Christmas Recipes For Kids

This program can be enjoyed by the whole family and includes 12 recipes that compliment classic holiday books and each recipe and book features a traditional holiday flavor.

You will enjoy sugar plums as you read The Night Before Christmas, make maple candy lollipops like Laura and Mary while reading Christmas In The Big Woods and drink hot cocoa as “thick” as chocolate bars while you read The Polar Express and many more delicious recipe and book combinations!

This program is a great way to savor the season as a family while reading classic holiday books and make simple, wholesome treats together!

HOW TO USE THIS PROGRAM:

You can complete this program at a pace that flows well for your own schedule and family! 

I personally recommend starting this program in early November and enjoying 1-2 recipes with complimenting read-alouds a week, which ensures you will complete the whole program prior to Christmas.

Wishing you a happy and healthy Christmas season!

Benefits of Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husk, or psyllium fiber, is a natural prebiotic, helping to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms to support gut health and healthy gastrointestinal function. Psyllium husk is also found to help increase feelings of satiety, or fullness to help curb hunger between meals. Lastly, we know that a fibrous diet is known to support heart health and help maintain healthy levels of cholesterol! 

Health Benefits of Psyllium Husk:

• Digestion: Psyllium husk supports digestion and gastrointestinal function
• Gut Health: A natural prebiotic, psyllium promotes growth of beneficial microorganisms and supports gut health
• Bowel Regularity: Psyllium husk is a gentle, bulk-forming supplement for healthy elimination and regularity.
• Satiety and Weight Management: Psyllium husk supports satiety, or fullness, helping curb hunger between meals.
• Heart Health: A fibrous diet is known to support heart health and help maintain healthy levels of cholesterol.

Organic India has been my go-to brand for quality organic Whole Husk Psyllium, sourced directly from small family farms and handpicked with care. I love to use it in my gluten-free baking from cookies, bread, pizza dough and more!

Benefits of Almond Flour

Almond flour is made from almonds and is a great flour gluten-free baking. Blanched almond flour is made from almonds where the skin is removed, yielding a better texture and consistency for baking. Therefore, I always recommend baking with blanched almond flour versus simply almond flour. Almonds are packed with fiber and are a source of the antioxidant vitamin E!

Benefits of Oat Flour

Oat flour is made from ground oats. Oats provide many health benefits including being a source of fiber to support digestion, gut health, heart hearth and bowel regularity. Oats are naturally gluten-free and can be a nutritious gluten-free baking flour. Oats also contain beta-glucan which may help to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, helping to improve cholesterol levels overall. While oats are naturally gluten-free, buy oats that are certified gluten-free to ensure a truly gluten-free flour and avoid cross-contamination. I also love to make my own gluten-free oat flour, which is an easy way to turn the oats you likely already have in your pantry into flour for baking.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Organic Whole Husk Psyllium 

Makes 12 Cookies

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup blanched almond flour

1 cup oat flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

2 teaspoons psyllium husk 

3 tablespoons water

2 eggs 

½ cup maple syrup

¼ cup coconut oil, melted

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additions:

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl add the dry ingredients and mix to well combine. In a small bowl add the psyllium husk and water, mix together and let set for 3-5 minutes until a gel-like consistency. Add in eggs and whisk together. Then add maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract and whisk together. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and fold together. Lastly, fold in chocolate chips. On a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper, add scoops of cookie dough. I love to use an ice-cream scoop for an even amount. Shake the baking sheet for the cookie dough to slightly flatten and spread. Bake for 18 minutes. Optional, but at the 5 minute mark take the cookies out and slam the cookie sheet down on the counter to help flatten the cookies if you prefer a thinner cookie. Let cookies cool on a cooling rack before enjoying! Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it for 5 days.

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Chocolate Chip Cookies with Organic Whole Husk Psyllium

Servings 12

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup blanched almond flour
• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon psyllium husk

Wet Ingredients

• 2 tsp psyllium husk
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Additions

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• In a large bowl add the dry ingredients and mix to well combine
• In a small bowl add the psyllium husk and water, mix together and let set for 3-5 minutes until a gel-like consistency. Add in eggs and whisk together. Then add maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract and whisk together.
• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and fold together. Lastly, fold in chocolate chips.
• On a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper, add scoops of cookie dough. I love to use an ice-cream scoop for an even amount. Shake the baking sheet for the cookie dough to slightly flatten and spread
• Bake for 18 minutes. Optional, but at the 5 minute mark take the cookies out and slam the cookie sheet down on the counter to help flatten the cookies if you prefer a thinner cookie.
• Let cookies cool on a cooling rack before enjoying! Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it for 5 days.

I love to make a batch of these cookies on the weekend and enjoy an afternoon treat with my kids throughout the weekday! These cookies are delicious cold or simply placed on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes to warm, and enjoy the taste of a freshly baked cookie all over again!

Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by Organic India.

What Is Fermentation

Fermentation is the process in which natural microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria secrete enzymes that then break down the sugars or starches of certain foods. The result of fermentation is the production of lactic acid and carbon dioxide, little gaseous bubbles that you typically see forming when you make fermented honey garlic or even during the process of sourdough bread.

The Health Benefits of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are rich in naturally occurring probiotics which can support gut health, immune health and digestion. Studies have also shown a connection between gut health and cognitive health. Therefore, a healthy gut may help to improve mental health, mood regulation as well as cognitive function.

How To Make Fermented Honey Garlic

First, peel garlic cloves from the garlic bulb. The exact amount does not matter however I aim to have about 1 cup of garlic cloves. Add the garlic cloves to a small glass jar and top with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, commonly referred to as ACV. This step is completely optional, however it can provide peace of mind for those we are worried about botulism related to honey and the bacteria growth that occurs during the fermentation process. It is very unlikely that botulism would grow with this recipe. However, for peace of mind you can add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar which will improve the pH making the environment unfavorable for botulism. In addition, never feed honey or fermented honey garlic to babies ages one year old and younger. Fill the jar with raw local honey that has not been pasteurized leaving a small bit of room at the top, as during the fermentation process the honey will bubble. Pasteurized honey is highly processed and during the pasteurization process, key health benefits and nutrients of honey are lost. When you buy and consume raw honey you ensure that the amazing health benefits of honey are intake. Add a lid and place in a cool dark place such as the pantry. I like to add to a small bowl under the jar as the honey can bubble over and spill out as it starts to ferment. Every day secure the lid on tight and rotate a few times to ensure the garlic is fully coated with honey. Then slightly loosen the lid once it’s upright again. Continue this pattern for one month and then enjoy! You can technically eat the garlic or honey at any time during the month. However, waiting the full month will ensure a truly potent fermented honey garlic. Enjoy!

How To Eat Honey Garlic

Fermented Honey Garlic has many wonderful medicinal properties and therefore you can enjoy the honey straight by the spoonful or pop a clove of honey garlic for a flavorful and potent treat that will support your immune system!

You can also use fermented honey garlic in any recipe or beverage where you would naturally add honey or garlic such as on toast, in homemade salad dressings, to sauces, a cup of tea and beyond.

I love making these easy homemade dog treats for our dog Ruby. They are made with just 4 simple ingredients; oats, peanut butter, banana and water.

You will need one and a half cup of rolled oats, one ripe banana and a fourth of a cup of peanut butter. For my dog, I buy unsweetened and unsalted peanut butter and this is the brand that I like. You’ll also add two tablespoons of water. 

In a food processor, add the oats, banana, peanut butter and water and mix until it creates a very sticky dough.

Then you’ll take a piece of parchment paper on your countertop and add the sticky dough onto the parchment paper. Then place another piece of parchment paper on top and this is going to help keep the dough from sticking to your rolling pin. 

You’ll use a rolling pin to roll out the dough until it’s nice and smooth about a quarter of an inch thick. If the dough is too thin then the cookies will overcook and become too crispy.

Use any cookie cutter shape of choice that you like. I’m using this little flower shape and you’re going to just cut out the shapes of your cookies out of the dough and place on a baking sheet. I also like to bake on a piece of parchment paper for ease. 

You’ll notice that you may have extra dough, so just roll it back into a ball and follow the same steps of covering it with parchment paper, rolling it out and cutting out more cookie shapes so that you’re using up all of your dough. 

Then bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Avoid over-baking them, which can make the cookies too hard and crispy. We want them to be soft and easy and safe for your dog to enjoy. 

Then Ta Da! The cutest, most delicious homemade dog treats are made with simple wholesome ingredients that my dog loves, but my kids also love them too because they’re made with just oats, banana, peanut butter and a little bit of water.

