All About Apples

September is the start of apple picking season in New England.  Apple picking is a great way to spend your afternoon with families and kids.  They can see where the apples grow and look at all of the different kinds.

It’s not only fun to pick the apples, but they are good for you too!  Apples are a great, low calorie fruit with no saturated fat or cholesterol. They are also filled with great vitamins such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins and minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus which make you healthy and strong.  It’s no wonder why they say an apple a day keeps the doctors away! 

There are many different types of apples that grow in the New England area that are great for apples, sauces and other snacks. 
C.N. Smith Farm in East Bridgewater has a great list of apple varieties, harvest dates and uses.  You can check it out here.

Here are some yummy treats you can make with apples:

 

Apple Cider

Nothing says fall like enjoying a nice cup of apple cider.  This cozy beverage can either be served hot or cold.  Many apple orchards and stores sell apple cider, but if you are looking for a nice drink to make with your kids and want your house to smell delicious, you can make it at home. For a recipe, click here!

Apple Pie

After a nice big dinner, apple pie is the best dessert to serve in the fall and a great way to use all of the apples you picked!  Your kids can help you mix the ingredients together as a great introduction to cooking in the kitchen.

Suggestion- Serve hot with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream! For a recipe, click here!

Apple Sauce

A delicious snack or even a healthy baking substitute for oil, this apple sauce is supper easy and everyone will love it!  All you need is some apples, cinnamon, a Crockpot and mason jars to store. For a recipe, click here!

Caramel Apples

This fall treat is often seen at fairs and carnivals, but you can also make it at home.  With this mini caramel apples recipe, you can serve them at fall parties or gatherings and kids will be coming back for more. For a recipe, click here!

Apple Chips

This crispy and crunchy snack is super easy to make and a healthier alternative to potato chips. Just thinly slice your apples, pour on some cinnamon and bake them in the oven for about two hours.  These are great to put in your kids lunchbox or an after-school snack. These chips are so good that you might want to make a batch for yourself too! For a recipe, click here!

Apples and Peanut ButterIf you aren’t in the mood for baking, kids will love their apples with peanut butter.  You can even make these cute little sandwiches and add in some granola or raisins.

Here are some great orchards to visit in the Southeastern Mass area to visit with your family this fall:

• ·         C.N Smith Farm Inc- East Bridgewater, MA
• ·         Fairmount Fruit Farm- Franklin, MA
• ·         Downse Orchard- Sherborn, MA
• ·         Wijcik Farm- Blackstone, MA
• ·         Belkin Family Lookout Farm-Natick, MA

Written by Stephanie Starbard- PR and Communications Intern

How to Stay Active and Healthy in the Summer Time

Summertime is the best time to start becoming more physically active. With all the extra time your child has its important to make sure they have fun during summer vacation but also that they stay happy, active and healthy.

Here are some ways to stay active and healthy in the summer:

Keep them Hydrated:

It’s obvious that staying hydrated during summer time is important, but it is not always easy to get them to drink as much water as they should. Here are some tips that can help you:

• Fruit Infused Water: By letting delicious fruits soak in water it makes a plain drink more delicious! You can also purchase cool looking fruit infused water bottles made just for kids!
•  Schedule more drink breaks: Get your child in the habit of taking water breaks throughout the day and it will soon become routine. This is especially important if your child is participating in a lot of physical activities throughout the day.
•  Popsicles: Try to get some with low sugar so your kids can stay hydrated with less sugar. You can also make popsicles fun by looking up recipes to make them with your kids!

Engage with nature:

Marla and her Falconry bird Mack from The New England Reptile and Raptor Show

The Children’s Museum in Easton recently had Bigfoot summer drop in day, which focused on nature and ways to have fun in your backyard. The New England Reptile and Raptor show had an interactive performance where children learned about the cool creatures that live right in their backyard. They even got the chance to meet the animals up close!

 The performance also taught visitors about bones and how they differ for each animal. Their new found knowledge about  nature helped children create amazing Bigfoot dioramas that Bigfoot himself would love to call home! Visitors also made a Bigfoot expedition kit which would help them catch Bigfoot and many other creatures that may be nearby. The Bigfoot obstacle course was also a huge hit because it allowed children to literally “walk in Bigfoot’s shoes”!

 

All these activities promoted learning about nature and inspired creativity. The Bigfoot drop in day allowed Children to learn and be active in ways that they enjoyed. Children were able be active while exploring their surroundings and learning.  Many children left the museum happy and eager to continue their search for Bigfoot.

Attending Bigfoot day isn't the only way to have your children engage with nature. Make every day an adventure and start exploring wherever you can, which leads me into our next tip for staying healthy and active in the summer.

Make sure your child gets daily exercise:

It may seem like something obvious, but the summertime is when children become less physically active. On hot days it can be tempting to stay inside and sit around all day, but there are many ways to make sure your child gets daily exercise in the summer. Here’s what you can do:

•  Take walks to the local store to buy Popsicles and cool down.
• Go for a swim to stay active and cool down.
• Go on at least three bike rides a week.
• On rainy days instead of staying in and watching movies turn on some music and get your groove on!
• Visit your local park and play games such as, Frisbee, basketball, or soccer.

