Simply dip broccoli florets in washable paint and use them as "paintbrushes" and/or slice broccoli florets in half to make "tree stamps". So simple and so fun!

Download this FREE letter "B" tracing sheet from Veggie Buds Club.

Download these FREE letter "B" coloring pages from Veggie Buds Club.

Materials Needed

• 1 small red beet
• Salt
• White vinegar
• Paper
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Peel beet and cut into cubes​
2. Place the cubed beet and 1 cup of water in a pot
3. Bring the pot of water to a boil on the stove top and boil until the beet cubes are soft and the water is a rich red color (approximately 15-20 minutes); remove beet cubes and set aside to eat at a later time
4. Mix a pinch of salt and splash of vinegar into the hot water (the salt will act as a preservative and the vinegar will brighten the color)
5. Pour the beet watercolor into a bowl and let cool
6. Now have fun painting pictures with your homemade beet watercolor!

Have fun with these Broccoli activity sheets! Create the letter "B" by using dot stickers or dot paint with Activity Sheet #1. Fill in the letter "B" with broccoli florets with Activity Sheet #2 (bonus if you have a laminator!).

Make a Tic Tac Toe board out of green beans and use two different types of dry beans as the X's and O's! You can also go a step further and create the letter "B" with dry beans and greens beans. Be sure to eat some green beans as a snack while you play!

This delicious recipe starring spinach was included in this month's Veggie Buds Club  box!
It was developed by Heather Staller, a mom of two boys, ages 5 and 3, and cooking instructor specializing in bringing cooking into preschool classrooms. After college, Heather knew she wanted to be a teacher, but first followed her lifelong dream of going to culinary school. Teaching cooking combines both of her passions, and she truly enjoys introducing young children to the joys of cooking with fresh ingredients. Find Heather on Instagram (@heather_kidskitchen), where she shares inventive kid-friendly recipes and ideas for cooking with kids at home.

Ingredients
-3 packed cups baby spinach (about 3 ounces)
-¼ cup raw walnut pieces (or any nut you like or substitute additional
-pumkpin seeds for a nut-free pesto)
-¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
-¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
-1 small garlic clove, peeled and smashed
-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-¼ teaspoon honey (optional)
-¼ teaspoon salt, plus more as needed
-1/3 cup olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions
1. Add all ingredients to a food processor.
2. Pulse mixture until finely chopped then process until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl one or two times.
3. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or lemon juice as needed.
4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze in small portions for up to 3 months. 

-Stir into cooked pasta
-Use as a base for pizza
-Spread on a sandwich or grilled cheese
-Thin with additional oil and use as a dressing or dip for veggies
-Marinate chicken then roast or grill
-Toss with roasted veggies or cooked potatoes 
-Stir into soup or tomato sauce for an extra flavor boost

Noelle Martin is a Registered Dietitian and mom of three young boys. She has a passion for educating, inspiring, and empowering moms to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. Noelle loves involving her children in food planning and preparation for their home and sees the kitchen as a perfect area for teaching both academic and life skills. Follow @MotherhoodandMeals on Instagram for Noelle's nutrition tips, recipes, product reviews, and motherhood moments. ​

Spinach is a powerhouse food that is packed with nutrients and phytochemicals. A wonderful way to add spinach to a child’s (or adult’s) diet is through adding it to smoothies. This recipe is called “superhero smoothie” because just as superheroes in stories fight crime, the spinach in this smoothie helps fight off illness! Smoothies also provide a wonderful opportunity to have your children help you. Having kids in the kitchen is a wonderful way to teach about food as well as academic and life skills. As they add the ingredients you can have conversations about the colour and texture of the various foods, count them as you add foods in, and for many recipes there are times of taking turns and following instructions. Also, children who help prepare foods are more likely to eat them. So it is a win-win!!! So now, onto the recipe! Perhaps you want to pair it with berry-filled pancakes for a delicious heart-healthy meal. ​

February's featured veggie for Veggie Buds Club is spinach! Enjoy this delicious kid-friendly way to "sneak" in some spinach (just in time for Valentine's day!) from heather_kidskitchen. Little chefs will know that greens are in this fun breakfast, but they sure won't be able to taste them. Maybe this is the dish to turn your spinach skeptic into a green lover?