Most children enjoy helping in the preparations of their lunches and snacks. Choose meals that the children can help with and everybody has a great time. As you prepare the food together you can also take the time to teach colors, numbers, and nutritional importance.

Fruits and vegetables are very important to growing little bodies. Involve your children in the preparation to help make it more fun to eat them. Assign age appropriate jobs for each child. Have children decide which fruits or vegetables to use, help wash vegetables and fruits, and if feasible have some children help peal and slice fruits and vegetables.

Soup Suggestions:
- Green Beans
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Celery
- Corn
(And of course any other favorites)

Cut and peel any of the "hard vegetables" as needed. Then heat 4 cups of water and 4 teaspoons beef bouillon in a large pot till boiling. Simmer these ingredients until soft. Then add the "softer vegetables".

Fruit Salad Suggestions:
- Apples
- Watermelon (or any other melon of choice)
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Pears
- Grapes
- Pineapple
- Berries
- Peaches

Vegetable Salad Suggestions:
- Celery
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Spinach

Another great idea for these is to mix in some blocked cheeses and any other favorites and make ka-bobs. Have each child slide the fruits or vegetables onto skewers and make their own. Use caramel dips, cheese dips or any other favorites. This can make an excellent snack or lunch. The possibilities are endless. Use your imagination!

As you're preparing the soup or salads, take the opportunity to talk about the fruits and vegetables. Have children count them, arrange them into categories by color, size or shape, "those I like least", "those are my favorite", "those I've never tried before", and so forth. As they sort the fruits and vegetables, they develop basic classification skills. Explain to the children how important fruits and vegetables can be to a healthy diet.

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Anita DeFrank is a busy work at home mom who specializes in helping others become successful home business owners. Visit her site www.MommysHelperOnline.com for additional help to become a successful work at home mom.