Then store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge.

Every weekend I make one big batch of soup that serves as my lunch during the week. This makes lunchtime easy and makes it easier for me to consistently nourish my body with real, whole foods.

This Blended Green Soup recipe is from my cookbook, The Thyroid Balance cookbook. Did you know that 1 in 8 women will develop a thyroid disorder in her lifetime? Women are 5-8 times more likely than men to have thyroid problems and up to 60 percent of those with a thyroid disease are unaware of their condition!

Postpartum is also a vulnerable time when women may experience a thyroid imbalance.

The thyroid plays a vital role in our health overall. Thyroid hormones impact metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, digestion, our nervous system, bone growth, reproductive health and more. While the thyroid impacts many areas of our health, reversely there are many areas of our health that can impact thyroid function. This is why it’s so important to learn how your body works to understand how to better support, nourish and bring balance to your thyroid and health overall. 

To learn more about thyroid health and how to support thyroid function from a holistic and functional medicine perspective, check out the Thyroid Balance Course. Bonus, you get the Thyroid Balance Cookbook for free when you join the course! 

You do not need to wait until your thyroid lab work indicates levels out of the normal or optional range to start eating to support thyroid health. What you eat today can nourish your thyroid in the present and serve as prevention to support your thyroid health long-term.  

This cookbook is ideal for anyone who wants to eat to support gut health and liver health (as most thyroid hormone conversion takes place in the liver and the gut), hormone health and thyroid health overall! 

The recipes from this cookbook are the exact recipes in my own menu rotation. These are the meals that I make for myself and for my family to support our health. 

I also love that this cookbook includes a section on herbal beverages from teas to easy homemade tonics to support nervous system health, sleep and support the body’s stress response. I know you’ll love this cookbook, grab a copy here!

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Blended Green Soup

This Blended Green Soup is a really delicious and easy soup recipe to meal prep and is a great way to eat healthier throughout the week! 

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable soup stock or bone broth
• 1 leek
• 3 stalks celery
• 2 cups broccoli florets, cauliflower also works
• 2 cups kale or spinach
• 1 cup parsley
• 1 cup basil leaves
• 1 medium potato
• ½ cup green lentils or green peas
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium ripe avocado

Instructions

• Wash and rough chop all of the vegetables.
• Add all ingredients, except for the avocado into an Instapot and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. If you do not have an instant pot, you can use a soup pot on the stove! Add the ingredients to a soup pot (except the avocado) and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer with a lid on. Cook until the vegetables are soft, which could be up to 30 minutes.
• Let the Instapot naturally vent for 5 minutes, then manually release the remaining steam.
• Add the pitted and peeled avocado to the soup and use an immersion blender to blend until creamy. If you do not have an immersion blender, adding the soup to a regular high-speed blender also works!
• Enjoy!
• Keep stored in the fridge in glass mason jars or glass food storage containers. This soup also freezes well!

One of my favorite ways to enjoy mushrooms is in these Mushroom Carnitas Tacos. Tacos are an easy, healthy dinner recipe and I also love that this plant-based dinner is also packed with flavor and fiber that keeps us feeling full.

How To Eat Mushrooms

Here are some additional ways in which we cook and enjoy mushrooms on a regular basis!

• Tacos
• Burritos
• Soups
• Sauces
• Stir-Fry
• On Pizza

Health Benefits of Mushrooms

1. Gut Health! Mushrooms contain a type of carbohydrate known as polysaccharides which can stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut! 

2. Support Immune Health: Mushrooms contain a variety of nutrients such as Selenium, Vitamin D and Vitamin B6. 

3. Vitamin D: Mushrooms are the only produce that are a source of vitamin D! Vitamin D supports immune health and helps the body absorb calcium. 

4. Support Cognitive Function: Lion’s Mane, Chaga and Reishi are 3 mushrooms known to support brain health!
5. Mushrooms may give you energy! Mushrooms contain B-vitamins. B vitamins help the body break down and release energy from food.

How To Make Mushroom Carnitas Tacos

You’ll need 1 pound of oyster or shiitake mushrooms, I like a little of both! Slice the mushrooms into thin strips and then place in a bowl with oil and spices. Let marinate for 15 minutes. Then roast in the oven at 425 F for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Top with fresh lime juice and cilantro. Serve on warmed tortillas topped with black beans, a jicama, carrot and cabbage slaw and avocado!

