Get Moving : Don't Drop the Cabbage!

At the Creative Kitchen we are all about healthy, balanced diets but it's also important to take care of our bodies by staying active. You're never too young or old to flex those muscles, so what are you waiting for?  Let's get moving! 

Our friends at Energetic Juniors showed us some fun ways to pick up the pace this summer.  When was the last time you had this much fun with cabbage?! 

DON’T DROP THE CABBAGE

This is an eye-hand coordination game that also helps improve catching and throwing skills… and takes playing catch to a new fun level! You and your child start very close, facing each other. Toss the ball back and forth, while saying “don’t” then “drop” then “the” and finally “cabbage.” After completing the sentence you both move one giant step back. Whoever drops the “cabbage” (the ball) must then do a fun exercise or movement. For example, hop, gallop in a circle, jump and lift the ball overhead or simply do a push-up or sit-up.

Have FUN!

To find out more contact bonita@energeticjuniors.com or visit www.energeticjuniors.com

Plum Organics Greek Yogurt Mashups

Greek yogurt (yum!) + organic fruit (yum!) = Greek Yogurt Mashups (yum yum!) from Plum Organics!

These creamy snacks come in a handy grab-n-go pouch which means you can chuck that pesky spoon, and with three delicious flavors -- Cherry Vanilla, Orange Cream and Strawberry Lemonade -- there's something for every tastebud.

So kids, while mom and dad are oohing and aahing over the 3g of fiber per serving and the fact that Greek Yogurt Mashups have no artificial ingredients, trans-fats, or high fructose corn syrup, you'll love the natural sweet of organic fruit and the creamy goodness of greek yogurt. So grab a pouch and get your greek on! What's not to love? Fruit + yogurt - spoon = one perfect lunchbox snack! We guarantee you'll go gaga for greek!  γευστικότατος! (Yummy!)

Eat Play Local Day... What fun!

Last week, Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen took part in Eat Play Local Day at the Children's Museum of Manhattan hosted by Edible Manhattan and we had a blast!  What's not to love about our Mixed-Up Sandwiches, milk and cookies from Organic Valley and Whole Foods' Get Your Greens On Smoothies?  Check out some of our favorite pictures from the event, it looks like you had a great time too!

The Creative Kitchen at Eat Play Local Day

The Creative Kitchen Team!

A rainbow of fresh veggies and Organic Valley American Singles

Kids Cook NYC!

Looking for something fun for your kids to do in July? It's not too late to sign up for Kids Cook NYC summer camp at Whole Foods, presented by the Creative Kitchen! 

Through hands-on cooking demonstrations and other fun activities, campers experience the wide array of international cuisines found in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. They'll sample the flavors of far away places that can be found right here in our own backyard. Talk about a yummy staycation! 

Join the Creative Kitchen and our partners Whole Foods, Organic Valley, the Tenement Museum, Gotham Greens, Applegate, Cocomama, Plum Organics, Mom Made Foods, Lifeway Foods, Olympus and Peanut Butter & Co. as we discover all the culinary delights that make New York so deliciously diverse!

LaLa Lunchbox

Having trouble deciding what to feed your little one for lunch? Fear not, there's an app for that!

We love LaLa Lunchbox, an awesome app that let's your children plan their lunches while learning about the benefits of a well-balanced lunch.

Kids design their own custom monster avatar then choose from a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins and snacks to build a delicious and balanced lunch.

And parents will love it too - LaLa Lunchbox instantly transforms lunch plans into an easy-to-use shopping guide, cutting down on uneaten, wasted food. 

Download LaLa Lunchbox from the App Store for a fun and educational way to play with your food! (Even though mom always told you not to!)

Vote for The Creative Kitchen! Mission: Small Business!

If you could change the lives of hundreds of children for the better in less than one minute, would you? Now is your chance!

By now you've probably heard about the Mission: Small Business $250,000 grant (unless you've been living under a rock!). And we're sure that everyone from your cousin's neighbor's hairdresser to your cousin's neighbor's hairdresser's dog has asked you to vote for them, but we're taking it one step further... We're begging you to vote for us! 

Why? It only takes a second to vote and your support will help us help not only the picky eater sitting across from you at your dinner table but also hundreds of other pint-sized future chefs! Do it for the children!

We need 250 votes by Saturday June 30th (yup, that's the end of this week!), so please visit missionsmallbusiness.com and follow the three easy steps below in support of The Creative Kitchen. It's as easy as, err, 1-2-3!


1. Go to missionsmallbusiness.com and click "Log In & Support"

2. Search "The Creative Kitchen"

3. Click on the blue Vote button to show your support! (and if you're feeling particularly supportive, share the link on your Facebook wall!)

www.missionsmallbusiness.com

Patriotic Pattern Parfait

Enjoy the Patriotic Pattern Parfait recipe below – a scrumptious and refreshing star-spangled snack that’s perfect to make and enjoy with family and friends during 4^th of July meals.  

Yield: 4 servings

Total prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

8 to 12 Graham crackers
4 cups vanilla yogurt
2 cups raspberries
2 cups strawberries
2 cups blueberries
¼ cup fresh mint, as garnish

Method

1. Place 3 to 4 Graham crackers in separate plastic zipper sandwich bags and carefully seal, with all air removed. Crush crackers into crumbs by having the children hop on top of bags or pound on bags with their fists.

2. Slice hulled strawberries and place aside.

3. Separate mint leaves from stems and chop or tear leaves into tiny pieces. Set aside to use as garnish.

4. In four tall clear cups, create layers of each ingredient (except mint) to make a red, white and blue pattern in the following order:

Graham cracker crumbs, raspberries, vanilla yogurt,
Graham cracker crumbs, strawberries, vanilla yogurt,
Graham cracker crumbs, blueberries, vanilla yogurt.

5. Repeat the pattern until cups are full, then garnish with mint leaves.

6. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Enjoy together!

Tips for Making this Recipe with Kids:

·  With adult supervision, have children slice fruit, using a kid-friendly, plastic knife.

·  For a dairy-free, gluten-free dessert use soy yogurt and granola or gluten-free cookie crumbles.

·  Have children prepare recipe during the festivities as a fun activity.

·  Play Simon-Says or Follow the Leader while kids have fun crushing the crackers by jumping on or pounding on the bags.

·  Talk about what a “pattern” is and identify and count the colors and layers within the parfait.