Veggie Buds Club
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact

Simple Veggie Food Art

1/10/2022

0 Comments

 
We have featured many simple veggie art projects for kids over the years here at Veggie Buds Club! Food art is a great way to get children interested in trying veggies. We "eat with our eyes", right?! So making food look pretty is a great strategy to get kids excited about eating it.

Click on the links below to learn how to make each veggie art project or click here to see ALL of the veggie art projects that we have featured on our blog!
Celery Bugs: Let your kids make their bugs and you might just be surprised by their creativity! From snakes to snails, ladybugs to butterflies, the possibilities are endless.
Carrot Bouquet: If your kiddos are still learning to like carrots, try making them into a fun flower shape!
Radish Planet: Turning a radish into something that’s out of the world is super simple with just three tasty ingredients!
Broccoli Tree: Broccoli florets look like little trees just as they are... so let's take it up a notch and make a whole scene for your forest!
Cucumber Butterflies: These cucumber butterflies are so easy to make and so adorable! 

Onion Flower: Simply slicing and baking turns this veggie into a beautiful bloom! 
0 Comments

Cockroaches on a Log

9/22/2021

2 Comments

 
This super simple snack is a great twist on the classic "Ants on a Log". Simply swap the peanut butter for almond butter and the raisins for chopped dates and you have an elevated snack with a hilarious name!

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Did you know that research shows us that instead of emphasizing how "healthy" or "good for you" a food is to our children, parents may have more success when they simply label these "healthy" foods with more fun names?
Cockroaches on a Log

Cockroaches on a Log

Author: Veggie Buds Club
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 2 MinTotal time: 7 Min
This super simple snack is a great twist on the classic "Ants on a Log". Simply swap the peanut butter for almond butter and the raisins for chopped dates and you have an elevated snack with a hilarious name!

Ingredients

  • Celery
  • Pitted dates, chopped
  • Almond butter (or alternative nut/seed butter)

Instructions

  1. If making with your children, have them chop the celery into 1-2 inch lengths using a kid-safe knife or butter knife (assist if needed).
  2. Spread almond butter on top of the celery and top with chopped dates.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @veggiebudsclub on instagram and hashtag it #veggiebudsclub

Check out our shop for products that teach kids to learn to love veggies! This includes veggie activity boxes, kid-safe knives, interactive placemats, and more.
Picture
2 Comments

Mashed Chickpea Salad Lettuce Boats

6/10/2020

0 Comments

 
This mashed chickpea salad is a vegetarian version of the classic tuna salad and is a perfect no-cook meal that you can easily make in minutes.
​
We are excited to bring you this creative and tasty kid-approved recipe from Taesha at The Natural Nurturer!

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Have your child scoop the Chickpea Salad onto lettuce "boats" all by themselves. Calling the lettuce "boats" makes this veggie a little more interesting and will hopefully help your kiddos try this crunchy green!
Mashed Chickpea Salad Lettuce Boats

Mashed Chickpea Salad Lettuce Boats

Author: The Natural Nurturer
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 10 Min
This mashed chickpea salad is a vegetarian version of the classic tuna salad and is a perfect no-cook meal that you can easily make in minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups cooked and drained chickpeas
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, or to taste
  • 1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup mayo or Greek yogurt, or to taste
  • 1/8-1/4 teaspoon onion powder, or to taste
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • Lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry

Instructions

  1. Pour the cooked and drained chickpeas into a medium bowl. Using a potato masher or fork, mash the chickpeas until there are no more whole beans and to your desired consistency.
  2. Add diced celery, lemon juice/apple cider vinegar, mustard, mayo/Greek yogurt, onion powder, salt and pepper to the bowl. Mix well.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more mayo/yogurt for a creamier salad.
  4. Arrange the prepped lettuce leaves (these will become your “boats”) on a serving platter or individual plates. Fill each one with a scoop or two of the mashed chickpea salad.
  5. Enjoy as is or top with sliced tomatoes, shredded carrots or diced avocado.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @veggiebudsclub on instagram and hashtag it #veggiebudsclub
Check out our shop for products that teach kids to learn to love veggies! This includes veggie activity boxes, kid-safe knives, interactive placemats, and more!
Picture

0 Comments

Waldorf Salad with Yogurt Dressing

3/23/2020

0 Comments

 
Enjoy this crunchy and sweet Waldorf Salad that's on the lighter side because of the creamy yogurt dressing!

