It can be tough to ignore the winter blues during this time of the year. Days are starting to get longer, ever so slowly and the great thaw seems very far away. How can families make the most of winter and be healthy? What foods can we make that feed our soul? What activities can we all do outside that bring us joy?
Eating Well: Our bodies naturally slow down in the winter, which is why soups and stews are so inviting. Soups are a wonderful way to pack a lot of nutrients into a small bowl, and this is especially helpful for picky eaters. Soups can be meat or vegetarian based and adding a bit of cheese or goldfish on the top may make it more fun for children.
Vegetable soup tips:When preparing vegetables for dinner, keep a gallon size storage bag close for scraps (ends of onions, broccoli, carrots, etc). Keep this bag in the freezer until full, then place it in a stock pot, add salt, cover with water and simmer for 4-6 hours. Viola – homemade vegetable stock.Chicken soup tips: sweat carrots, onions and celery with 1 tsp or olive oil and 1 tsp of butter in a stock pot. Add a whole chicken with ~12 cups of water and 1 T of salt. Cook for about 4 hours, or until chicken is falling off the bone. Strain broth into another pot, add vegetables (broccoli, onion, carrots, squash, kale, spinach, celery, tomatoes, potatoes, etc), herbs of your choice, shredded chicken and cook for another hour. About 30 minutes before serving add ½ C small pasta or rice.
Favorite book: Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert. This book encourages families to plant and tend to a garden together, then at harvest time work together in the kitchen to create a delicious soup!Simple Recipe: Simple Tomato Quinoa SoupSimple Recipe: Simple Squash Soup
Enjoying Nature: It is natural to want to hibernate this time of year, however if you have young children hibernating is the last thing they want to do. I love to curl up with a cozy blanket when the snow falls, however my children rush outside to roll and play in the snow. Finding a balance and the will to venture out can be hard. Take advantage of our Colorado sunny winter days. Go for a family walk, and notice things you may not see in the spring or the summer. Look in the trees, do you see nests? Do you think they are homes for squirrels or birds? Ask your children - where do they think ladybugs go in the winter? Look for footprints in the snow (or mud) and make up a story about the critter that could have made the tracks.
Favorite book: I love dirt! By Jennifer Ward. There are 52 fun outdoor activities you can do with your children. Read it together and go on your own family adventure.
Jodie Lindsay Popma is a mother of 2 boys and lives in Longmont. She is a Holistic Nutritionist, Nutritional Educator and School Food Advocate. To learn more about Jodie visit www.smartfoodmadesimple.com. Follow me on Facebook or Instagram
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