As I write this I am pondering how best to give my kids a healthy but fun dinner. Tonight, I have a bit more time. I’m mixing onions, peppers and tomatoes with black beans to create a simple dinner of black bean nachos. The girls can add their own toppings once everything is heated and it is a light meal that makes dinner easier and more fun. They pile on the black olives, dollop on some sour cream and add a healthy bit of montery jack and cheddar cheese. Add some spice with salsa or hot sauce and their plates are full in no time.
On the nights when time is tight, Dad isn’t home or I just know they won’t like what is on the menu (think home-made thai food) I reach for the never-fail chicken nuggets. All white breast meat, paired with two vegetables steamed or in a light sauce and the girls are all happy and I don’t feel too bad about eating it either. They love to dip their nuggets in various sauces, mix their own combinations and experiment while they eat. It teaches them to work together, make up their own food and they love the bite-sized pieces. Did you know that new research shows that playing with your food can be a good thing? Yes, indeed! All that dipping, popping into their months and picking and choosing what goes on their plates helps them connect and interact with their friends, family or whoever is at the dinner table.
It is why nacho night is such a big hit just like the nights where only a few of us sit down and nosh some nuggets while creating new types of dipping sauce. Another trick we have used in our house is letting the kids pick out their own dishes. They get to pick a cup, set of utensils and plate or bowl at each meal and set it at their seat at the dinner table. They feel a part of the family and like they are having their say in how our family runs. Our dishes range from plain white to purple, pink and full of butterflies each night. Check out the free Nugget Face Plate from Tyson’s for another great idea.
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