toddlers can eat clean, too!

The boys have been eating clean this whole week. Well, mostly... we're still using up the last of their crackers when we're out. I just couldn't bring myself to toss them in the garbage. For the most part, though, everything they've been eating is clean. Honestly? I haven't heard even one complaint out of them yet!

Some things we've learned: 

• Making perfect whole wheat pancakes must be an acquired skill, because Aaron's first attempt resulted in very dense, cardboard-ish pancakes that neither of my boys would eat. It could have been the recipe, though.
• Contrary to what they had me believe, both of my boys really like grapes- a lot... and they haven't eaten them in months. You know what made them realize this? Our bunny Noah is always begging for them. Nope, mama doesn't know what she's talking about, but hey, if a BUNNY loves grapes, then they must be good! Toddler logic...
• Sometimes it can seem like your choices are limited, when they really aren't. I found myself struggling to come up with options when listing off lunch choices for my boys, so I went ahead, looked at everything we had in the fridge & pantry, and typed up a list. Said list (shown above) is now hanging on the fridge. I love it because it's so much easier to put together meals and snacks for the boys now.
• My boys don't like nuts... or at least, not yet. I had high hopes that almonds, cashews, or peanuts would become their new favorite high-protein snack, but they spit them right out. Of course, I can't be too surprised because I actually don't like nuts either (shhh!). I'll continue to offer them, though. One day they might change their minds!
• Not all yogurts are created equal. READ THE LABELS when buying yogurt. The majority of the yogurt sold in supermarkets is not clean.

A few of our favorite (toddler-approved!) snacks:

My boys are always hungry... they are pretty much always snacking. One of my main concerns when we were thinking about trying out a clean eating lifestyle this month was... what if I can't come up with enough snack ideas? With some thought, googling, and helpful suggestions from facebook friends, I'm happy to say that the boys have more than enough different clean snacks to eat. Here's a list of the tried-and-tried favorites around here :) 

• apples, celery, or banana with peanut butter
• all kinds of fruit (strawberries, apples, raspberries, and mandarin oranges have been recent favorites)
• cooked veggies (all kinds, but especially sauteed broccoli or steamed carrots)
• carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes with organic, preservative-free (or homemade) ranch dressing
• apple sandwiches (two slices of apple with peanut butter, granola, yogurt, and/or chocolate chips inside. Yum!
• applesauce (homemade or get the unsweetened all natural kind)
• half peanut butter sandwiches (on whole wheat bread) 
• turkey roll-ups (be sure to get nitrate free deli meat)
• dried fruit- especially raisins and craisins 
• yogurt with granola
• granola with almond milk
• homemade whole wheat muffins
• fruit salad (mix up your own!)
• sliced/cubed cheese
• smoothies 

Things I haven't tried yet but plan to make this week/weekend: homemade oatmeal granola bars, homemade fruit snacks, frozen greek yogurt dipped strawberries, homemade yogurt drops. I'll be sure to let you know how those go over with the littles!

Elliot enjoying his clean lunch: a whole wheat tomato, cheese, and turkey sandwich,
 steamed carrots, & strawberries