Inspired Parties with Real Food

I have always had an interest in nutrition, but having children made the topic hit home. I was now responsible for the habits and health of these tiny people. It was my job to teach them to be healthy and not squash their happiness, so how could I be successful at both? Particularly at a party.

I am so excited to be sharing my story as part of the Real Food Real Stories Campaign. #arealfoodstory #rfrslam2017. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Real Food Real Stories is inspiring change and bring change makers together. It’s all around doing what we can to make a difference in our food system. Check out this project. project.

Having kids was the biggest change in my life. As most moms do, I love my children with all my heart. They push me, they stress me and they love me to pieces.  I realized a while back that I didn’t want to pass along to them some of my poor eating habits. All the while trying to balance that with the fact that eating treats is fine in my book.

My simple strategy is to fill them with whole healthy foods throughout the event, so that when treats come along they are just that. Treats.

You can see my daughter Bella has eaten all her meatballs & chicken and is playing with her jello jiggler.

Parties with Real Food

A few items I love to make for parties, really change the game.  These are available the whole time.

• Hummus
• Carrots & Celery
• Fun Kabobs
• Chicken Skewers
• Meatballs
• Pasta
• Cheese cubes
• Jello jigglers
• Homemade Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles

Can I tell you that at one party all the meatballs were eaten by the children before I was done setting out all the food?

I load them up with fresh, real food goodness, so when the treats come it is special. When it’s time and the party wraps, each kid gets a treat. I feel good about the balance, and my mommy guests LOVE it.

In my food strategy all food is okay, but I strive for balanced nutrition. I never want to have a child leave a party feeling icky or having too many sweets. I also am not going to omit the sweets.

Let’s be clear. I am not judging anyone who does it any other way. Moms do not deserve the microscope! However, I hope to encourage you to put lots of healthy foods before your cake.  I hope this will inspire you to try it.

Balance. Real Food.  Great Fun!

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