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3 Summer Recipes That Get Kids Involved!

When it comes time to getting in the kitchen this summer, including your child in the preparation can be both a lot of fun and an opportunity to learn!

Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC) Nutritionist, Victoria Pittman believes there’s an opportunity for learning in everything you do together.

“Children love to be involved in many things so why not involve them in taking care of themselves by eating healthy,” she explains. ‘They usually will eat or at the very least try foods they have had a hand in preparing. The benefits to cooking together are they are learning as they cook. They practice social skills like sharing. They learn to think critically when they listen to instructions or remember steps from a recipe. They are building vocabulary and most importantly they are bonding with you and making memories that will last forever,” she continues.

Below, are a 3 fun recipes that the CLC Nutrition Department loves and that you can prepare with your child this summer!

Blue Banana Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

  • The milk of your choice (cow’s milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc.)
  • Frozen or fresh blueberries
  • Small banana
  • Add spinach, oat or flaxseed to give your smoothie a boost!

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Parents, as your child to put a cup of spinach (or the boost of your choice) into the blender.
  2. Peel the small banana and add that to the blender.
  3. Add half a cup of blueberries to the blender.
  4. Pour in one cup of the milk of your choice.
  5. Parents, put the top on the blender (making sure little fingers are clear of the machine) and blend it all together!
  6. Pour into a cup and enjoy!

Black Eyed Pea Dip

INGREDIENTS:

  • Parsley
  • 1 can of black eyed peas
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons of thyme
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chips, crackers or carrots to dip!

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Cut parsley leaves and add them to the blender.
  2. Drain 1 can of black eyed peas and add them to the blender.
  3. Squeeze lemon and add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to the blender.
  4. Add 1/2 cup of olive oil to the blender.
  5. Smash ad peel 1 clove of garlic, add to the blender.
  6. Add 2 tablespoons of thyme into the blender.
  7. Add a little salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Parents, put the top on the blender (making sure little fingers are clear of the machine) and blend it all together!
  9. After blending, taste to see if it needs more salt, pepper or lemon.
  10. Enjoy with chips, crackers or carrots!

Fish in the River

INGREDIENTS:

  • Celery sticks
  • Cream cheese
  • Goldfish crackers

INSTRUCTONS:

  1. Have your child use a spoon to spread cream cheese on a celery stick (they may need some help).
  2. Have your child place the goldfish on top
  3. Enjoy!

Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC) is committed to providing early childhood education for all families, with direct services and programs focused in health, nutrition & family support for children aged 6 weeks – 5 years of age. Find more information about enrollment, here!