Healthy Lunches for Toddlers & Preschoolers

It can be difficult to get children to eat their veggies! Young children should eat 1 cup of raw or cooked veggies each day. This sounds like so much for a tot to eat, but it can be easily done if you split up the veggies throughout the day.

Spinach Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes for a Tasty Lunch!

One way I like to get my children to eat their veggies is through green smoothies. You can find my favorite recipe for Organic Green Smoothies here. Dark green leafy vegetable like spinach and kale are so good for you and green smoothies with delicious sweet berries is a great way to mask these greens for the pickiest eaters!

Here are some of my other favorite ways to incorporate vegetables into my kids lunches:

• Add frozen mixed vegetables to macaroni and cheese

• Add spinach to spaghetti sauce and serve with small noodles

• Roll turkey breast, cheese, and finely chopped carrots and broccoli in a tortilla

• Sprinkle shredded carrots and thinly sliced cucumbers on a cheese sandwich 

• Roll up turkey breast with a romaine lettuce leaf

• Freeze small servings of vegetable soup to pull out for a quick lunch 

• Try breakfast for lunch. Scramble eggs and cheese with red, yellow, and green peppers and roll up in a tortilla

 I hope you enjoy some of these quick and easy ways to incorporate veggies into your kid's lunches!

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Family Fun at Idlewild Park

Can you think of a better way to spend a summer day than at an amusement park? My family recently spent a day at Idlewild Park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania (within an hour drive of Pittsburgh). Idlewild Park is a such special place for young children. It has won the Golden Ticket Award for Best Children's Park for the past 3 years (We hope they win it again for 2014!) There are so many reasons why Idlewild is perfect for young children. My children (1.5 and 3.5 years old) had a blast! Here are a few highlights of Idlewild Park for the youngest amusement park enthusiasts:

1. Raccoon Lagoon

Ricky's Racers Classic Car Ride 

Raccoon Lagoon is a kiddie-park full of classic rides. Many rides are appropriate for the youngest toddler when accompanied by an adult or older child. My 19 month old baby girl had no trouble riding most rides, while my 3.5 year old son was able to ride everything. Some of their favorite classic rides includes: Dino Soars (flying dinosaur), Doodlebug (children's trolley ride), Red Baron (airplanes), Ricky's Racers (miniature car rides), and Rainbow Wheel (smaller version of the ferris wheel). Small children are also able to ride the Turtle and Tea Party Rides with an adult. Hours of fun and tons of great photo opportunities!

2. Story Book Forest

Entrance to Story Book Forest

Story Book Forest is special to me because I have so many memories visiting with my family when I was young. It is so special for me to now be able to share it with my children. The entry of the attraction is a enormous story book which read, "Here dreams are real...and so are your Story Book Friends." Children can meet their favorite characters from classic storybook tales and nursery rhymes. 

Geppetto's Workshop-Pinocchio

3. Daniel Tiger Meet & Greets

Daniel Tiger Meet & Greets 

Idlewild Park was once the home of the "Mister Rodger's Neighborhood" Trolley of Make-Believe. It was an adorable ride but with the popularity of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, they have closed the trolley to make room for a ride based on the new TV series. In the interim, the park hosts Daniel Tiger Meet & Greets at various times throughout the day. We did not have the opportunity to meet Daniel during our visit, but watched from afar and it looked like tons of fun for little ones. We are so excited for the new Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood attraction which is set to open during the 2015 season!

New Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Attraction coming Summer 2015!

4. Thomas & Friends Full Steam Ahead Live
Like many other young children, my kids LOVE Thomas & Friends-from the wooden trains to the TV show. My husband and I joke that we would sit down and watch Thomas on Netflix without our kids because it is so enjoyable and relaxing! Thomas & Friends Full Steam Ahead Live is an action packed show about Thomas and his Very Useful Friends. It is sure to be a kid-pleaser!
 
5. Loyalhanna Limited Railroad
Idlewild has a classic train ride which takes you from Raccoon Lagoon (kiddie park) to the Hootin' Holler part of the park. We like to stay on the train and take the round trip. It is a peaceful ride across a beautiful creek and through a lovely wooded area. It is a nice relaxing way to end the day!

6. Memories to Last a Lifetime
So many memories are made during a day at the amusement park! For us, it was the first time our baby girl was old enough to enjoy the rides. She was a little unsure at first, but once she went on her first ride there was no stopping her. Her big brother enjoyed finally having a riding partner as well!

Just the Best of Friends!

These are just a few highlights of what makes Idlewild Park so special! There are so many more attractions such as: Jumpin Jungle, Soakzone, and many other Live! shows. There is just not enough time in one day to enjoy all that Idlewild has to offer.

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Recipe: Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes

What is better than homemade pancakes? In my house we have been know to have pancakes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This is my easy go-to recipe for Buttermilk Pancakes. We make many variations from plain, mini chocolate chip, and even pumpkin- but these Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes are by far everyone's favorite.

Don't worry if you do not have buttermilk on hand (I never do). To make buttermilk, simply combine 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes- you'll have the perfect buttermilk to make your pancakes light and airy!

I made these Blueberry Buttermilk pancakes for breakfast on the 4th of July and served them with a strawberry and blueberry fruit cup- they were delicious and festive!

BUTTERMILK BLUEBERRY PANCAKES

Ingredients:

1  1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
1  1/4 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

-In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.

-Beat the egg with buttermilk, and butter.

-Combine the wet and dry ingredients. The batter will be slightly lumpy, be careful to not over mix (small lumps are okay).

-Add the blueberries to the pancake mix, fold the berries gently!

-Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. spoon dollops of 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet. Cook the pancakes 2-3 minutes on each side.

-Serve with butter and/or maple syrup.

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