Food for kids, food for life

So did we try a raw soup? Was is sensational? Did the flavours flow through your mouth and into your belly like a wave of nutrients faeries dancing goodness through your body!!!! And the colours, oh the colours are are like nothing you can get in any other food! For those of you going I didn't have time or my all time favourite..'my family would never eat that".... you are missing out! Its the weekend, so find 10 mintues (coz thats all it takes) and whip one up.  

Kids love junk food because its considered a treat, for some - a taboo even. So for those who say they WONT eat it - make it a little bit forbidden.. get their curiosity and they will want to eat it before you even offer it. Kids are so nutrient deprived these days because we have become a society of microwave dinners and quick packet mix meals. Even if you are putting lots of veges in your stews or soups, we kill so much of the goodness in the cooking process and then adding in sauces and stocks just adds unnecessary sugars, carbs and ridiculous amounts of sodium and preservatives! So when you when make your soup... make a fuss about it!!! Make sure they are in the kitchen or at least in the same area and make noise while you are prepping. Get their attention and when they ask what you are doing, tell them is something special just for mummy and daddy. The fact that you have just made it 'special' and not for them, they already want  to eat just because they cant! Add that to the amazing colours and BBOOYAA - they are curious and they will be so much more inclined to at least try it. Use the colours of the food. Spinach when processed goes almost like kryptonite green.. its crazy! Or freak them out a bit with a beetroot base... purple food, are you serious?? We can eat that?? Or the bright red of fresh tomato and red capsicum, it will blow their minds! So when it comes time to serve, keep it interesting still... Tell them this is only for mum and dad, but maybe if they ask daddy (or mum) really nicely they can have a little bowl to try. Whoo hoo! You just tricked your kids into eating probably the most nutrient filled meal they've ever had! And for those 'big kids' who wont eat veges - tell them to suck it up! Stop being a pansy and set a good example for the kids. Children are like sponges and watch everything we do, soak it up and store it in their memory. They learn by example - so lead and teach them good habits. It all starts with you. We only get one... one life, one body, one voice, one chance... Use it and make it count!!!!!!