Dear Reader,
This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children. Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills. You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story. Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
If You Plant a Seed By: Kadir Nelson
Ages: Toddlers through First Grade
This is one of the most beautiful books that we have ever found and has an amazing message. The illustrations are beyond magnificent and tell the story all by themselves. Kadir Nelson is an award winning illustrator. This is not only a book about planting a garden in the spring, it is about planting the seed of kindness and sharing. Please take a close look at this one and add it to your read-aloud list. Children will want to hear it over and over and you will love reading it to them.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, discuss with the child what happens when you plant seeds in the spring.
- As you read the story, on the pages that have no words, ask the child to tell you what he/she thinks is happening by looking at the pictures.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what he/she thinks that all of the characters in the book learned.
- Ask the child to tell you why he/she thinks it is better to plant seeds of kindness instead of seeds of selfishness.
Additional Books:
- Kindness is my Superpower By: Alicia Ortego
- Merck Gets a Friend By: Vicki Milliken Illustrated by: Pascal Itan-Kwan
- Be Kind By: Pat Zietlow Miller Illustrated by: Jen Hill
- It’s Mine By: Leo Lionni
Cooking Time:
Vegetable Pinwheels
These appetizers are a fun way to get children to eat their vegetables and they will love helping to make them. Children can help by cutting the veggies, adding the ingredients and rolling the tortillas.
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup finely chopped broccoli
1/4 cup finely chopped cauliflower
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
1/4 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
4 (8 inch) flour tortillas
- Cream together the cream cheese and mayo.
- Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder and mix completely.
- Add the broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and cheese and combine.
- Lay each tortilla on a piece of waxed paper and evenly spread 1/3 cup of the veggie mixture onto each.
- Carefully roll up each tortilla making it as tight as possible.
- Place rolls in a dish and cover. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Using a sharp knife, cut 1/2 inch slices to form the roll-ups.
- Refrigerate any leftovers.
Makes about 48 appetizers.
Minestrone Soup
One of the best ways to get veggies into children is through a delicious soup and minestrone fits the bill. This hearty soup is really good and is full of vegetables and beans and will be fun for kids to help make. Children can help by cutting the vegetables and adding the ingredients.
2 cups carrots, diced into small cubes
2 cups zucchinis, diced into small cubes
1 cup onion, diced into small cubes
2 cups celery, diced into small cubes
2 cloves garlic, pressed
28 ounce can of diced tomatoes
32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth
15 ounce can Great Northern beans, drained
15 ounce can red kidney beans, drained
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 cup elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups water, as needed
- Using a large pot, add the olive oil and heat.
- Add the zucchini, carrots, celery and onions. Sautee for 10 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.
- Add the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning and basil. Stir to combine.
- Add the broth, noodles, kidney beans and Great Northern beans. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- If the soup is too thick, add additional water a cup at a time.
- Add the pressed garlic and continue to simmer for 10 more minutes.
- Serve warm.
Makes 12 servings.
Zucchini Brownies
Here is another way to promote eating veggies by putting them in a sweet treat. These brownies are extremely moist and chewy. This recipe is also vegan. Children can help by grating the zucchini and adding the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using non-stick cooking spray, grease a 9 by 13 baking pan.
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cooking oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups shredded zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups bitter-sweet chocolate chips, divided
- Using a mixer, blend together the flour, sugar and oil until the flour is completely incorporated.
- Add the cocoa powder, shredded zucchini, vanilla, baking soda and salt. Mix for 2 to 3 minutes until completely combined. Mixture is very thick.
- By hand, fold in 1 cup of the chocolate chips.
- Press brownie batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips on top of the brownie batter.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake.
- Remove brownies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Makes 12 servings.