How To Make Jicama, Carrot, Cabbage Slaw

To make the slaw, shred jicama, cabbage and carrots and add to a small bowl. Top with juice from one lime, fresh cilantro (chopped) and a pinch of salt. Toss and let marinate in the fridge.

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Mushroom “Carnitas” Tacos

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Ingredients

Tacos

• 4 tortillas
• mushroom “carnitas” see below
• 1/2 cup black beans
• jicama slaw see below
• 1/2 avocado

Mushroom "Carnitas"

• 1 pound mushrooms – King Oyster and/or Shiitake
• 3 limes
• 1 navel orange
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Fresh cilantro

Jicama Slaw

• 1/2 cup shredded jicama
• 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1 lime
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

Mushroom "Carnitas"

• Juice the navel orange and 2 limes into a small bowl, add the oil and spices then whisk.
• Slice mushrooms into strips. Add to a large bowl and toss with the marinade.
• Let marinate in fridge for 15 minutes.
• Lay on a baking sheet and roast at 425 F for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.
• Remove from the oven and top with lime juice and fresh cilantro.

Jicama Slaw

• Shred the jicama, cabbage and carrots, add to a small bowl and add juice from one lime, fresh cilantro (chopped) and a pinch of salt.
• Toss and let marinate in the fridge.

Tacos

• Serve warmed tortillas topped with mushrooms, black beans, slaw and avocado!

What is a Parsnip?

Parsnips are a root vegetable that has been used in cooking globally for thousands of years. Parsnips are slightly sweet and nutty in flavor. They are related to other vegetables such as carrots and roots of parsley.

Health Benefits of Parsnip

Parsnips are packed with nutrition! They contain folate, vitamin K, vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber to support immune function and digestive health. Parsnips are also high in fiber, which can improve your digestive health and heart health. Tell me, would you give these parsnip fries a try?

How To Make Parsnip Fries

To make parsnip fries begin by preheating the oven to 425 Fahrenheit.

To make the fry spice blend add one teaspoon each of Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Oregano, Basil, Parsley, Salt and Black Pepper. Add all of the spices to a small jar, top with a lid and shake.

You will need 2-3 medium parsnips. Peel the parsnips, then slice into fry size pieces. Add to a large bowl, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and add a few generous sprinkles of fry-spice, then toss to coat.

Evenly spread out the parsnip fries on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes. Enjoy as is or dip in ketchup!

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Parsnip Fries

Servings 2

Ingredients

• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Basil
• 1 tsp Parsley
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 3 medium Parsnips
• 2 tbsp Avocado oil

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 Fahrenheit.
• Add all of the spices to a small jar, top with a lid and shake.
• Peel the parsnips, then slice into fry size pieces. Add to a large bowl, drizzle with avocado oil and add a few generous sprinkles of fry-spice, then toss to coat.
• Evenly spread out on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes. Enjoy as is or dip in ketchup!

More Recipes Like This!

Little Gem Lettuce

Little gem lettuce is an English heirloom variety of romaine lettuce! It has a similar flavor profile and crunch to romaine while being smaller and in my opinion, more fun to eat!

How To Make This Vegan Dilly Ranch Dressing

I love this simple dairy-free and vegan ranch dressing recipe. This salad dressing is made with just a few simple ingredients, fresh herbs and is a great creamy dressing. I also love that this dressing is made from cashews which packs protein, fiber and healthy fats to this salad! To make this dairy-free ranch dressing you’ll add 1 cup of raw cashews to a container (I like to use a mason jar like this one) and fill with filtered water. Cover and place in the refrigerator to soak overnight. In the morning, drain the water from the cashews and rinse them. Add the soaked cashews into a blender along with 3/4 to 1 cup of fresh, filtered water – less if you prefer a thicker dressing and more if you need the consistency to be thinner. Then add the garlic powder, onion powder and lemon juice. Blend on high until you get a smooth creamy consistency. Next add the herbs, salt and pepper and blend in a few short pulses to incorporate the herbs.

Little Gem Salad

To a plate or bowl add your little gem lettuce (I like a few handfuls!) and top with slices of cucumber, radish, olives and a generous drizzle of dilly ranch dressing. Sprinkle with hemp seeds (I love these!) and fresh dill, chives and parsley. Enjoy!

