Making Healthy food fun!

As a mom of 2 young children, ages 2 and 5, I am always trying to introduce them to new healthy foods quite often. If you are a parent then you know some children are more picky than others and that there are “picky” days and “willing to try new things” days. As a mother, it is our responsibility to put food on the table and we are responsible for what our children eat. I realized this as I was grocery shopping last week. I was choosing what my kids would eat for the week and I thought to myself, “Man, it is truly up to me if I cook healthy or unhealthy choices for my family.” I quickly looked over what I had chosen in my cart, put some stuff back and was motivated to find new things for the kids to try and fun ways to eat it! I personally think that if mom’s make healthy food fun then kids will get excited about eating healthy!




So, as the holidays are approaching I came across a fun Halloween lunch for the kids. I had purchased a kids food cookbook at my local grocery store a while back and finally used one of the recipes. These Ham ‘N’ Cheese spiders were a hit with my kids! You could even stuff the spider with ground turkey or anything else!

                                      
5 ServingsPrep: 30 min. Bake: 15 min.

Ingredients


1 tube (12 ounces) refrigerated flaky buttermilk biscuits, separated into 10 biscuits

1 tube (11 ounces) refrigerated breadsticks, separated into 12 breadsticks

1 cup chopped fully cooked ham

2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1-1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard

5 slices process American cheese

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon water

2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives

1 tablespoon diced pimientos

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Directions

On two greased baking sheets, pat five biscuits into 3-1/2-in. circles. Cut one breadstick in half lengthwise, then in half widthwise, creating four strips. Repeat nine times (save remaining breadsticks for another use). Position eight strips of dough around each biscuit to resemble spider legs; twist and press lightly onto baking sheet. Tuck a 1/2-in. foil ball under each dough strip so it stands up in the center.

Combine the ham, onion, butter and mustard; spoon 3 tablespoons onto each biscuit circle. Fold cheese slices into quarters and place over ham mixture. Pat remaining biscuits into 4-in. circles; place over filling. Pinch edges to seal.

In a small bowl, beat egg yolk and water. Brush over tops of biscuits and breadsticks. On each spider, position two olive slices for eyes; place pimientos in center of olives. Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until browned. Yield: 5 sandwiches.


Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 511 calories, 18 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 83 mg cholesterol, 1,751 mg sodium, 66 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 20 g protein.