The Creative Kitchen has a sweet treat for the back to school season. Eleni’s Color Me! School Cookies are a fun, creative treat for kids, whether at home or at school! The sugar cookies come in playful shapes and edible markers allow children to explore their creativity and enjoy their masterpieces at the same time. Plus, Eleni’s New York is a nut free bakery, so children with nut allergies can still join in the fun!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I get to color on cookies? Awesome!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I love that Eleni’s cookies come in so many different fun shapes. They’re perfect for birthday parties and make great gifts for the holidays. It’s also great that the cookies are made in a nut free bakery, so I don’t have to worry about sending them to school with my kids.

Flavorful Features: 

Eleni’s New York Color Me! Cookies come in many fun shapes, including:

• Color Me! Hearts & Flowers Cookie
• Color Me! Party Fashionista Cookies
• Color Me! Birthday Cookies
• Color Me! Dinosaurs Cookies
• Color Me! Safari Cookies
• Color Me! On the Go Cookies
• Color Me! Dogs Cookies
• Color Me! Barnyard Cookies

Eleni’s New York also makes custom cookies for themed events like birthday parties, baby showers, and graduations!

The Icing on the Cake:

Eleni’s Color Me! School Cookies come in a convenient tin that keep the cookies safe and fresh.

Time to Eat?!

Dessert!

Good to Go?

The metal tin makes it easy to transport the cookies and markers, which makes for an easy, fun, and tasty activity that can be done almost anywhere.

Mix it Up!

Eleni’s New York Color Me! Cookies are great for kids birthday parties. They make for a fun activity, and kids can eat up their sweet, creations afterwards!

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Why Move?

“Research shows that in addition to improved health, physical activity actually supports better learning in school. When kids are physically active, they perform better academically, have better attendance and their behavior improves.

What Works?

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works “with tens of thousands of school and community organizations to develop strategies that increase physical activity before, during and after school. Of the schools that are actively engaged in the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program, more than 85 percent of the elementary schools offered at least 20 minutes of recess per day. More than 75 percent dedicated at least 20 percent of their afterschool program time to physical activity.”

Together, We Can Get Kids Moving

“Take 3 minutes to see how active environments make better learners.”

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Breakfast Cake featured on Archetypes

This dish can be whipped up on Sunday, then frozen in individual portions for reheating on hectic weekday mornings — a time-saver. To make it extra-appealing to the kids, this “cake” can be made as “cupcakes” by baking it in a muffin tin for handy single-serve portions.

Breakfast Pizza featured on Food Network

Your kids will love having pizza for breakfast, and you’ll love that this dish only takes 15 minutes to make from start to finish!

Waffle Towers featured on iVillage 

This fun and fruit-filled breakfast comes together in a snap using frozen whole wheat waffles. If you have extra time, get the kids involved and have them build their own waffle towers!

Baked Oatmeal with Harvest Fruits featured on Archetypes

If you’re pressed for time in the morning this recipe can be baked ahead of time and simply heated up. Freeze the oatmeal in individual servings, which can be defrosted and eaten another morning when you’re short on time.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Is it back-to-school time already? Not so fast! Grab your friends and celebrate the final days of summer with some ice cream! Whether you’re 5 or 50 years old, chances are you love ice cream, so invite everyone over to cool off from the summer heat while enjoying some delicious treats! With these tips from Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen, featured on iVillage, and extra tricks, you’ll be able to pull off the best party on the block while keeping your cool.

Make a Shopping List

Once you have a good grasp of how many mouths you’ll be feeding, make a list of exactly how much ice cream (or ice cream ingredients), toppings, bowls, and spoons you will need. This will cut down on trips to the grocery store and save lots of time.

If making your own ice cream isn’t in the cards, serve store-bought versions and save prep time. If you want that homemade taste without all the work, buy local. Find a specialty shop in your area that makes its own ice cream and purchase their handcrafted product. Or purchase grocery-store brands that are tried-and-true such as Häagen-Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyer’s or Edy’s.

Include Non-Dairy Options

Even though this party is about creamy treats, be sure to include non-dairy options so riends with food allergies and dietary restrictions can join in on the fun. Sorbets and popsicles are widely available in supermarkets and are super fun and easy to make on your own! See The Creative Kitchen’s Fruit Popsicle Recipe.

You can also make some delicious, healthy, non-dairy ice cream using only one ingredient: bananas! Simply take a ripe bunch of bananas, peel, chop into slices, and freeze overnight. Then, place the frozen banana slices in a food processor and process until smooth. Voila! Sweet, creamy banana ice cream! You can also add ingredients such as nut butter or chocolate chips for added flavor and fun.

The Scoop on Ice Cream Makers

Making homemade ice cream might sound complicated, but you’ll be surprised at just how simple the process is. All you need is a handful of basic ingredients, any extra flavorings you desire, and an ice cream maker. Or, if you don’t have the time or budget for a new kitchen gadget, see the next section on how you can make ice cream using unconventional methods!

1. Kids of all ages will have a ball with Industrial Revolution’s Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker! There’s no electricity needed, simply add ingredients to one end of the ball and ice and rock salt to the other. Delicious ice cream is made as you toss, shake, and roll the ball around. (Available at select retail stores or at Amazon, $25.00)
2. Cuisinart’s Automatic Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker is a serious machine that’s worth every penny and minute of time invested. Note – this machine is not for the spontaneous ice cream maker, or impatient ice cream eater, as the bowl must be frozen in advance and multiple steps are required throughout the process. But once made, the ice cream’s quality is spectacular. (Available from a number of retailers $69.95)
3. Sassafras’ inexpensive, battery-operated ice cream maker is super-simple to use. Just add ingredients, push a button and place it in the freezer. The best part? You can make two different flavors at once. Extra bonus: this ice cream maker can be purchased within a complete kids’ party kit. (Available at Amazon, $11.00)
4. Cuisipro’s Donvier Ice Cream Maker is a manual ice cream maker, which can help control the ice cream-making process and thus the final product. Use the hand-held crank to churn; more cranking means a creamier ice cream. Bonus: exercise for your arms! (Available online at Amazon, $60.00)

No Ice Cream Maker? No Problem!

Ice cream can also be made in a food processor or blender! Simply make your ice cream base according to the recipe, let the mixture cool, and freeze in a plastic bag for at least 5 hours. Once the concoction is frozen, remove from the bag and break it into chunks, then put them into a food processor or blender with some milk and cream. You may need to slowly add more liquid to help the machine do its thing. In a few minutes, you’ll have delicious, homemade ice cream!

Ice Cream Hacks

If you’re anticipating having your hands full at this party, save yourself some time and pre-scoop your ice cream into cupcake wrappers and freeze! You can do this days in advance and leave the little scoops in the freezer, then bring them out when your guests arrive.

Sick of ice cream dripping from the bottom of the cone? Stop this from happening by placing three mini marshmallows at the bottom of the cone before adding the ice cream! It will clog up the cone and provide an extra treat when your ice cream is all gone. This tip is especially great if you’re scooping cones for kids – just an easy way to prevent more messiness.

Prevent your ice cream from getting too hard in the freezer by putting the tub into a freezer bag first. This will keep the ice cream at a constant temperature and also prevent freezer burn.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

The kids are back in school and that means back to hectic morning routines and crazy after-school schedules. With all the excitement during the back-to-school season, it can be hard to prepare healthful breakfasts and snacks for your kids. Recently, Cricket shared with NY1 parenting correspondent, Shelley Goldberg, her tips and tricks for quick and easy breakfasts and snacks to give your kids a great start to the school year. Click below to view the video and continue reading for the delicious and nutritious recipes by Cricket and The Creative Kitchen team!

Breakfast Cupcakes

Breakfast cupcakes are a great go-to for busy weekday mornings. They can be made over the weekend and individually wrapped for a perfectly portioned, instant breakfast – just reheat and serve! This recipe is also great for your leftover vegetables. No need to go out and buy the exact ones featured in the recipe, just use whatever you have on hand for a quick and simple meal!

Click here to view the recipe! (This recipe is for a Breakfast Cake. To make Breakfast Cupcakes, bake them in a muffin tin instead of a skillet!)
 
 

Math Time Munchies Trail Mix 

Between picking kids up from school and driving them to football games or dance rehearsal, there is little time for healthful afternoon snacks. Our Math Time Munchies Trail Mix is great for on-the-go snacking and can be customized to your kids’ allergies and tastes! Making this Trail Mix with your kids is a great way to practice their math skills – practice counting while setting out the ingredients, fractions while measuring, and addition while combining the ingredients together!

Click here to view the recipe!
 
 

Polka Dot Pudding

Polka Dot Pudding is a sweet treat that’s yummy enough to have for dessert and healthful enough to have for breakfast or as a snack! Save time in the morning or after school by preparing this creamy, fruit-filled rice pudding ahead of time. Simply combine the cooked rice and coconut milk in a bowl and refrigerate. Then top with your kids’ favorite fruits when you’re ready to serve!

