Healthy Kid-Friendly Christmas Meals

And just like that...Christmas is upon us. Eight days, to be exact. Why am I counting, you may ask? 

Oh no, no, no. It's not me. It is my five year old Daniel, who since December, thought waking up an hour earlier every day would ensure he is the FIRST person who makes it to our Christmas countdown pillow, and moves the candy cane one day closer to Christmas. He's right! He is definitely the first at 6 am! And all, for this...

If you have kids visiting on Christmas, (highly likely if you're a parent) you may be wondering what meals to prepare for them. It is so easy to give into the abundance of sweets and quick drive-thru or prepackaged meals during the busy holiday season. But I'm here to give you a few clever little ideas that don't require a whole lot of time, and will be healthier choices for your little elves. 

First, I can't think of a cozier way to warm up Christmas morning than with a cup of warm cocoa. Make your own, so that you can avoid the harmful partially hydrogenated oils (which can raise bad cholesterol) and control the sugar content. By presenting it in a festive mug with a "cheerio" candy-cane charm, the kids will have fun sipping and munching, while opening gifts. 

CANDY CANE COCOA

To make the candy cane charm, you will need:
1. toasted oats cereal
2. red pipe-cleaners

Simply thread about 20 toasted oats through the red pipe-cleaner and cut off the rest with a pair of scissors. Tuck the ends over, to prevent the cereal from slipping off. Then hang from your favorite mug!

To make the hot cocoa:
1. 1 tbsp. unsweetened dark cocoa
2. 1 cup organic or raw milk
3. 1-2 tbsp. sweetener of your choice (honey, stevia, coconut sugar, or agave)

Warm the milk over low heat with the cocoa powder. Mix frequently. Before the milk comes to a boil, remove from heat and pour into your mug. Add your sweetener of choice.

RUDOLPH SANDWICH

To make Rudolph, you will need:

1. whole wheat sliced bread (read the label and avoid partially hydrogenated oils)

2. mini pretzels

3. raisins

4. cherry or grape tomatos

5. creamy filling of your choice (hummus, cream-cheese, peanut butter)

6. heart-shaped cookie cutter

7. toothpicks

First, fill your sandwich with your filling of choice. Then, use your cookie cutter to cut out your reindeer's head. Add the pretzels as antlers. The filling will act as a paste to hold them in place. Dab a bit of filling on the back of the raisins to hold them in place as eyes. Cut a toothpick in half and place at the tip to hold your tomato in place as the nose. When serving to children, be sure to remove the toothpick before they dig in.

For more details on the candy-cane charm and reindeer sandwich, please visit our friends at www.thepetitesoiree.blogspot.com.

While brainstorming ideas for more kid-friendly Christmas meals, I came across these other wonderful ideas. I could not resist the cuteness and they look super easy to make! Clicking on the images will lead you to their websites for more details.

RUDOLPH PANCAKES

CHRISTMAS TREE SALAD

SANTA STRAWBERRIES

Here's to some festive meal-planning from our family to yours! Bon Apetit!