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

This recipe is a great introduction to celery and salad for children if they're apprehensive about both. Be sure to have them assist you with chopping the celery and apples using a kid-safe knife or butter knife and have them mix up the sweet dressing!
Waldorf Salad with Yogurt Dressing

Waldorf Salad with Yogurt Dressing

Author: Veggie Buds Club
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 10 Min
Enjoy this crunchy and sweet Waldorf Salad that's on the lighter side because of the creamy yogurt dressing!

Ingredients

  • 3 medium Honey Crisp apples, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
  • 1/4 cup dried cherries, chopped if large
  • 1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl toss apples, celery, pecans/walnuts, and dry cherries together. Set aside.
  2. In another bowl, mix the yogurt with lemon juice, honey, and salt.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad, and stir until coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until chilled.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @veggiebudsclub on instagram and hashtag it #veggiebudsclub
Picture
Picture
Check out our shop for products that teach kids to learn to love veggies! This includes veggie activity boxes, kid-safe knives, interactive placemats, and more.
Picture
0 Comments

20 Veggie-Packed Breakfast Recipes

1/30/2020

1 Comment

 
Breakfast is an important meal that gives you energy to get the day started. But often a major food group is missing from your breakfast plate or bowl... veggies!

We have compiled some of our favorite veggie-packed breakfasts into 3 categories: Savory, Baked Goods, and Smoothies. Each recipe below includes veggies, is delicious, and is simple to make!
Picture

Savory Veggie-Packed Breakfast Ideas

Sweet Potato Quiche: This tasty quiche is packed with veggies and bacon (optional) and swaps the standard crust with shredded sweet potato instead for an extra veggie boost.
Savory Corn Pancakes: These savory pancakes are great with avocado or spread with a little cream cheese and made into sandwiches. Yum!
Sweet Potato Toasts​: These sweet potato toasts are so versatile because they are delicious both sweet and savory. That’s what makes them the perfect toast substitute!
Rainbow Fried Rice: This rainbow fried rice from Happy Kids Kitchen is colorful, easy, healthy, and delicious for breakfast!
Vegetable Frittata: Healthy Little Foodies has a great kid-approved and veggie-packed frittata recipe, make it ahead and reheat in the morning.
Cheesy Cauliflower Egg Muffins: Be sure to let your kiddos know that their yummy egg muffins have some "hidden" cauliflower inside!
5-Ingredient Bacon & Broccoli Egg Cups: These are a great grab-and-go breakfast option from The Natural Nurturer.
Carrot Banana Protein Oatmeal: This oatmeal from The Natural Nurturer is full of nothing but the good stuff and is super easy to make!
Veggie Oatmeal: Happy Healthy Casa has some great options for veggie-packed oatmeal including how to incorporate zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, squash, sweet potato, and spinach!

Veggie-Packed Breakfast Baked Goods

Carrot Cake Muffin Tops: The top of the muffin is the best part, right? These wholesome treats are a combination of a tender muffin and an oatmeal breakfast cookie.
One-Bowl Sweet Potato Pancakes: These pancakes from are a great way to add some extra nutrients into your morning!
No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls: These no-bake pumpkin energy balls from are tasty, and they freeze well so they're a perfect on-the-go breakfast or snack for your kiddos.
Green French Toast Sticks: Enjoy this delicious kid-friendly way to "sneak" in some spinach! Little chefs will know that greens are in this fun breakfast, but they sure won't be able to taste them.
Outrageous Orange Granola: This granola is packed with pumpkin, sweet potato, and carrots- so much orange veggie goodness!
Sweet Spinach Muffins: These kid-favorite muffins from Super Healthy Kids are 100% whole wheat, refined-sugar-free, and packed with fresh spinach!
Banana Spinach Pancake Pizza: This pancake pizza from The Natural Nurturer is a perfectly delicious way to serve up veggies for breakfast! Sweetened entirely with fruit and loaded with spinach.