View the recipe below!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked rice (preferably Asian sticky rice or brown rice)
• 1 mango
• 2 bananas
• 2 kiwis
• 12 to 15 strawberries
• 1 14-oz. can coconut milk
• 1 cup dried shredded coconut (optional and to taste)
• Optional: 2 tablespoons sugar, honey, or agave (or to taste)

Directions:

1. Put the cooked rice into a medium mixing bowl.
2. Peel and dice the mango, bananas, and kiwi and add them to the bowl of rice.
3. Remove the stems from the strawberries, cut the fruit into small pieces, and add to the bowl.
4. Stir the coconut milk into the bowl and mix well.
5. If using, add the sugar, honey, or agave to the bowl and stir together.
6. At this point, either add the dried shredded coconut to the bowl and stir together, or the shredded coconut may be added to the top of the pudding as a garnish.

Serves 8 to 10

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Get back-to-school lunchbox inspiration with Harvest Snaps latest campaign, Lunchspiration! Create your own healthy and fun bento box by scrolling through the photos. Once you’ve selected the perfect bento box, share it on Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter to be entered to win one of three prizes up to $1,000 for school.

The bento box theme comes just in time for back-to-school lunch ideas and better-for-you snack options, including Harvest Snaps! Harvest Snaps are great for the whole family; they’re:

• Gluten-free
• Baked, not fried
• Snapea crisps are made from 70% pea
• Lentil snaps are made from 65% lentil
• High in protein and fiber
• Low in sodium and fat
• 40% less fat than regular potato chips

For more information on Harvest Snaps, plus where to buy them, visit www.HarvestSnaps.com!

Click on each link below for the complete recipe.  For more family-friendly recipe ideas, please visit The Creative Kitchen and follow us on Facebook to receive frequent updates on wholesome family-friendly recipes, tips, and events.

Monday: 

Scrambled Eggs w/ Almond Milk & Stracchino

Recipe By: Sam Talbot, SamTalbot.com

Start the week packed with protein to give the family the post-weekend jump-start they need to get back into the weekly groove!  Try Sam Talbot’s quick and easy Scrambled Eggs w/ Almond Milk & Stracchino.  This twist on a classic breakfast will certainly impress the palate!

Tuesday: 

Kewlest Blueberry Muffins

Recipe By: Reed Alexander, KewlBites

Blueberries are a kid-favorite super-food, loaded with antioxidants to feed the brain! Make a batch of Reed Alexander’s Kewlest Blueberry Muffins for a sweet breakfast treat that can be eaten at home or on-the-go.  Pair it with yogurt and a hard boiled egg for a heartier meal. Think ahead and bake this recipe over the weekend – and, if you have extra, freeze some to defrost and eat another day when you’re in a pinch for time!

Wednesday: 

Spiced Pumpkin Biscuits

Recipe from: CookingLight.com

These Spiced Pumpkin Biscuits from Cooking Light are tender and low in fat and sodium. The best part is kids can help make them!

Young Chefs Can:
• Help cut dough with biscuit cutter
• Place biscuits on baking sheet
• Help cut butter into small pieces
• Knead dough and measure dimensions

Thursday:

Breakfast Pizza

Recipe By: Cricket Azima, The Creative Kitchen

Pizza for breakfast?!  Have a fun-filled morning with Cricket Azima’s Breakfast Pizza recipe from FoodNetwork.com!  Ensure that each member of the family will adore their breakfast by getting everyone involved in the preparation.  Set up a buffet of possible toppings with a variety of vegetables and/or meats and each person can make them to taste (younger family members can point to their choices and parents can put on top). Ask kids to choose from broccoli, peas or peppers…whichever they choose, you’ll be satisfied knowing a vegetable was included!

Friday:

Breakfast Cookies

Recipe By: Ellie Krieger, Healthy Living 

It’s FRIDAY! Celebrate with cookies for breakfast!  Ellie Krieger’s Breakfast Cookies, from FoodNetwork.com are loaded with fiber and protein, keeping your family feeling full longer. Pair with a glass of milk, and some fresh fruit for a oh-so-satisfying meal.

The content of this post is courtesy of the Kids Food Festival, LLC. The Kids Food Festival is dedicated to educating families about making balanced food choices through fun and flavorful activities. Learn more at www.KidsFoodFestival.com.