{"id":2273,"date":"2014-07-06T04:35:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-06T08:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veganlovlie.com\/2014\/07\/merry-go-veggie-kids-summer-2014-week-1-the-boy-who-loved-broccoli\/"},"modified":"2019-12-11T02:18:59","modified_gmt":"2019-12-11T07:18:59","slug":"merry-go-veggie-kids-summer-2014-week-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veganlovlie.com\/merry-go-veggie-kids-summer-2014-week-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Kid-Friendly Recipe – Merry-Go-Veggie-Kids Summer 2014 – Week #1: The Boy Who Loved Broccoli"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week I announced the Merry-Go-Veggie-Kids Summer 2014<\/a> which is a virtual event where a few blogging friends and I have teamed up to present to you kid-friendly recipe ideas, tips and pieces of advice about how to get your child to eat more vegetables and cultivate a healthy eating habit right at an early age.<\/p>\n

While some kids enjoy eating their vegetables, others need more encouragement and motivation to do so. Our guest bloggers have striven to present quick and easy dishes that they have found to appeal to their children.<\/p>\n

Meet this week’s featured blogger for the Merry-Go-Veggie-Kids Summer 2014<\/strong> virtual event – Sarah Creighton of Veggie-Kids<\/a>. Sarah is a mum of three and the author of two children illustration books – The Boy Who Loved Broccoli and Clover’s Great Escape; the latter is endorsed by farm sanctuaries as well as John Robbins, author or “Food Revolution” and “Diet For A New America” and also by Neal Barnard, MD, founder of PCRM.org and revolutionary clinical researcher.
\nWhen I learnt about how Sarah cured a large ovarian cyst through her diet only, I was reminded yet again of the healing power of the food we eat. For the Merry-Go-Veggie-Kids event, Sarah is sharing with us her quick and easy Broccoli Tomato Pasta recipe. But let’s get to know Sarah a little bit more first.<\/p>\n

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    1. \"Kid-Friendly <\/picture>When did you start your blog and what triggered your interest in writing a vegan food blog?<\/b>
      \nVeggie-Kids began back in 2009 after I was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst. Wanting to avoid surgery, I went on a mission to heal myself through plants (foods, teas, tonics). I learned that although I was eating healthy at the time, my pH balance in my body was off. I healed myself completely within 2-3 weeks using plants only. At that point I was sold! I decided to dedicate a blog to keep track of the healthy foods I was making for myself and my family. Veggie-Kids.com has been growing ever since!<\/li>\n
    2. Was the transition to a vegan diet challenging for yourself and your family?<\/b>
      \nBecoming vegan wasn’t much of a challenge for me as I was so motivated and amazed by the new world of foods that were opened up to me. My kids were fine with it as they’ve always loved healthy foods since that’s what I’ve fed them from the start. Kids seem to be excited by whatever the grown-ups in their household are excited about though (i.e., if mom likes veggies, kids most likely will too!)My husband is a meat-eater and although I’ve tried to change him, he’s set in his ways. He has come around to drinking green smoothies every morning and eating much healthier though! \ud83d\ude09<\/li>\n
    3. What type of vegetable dishes have you found to be most successful <\/b>with children?<\/b>
      \nI’ve done a lot of research finding out what vegan meals families and kids would like best. While many families here in America prefer dishes with cheese such as lasagna or mac’n cheese, they also like foods you can eat with your hands like tacos. The very best veggie-filled meals that kids will actually eat are the ones they participate in making. If a child has a chance to pick out a few ingredients from the grocery store and help prepare the meal, they are so much more likely to eat and enjoy it!<\/li>\n
    4. How do you deal with your children when they refuse to eat a particular vegetable or dish?<\/b>
      \nIn dealing with a child’s refusal to eat a vegetable or dish I think parents need to chill! I believe in intuitive eating and kids are the best at this, as long as they have healthy choices. So I suggest parents give their kids 2-3 healthy options if they’re a picky eater. That gives the power back to the child but it’s still a win-win because they only have a healthy choice to make. For example, if the child refuses to eat his broccoli, don’t make a big deal out of it (although I would suggest reading my book “The Boy Who Loved Broccoli” to them!). Just set out some other options like cauliflower or salad leaves with salad dressing to dip if they like.I like to tell parents to look at the whole week of their child’s eating, not just a day’s worth. Most likely, they’re getting in all their nutrients over a few days. Most of us have seen a baby or toddler only want to eat one or two foods only over and over again. Once their body has had enough of whatever nutrient they’re craving, they will move on!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"Kid-Friendly <\/picture><\/p>\n