Kids in the Kitchen: Food Week

Week 1 of Summer Camp was a success! The kids loved being little cooks, and I loved teaching them how to make the Fruit Popsicles and Banana Muffins that are so healthy and yummy, too! I was originally going to make real cupcakes with the kids, but because I wanted to teach them about the importance of eating healthy, I pulled out my Banana Bread recipe and made muffins with it. I even use unsweetened applesause instead of butter, and they are still just as moist! So here are my recipes, if you want to make them at home with your kids...or with your husband, who's really just a big kid and needs simple directions. ;)

Fruit Popsicles
2 cup strawberries (stems removed)
2 cups bananas
1 cup fresh spinach
½ cup apple juice

Combine in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Pour into ice cube trays and stick a toothpick in each. Freeze and Enjoy!


Mini Pizzas
Package of English muffins
Pasta sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings of your choice (ham and pineapple, pepperoni, sausage, etc)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread pasta sauce on English muffins, top with shredded mozzarella cheese and your favorite toppings. Set mini pizzas on a cookie sheet. Bake 8 minutes or until cheese is melted.


Banana Muffins
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
½ t. salt
½ t. cinnamon
1 cup sugar
½ cup applesauce
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas
½ cup milk
1 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray or line with paper baking cups (I use a muffin pan that makes mini muffins because the kids love it!) In a bowl, mix the flours, with the baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix the sugar and applesauce until well combined. Mix in the eggs, mashed banana, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Divide the batter among the muffins cups and bake until the muffins are lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center, 15-20 minutes. Turn the muffins out onto a rack to cool.