Healthy Recipes On Instagram

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @healthygrocerygirl

More Salad Recipes From The Blog!

Mandarin Orange Sesame Salad

Lemon Herb Pasta Salad

BBQ Chickpea Salad with Avocado Ranch

Creamy 3 Potato Salad

We also eat dairy-free and I love that molasses is a source of calcium and iron!

What Is Molasses?

Molasses is a thick, viscous substance resulting from refining sugarcane or sugar beets into sugar. Molasses is often use to sweeten recipes whether sweet or savory. Some popular uses for molasses are to sweeten BBQ sauces and make gingerbread cookies! I personally love adding molasses to snack bites or snack bars to naturally sweeten the recipe and add a boost of nutrition!

Health Benefits of Molasses

Molasses is naturally rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B6 and antioxidants!

Molasses may also help to relieve constipation, help treat anemia and support bone health. What’s also amazing is that (ounce per ounce) molasses has more calcium than milk and more iron than eggs! (1) For those who eat dairy-free, consuming molasses on a regular basis is a great way to boost iron and calcium intake.

How To Make Molasses Snack Bites

To make molasses snack bites you’ll add the oats, dates, molasses, peanut butter (or any other nut or seed butter you prefer), walnuts, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, cinnamon and ginger powder into a food processor. This is the food processor I have and love!

Pulse all ingredients together to form a sticky batter. Roll batter into ball about 1 inch thick and place in an air-tight storage container and place in the fridge or freezer. If storing in the fridge, enjoy with 1 week. If storing in the freezer, enjoy with 2-3 months.

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Molasses Bites

Servings 12 Bites

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1/4 cup nut butter
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 2 tablespoons chia sees
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
• 1-2 tablespoons molasses 2 tablespoons will have a stronger flavor
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

• In a food processor, add all ingredients and pulse to create a crumbly batter
• Then add water and pulse again to create a sticky batter
• Roll batter into balls and place in an air-tight container
• Store in the fridge and enjoy within 1 week or the freezer and enjoy within 2 months. I store our bites in the freezer, and we always eat them up within a week!

Kid-Friendly Energy Bites Recipes

Lemon Orange Energy Bites

Pink Lemon Energy Bites

Maple Apple Cinnamon Bites

Healthy Recipes On Instagram!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @HealthyGroceryGirl

Sources:

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21622515.2021.1892203

I made this Teriyaki Bowl for dinner recently and it was such a hit! On a cold rainy day I really enjoyed having a warm, flavorful dinner!

How A Plant-Based Diet Supports Gut Health

One of my goals with feeding my family is to add a variety of vegetables to our lunches and dinners. According to the American Gut Project, we know that eating 30+ different plant-based foods in a week is associated with better bacterial diversity in the gut. This is important because our gut health not only impact digestive health, it also impacts our immune health, hormone health, mood, cognitive function, energy levels and more! I am always looking for ways to add more vegetables into our meals and this dish is a great way to rack up your plant-points! In fact this dinner has 13 + different plant-based ingredients!

How To Make Teriyaki Sauce

Homemade sauces used to intimidate me! However, the more you play around with ingredients and try out new sauce or dressing recipes the more your kitchen confidence builds! I love making homemade sauces not only to help control the exact ingredients and leave out ingredients I don’t want, but also because I often find they taste so much better than most store-bought options!

This teriyaki sauce is made with a few simple ingredients such as:

Avocado oil

Liquid aminos or try Soy-Free Liquid Aminos

Filtered Water

Real Maple Syrup

Brown Rice Flour

Sriracha or try Veggie Sriracha

Ginger Powder

Garlic Powder

To make the teriyaki sauce, add all sauce ingredients to a small pot and whisk together. Warm sauce over low / medium heat until you see the first bubbles, then turn the heat off, stir and let sit. Be careful not to over cook the sauce, but if you do simply whisk in a tablespoon or two of water.

Making This Meal For Kids

What’s great about this meal is that you can easily customize it to meet various dietary preferences of your family. For meat eaters, add chicken or salmon! For kids you can deconstruct and offer beans & rice with teriyaki sauce and veggies on the side!

This dish is also great with brown rice noodles, quinoa, black rice or any other grain or gluten-free grain you prefer!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @healthygrocerygirl