· Never force or restrict food choices

· Remember it is the parent or caregiver who controls what and where and when food is provided.  But, it is up to the child to decide how much to eat and whether or not to eat. 

· Parents should continue to offer the child a variety of foods at mealtimes.  For some children, it takes being offered a food up to 15 times before they are willing to try it. 

· Most importantly, parents and caregivers should be good role models and children should observe you enjoying a variety of healthy foods.

· Remain patient and maintain a pleasant mealtime environment and children generally begin trying more foods with time.

Peachy Freeze: Makes 3 – 4 oz. portions
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peaches (either fresh of frozen)
1 tsp. sugar
Dash of cinnamon or vanilla (optional)
Directions:
Pour the milk into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid.
Pop the “milk cubes” out of the tray and put them into the blender.  Then put the peaches and sugar into the blender. 
Put the lid on the blender and blend on high speed until everything is mixed together and very smooth. 
Pour into and serve with a spoon.

PB & J Sushi
wheat bread
peanut butter
jelly or jam
Directions:
Flatten bread with a rolling pin and cut off the edges.
Spread peanut butter and jelly on bread
Roll up and cut into bite size pieces. 

Broccoli Trees: Makes 5 servings
1/4 cup light sour cream
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
1 head broccoli
4 carrots
Directions:
Prepare a dip by combining the first 5 ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl. 
To make the trees, cut each carrot in half widthwise and then lengthwise in four pieces.  Cut broccoli into florets.  Assemble on a plate by laying three carrot pieces side by side for a trunk, with the broccoli florets as the leaves.  Spread dip under the trunks for the forest floor. 

Kid Friendly Veggie Mini Muffins: Makes 24 muffins
2 cups whole wheat flour (or white whole wheat flour)
2 to 3 Tbsp. soy flour (omit if you’d like, but it adds protein)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 to 3 Tbsp. honey (optional)
1 egg
3 cups vegetables, pureed (or use 6 jars of baby food vegetables such as carrots).  3 cups of mashed bananas or unsweetened applesauce can be used in place of the veggies.
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. 
Spray muffin pans or line with muffin papers.
Mix ingredients with electric mixer until well blended.
Fill muffins 2/3 full with batter.
Bake 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool partially in the pan then remove to wire rack.