Hopefully all these tips help you and your children have a healthy and happy summer and remember you can always stop by the Children’s Museum in Easton to have a healthy and happy summer!

*Written by Love Boussiquot, PR Intern

Healthy Winter Living for the Whole Family Part 1: Eating Right

        This winter, don’t let the cold freeze your healthy way of living! There are many simple ways to keep you and your family healthy through this chilly season.

        One of the best ways to save your money and improve your health is through home cooked meals. While going out to eat sometimes seems like the easier option, it is one of the top three causes of the increasing problem

of child obesity. On a snowy winter day when you are stuck indoors, cooking may not seem too bad. It can even be enjoyable if you find ways to get the whole family involved in the process. It is the perfect time to talk about your day and bond as a family overall. Here are some examples of meals to consider cooking with your kids:

Meal Choices List 1

Meal Choices List 2

Meal Choices List 3

Busy nights are unavoidable and we all have them sometimes, but that’s what quick and easy recipes are for! There are still many options for you to cook when you are short on time. You can also help yourself out by preparing the meal the night before or the morning of, so you will have less to do in the small time frame before everyone gets hungry for dinner.

        Everyone likes something to snack on when they are stuck inside all day, but there are ways to be smart and healthy about what you choose to eat. If you leave fruit and vegetables within reach, they will seem like the simple choice of snack for your family. It’s possible that you could even get your kids excited about vegetables by teaching them about “the rainbow” that they should be eating every day, which includes the various choices and colors of fruits and vegetables available. Some popular vegetables among children include zucchini, cucumbers, broccoli, red peppers, carrots, and celery. There are also many healthy dips that they might enjoy, like ranch, black bean, and hummus.

One enjoyable and healthy snack requires:

-1 can garbanzo beans or chickpeas

-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

-1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon

 Blend these ingredients together until it is smooth and creamy and serve it with fresh cut vegetables immediately.

You can also keep your children healthier through the choices you make at the grocery store. Instead of choosing a juice full of sugar, maybe you can find one that tastes just as good but is 100% juice with no added sugar. It can be hard to say no when your child asks for a treat, but try to give them a healthier option and only say yes to the treat once in a while. If you are able

to find a healthier option that they enjoy eating, you may even see a difference in how often they ask for the treat, meaning you will be forced to say no less often. It also helps if you teach your children which snacks they should ask permission to have, like cookies, and which ones they can take on their own, like fruit and vegetables. Click here to view the 20 best snacks for kids!

Another component of healthy living is being active. Look for tips to stay active this winter in part 2 coming soon!

Quick, Easy, Healthy! (Recipes for the summer!)

Inspired by Rolie Polie Guacamole (a kid-friendly band whose songs promote healthy living – check here for more info) the Children’s Museum in Easton has decides to put together a 3-course menu for healthy barbecue eating! These recipes are both good for you and easy to make with your kids. Get ready for some no-fuss food and a full tummy!

Course 1: Instead of chips and crackers, opt for a healthier dipping option!

Fruit Dip:  Original recipe here!

            Ingredients:

-          8 oz. cream cheese (you can use light to make it healthier if you choose)

-          2 cups of frozen whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip/Cool Whip  works wonders!)

-          ½ cup marshmallow cream (Fluff!)

-          ¼ cup unsweetened pineapple juice

Directions:

1.      Help your kids blend together the cream cheese, marshmallow cream and thawed topping. Add enough pineapple juice to make it dipping consistency. Chill for 1 hour.

2.      Pick your kids’ favorite fruits, cut them into bite-sized pieces and serve on a platter!

 

Course 2: Kabobs are easy, customizable, and on a stick…what more could your kids ask for?

            Kabobs: Original recipes here!

            Ingredients:

-          Pick any meats you want! Lean meats like chicken are tasty and rich in protein. Choose one or a combination of meats!

-          Three or four colorful vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, onions, carrots, new potatoes, bell peppers or cherry tomatoes

-          Wooden skewers

Directions:

1.      Have the kids choose their favorite meats and veggies.

2.      Help them put it on wooden skewers.

3.      Place the kabobs on the grill.

4.      Cook the kabobs over the grill until the meat is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

5.      Take the kabobs off, let them cool a little, and enjoy!

6.      (Optional) Add some spice with different dipping sauces or even adding fruit!

Side Dish! “Mom’s ‘Healthier’ Pasta Salad”: This side offers a traditional summer side dish with a healthier twist using whole-wheat pasta, provolone cheese and kid-friendly veggies; you can even use the homemade dressing to dip your kabobs in! This might be hard for your kids to help out on, but it’s definitely worth trying out on your own! Check it out here!

Course 3: A sweet, cool dessert for the hot summer days, minus all the fat and calories!

Popsicles:

Ingredients:

-          Your kids’ favorite fruit juice!

-          Fun shaped ice trays:

o   You can find popsicle trays at your local Target or WalMart OR you can find a lot of really cute ones online! Check out these intricate ones at amazon.com here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hog-Wild-Idea-Kitchen-Pops/dp/B00169P36K

Directions:

1.      Help your kids pour their favorite juices into the molds

2.      (Optional) Add some blueberries to freeze in the pops for a nice surprise!

