VEGIE KIDS promotes slow food for kids and I would love others to contribute

if you have something to share email me at info@wildthingsofnoosa.com.au

I guess the moral of the story is to be persistent and keep the good food in view so it becomes familiar and one day they just may choose to eat it.

Frozen bananas on paddle pop sticks are yummy, dipped in choc for older kids can be a special treat. Frozen grapes and strawberries kept in small containers in the freezer are still the favourite of my 20 year old!

Milk or yogurt with fruit  and/or shredded coconut in iceblock containers are good summer treats.

Getting children to help make them or chose ingredients also gives opportunity to talk food with your children.

Herbs are easy to grow if your not keen on gardening grow them in pots and same for small amounts of veges.Herbs easy growing are thyme, bush oregano,mint (contained in a pot) rosemary and basil, which I must admit I'm shocking at growing.  Big pots, little pots, just out by the back door. All you need is some good quality vegie growing potting mix. The kids can smell the herbs anytime wacth them grow and pick them for the cook.  

Sprouts are great sandwich filler, they are great in salads and terrific for snacks. To grow them all you need is the seed or grain, wash them, place the wet seeds in a jar. Cover the end of the jar with muslin and hold tight with a rubber band, lie the jar on the side near an open window. The sprouts will need to be rinsed at leased once a day. Alfalfa sprouts, mung bean sprouts are commonly used however sunflower seed, chick pea, brown lentils,  and brocoli srouts are all at you finger tips. You will find some available at the supermarket, others at the health food shop or farm supply shops.

I must confess that I have a sprout grower (BioSnacky Hydro) we eat a lot of sprouts and I find using this is quicker. It is 3 levels of containers with holes in the bottom it drains easy and air can circulate. You can by them at health food shops. Larger crunchy sprouts are great in salads and just the thing for chidrens snack time on a plate with other bite size fruit and vege.

Your young ones can take the responsibility of looking after the food you grow, or if small children they can remind you to help them care for them. Very rarely do all our cherry tomatoes get taken to the kitchen because my youngest son and I eat as we pick.  

Vegies great for growing are carrots, beans, peas, strawberries, beetroot, tomatoes and corn. All these can be grown in good sized pots.

For those mums expecting a new addition it maybe a good time to think about planting a lemon, lime or orange tree. These juices can be added to solids and water as you introduce your baby to different tastes. They are also a good alternative to cordials. In some recipes orange juice can replace eggs (more about those later) for those who do not wish to give their children eggs.

The kids and the adults had to do farm jobs in the morning and in the afternoons and the rest of the day was for exploring. Jobs included milking cows, feeding the chickens, collecting eggs, feeding the dogs and cattle. After all the jobs were done Cathy and Reg would give the kids a ride on the faithful horse and on the quad bike. If you go in winter make sure you take your woolly socks although the two guest houses have wood fires. This is a pic of the guest house we stayed in.

Bunyip Springs Farm Stay
503 Maidenwell-Bunya Mountain Road Maidenwell QLD 4615
Tel: +61 (0)7 4164 6175 |

VEGIE KIDS is about sharing information in an effort to promote slow food and where food comes from.

You are welcome to email me your kid friendly ideas, vegetarian recipes and photos to be posted in VEGIE KIDS 

info@wildthingsofnoosa.com.au