Veggie-Packed Breakfast Smoothies

Tropical Carrot Smoothie: ​Your kids are sure to love this tropical vacation in a glass! Kids will love measuring and adding ingredients to the blender, helping to chop the carrot, and pressing the buttons on the blender.
Spinach Superhero Smoothie: This recipe is called "superhero smoothie" because just as superheroes in stories fight crime, the spinach in this smoothie helps fight off illness!
​Ants on a Log Smoothie: Adding celery to a smoothie with the addition of peanut butter in a tasty protein-and-veggie packed breakfast!
Vitamin C Immune Boosting Smoothie: This smoothie from The Natural Nurturer is made with strawberry, banana, red bell pepper and is the perfect way to start your day!
Cauliflower Strawberry Banana Smoothie: Just 4 ingredients! Enjoy this simple and delicious smoothie from Live Eat Learn.

​Check out our shop for products that teach kids to learn to love veggies! This includes veggie activity boxes, kid-safe knives, interactive placemats, and more.
Picture
1 Comment

Ants on a Log Smoothie

2/26/2019

0 Comments

 
"Ants on a Log" Smoothie may sound a little crazy but this peanut buttery drink is absolutely delicious and veggie-packed with celery, a neutral tasting yet very nutritious veggie!

This recipe was developed by Motherhood and Meals for Veggie Buds Club.

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Ants on a log is a super common snack for kids to expose them to the taste and texture of celery. But what about the children that struggle with the intense crunch or the “celery strings”? Exposing kids to celery in a smoothie is a great start, you can gradually move up in exposure with cooked celery in stir fries and eventually raw celery on veggie plates.
Ants on a Log Smoothie

Ants on a Log Smoothie

Author: Motherhood and Meals
"Ants on a Log" Smoothie may sound a little crazy but this peanut buttery drink is absolutely delicious and veggie-packed with celery, a neutral tasting yet very nutritious veggie!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 3-5 celery stalks, washed and chopped
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup crushed ice

Instructions

  1. Blend all ingredients in a high power blender and serve!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @veggiebudsclub on instagram and hashtag it #veggiebudsclub
Picture

Check out our shop for products that teach kids to learn to love veggies! This includes veggie activity boxes, kid-safe knives, interactive placemats, and more.
Picture
0 Comments

Celery Bugs!

2/13/2019

0 Comments

 
We love getting crafty in the kitchen and these celery bugs are just as fun to make as they are to eat! The great thing about celery is it can go both sweet or savory. Venture out from the typical peanut butter and fill it with cream cheese or Greek yogurt ranch. Let your kids make their bugs and you might just be surprised by their creativity. From snakes to snails, ladybugs to butterflies, the possibilities are endless!

This recipe was developed by Eat Pretty Darling for Veggie Buds Club.

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Celery is the perfect vessel to make some fun food art! Food art is a great way to give kids exposure to new foods without the pressure. They can touch and explore veggies and even make them into a little masterpiece!
Celery Bugs

Celery Bugs

Author: Eat Pretty Darling
We love getting crafty in the kitchen and these celery bugs are just as fun to make as they are to eat! Let your kids make their bugs and you might just be surprised by their creativity. From snakes to snails, ladybugs to butterflies, the possibilities are endless!

Ingredients

  • Celery
  • Filling (peanut butter, cream cheese, Greek yogurt ranch, etc.)
  • Additional fruits and veggies for decorating

Instructions

  1. Cut the celery stalks into different lengths. Spread your filling of choice to fill the middle of the celery.
  2. Turn your celery into bugs by adding heads, wings, shells, antennae, or eyes. You can even create your own made up bugs!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @veggiebudsclub on instagram and hashtag it #veggiebudsclub

Check out our shop for products that teach kids to learn to love veggies! This includes veggie activity boxes, kid-safe knives, interactive placemats, and more.
Picture
0 Comments

Creamy Celery Soup

2/6/2019

8 Comments

 
Turning crunchy, fresh celery into a warm and creamy soup allows kids to experience celery in a whole new way! Cut the potato and celery into sticks and have your little chef chop the veggies into chunks and carefully add them to the pot. When chopping, don't forget to include the leaves attached to the celery; they add so much celery flavor to the dish. While the soup is simmering, taste-test some raw celery with a dip or make little ants-on-a-log bites with celery, nut butter, and dried cranberries or raisins.
Picture

This recipe was developed by Heather Staller, a mom of two boys, ages 6 and 4, 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.happykidskitchen), where she shares inventive kid-friendly recipes and ideas for cooking with kids at home.

