We Found the Pot of Gold! Green Snacks Are a Hit With Kids!

So even though St. Patty’s day has come and gone, I thought I’d share with you a little experiment I did in my classroom. I wanted to see if I could a) get my classroom parents in on my desire to leave processed foods with harmful food coloring and crazy amounts of sugar out of our kids’ mouths (if only for one meal) and b) get my kiddies jazzed to eat green and healthy snacks and c) have them love them and have so much fun, they wouldn’t even miss their beloved cupcakes and cookies.

Step one was getting the parents to sign up for the healthy snacks. You see, you can teach kids what’s healthy and what’s not, but if the parents aren’t on the same path, it ain’t gonna stick. Luckily, the parents in my classroom were more than happy to. They signed up for goodies like green apples, green grapes, green salad, green snap peas, green beans, guacamole (no chips…we used it to dip our veggies in!), kiwi, and broccoli. I specifically stated on the sign up sheet no cookies, no cupcakes, and no drinks….I would be providing a healthy green drink (more on that in a minute). Now, I understand that yes we can bake healthy treats and yes, occasional indulgence is ok but frankly, I think there are so many yummy and green gifts from nature that we should also celebrate those foods as well. I really wanted to show the kids and their families that healthy, all natural snacks have as much of a rightful place in celebrations rituals as do all the sugar-laden treats we have grown up with. In fact, they actually deserve it more. SO tired of all the processed foods given to kids and the way society pressures parents to purchase and serve these foods or they aren’t “letting kids be kids.” Honestly, it’s nonsense and just a whole lotta marketing.

Moving on….

To keep my part of the deal, I made a healthy green lemonade, which was basically fresh squeezed lemon juice, filtered water, a blend of xylitol and agave for some sweetness, and for the green (drum roll, please)…2 spoonfuls of liquid Chlorophyll. That’s right. Pure, unadulterated sunshine right in the lemonade. I gave the lemonade a taste test before serving it to the kids…I loved the taste but would the kids love it too or would they think the Leprechaun stole their usual lemonade and left them with sloppy seconds??

Well, the moment of truth came on St. Patty’s day. Snack time for that day was no overly processed treats and it wasn’t the usual processed, fat and sugar-laden GMO junk the school serves either (Sorry, but it’s the truth). For one day, it was all natural, all healthy, and all good. I was further impressed because my mom who brought the green salad also made a yummy, homemade vinaigrette; no processed dressing! The critics (i.e. the kiddies) voted and their response?? “Can I have more, please??” And for the lemonade? “Cheers! This is so good!” Even my parent volunteers were happy and surprised.

I really hope this motivates you to get your kids or kids you love in on serving up healthy snacks for celebrations, class parties, sleep overs, or just for everyday yum. You can even use this video to motivate them…”Look, sweetie. These kids love green snacks!” Remember, your attitude about and willingness to buy/prepare healthy foods has a tremendous effect on your child’s attitude about them as well. So…tell me…are you motivated to get your greens on today? It’s so easy, even a kid can do it!! How will you get more greens and healthy snacks into the daily diet of your child or a child you love?

(Note: All the plates, forks, and (most) cups were washed and dried, ready to be reused..very little waste! Next step, move away from plastics!)