As a nutritionist, I obviously spend a lot of time concerned with the quality of foods I have in my home, but also, lots of time cooking! At an early age, I took my daughter (her name is Reese and she is 5-years-old) to cooking classes designed to introduce kids to the basics of being in the kitchen. That birthed an ever-growing desire for her to want to “help” and the concept that cooking is a fun activity and not a chore.

Does it slow me down when she is helping? 100%. But I have kept encouraging her to help with small and safe tasks while we talk through the basics of food prep and why we eat what we do. It is an opportunity for tie together, but also, a time to have them learn skills and an appreciation for food.  It is amazing how much more into her meals she is when she has the sense of accomplishment because she helped mommy!

Aside from the kitchen time working together, I do focus on keeping her on the right track with healthy foods. My focus is always on lower sugar (with a focus on natural sugars,) variety and introducing new foods slow and steady, fiber-rich instead of white flour grains, making it colorful, and making the focus on main meals and not over-snacking. I find that the more we eat the same things at the same time, she is on board with change. 

Below is a peek into making her favorite snack together☺ 

Reese’s Favorite Apple Nachos Recipe

Simply put - take a healthy base and add a little somethin’ + a creative presentation to make kids happy and take it as a learning opportunity for your child!

Reese saddled up to the counter + used her toddler knives with protective gloves + got in on the apple slicing! While we prepped, I had a chat with her about apples + their health benefits.

THE CONVO WENT A LIL’ SOMETHING LIKE THIS:

• (Picture me semi-rapping) “An apple a day keeps the doctor away…” you know, because it is good for you!

• Did you know that fruits and veggies don’t all grow all the time? Apples are a winter fruit, so they are called “seasonal” right now. Seasons being like the 4 seasons you are learning in school.

• Apples can make you smarter by protecting your brain + help you remember things in school too

• It has fiber in it, which makes your tummy feel good- insert a silly bathroom joke maybe (hehe)

• It can also help you not get sick this season thanks to Vitamin C

FOR THE NACHOS:

• Slice a Granny Smith apple.

• If you want a warm or comfort food-like snack, gently saute apple slices with a bit of butter or lemon juice (lemon brings out the sweetness even more.)

• Add a low-sugar granola like Jessica’s.

• Top with mini chocolate chips (milk, dark, caramel, even white chocolate works).

• Drizzle with Marzetti light caramel dip (lightly heated to thin it out).

• Then drizzle again with @waxorchards fruit-based fudge to limit the total sugar.

  It is so important to connect your children to their food in a healthy, positive way. Including them in the kitchen like this, making meals or snacks that they can eat in the end, is a fantastic way to engage them and make them feel like a part your world too.