Last week I announced on social media that I was working on something special. Well this is it!
I've had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Jennifer Tyler Lee, founder of the award winning Crunch a Color game, on the launching of her inspiring new book The 52 Foods Challenge! When I first received my copy of the book, I honestly couldn't put it down. Not only did the recipes sound delicious, but I could personally relate to the painstaking process she went through in discovering how to get her kids and family to make true changes in their lifestyle and approach to food.
As a parent of two, I know how insanely difficult it can be to get kids to eat healthy, nutritious food. It's one of the most challenging and frustrating processes you could ever go through as a parent. Even to this day, despite all that I know about the pitfalls of dinnertime battles over food, they still exist in my house. The guilt that I feel is often overwhelming...because I know better. But, slaving over a hot stove to give your kids a healthy meal only to have them refuse to even take a bite, can be frustrating and ultimately create a hostile food environment.
The 52 New Foods Challenge may be the answer for many parents including myself, because it's about more than just the food...it's about the journey the food takes you on. Each family creates their own journey, their own tangible but positive relationship with food. It's about having fun...making it a GAME! Enter: The 52 New Food Challenge.
"This plan will work because it changes your family's behavior the slow and sustainable way. The 52 New Foods Challenge helps you make a change at the core of how your family approaches food. You will establish a lifetime of healthy habits by learning to explore and enjoy healthy foods together as a family." The 52 New Foods Challenge
Trying one new food a week is such a brilliant idea and so incredibly manageable. One of the foods I chose to highlight from Jennifer's book was sweet potatoes... one, because it's fall and I love sweet potatoes (selfish), but two, because I think the flavor and texture is something many kids enjoy. I decided to create a sweet potato soup and blend it with some familiar kid-friendly flavors like apple, maple syrup and a touch of cream. Oh yes, it's gooood. Kids can have fun by adding toppings to the soup like pumpkin seeds, chopped apples, raisins, cranberries, nuts or croutons for some crunch. This week I'm sharing that recipe with you AND I'm announcing a brand NEW GIVEAWAY of the 52 NEW FOODS CHALLENGE BOOK exclusively to my Hanging Spoon blog readers (see details at the end of this post!)
I hope you will decide to join me as my family and I embark on this exciting new journey. Changes don't happen overnight, in a month or even a few months. But, exposing kids to healthy foods at an early age can make such a huge impact on the habits they take with them through their life. Small steps, but we can get there.
TO ENTER THE 52 NEW FOODS CHALLENGE GIVEAWAY:
Simply comment to this post and tell us what you think of the new book! What are your battles at home or do you simply want to lead a healthy life enjoying the benefits of delicious, healthy food? I'd love to hear from YOU!
All comments will be considered an entry to win a copy of THE 52 NEW FOODS CHALLENGE BOOK! All comments must be entered by midnight of NOVEMBER 8TH. On November 9th I will announce the winner under the comments section of this post and on Facebook. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!
United States residents only.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Creamy Sweet Potato Apple Soup
Ingredients
- 3 small to medium sweet potatoes peeled and chopped into 2 in. cubes
- 1 shallot peeled and chopped
- 1 golden delicious apple peeled and chopped
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- ¼ cup creme fraiche sour cream or mascarpone cheese
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
- Add in shallot and sauté 3-4 min.
- Add in sweet potatoes, apples and broth.
- Bring to a boil then simmer for 30 min.
- Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 min.
- Using a blender or immersion blender carefully puree soup.
- Stir in maple syrup, dash of salt, and creme fraiche until blended together.
- *Optional toppings: chopped apples, pumpkin seeds, pecans, raisins, dried cranberries, croutons.
Love the concept!
Our battles? One child will have one bit, the other wont even smell new foods. They love games though : ).
This is so exciting! My family (kids) could use some new foods thrown into the rotation and this sounds like an inspiring and fun way to do it.
As a registered dietitian nutritionist myself, I'd love to have this book on my shelf for use with clients... and for the "some day" when we have a family of our own! In the meantime, soup's on the menu. Cheers!
Hi Heather! So glad you stopped by the blog! The book will definitely be a great reference for you some day (when the kiddies arrive)! Until then...enjoy the soup!
I LOVE your toppings tip! Just the magic we need to make soup a little more fun for the kiddos! Good stuff!
Thank you Erin!!
I try every day to eat healthier, I just run out of ideas some times:)
This is such a great way to gradually incorporate new foods! I love trying to prepare healthy meals, but sometimes run out of inspiration--this looks wonderful.
I'm loving the comments so far! Having a family of my own, I know how difficult it can be to think of new and interesting ways to cook healthy delicious meals. This book, and my website of course ; ) will certainly help give you the inspiration you're looking for!
I love the idea of incorporating new foods into our diet! Seems like each week's grocery list is the same, and there are plenty of things in the grocery store (produce aisle, especially) that I don't know what to do with!
Congratulations Lisa A. !! You are the WINNER OF THE 52 NEW FOODS CHALLENGE GIVEAWAY!