How can we get our kids to eat more vegetables?

Getting kids to eat vegetables is always a challenge. Studies show most kids eat less than 2  servings of vegetables a day when they should be having 4-5 servings daily. The most common vegetables kids are consuming are potatoes from french fries and potato chips and tomatoes from tomato sauce 
                           
I came across a great vegetable recipe in Food & Nutrition Magazine this month that I think will be a huge hit with your children and family. Not only does it incorporate the vegetable cauliflower which is part of the cabbage family-an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate and fiber, when cooked it looks like a pizza crust which is a huge crowd pleaser for all ages!  You can then add other vegetables as the toppings making it even more nutritious. Let your children help decide what vegetables to put on top of the crust.  I have passed this recipe on to friends and family and everyone has tried different toppings that all taste yummy-Enjoy!!
                                 

                     YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT'S CAULIFLOWER PIZZA CRUST
                              Developed by Jamie VonEaten  Food & Nutrition Magazine Jan/Feb 2013
                                                                    Serves 8
1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower *                                        1/2  teaspoon dried fennel
1 egg                                                                                          1 teaspoon oregano      
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded                                    2 teaspoons dried parsley
       
Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray. Combine cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Press evenly into the pan. Sprinkle with fennel, oregano and parsley. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from the oven.

Top with your favorite vegetable toppings. Place under a broiler at high heat until cheese is melted. 
The above recipe has broccoli rabe sauteed in garlic and red pepper flakes added

* After cauliflower is cooked and slightly cooled, shred cauliflower with a cheese grater or potato ricer ( I used the grater on  my food processor)


                  Here are a few more ideas to get kids to eat more vegetables...

• When making a salad for dinner, give salad extra sweet crunch by adding jicama, a sweet root vegetable to your greens
• Roasting vegetables in the oven  gives a crispy texture to skin rather than a mushier consistency when boiled or steamed 
• Bring your kids to the supermarket and let them choose a new vegetable to try and then have them find a recipe on the computer to make for dinner with that veggie
• Have "salad bar night"  and let them decide what veggies to put over their greens but tell them they need to pick at least 3 different colors
• Instead of potato chips to go along side a sandwich for lunch, serve carrots shaped like ruffled chips.  You can buy prepackaged or slice your own
• Prepare fresh vegetables with hummus, salsa or low fat dressing for snack
• Try vegetable casseroles  baked with cheese (use low fat)  
• Keep cut up colorful raw vegetables in the fridge so when they open up looking for a snack, that is the first thing they see