3.      Place gently in the freezer until frozen through

4.      Check that the pops are frozen, take out and eat before they melt!

** If you want a creamier popsicle option, try the Can’t Be Beat Banana Ice Cream Pops! (A recipe from Sneaky Fitness by Missy Chase Lapine)

            Can’t Be Beat Banana Ice Cream Pops:

           

            Ingredients:

                        - 1/2 cup low-fat milk

                        - ½ cup vanilla (or banana) yogurt

                        - 2 large bananas

                        - 2 tablespoons sugar

                        - (optional) ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, ideally “mini”

           

            Directions:

1.      Blend all ingredients except chocolate chips in a blender until smooth.

2.      Pour equal amounts in popsicle molds.

3.      Drop about one tablespoon of chocolate chips into each pop, if desired.

4.      Insert stick.

5.      Freeze for at least 3 hours.

 

We hope you enjoy these kid friendly recipes! Remember, all of these are generally easy to make and customizable so your kids are bound to love them! Make them for a family party, a barbecue, or just to spice up a regular summer day.

Don't forget, these healthy eating recipes were inspired by the messages Rolie Polie Guacamole sings about! Check them out at http://www.roliepolieguacamole.com/ and stop by the Children's Museum in Easton on July 25th at 10am for a concert put on by the band!

We hope to see you at the Children’s Museum soon! Let us know what you think.:)

Hide Your Vegetables!

Making a healthy family meal that makes everyone happy can sometimes be a struggle. Especially when the veggies are met with “Eww gross I’m not eating that!” Usually, if it’s green it isn’t touched (or at least not willing). According to CNN kids are not getting enough fruit and vegetables in their diets. Only 22% of kids ages 2 to 5 meet the government recommendations for veggie consumption. And it gets worse as they get older. Only 16% of kids 6 to 11 and 11% of kids and teens 12 to 18 are eating enough vegetables according to the USDA’s MyPlate.

As part of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative we here at the Children’s Museum are dedicated to helping kids and their families make healthy choices so that they can live healthy, happy lives. Here are a few ways that can help get your child to eat their vegetables (and enjoy it!).

One sneaky way to get more veggies into your child’s diet: hide it. Jessica Seinfeld (yes, Jerry’s wife) shares how she got her kids to eat their vegetables by hiding veggies in their favorite foods in her cookbook Deceptively Delicious. The idea came to her one night when in a desperate attempt to get her three children to eat something healthy she mixed pureed butternut squash into their mac and cheese and no one noticed the difference. Now she has a whole book of recipes (including brownies made with carrots and spinach!) that she says her family loves. While it may seem like deceiving your child isn’t the way to go that’s not the purpose of these tricky treats. The real purpose is to get them to at least try those “icky” foods and see that they aren’t so bad. Healthy foods should always be promoted to children.

Another idea might be to rename the foods your kids won’t try. Dinosaur trees seem to taste better than broccoli. Kathy Evans, Easton mother of 11 year old twins, could tell you all about the power of names. Her girls, who refuse to eat salad, love the lettuce roll ups she makes consisting of tomatoes, cheese, black beans and grated carrots after one day declaring that what Kathy called burritos were in fact “fairy sandwiches.” Her nephew enjoys sliced red peppers or as he likes to call them “dragon tongues.” Cute names make meal time more fun and the food more appealing.

Kids love to play with their food but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Another suggestion Kathy had was to make a game out of eating vegetables. She gets her girls to eat different colored peppers by challenging them to figure out which color pepper they are eating with a blindfold on. In the article “The Ecology of Pizza” author and mother Sandra Steingraber suggests that hungry children are called to the table while their dinner is still cooling with steamed broccoli and chunks of sweet potatoes waiting on the table. Pretend that the family is “red eyed locusts in search of green trees to eat.” After the broccoli is eaten let the children know that orange foods can make help you see further. As they eat the sweet potatoes and test their eyesight, serve dinner. Let the kids know that eating their veggies doesn’t have to be a chore.

Here are a few more tricks to get the green on your child’s plate:

No Thank You Bite – Everything on their plate has to be tried before they can say they don’t like it. Getting kids familiar with foods can help them to develop a taste for them later.

Cook Together – Let them help out while you make dinner. If they had a hand in making something they’ll probably be proud to eat it.

Grow a Garden – Grow your own vegetables in a backyard garden and let your child help out. Just like when cooking with your child: if they feel like it’s theirs and they helped they’ll be more likely to eat it.

Veggie Night – Have a veggie night and make a variety of different vegetables so they can still make choices but there is no competition with other types foods.

Easy Options – Make up single serving bags of fruit and veggies and put them in places that are easy for your child to access. It’s the same thinking that’s behind single serving chip bags or snack packs. If it’s quick and easy it’s more likely to be grabbed out of the fridge.

Fun Gadgets – Use different kitchen gadgets like the blender or food processor to make something fun to eat like a fruit smoothie.

What are you doing to make sure that your children get those important fruits and vegetables in their diet? Let us know!