MFE Presents: #HealthyGreenFamilies
Welcome to the Healthy Green Families page!
DYK: Research shows that eating healthy meals can help manage anxiety and improve children’s moods?
Below families and educators will find various resources to help children choose healthier meal options. With these simple recipes, tips, and activities, you will encourage children to develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
MFE Presents: #HealthyGreenFamilies (video)
The spring planting season is the perfect time of year to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. For National Nutrition Month and National Garden Month, visit a local farmers market, create an arts and crafts project, read books about healthy foods, watch gardening videos, and plant a school, program, family, community veggie garden.
Spring Gardening Tips
- MFE Presents: Spring Gardening Tips
- Team Nutrition Garden Resources
- Local Food Directories: National Farmers Market Directory
- Gardening with Kids: What to Plan and Fun Activities
- Explore Produce With Kids
- Grow It, Try It, Like It! Fun with Fruits and Vegetables at Family Child Care
The Family Seed Challenge
Tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, oh my! For the spring planting season, teach children the value of growing their food by planting a school, program, family, or community veggie garden. Take the Family Seed Challenge! Showcase your children’s green thumbs by sharing photos with @MDEngageEarly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the Hashtag #HealthyGreenFamilies.
- Teachers/Providers: Start A School Garden – Here’s How
- Parents and Families: How to Start a Vegetable Garden With Your Kids
National Sloppy Joe Day is March 18!
DYK: People call sloppy joes by different names in different parts of the U.S., including barbecues, dynamites, goulash, sloppy janes, slush burgers, steamers, wimpies, and yum yums? What ingredients do you use to make the best Sloppy Joe: chicken, turkey, beef, pork, or veggie? Share photos of one of MFE’s recommended recipes or your favorite #NationalSloppyJoeDay recipe with @MDEngageEarly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the Hashtag #MySloppyJoe.
The Top 10 Spring Recipes for Family Dinner
Help children develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. Research shows that eating healthy meals can help manage anxiety and improve children’s moods. So turn off the TV and collect the electronic devices. It’s dinnertime! Your little ones, even the picky eaters, will love to make and eat the following easy, kid-friendly recipes:
- Recipe One: Healthy Chicken Pot Popovers
- Recipe Two: Green Bean Caprese Salad
- Recipe Three: Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole
- Recipe Four: Kids’ Mac ‘n’ Cheese
- Recipe Five: Beef Taco Skillet
- Recipe Six: Mouthwatering Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Recipe Seven: Sheet Pan Rainbow Nachos
- Recipe Eight: Bunny Pizza
- Recipe Nine: Grilled Veggie French Onion Flatbreads
- Recipe Ten: Loaded Sweet Potato Bar
National Tomato Day is April 6!
Tomatoes are the focal point of favorite dishes such as fresh garden salad, spaghetti, and tacos. Children will be amazed by how it starts with a single seed. Learn how to grow tomatoes with children:
- A Kid-Friendly Guide to Growing Tomatoes
- How to Grow Tomatoes at Home with Your Kids
- 10 Tips for Growing Tomatoes
Make Your Own Popsicles
Strawberry, banana, orange, peach, or a combination of fresh flavor and yogurt? Pop into summer with homemade popsicles. There is nothing better than beating the heat with a healthy, fresh-from-the-freezer Popsicle made together as a family. Help children develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. Share your pop photos or video with @MDEngageEarly on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using the Hashtags #HealthyGreenFamilies and #MyLittleChef. We will add you to our list.
Watch the video here and check out the website each week for our Top 5 Popping Fruity Summer Treats:
- Fruit ‘n’ Yogurt Swirl Pops
- Kiwi Ice Pops
- Orange-Banana Smoothie Pops
- Red, White & Blue Popsicles!
- Rainbow Popsicles
August is National Sandwich Month!
Avocado, Peanut Butter, or Greet Yogurt: Spread a little Magic! Practice perfect stacking just in time for back-to-school lunch. Share your perfect stacks with @MDEngageEarly using the Hashtag #BTSGreenMeals! Watch the National Sandwich Month video and get green sandwich recipes.
The Little Chef’s Corner
Drop by The Little Chef’s Corner to learn more about the benefits of cooking with children, get tips to introduce your little chef to new recipes, encourage your picky eater to try new food, and discover MFE’s favorite healthy recipes children love to make and eat.
What’s for Dinner?
Discover nutrition tips, fun and creative recipes, and more with The MFE Nutrition Collection on the resources page. New resources are coming! So visit the nutrition collection often.
