It is that time of year again, time to say goodbye to the pool days and hello to school days! Which means it is time to get back into a routine. No more dinners at 9pm. Gone are the mornings for sleeping in (and wouldn’t ya know I just got my kiddos accustomed to the idea, only took practically all summer break, ha-ha). And time to start the school year off right, on a healthy note! Nutrition is important at home and in the classroom. Which is why I am excited to share that Produce for Kids is teaming up with Meijer stores for the second annual Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign to raise money for local health and nutrition-based classroom projects through DonorsChoose.org. Last year, the campaign raised more than $169,000 and supported 652 classroom projects throughout the country.
Beginning Sept. 2 to Sept. 28, the joint campaign will help raise money for classroom projects that encourage healthy relationships with food. The more produce Meijer shoppers add to their shopping lists, the more hope they can give to local children. All participating fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers at Meijer stores will make a consumption-based donation DonorsChoose.org.
Parents, be on the lookout for Produce for Kids signage, featuring characters from the popular Sprout® television show, The Chica Show, in the produce section of your local Meijer store. There, you will find Ideal Meals recipes, tips and solutions to help you keep your family healthy for back-to-school and year-round.
I have to warn you, all the recipes are amazing! I let each of my kiddos pick out two to make with mom during our kids in the kitchen sessions together. Having your children help select the produce from the store, clean it, and prepare a meal really fosters the learning process.
3 out of 3 of my kiddos gave these recipe 5 stars (or moons, said the 3-year-old, lol!) thus; it only seems appropriate to share…..
Blueberry Banana Pancakes
Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
1 cup fat free milk
3 Tbsp. canola oil
1 egg
1 banana, sliced
½ cup blueberries
2 tsp. caramel dip (optional)
1 Tbsp. pecans, finely chopped (optional)
Directions:
1.Sift flours, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Add milk, oil and egg, and mix until moistened.
2.Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat; spray with cooking spray. Spoon ¼ cup pancake mixture onto skillet. Add sliced bananas and blueberries, and cook 2-3 minutes, or until pancakes begin to bubble. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes, or until done.
3.Top with pecans and drizzle with caramel dip. (optional)
For more great recipes like this one be sure to check out Produce for Kids website…also has great after school snack ideas!
Disclosure…
Produce for Kids put together a goody bag filled with great ways for me to further extend the message. My kiddos have taken the lunch bag and sandwich bag to school which had a few children inquiring about Produce for Kids. And I have been sporting the travel cup all over town. But I felt a little bummed that I couldn’t send one to my loyal readers. So I am doing what I constantly tell my children to do…
I simply have to share! But the campaign only goes till the 28th so this will be a flash giveaway! I am giving away one $25 Meijer’s gift card!!
To enter simply complete the following….
- Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook page
- Follow @mamaof3onthego on twitter
- Like Produce for Kids Facebook page
- Follow @produceforkids on twitter
- Post a comment expressing you have completed the steps above and state what is your favorite fruit or vegetable.
Winner will be randomly selected Sept. 23rd @ 11:59pm
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 
My oldest loves to pick out recipe cards at Meijer 🙂 He gets very disappointed when we don’t have time to look through the cards!
That is too cute Piper! It is crazy how much time kiddos can take looking through the cards…like it is the last decision they will ever make, lol!
Completed all steps above! At favorite are strawberries and my son loves bananas!
We like fruit!
I completed all the steps above. Around here, we all love our fresh grown green beans and sweey corn
All steps completed. Our family’s favorite vegetable is Squash and our Favorite fruit is Strawberries
All steps completed. My favorite fruit is cantaloupe.
All steps are completed. We love corn on the cob or carrots but they have to be raw.
produce for kids fb fan Brittney house
produce for kids twitter fan bbrittbrat1398
I commented and we love Brussels sprouts and berries of all kinds~
I like you on Facebook. Deb Christie
I like Produce for Kids on Facebook. Deb Christie
I completged all of the steps. My favorite fruit is a banana.
Congrats Marcia you are the winner!! At your earliest convenience please send your address to mommyblissmarks@gmail.com so that I can get that sent out ASAP. Thank you 🙂
Ive completed all the steps
twitter:@brodsen
fb:Jessica Layne Eramian
My favorite fruit is watermelon my favorite veggie is broccoli
DID ALL! FAVORITE FRUIT IS STRAWBERRIES AND FAVORITE VEGGIE IS CORN 🙂
I like the facebook pages (Shannon Faith) and follow on twitter (MamaMichigan) and my favorite fruit is strawberries. I’m not a veggie fan though! lol
Shannon F
shannybakes(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Followed all on twitter with my name natstackz0
Liked both on fb with my name Natalie yeoman
My favorite fruit is strawberries
Liked, Followed, Liked, and Followed! Facebook: Wendy Darling (wendy.darling.148) Twitter: ZMDarling
My favorites are avocado and any kind of berries!
Done, My favorite is Watermelon
I like you on Facebook.
I like Produce for Kids on Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter.
I follow Produce for Kids on Twitter.
My favorite fruit is blueberries 🙂
I did all the likes and follows. My favorite vegetable is corn on the cob, my favorite fruit is strawberries(:
Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook page as Denise Donaldson
Follow @mamaof3onthego on twitter as @itsjustme62613
Like Produce for Kids Facebook page as Denise Donaldson
Follow @produceforkids on twitter as @itsjustme62613
my favorite fruit is peaches
winz135 at gmail.com
Liked Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook page as Joy Quinnan
joyq19135 at yahoo dot com
Following @mamaof3onthego on twitter as @joyq74
joyq19135 at yahoo dot com
Liked Produce for Kids Facebook page as Joy Quinnan
joyq19135 at yahoo dot com
Following @produceforkids on twitter as @joyq74
joyq19135 at yahoo dot com
I have completed all the above steps & my favorite fruit is peaches
joyq19135 at yahoo dot com
I completed all the steps. My favorite fruit is strawberries.
I completed the steps, my favorite fruit is strawberries! [: