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Top Five Veggie Books for Toddlers

11/28/2021

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Reading books to your children that feature vegetables is a great way to normalize veggies and not make them so "scary" when it comes to mealtime. There are so many great books on the market now so it was really difficult to come up with a list of our Top Five. The books that we chose are perfect for toddlers, ages 2-4, and include some classics, informational books, and silly books too!
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Top Five Veggie Books for Toddlers

1. "Up, Down, and Around" by Katherine Ayres
From seeds dropping into soil to corn bursting from its stalks, from children chasing butterflies to ants burrowing underground, everything in this vibrant picture book pulses with life!

2. "LMNO Peas" by Keith Baker
Get ready to roll through the alphabet with a jaunty cast of extremely cute and busy little peas! This fresh and fun alphabet book features bright colors, bouncy rhyming text, and silly pea characters who highlight the wide variety of interests, hobbies, and careers that make the world such a colorful place.

3. "Vegetables in Underwear" by Jared Chapman
A bunch of friendly vegetables wear colorful underwear of all varieties: big, small, clean, dirty, serious, and funny demonstrating for young ones the silliness and necessity of this item of clothing. With rhyming text that begs to be chanted aloud and art that looks good enough to eat, this vibrant story will encourage preschoolers to celebrate having left those diapers behind!

4. "Eating the Alphabet" by Lois Ehlert
A classic veggie book! While teaching upper- and lowercase letters to preschoolers, they are also introduced to fruits and vegetables from around the world.

5. "How are you Peeling? Foods with Moods" by Saxton Freymann
Who'd have dreamed that produce could be so expressive, so charming, so lively and so funny? Amused? Confused? Frustrated? Surprised? Try these feelings on for size. This is a book that asks all the right questions.... and leaves you feeling great no matter what the answers are!

So what do you think?! Leave us a comment below to lettuce know if your favorite book made the list and to suggest other books too.

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.
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Cockroaches on a Log

9/22/2021

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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.
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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.
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Rockin' Broccoli Salad

4/29/2021

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Who knew that broccoli was such a party veggie?! And with a name like "Rockin' Broccoli Salad", this recipe is sure to sound exciting to kids who may not be too keen on salad.
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Chef Dawn, from VegeCooking, developed this recipe for Veggie Buds Club. This "Rockin' Broccoli Salad" makes a great side dish for any picnic or gathering and is vegetarian/vegan.

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Let your child mix up the salad ingredients and taste the salad before the Creamy Dressing is added. Have your child whisk up the Creamy Dressing and stir it into the salad. Ask them, "How has the sweet dressing changed the flavor of our Rockin' Broccoli Salad?".
Rockin' Broccoli Salad

Rockin' Broccoli Salad

Yield: 4-6
Author: VegeCooking Club
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 4 MinTotal time: 14 Min
Who knew that broccoli was such a party veggie?! This Rockin' Broccoli Salad is a party in your mouth, full of sweet and savory flavors. It makes a great side-dish at any picnic or gathering and is vegetarian/vegan.

Ingredients

Salad
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped finely (about 2 medium heads)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 2 large apples, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup raisins
Creamy Dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or vegan alternative
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Add the broccoli, onion, apples, raisins, and sunflower seeds to a large bowl.
  2. Whisk the dressing ingredients and pour over the broccoli mixture.
  3. Mix well.
Did you make this recipe?
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​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!
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Epic Broccoli Burgers

4/22/2021

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These Epic Broccoli Burgers are sure to turn all of your family members into veggie burger lovers!
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This recipe was developed by Gratefully Vegan for Veggie Buds Club. Please lettuce know if you make them by leaving a comment.

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Get your kids in the kitchen with you! Have your children break apart the broccoli heads into florets with their hands... kids LOVE this step. The broccoli is going to be steamed and pulsed in a food processor so the florets do not need to be uniform in size. 
Epic Broccoli Burgers

Epic Broccoli Burgers

Yield: 6-8
Author: Gratefully Vegan
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min
These Epic Broccoli Burgers are sure to turn all of your family members into veggie burger lovers! They are packed with broccoli, carrots, onion, bell pepper, and chickpeas so be sure to save this recipe for your next "Meatless Monday" meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 big head of broccoli
  • 1 carrot
  • 1/2 bell pepper
  • 1 onion
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • 1 15-oz can of chickpeas
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon ground pumpkin seed or 1 additional tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 cup of flour, any kind
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil
  • Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumbers, barbecue sauce, ketchup, etc.

