Snack Plate ~ A Colorful Medely

This is what my kids have waiting for them when they get home today. It took me 5 minutes to put together.  The kids call these snacks “snack plates” and when they get hungry they ask me to put one together for them.  Kids are just like us, they like to eat food that looks pretty and is colorful.  This particular plate consists of mango, organic pear, organic edamame, organic blueberries, organic strawberries, Organic Valley Colby Jack string cheese cut into cubes and Late July Organic Saltine Crackers.  There is not a lot of cheese on the plate because it is expensive and I don’t like to waste it.  If they finish that cheese, I will cut up another piece.  If I have food out my kids will eat it. If they are hungry with no food readily available to them, they start to graze the pantry for a quick, easy snack. Keeping healthy food out for them has solved this problem.  Today they got water to drink.

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I did not purchase organic mango because it is not one of the dirty fruits.  If you are not familiar with the “dirty dozen”, it is a list of the fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticide residues.  In 2012 a Plus category was added to include green beans and leafy greens (kale, collard greens).  I use this list to guide me in my produce purchases, I don’t want to unnecessarily spend the money on organic fruits and vegetables.  Here is the list:

Dirty Dozen (12 most contaminated —  buy these organic)

  • Apples
  • Celery
  • Sweet Bell Peppers
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines (imported)
  • Strawberries
  • Spinach
  • Cucumbers
  • Grapes
  • Lettuce
  • Potatoes
  • Blueberries
  • PLUS: Green Beans & Kale Greens

Clean 15 (lowest in pesticide)

  • Onions
  • Sweet Corn
  • Pineapples
  • Avocado
  • Cabbage
  • Sweet Peas
  • Asparagus
  • Mangos
  • Eggplant
  • Kiwi Fruit
  • Cantaloupe (domestic)
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Grapefruit
  • Watermelon
  • Mushrooms

~ Don’t do nothing just because you can’t do everything. – Colleen Patrick-Goudreau (Vegan Chef and Founder of Compassionate Cooks)

 

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