Food
Candy, candy, candy! Hearts abound this time of year, whether it’s chocolate, conversation, or marshmallow. Breaking, or not starting on, the sugar train can be a challenge. With food allergies on the rise and growing research supporting the negative effects of sugar on the growing brain, many parents and schools are encouraging non-edible Valentine treats. Checking out the party favor aisle is often a simple and cost-effective way to round up 12-24 similar pint-sized items.
We encourage healthy food choices, which is why we get the kids involved in making their food and to let them see where healthy foods come from.
I often get questions from parents in passing about what they should plant in their gardens with their children. I love these questions but figured that my quick responses at pick-up and drop-off could be expanded upon. So here goes!
By Julie Goldstein Why buy something when you can easily make it, right? Since the seasons are changing we decided to make some seed starting mix to plant some cool season vegetables in our garden here at CMP. Seeds do best in seed starting mix versus planting them in potting soil, or native soil. Seed […]
By: Annie Emery Easiest, healthiest, most versatile, kid- loved breakfast yet. Fruit and protein packed, gluten free, this might just be your next go- to breakfast for the whole family using simple kitchen staples. With just two ingredients to start and make delicious, it’s your choice from there what you want to add in! Ingredients: […]
Finn’s 1st Gelato My husband, Massimo, is from Florence, Italy, so food plays a big part in our life. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am super anti-sugar but I make exceptions for amazing specimens of sugar, for example real Italian gelato. When my first son, Finn, was born I had a goal […]
By: Annie Emery The markets are flooded with strawberries and blueberries right now, they are SO good by themselves, but even better with this five -minute recipe. You can use them fresh or even a little overripe, as they get soaked in sauce. This is a great simple something to bring to a barbeque with […]
Mint “Chocolate Chip Cheesecake” Dip Cheesecake Dip is a fun recipe for parties or just an after school snack. The kids loved it, saying it looked like ice cream, and ate it all up. As a 90’s kid it reminded me of dunk-a-roos…but not nearly as bad for you. These actually have a decent amount […]
By: Annie Emery This summer I worked at a bakery in a small town in Alaska, where I first had the luxury of a delicious gluten free brownie. Later, I found how the fudgy consistency was made…black beans! You honestly could not taste them. The owner was not giving up her recipe, so I set […]
By Annie Emery Ingredients 1-3/4 Cups flour 1/4 Cup flaxseed meal 1 Tbs chia seed 1 Tbs baking powder 1 Tbs baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp allspice 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 Cup canola oil 3/4 Cup yogurt 3/4 Cup pitted dates 1/3 Cup brown sugar 1/2 Cup orange juice Welcome […]
By: Annie Emery Expanding taste buds at a young age is a great way to develop appreciation for exploration. I love using spice to flavor and pushing the boundaries of how far I can eventually go without adding sugar. I think Indian cuisine takes the cake on this. For morning snack, I served mango chutney […]
By: Annie Emery Good day everyone! I am pleased to share with you a recipe that is super easy, super healthy, and the kids really liked! It’s well rounded, yummy hot or cold, and you most likely already have the ingredients in your pantry. Preheat oven to 350*F Ingredients 2 very ripe mashed bananas 4 […]
By: Annie Emery This dish is quick, versatile, and sweet with a low glycemic load. One of my favorite combinations! If you own a food processor, large organic carrots are the tastiest. If not, shredded organic is a time saver and a close second. So gather an armful’s worth of ingredients and let’s get started. […]
“Passion Fruit Simple Syrup” Annie Emery Hello All! I think it is amazing the things we can find right in our backyard. For this month’s blog post, I would like to share with you the deliciousness of passion fruit. This citrus can be picked at different stages for various flavors. If the fruit’s outer layer […]
Hello All! My name is Annie and I am the new chef here at CMP. I came from a small island in the Caribbean where fresh, organic produce was quite scarce, so I am truly excited to take advantage of everything California has to offer. One thing we were able to grow well on my […]
My husband and son both have a major sweet tooth. I try as hard as I can to limit their sugar intake so I have to create some treats that will fulfill their sweet cravings as well as fulfill my desire to limit their sugar. This smoothie is easy to make and has protein, healthy fat, and carbohydrates […]
I love making this soup because if I have a little more or less of the ingredients it still turns out amazing. Even if I leave the soup ingredients cooking on the stove longer or shorter because I have to run out of the kitchen to change a diaper or handle some other mom distraction, […]
Here at CMP, we create our own recipes and homemade, organic snacks. This week the kids enjoyed our Nut Free Granola Bars. This recipe is easy to make and is gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and organic. Your kids will love it! Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Ingredients 2 […]
Everyone LOVES (and remembers) Cheez-It® crackers…why not make an organic homemade version? I will never forget the long road trips with my parents and siblings as a child. We would drive from New Jersey to Florida and about 30 minutes into the drive, we all ask, “Mom, how much longer?” That is when my mom would pull […]
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie Created by CMP Instructor: Julie Goldstein Total Time: 40 minutes Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes My family is always looking for recipes that are easy to make, packed with nutrients and vegetarian. My husband and I have been playing around with our Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie for years and finally created […]
This is the season of giving. It’s a time to appreciate all that is around us–especially the sweet scent of holiday baking. Baking gingerbread cookies and houses is a childhood memory for many of us and it’s one I want to share with the kids at CMP. As I was shopping for ingredients, I thought,“What […]
Our resident art teacher and creative extraordinaire, Julie Goldstein, has whipped up this colorful, yummy and easy to eat fall inspired veggie recipe that her family loves, and hopes yours will too! Shredded Carrot and Beet Salad The more vibrant the color, the more nutrition there is to be found in a food. This salad is […]
For the past several weeks, I’ve been looking for the perfect easy breakfast and snack cookies. But almost everything in the stores has added sugar. So I played around with using bananas instead of flour and nut butters for extra protein and omegas. My son, Frankie, is now 2 years old and he absolutely LOVES […]
Think back and recall a time, as a child, that you spent exploring plants and trees. Perhaps during a school field trip? Or maybe a neighbor shared a freshly picked snap pea from his garden with you? Experiences like this cultivate a curiosity in children that is, sadly, often lost on today’s generation. Educating children […]
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