I am going to start this post with a true story. I was in the kitchen last week talking to my mother. She noticed that I had gotten new measuring cups. She ask me “Are these for cooking or are they for playdough, sand or what ever else you dream up.” I said “Of course they’re NOT for cooking?!” I am always running out of measuring cups, probably because I use them for other things, so if you do choose to cook in my house. I hope you have a good eye for measurements. But, this leads me to the topic of today, menu’s.
I truly struggle in the department, of planning creative inviting meals, for my kids. It is just not one of my strengths. Trust me, I am not a cook. Recently, I decided that I wanted to rotate my menu’s every three months. Thus, I would never have to think about my menu’s again, and be able to by in bulk and save money by planning ahead. This was an overwhelming task for me. I honestly believe I am a contributor to the picky eaters, some of our children have become. I cannot think outside of chicken nuggets, hamburger helper and corn dogs.
I can not tell you how excited I became when I found “Kid Approved Meals.” (KAM) It has taken, hours of time and struggle right out of my life.
Now, I have some criteria when it comes to my breakfast, lunch and snacks. I want variety, healthy, quick meals that will help develop healthy eaters. If I never see another corn dog, or box of hamburger helper, I am okay with that. I found this in KAM. You get healthy breakfast and lunch menus that are super easy to make. They also give you a weekly grocery list to shop from. Now, these menu’s are not exactly set up for the food program. The only things I have had to add is usually an extra fruit or vegetable. Not, a big deal for me. Also, it does not give you the snacks. This was also not a big deal for me, because I have wanted to add fun, cooking snacks to my curriculum forever, this just meant I could easily add these activities without having to redo a bunch of menu’s. As bonus material, KAM gives you a little ebook of kid snack recipes.
I am more than happy with these menus, my kids eat them up. I am happier, because I feel that I have more nutritional meals, that are quick and easy, with lots of variety. The most work that I had to do was putting them into my Minute Menu, but that is a one time deal, now they are saved as a pre-planned menus. All I have to do is pull up the menu and add my snacks. Happy Me!
