Feeding Kids



Feeding kids can be challenging. Between the "I don't like that!"s and the "What is it?"s it can be hard to consistantly feed kids healthy meals. So I've started to make compromises. I will make something that the kids really like, ie Macaroni and Cheese:

 And then I pair it with something that might not be quite as appealing, but super nutritious:


I find that if I'm doing a veggie plate, the presentation really matters. If I just cut up a cucumber and leave it on the cutting board, the kids might each take a piece or two. But if I make it look pretty on the plate (this litterally took less than a minute) then they are intriguted by the presentation and will eat a lot more.
I also find that this doesn't add anything to prep time, I cut the veggies while the macaroni was boiling, and the amount that it adds to the buget isn't much either when done this way. My total meal today cost about $3.50, and that fed my family of six, with some leftovers.
I sometimes find it hard to find the balance between budget and nutrition, but I feel a lot better about things when I add in fresh (and inexpensive) veggies, and I am definitely a bargain shopper. If tomatoes are expensive this week, I just don't buy them and move on to the veggies that are on sale this week. It keeps my kids happy and my wallet happy. What a great combo.

And, on a side note, doesn't this just look so summery?!?! I love it!

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