Spark your little one’s imagination by transforming humdrum lunches into fun, wild scenes.
Create a panda
Line your container with asparagus to create a “bamboo” background. Prepare short-grain sticky rice per instructions on package or in a rice cooker at a 1-cup-rice-to-2-cups-water ratio. Once done, mold the rice into a dome using a 1 cup measuring cup or small bowl. Using kitchen scissors, cut eyes, nose and ears out of organic seaweed snack sheets (found at most stores in the Asian foods aisle). The seaweed will easily affix to the sticky rice. Leave the rice ball plain, or if you’d like to cater to more adventurous taste buds, try filling it with teriyaki chicken or curry spiced potato wedges – otherwise, cooked ground turkey or cut-up hot dogs can satiate pickier eaters.
Something to snack on: Add some lightly salted snap pea crisps.
A sweet treat: Buy some chocolate-filled panda cookies.
Fresh fruit: A serving of fresh fruit completes this well-rounded meal.
Try this: Be creative with what you have at home. Establish a weekly theme with the kids: animals, countries (Italian food one day, Mexican food the next), colors, shapes, etc. Not only will it thrill your child (and their classmates), it also will motivate them to try new foods while nourishing their creativity along with their little bellies.
Build a bunny
When it comes to jazzing up a plain sandwich, metal cookie cutters can be your best friends. This turkey and cheese sandwich got a bunny makeover using a medium-sized cookie cutter, which easily slices through the ingredients (not lettuce or tomatoes) and disposes of the crust before your kids even need to ask. Pair this hare with crisp baby carrots, super cute cheddar bunny trail mix, and some healthy fruit to create a balanced meal.
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