Split up the list and let everyone search for their veggies. Once everyone has returned with their bounty, let each family member pick two or three veggies to take home and prepare together as a family.
On March 11, Hidden Valley hosted Veggie Central – a veggie-licious celebration of vegetables - in New York’s Grand Central Station.
The event featured interactive elements, including a vegetable forest, ranch fountains, kid-friendly games, a hands-on vegetable gardening demo from The Organic Gardener Jeanne Pinsof Nolan, and much more.
Check out great photos of the event and click on each of the experts on the right to view their tips from the event to enjoy at home.
Press Contact
Bridget Starkey/ Current
P: 415-262-5987
E: Bstarkey@talktocurrent.com
Back-to-School Tips
from Jodie Shield
Jeanne Pinsof Nolan
Jodie Shield
Visit the Official Love Your Veggies™ campaign Web site: www.LoveYourVeggies.com.
www.HiddenValley.com