Instructions

  1. Cut the broccoli into small pieces and wash it. Bring some water to a boil in a pot, add the broccoli florets, and simmer for 10 minutes.
  2. On a cutting board, mince the carrot, pepper, onion, and garlic. In a pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and saute the veggies until they are cooked.
  3. Meanwhile, make a flax egg: in a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed and 4 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  4. Once the broccoli is done cooking, rinse it with cold water and place it in the food processor. Add the chickpeas, mustard, ground pumpkin seeds (or additional ground flaxseed), paprika, and flax egg. Mix until it becomes dough-like. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil if it's hard to blend.
  5. Add the roasted veggies to the food processor and mix just a bit. Make sure that at least half of the veggies are not fully blended.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the flour and mix. If the mixture looks too wet, add more flour.
  7. Separate the mixture into 8 parts and form them into burger patties.
  8. In a pan, add a little bit of oil and cook the patties for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
  9. Place the patties on a bun, add toppings (tomato, onion, cucumber, lettuce, etc.), and sauce. Enjoy the burgers!
Did you make this recipe?
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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.
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Broccoli Tree Food Art

4/17/2021

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​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! This super simple food art created by Eat Pretty Darling is a great way to make broccoli fun for kids.

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Have your child rip the broccoli florets off and lick their fingers, this allows them to try the broccoli flavor just a teeny tiny bit before putting a whole bite in their mouth.
Broccoli Tree Food Art

Broccoli Tree Food Art

Author: Eat Pretty Darling
Prep time: 3 MinCook time: 2 MinTotal time: 5 Min
​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! This super simple food art is a great way to make broccoli fun for kids.

Ingredients

  • Head of broccoli
  • Ranch dip
  • Pretzel sticks

Instructions

  1. Take a head of broccoli and trim off just under the florets.
  2. Paint clouds of ranch dip on the plate. Put the broccoli on the plate and add pretzel sticks below as a trunk.
  3. Dip the broccoli and pretzels in the clouds and enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
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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.
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Easy Broccoli Soup

4/14/2021

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This is a great broccoli recipe to make with kids because they can practice cutting and breaking broccoli florets into pieces. The pieces then get cooked and blended so it doesn’t matter if they are all the same size. This green soup is great served with grilled cheese for dipping, crackers, or plain toast. You can also top it with a little extra cheese or some broccoli “sprinkles”!

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

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Sometimes soup is difficult for children to eat with a spoon so give them some other "tools" to try their soup with. Examples include a straw (those large silicone straws work great for soup), a large scoop from a protein powder container, and dippers such as grilled cheese or crackers.
Easy Broccoli Soup

Easy Broccoli Soup

Yield: 4-6
Author: Happy Kids Kitchen
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 35 Min
This Easy Broccoli Soup is great served with grilled cheese for dipping, crackers, or plain toast. You can also top it with a little extra cheese or some broccoli “sprinkles”!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 10 to 12 ounces broccoli florets, tender stalks and leaves included (5 heaping cups)
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add potato and broccoli to a large pot. Pour broth over top then stir in the teaspoon of salt.
  2. Bring up to a simmer then cover and cook until the vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes.
  3. Use an immersion blender (stick blender) to puree the soup until smooth. If using a traditional blender, carefully transfer the vegetables and broth into the blender and blend in batches until smooth.
  4. Stir in garlic powder, lemon juice, and cheese, if using. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Did you make this recipe?
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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.
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Radish Planet Food Art

3/16/2021

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Turning a snack into something that’s out of the world is super simple with just three tasty ingredients! Eat Pretty Darling developed this adorable food art recipe for Veggie Buds Club.

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

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.

​Encourage your children to snack on the individual ingredients while they construct these radish planets and have them cut the radishes in half (with adult assistance) using a kid-safe knife or butter knife. Cutting the radishes will get the radish "juices" on their hands, have them lick their fingers to try just a tiny taste before trying a whole radish bite.
Radish Planet Food Art

Radish Planet Food Art

Author: Eat Pretty Darling
Prep time: 3 MinCook time: 2 MinTotal time: 5 Min
Turning a snack into something that’s out of the world is super simple with just three tasty ingredients! These Radish Planets are easy and adorable food art.

Ingredients

  • Radishes
  • Cucumber
  • Cream cheese

Instructions

  1. Cut the cucumber into thin slices. You can keep the skin on or discard. Cut the top and bottom off of the radish and cut it down the middle.
  2. Put a little bit of cream cheese on each radish cut-end and put the cucumber slice in the middle. Squish it together until it sticks and you have a planet!
Did you make this recipe?
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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.
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Roasted Radishes with Pea Hummus

3/16/2021

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Have you ever tried roasting radishes?! Roasting really brings out the sweet qualities of this sometimes "spicy" veggie.  And dip lovers rejoice, these roasted veggies taste delicious dipped in Pea Hummus!
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This recipe was developed by Gratefully Vegan for Veggie Buds Club. Please lettuce know if you make it by leaving a comment!

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Pairing radishes with some other (possibly more familiar) veggies such as potatoes and carrots is an excellent way to introduce this veggie to kids!
Roasted Radishes with Pea Hummus

Roasted Radishes with Pea Hummus

Yield: 4-6
Author: Gratefully Vegan
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 50 Min
Roasting radishes really brings out the sweet qualities of this sometimes "spicy" veggie. And dip lovers rejoice, these roasted veggies taste delicious dipped in Pea Hummus!

Ingredients

Roasted Radishes
  • 1 bunch of radishes
  • ​5 potatoes
  • 3 carrots
  • 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Pea Hummus
  • 3 1/2 cups frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons Tahini
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

Roasted Radishes
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Wash the radishes, potatoes, and carrots. Peel the potatoes and carrots.
  3. Chop the radishes into quarters and chop the carrots and potatoes into a similar sized dice as the quartered radishes.
  4. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and spread out the veggies.
  5. Sprinkle the spices on top of the chopped veggies.
  6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the veggies are "fork tender".
  7. Serve the roasted veggies on a plate next to the pea hummus and enjoy!
Pea Hummus
  1. Pour the frozen peas into a pan. Add a little bit of water and cook over medium heat until thawed.
  2. In a blender, blend all ingredients except for the peas.
  3. After the peas are cooked, drain the water and wash them with cold water until they are chilled.
  4. Add the cooked and cooled peas to the blender and blend everything together.
  5. Serve in a small bowl with the veggies and use it as a dip. Yum!
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Magical Green Mac & Cheese

2/11/2021

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Add a few ingredients to a blender with a couple handfuls of spinach and *poof* your Mac and Cheese is magically GREEN! Little chefs will love to help make this fun and delicious pasta dish that’s packed with spinach.

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

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

Make this recipe extra magical by having your little chef/s join you in the kitchen! They can add all of the the green cheese sauce ingredients to a blender and press the buttons (kids sure love to press buttons!).

Spinach really is a magical veggie, it turns everything a gorgeous green color and packs a powerful nutritious punch but the flavor is so mild that it blends in well with many recipes!
Magical Green Mac & Cheese

Magical Green Mac & Cheese

Yield: 4-6
Author: Happy Kids Kitchen
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 20 Min
Add a few ingredients to a blender with a couple handfuls of spinach and *poof* your Mac & Cheese is magically GREEN!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups small-shaped pasta
  • Salt
  • 1/2 cup milk, any kind
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water up to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. While pasta cooks, add milk, cheese, flour, spinach, and garlic powder (if using) to a blender. Blend until no flecks of spinach remain.
  3. Drain pasta into a colander then return the empty pot to the stove. Pour the green sauce into the pot and cook over low heat, stirring often, until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in cooked pasta. Taste and add additional salt as desired. Enjoy!
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Spinach Cookies

2/7/2021

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These delicious 4-ingredient Spinach Cookies are definitely kid-approved and so easy to make... they are sure to become a family favorite! They are healthy enough to be considered a "breakfast cookie" (they pair great with vanilla yogurt!) and sweet enough to be considered dessert. That's a win-win in our book!

Eat Pretty Darling created this simple and tasty veggie-packed recipe for Veggie Buds Club. Be sure to lettuce know if you make these by leaving a comment below!

"Learn to Love Veggies" Tip

This is an easy one! Put veggies in dessert and this is a sure fired way to get kids excited about veggies. This is a super simple recipe to bake with your kids, they can help out from start to finish and will know that the spinach is in the cookie (and eat them anyway!).
Spinach Cookies

Spinach Cookies

Author: Eat Pretty Darling
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 25 Min
These delicious 4-ingredient Spinach Cookies are definitely kid-approved and so easy to make... they are sure to become a family favorite!

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips
  • Handful of spinach

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a blender, combine banana and spinach. Puree until smooth. It will become like a liquid.
  3. Add in oats and chocolate chips and mix until combined. Scoop the mixture onto a lined baking sheet. I like to make them into balls and flatten the tops a bit once they are on the sheet.
  4. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Makes 6-8 cookies.
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