Fun Food Tips

* Freeze a whole banana and then serve with a spoon! It tastes like banana ice cream!

* Serve frozen peas or other vegetables right out of the freezer as finger food, - they're sweet.

* Puzzle sandwiches: Cut a sandwich into odd shapes that fit together like a puzzle.

* Serve crepes with many different fillings.

* Make and use sprinkles: Chop, grind, or mix together 1/3 cup granola, 1/3 cup nuts, and 1/3 cup wheat germ. Sprinkle on yogurt, fruit, ice cream, cottage cheese.

* Serve shape pancakes: When frying pancakes, pour the batter into numbers, letters, or shapes. Let your child choose some shapes to have you prepare.

* Try having breakfast foods for dinner, and leftovers from dinner for breakfast.

* Mix plain sparkling water with fruit juice and add chunks of fruit for decoration.

* Have a winter picnic on a blanket in the house!

* Cut sandwiches, bologna, or cheese into shapes with cookie cutters.

* Prepare soft shell tortillas with melted cheese, chopped vegetables, meat, or refried beans. Roll like a jellyroll or sprinkle flat like a pizza.

* Dip less desired foods in appealing dips: cheese dip, bean dip, sweet mustard, ketchup, cream dips, salsa, yogurt, honey, etc.

* Create international meals: plan a meal with a theme from another culture.

* Make a variety of healthy shakes loaded with fruit, yogurt, and honey.

* Bake a simple muffin or quick bread recipe with your child. Have a tea party, using the baked goods for the treat.

* Make kabobs or "hors d'oeuvres" using pretzels for skewers, with meatballs, fruit chunks, cheese cubes, salami, etc.

* Make cinnamon apples: Cut apples into slices and place a small amount of cinnamon sugar on the plate. Let your child dip the apples into the cinnamon.

* Same food, more fun: Prepare foods that you can eat with your fingers and then serve in muffin tins, pie plates, or allow your child to occasionally use a fancy plate or serving dish.