PEP Can Do Kids Fair!!!!

i love the PEP Can Do Kids Fair!!! this was my first year not only attending but also organizing the kitchen/nutrition station of the fair. it is such an amazing event. there should be events like this all year long to encourage our kids to be successful independent people!! see below for all recipes for smoothies and energy balls that we made today at the kitchen station!! check out some pics:
kids made fruit kabobs and learned knife cutting skills.

look at all the amazing colors for the fruit kabobs: organic strawberries, bananas, cantaloupe, grapes and oranges.

the kids made berry banana smoothies and even added spinach!!!

they made energy balls that were a total hit and filled with nutrients! they had a blast getting messy while rolling them into balls!!



The PEP can do fair was loaded with other stations teaching kids useful life skills and showing them that they can have fun while doing them.
owen had a blast painting a fence.

mason and owen learned how to fix a bicycle tire and fill the tire with air.

owen helped pour the almond milk while making a cacao banana smoothie!!

Spending time in the kitchen with your kids not only creates special relationships but it is a way to teach kids how to nourish themselves for life. what we put into our mouths is what we fuel our cells with. our cells determine our health and wellness. if we feed our cells foods that are not nutrient-dense then we will not optimally function. if we feed our cells colorful fruits, veggies, loads of greens and sprouts, cultured foods, sea veggies, sprouted nuts and seeds and foods that are nutrient-dense then we will fuel our cells optimally and we will function to our maximum potential. this is what we want for our kids!!

here is all the information i put in a flyer for participants including the recipes the kids got to create during the event!!

SMOOTHIES!!!
Tips:
Throw in greens such as spinach, chard or kale to increase nutrient-density.
Throw in sprouts such as sunflower, pea, alfalfa or broccoli to really kick up the nutrients!!
Add superfood powders such as pure synergy, spirulina or acai powder.
Add in good fats for your kid’s developing brains: ground flax seed, hemp seeds, chia seeds, udo’s choice oil, avocado etc.
Add in good sources of protein such as nut/seed butters, plant-based protein powders (vanilla or chocolate sun warrior protein is fabulous for kids and it tastes great too!!).
Let them choose the ingredients and make it themselves- they are more likely to drink it up!! Serve it in fun cups with fun straws!!
Make them taste delicious with very ripe organic fresh fruit. If you need to add a little sweetener add dates, flavored stevia by sweet leaf, coconut sugar or nectar or organic raw honey.
Encourage your kids to have fun with ingredients and come up with their own recipes.
Encourage your kids to practice their measuring and pouring skills.

BANANA BERRY SMOOTHIE
6 oz Coconut water
6 oz unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1.5 cup frozen fruit- variety: berries, peaches,
1 large banana or 1 cup frozen banana
1 handful (or a few pieces) Spinach (some kids may not want this)
Optional- 1 date to add more sweetness

CHOCOLATE ALMOND BUTTER SMOOTHIE
14 ounces unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any nut/seed milk)
2 frozen bananas
2 tbsps cacao powder
2 tbsps almond butter
2 dates

ENERGY BALLS!!
Tips:
Have fun getting messy making these with the whole family!!
Modify the recipes to your desire and throw in the things you love including different dried fruits, nuts/seeds, sweeteners etc…
You can even add in superfoods and protein powders to make them more nutrient-dense.
Make a big batch, freeze them and then thaw when ready to enjoy.
Take them on-the-go for breakfast or as a snack.
For crunch and protein add in a raw dehydrated cereal such as Go Raw brand or Lydia’s Organics.
Encourage your kids to practice their measuring skills, stirring skills and gross motor skills.

Almond-Oat Energy Bites
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/2 cup raisins
2 Tbsp raw sunflower seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup almond butter
1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp barley malt syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Grind 1/2 cup oats and 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds in food processor until powdery. Transfer to a medium bowl; set aside.
2. Combine remaining 2 cups oats, remaining 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, raisins, sunflower seeds and cinnamon in large bowl. Stir in almond butter, honey, barley malt syrup and vanilla until soft dough forms.
3. Moisten hands, and roll dough into 1-inch balls. Coat balls in oat-pumpkin seed powder. Place in freezer for 20 minutes to set, then serve or store in the fridge.

Chocolate Brownies or Balls

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups organic walnuts
16 pitted organic dates
1/3 cup cacao powder
1 tsp vanilla bean powder
2 tsp of purified water
dash of sea salt
extra handful of whole walnuts, to press on top
*optional- I often add vanilla sun warrior protein and pure synergy green powder to the recipe to increase nutrient-density!!

In a food processor, grind the walnuts and salt until fine. Add the dates and process until dough forms. Next add the cacao, vanilla, water and process again until well mixed.

Scoop out a tablespoon full of dough and roll into a ball. You can keep it as a ball or pat down into a mini brownie shape. Press a whole walnut on top of each brownie and enjoy!

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE KITCHEN!!! NOURISH THEIR MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT NOW AND SHOW THEM THAT EATING WELL CAN BE DELICIOUS AND FUN!!!

kelly