Creamy Celery Soup

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion, chopped (1 cup) 
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium-sized Russet potato, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
  • 6 to 8 stalks celery (leaves included), trimmed and chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
Instructions
  1. Add oil to a soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Add potato, celery, broth, and salt. Stir together then bring pot to a simmer. Simmer until all the vegetables are very soft, 25 to 30 minutes.
  3. Turn off heat and allow to cool slightly. Blend soup with a hand blender or use a traditional blender to make soup smooth and creamy. (Use caution when blending hot soup!).
  4. Taste soup and add lemon juice and/or additional salt as needed. Enjoy warm.
Want some great products that teach kids to learn to love veggies?
Check out our shop for kid-safe knives, interactive placements, and veggie-themed activity boxes!
8 Comments

Easy Alphabet Veggie Soup

12/11/2017

0 Comments

 
This delicious soup will have your children "eating the rainbow"! Dry alphabet pasta makes this recipe souper kid-friendly but if you can't find any at your local grocery store any small pasta shape will do.

This recipe was developed by Happy Kids Kitchen for Veggie Buds Club.

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Get your kids involved in the kitchen! They can peel the carrots, chop the veggies, add the veggies to the pot, and stir in those fun alphabet noodles.
Easy Alphabet Veggie Soup

Easy Alphabet Veggie Soup

Author: Happy Kids Kitchen
This delicious soup will have your children "eating the rainbow"! Dry alphabet pasta makes this recipe souper kid-friendly but if you can't find any at your local grocery store any small pasta shape will do.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion, diced
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
  • 1 stalk celery, trimmed and diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher or coarse sea salt, plus more to season
  • 1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium sized waxy potato (red or yellow skinned), diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes (about 3/4 cup)
  • 3 cups vegetable broth, chicken broth, or water
  • Handful of green beans, trimmed and cut into small rounds
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, frozen corn, or a combination of both
  • 1/2 cup alphabet shaped pasta*
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or micro basil
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Parmesan cheese, for the top (optional)​

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and cook until vegetables have softened slightly, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and potatoes. Stir an additional minute.
  3. Add tomatoes, broth or water, green beans, and alphabet pasta. Bring pot up to a simmer and cook until vegetables are tender and pasta is cooked, about 10 minutes.
  4. Stir in frozen peas then turn off heat and stir in fresh basil.
  5. Taste soup for seasoning then add in pepper and additional salt, as needed.
  6. Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of extra basil, if desired.

Notes:

*Cooked pasta will absorb lots of liquid if left in the soup for an extended period of time. If you’d like to make this soup in advance or freeze a portion to enjoy another time, you will want to cook your pasta in a separate pot, drain, then add to the portion of the soup you will be eating right away.


Did you make this recipe?
Tag @veggiebudsclub on instagram and hashtag it #veggiebudsclub
Picture

​Check out our shop for products that teach kids to learn to love veggies! This includes veggie activity boxes, kid-safe knives, interactive placemats, and more.
Picture
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Appetizers
    Apples
    Arts And Crafts
    Asparagus
    Avocado
    Baked Goods
    Basil
    Beans
    Beets
    Bell Peppers
    Berries
    Boy Choy
    Breakfast
    Broccoli
    Brussels Sprouts
    Cabbage
    Carrots
    Cauliflower
    Celery
    Chickpeas
    Corn
    Cucumbers
    Dessert
    Dinner
    Dip
    Food Art
    Games
    Garlic
    Growing Projects
    Herbs
    Kale
    Lettuce
    Lunch
    Lunch Box
    Melon
    Onions
    Peas
    Potatoes
    Pot Luck
    Pumpkins
    Radishes
    Rutabaga
    Salad
    Side Dish
    Smoothie
    Snack
    Snacktivity
    Soup
    Spinach
    Summer Squash
    Sweet Potatoes
    Tomatoes
    Turnips
    Veggie Buds Book Club
    Watermelon
    Winter Squash
    Zucchini

© 2017 Veggie Buds Club LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact