The Sambucol Blackberry Elderberry Gummies are a sweet, vegan gummy vitamin meant to provide the body with extra immune support. Filled with 1.7g of elderberry and accompanied by zinc and vitamin C. The gummies are sure to make you and your child smile while supporting your immune system every day.

by Cricket Azima, 2023

From the Mouth of a Kid:

These gummies smell so good and taste even better!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

The Elderberry Gummies are the best at supporting my family’s immune system. Filled with vitamin C and zinc, the gummies are a positive addition to my children’s day. The taste is delicious, and the benefits are completely worth it!

The Icing on the Cake:

Vegan, nut-free, as well as free of artificial colors and preservatives. You know exactly what you are getting with the Black Elderberry Gummies, the zinc and vitamin C-filled gummy.

www.sambucolusa.com

www.facebook.com/sambucol

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.

Who doesn’t love a light and savory on-the-go snack? That’s perfect for lunchboxes? And packed with vitamins and minerals? Sign us up! gimMe Snacks’ Roasted Seaweed Snacks are crunchy, savory, and roasted to light and crispy perfection! They come in many different flavor combinations so everyone in the family can get what they prefer. Kids just love this roasted seaweed snack, which is great because it’s so good for them! It contains vitamins and minerals, heart-healthy Omega-3s, and even helps to improve brain function and thyroid health! The entire gimMe product line is made with premium USDA Certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified seaweed sustainably cultivated and harvested in South Korea. We love gimMe’s use of super clean ingredients, as well as their belief in using real, high-quality ingredients that help to keep our diets and our environment clean.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

My favorite is the teriyaki flavor!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I was a bit skeptical of seaweed before trying gimME Snacks’ Roasted Seaweed Snacks, but now I’m hooked, and so are my kids! I’m so happy we have a savory snack that they now ask for over and over again, rather than the sugary treats they usually beg for. The clean ingredients are just amazing, and who knew seaweed was such a superfood? I’m so grateful for the vitamins and minerals in it that can sometimes be tricky to incorporate into my kids’ diets, when they turn their noses up at fruits and vegetables so often. I always have these in my pantry (and my car!), and the single serving packages make it incredibly easy to throw into lunchboxes and backpacks for my kids.

Flavorful Features:

gimMe’s Roasted Seaweed Snacks come in these yummy flavors:

• Sea Salt
• Avocado Oil
• Teriyaki
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Toasted Sesame
• Wasabi

The Icing on the Cake:

This snack is chock-full of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, B-12, and iodine. It’s also gluten-free, USDA Certified organic, and only 25 calories per serving. 

Time to Eat?!

Lunch, dinner, mid-morning, after-school, even midnight! You name it, and it’s a good time to eat gimMe’s Roasted Seaweed Snacks.

Good to Go?

These were MADE for taking with you on-the-go. Individually-portioned packages are great for lunchboxes, backpacks, purses, even your snack box in the car for emergency snacking!

Mix it Up!

Crunch up some of these seaweed snacks and add to your favorite salad or pasta dish for some extra flavor and texture! Crrrrrrunch!

www.gimmesnacks.com

www.facebook.com/gimmeseaweed

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.

Product Round-Up

Is anyone else as ready for warmer weather as we are? We love everything that comes with the summer season, especially yummy frozen treats! Today we’re bringing you a list of some of our favorite ice creams, popsicles, and other frozen snacks, along with some recipes that you and your little chefs can make at home! This list is definitely not just for kids – these sweet treats will satisfy anyone’s craving for something frozen and sweet on a hot day!

Ice Cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Here’s some of our favorite brands.

1. Tea-rrific Chamomile Ice Cream: Is your family adventurous when it comes to trying new foods and flavors? Check out this brand that makes tea-flavored ice cream! Their premium ice cream is made with fresh hormone-free cream, cage-free eggs, and organic cane sugar.
2. Jeni’s Ice Cream: Their wide variety of fun, yummy flavors is just half of why we love Jeni’s! They don’t use any artificial ingredients, flavorings, or dyes.
3. NadaMoo Ice Cream: Whether you’re on a dairy-free diet or just enjoy the taste, NadaMoo is the choice for you! Their creamy, coconut milk ice cream is organic, sustainable, and DELISH!

Popsicles

There’s nothing like a cold popsicle on a hot day. Check out the list below for some of our favorites!

1. Chloe’s popsicles: These fruit pops are made with just three ingredients! Yep, that’s right, THREE! And they come in a bunch of different, yummy flavors, so everyone in the family can find a favorite!
2. GoodPop popsicles: Another brand that uses real, organic, and whole ingredients to bring you a frozen treat that won’t have you raising an eyebrow at the ingredient list. They’ve got a bunch of fun flavors as well, some dairy-based, and others that aren’t!
3. DeeBee’s Organics SuperFruit Freezies: These organic freezer pops will make you forget all about those other sugary frozen popsicles with hidden artificial ingredients.
4. So Delicious Coconut Milk Organic Fudge Bars: Got chocolate on your mind? This one’s for you! The rich flavor and hint of creamy coconut will get your taste buds jumping for joy!
5. Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars: Their delicious creamy texture and taste will have you thinking this is ice cream you’re eating! Well, it’s not – it’s Greek yogurt! They’re got 5 grams of protein and made without any artificial sweeteners.

Other Frozen Treats

Here are some other frozen treats that we just had to include!

1. Pitaya Plus Frozen Dragon Fruit Cubes: Looking for some variety for your family’s smoothies? We love dragon fruit for this reason! PLUS, it’s rich in magnesium and antioxidants, high in fiber, and a good source of iron.
2. Chobani Champions (they’ve since been re-branded to Chobani Gimmies!): These fun yogurt tubes are perfect for little chefs’ hands! They’re chock-full of protein, Vitamin D, and calcium, and the ingredient list is short – which we love! And lastly, they’re great when frozen in the freezer overnight – it’s like a frozen ice cream tube!

Recipes

Looking for some new pasta recipes to add some variety to your family’s meals? These are some of our favorites!

1. Chef Cricket’s recipe for Coco-Mango Frozen Ice Pops will have you and your family thinking you’re on a tropical vacation! There’s only FOUR ingredients, and it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 to make this treat that’s perfect for summer.
2. Check out this blog post with a bunch of yummy popsicle recipes you can easily make at home with your kids. They only require a couple ingredients!
3. Cooking Light also has some easy popsicle recipes with some interesting flavors! Even one for mom and dad with champagne!

Ice Cream-Related Tips & Tricks

Click below for suggestions on our favorite ice cream scoop, fun ice cream-inspired baking kits, and tips for throwing your own ice cream social!

1. Midnight Scoop: Say hello to effortless ice cream scooping! Unlike other ice cream scoops, the Midnight Scoop has a curved handle, which is where all the magic happens. This allows you to keep your wrist straight and avoid straining it while trying to dig into your favorite flavor!
2. Handstand Kitchen Ice Cream Parlor Baking Collection: Take a look at Handstand Kitchen’s fun ice cream-shaped cookie cutters and molds!
3. Throw the Perfect Ice Cream Social: Check out this blog post for Chef Cricket’s tips to make your next ice cream party one for the books!

Do you have any favorite ice cream or popsicle brands, or any yummy recipes that you love? Let us know over on Instagram!

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.

We love when we find new and interesting versions or ways to eat our favorite foods, whether for convenience or just plain fun! Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips cross both of these off the list; it’s a fun and different way to eat fruit that’s also super convenient if you can’t find the real deal in the store. Dragon fruit boasts ton of nutritional benefits, too, such as boosting your immune system and helping digestion! Pocas focuses on natural, organic food that’s carefully sourced from around the world, beneficial for living a healthful life.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

It’s crunchy fruit! AND SUCH A COOL COLOR!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

My kids love their snacks, and I mean really, really love their snacks. I try to find a good balance, but it can be hard when most of the time they just want candy! They like fruit though, so I was happy to discover these Dragon Fruit Chips by Pocas. It’s a nice way to switch up serving fresh fruit and my kids love the taste and fun color! I love the nutritional benefits of dragon fruit too; lots of vitamins and minerals all around.

Flavorful Features:

Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips come in two types: Red Flesh Dragon Fruit or White Flesh Dragon Fruit.

The Icing on the Cake:

Dragon fruit provides a ton of Potassium, Vitamins C, B1, B2, and B3, as well as Iron and Calcium. Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips are non-GMO, gluten free, and 100% natural!

Time to Eat?!

Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips are a great choice for a morning or afternoon snack, or even a dessert when you don’t want something too sweet!

Good to Go?

Pocas Dragon Fruit Chips come in re-sealable bags, so they’re perfect to take with you on the go!

Mix it Up!

Add some of these dragon fruit chips into a salad for some extra crunch and a touch of sweetness. Or, top your next smoothie bowl with them for some crunch, too!

www.pocas.com

www.facebook.com/pocasinternational

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.

If you struggle to get your picky eaters the essential nutrients they need, you’re not alone. It can be tricky when your kids only like a certain number of foods. We’re here to help! You and your little ones will love Otamot‘s nutritious and delicious pasta sauce. Packed with a handful of vitamins and ten organic vegetables, this sauce provides the nutrition your kids need, while satisfying their taste buds and tummies! This versatile addition to your pantry will become a staple in your household!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

Yummy Sauce! It’s my favorite with meatballs.

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I have loved Otamot’s pasta sauce ever since I first discovered it! My kids aren’t big fans of vegetables in general, and this sauce makes it so easy to get them the nutrients they’re missing out on. There’s no added sugar or preservatives, which is super important to me. It’s also packed with vitamins and healthy oils, and just tastes really good! Overall this is a great product that I always have in pantry!

The Icing on the Cake:

Otamot sauce is made from 10 organic vegetables, including sweet potato, butternut squash, spinach, and red beet. There’s no added sugar or preservatives, and it’s non-GMO!

Time to Eat?!

Otamot sauce is a great addition to any meal – lunch or dinner! Add it to pasta, chicken, soups, or casseroles for an extra punch of flavor and nutrients!

Mix it Up!

Great for kids who shy away from the spices in salsa to add as the tomato flavor in tacos, burritos, or nachos.

www.otamotfoods.com

www.facebook.com/OtamotFoods

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.

Calling all pasta lovers: there’s a new pasta on the scene and it’s changing the dinner game big time! It’s time to talk about Veggiecraft Farms and their mouth-watering vegetable-based pastas. Using just three simple ingredients – cauliflower, peas, and lentils – Veggiecraft Farms has created nutritional pastas that are high in fiber and protein, packed full of vitamins, and low in sodium and carbohydrates. Needless to say, these natural, vegetable-based pastas will make for a filling, well-balanced dinner that the entire family is sure to enjoy!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I love the spaghetti the most! The noodles are fun to eat!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I absolutely LOVE Veggiecraft Farms because the pastas are packed full of so many nutrients and it tastes just like regular pasta. I never thought I’d see the day when my kids begged for cauliflower, lentils, and peas for dinner, but they can’t get enough of the Veggiecraft Farms spaghetti! They’re great for families with food allergies because they’re gluten-free and dairy-free. On top of that, the Veggiecraft Farms website has some great pasta recipes that don’t take long at all to prepare, and the high protein from the vegetables means full stomachs and happy faces in our household!

Flavorful Features:

Veggiecraft Farms makes both spaghetti and penne pasta shapes. You can purchase them separately in packs of four or get the variety pack, which includes two boxes of penne and two boxes of spaghetti. Check out their website for some delicious pasta recipes, including Cauliflower Pesto and Sundried Tomato Pasta.

The Icing on the Cake:

In addition to being non-GMO, these high protein pastas are vegan and kosher. The cauliflower is a great source of Vitamin C, vitamin K, and omega-3s, while the lentils give you sustained energy. Additionally, the peas are rich in antioxidants and full of vitamins which aid in eye health.

Time to Eat?!

Veggiecraft Farms pasta is full of protein and doesn’t take long to prepare, which makes it the perfect meal for family dinners. Any extras can always be refrigerated and eaten for lunch the next day!

www.veggiecraftfarms.com/pages/our-story

www.facebook.com/veggiecraftfarms

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.

If you’re looking to mix up your selection of nutritious grains, grab a bag of sorghum! This naturally gluten-free grain is similar to rice or quinoa, and is rich in antioxidants. It’s also packed full of other nutrients such as protein, iron, Vitamin B6, and magnesium. Sorghum is a very versatile grain with a simple flavor profile, making it a no-brainer for parents looking for ways to simplify mealtime and satisfy different palates at home. It can be used for any meal of the day; in pancakes at breakfast, in salads or soups at lunch and dinner, and you can even pop it like popcorn!

Join us at our Whole Foods cooking classes the week of September 23rd where we’ll incorporate sorghum into our recipes! Visit our calendar for more information on our classes.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

It’s fluffy and kinda tastes like rice!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Sorghum has become a household staple for us! I love the nutrients it provides: one serving has almost half the recommended daily intake of protein and iron, and it’s a good source of minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium. It’s filling and everyone in the family loves it. And, it’s so easy to make! I’ve used it as a substitute for other grains in some of my usual recipes, too.

The Icing on the Cake:

There are a number of reasons why we love sorghum, but we love its versatility the most: you can pop it like popcorn, use sorghum flour to make your favorite baked goods, or cook it like rice to add to salads, soups, and other dishes.

Time to Eat?!

Sorghum can be incorporated into any meal – breakfast, lunch, snack time, dinner, or dessert! 

Mix it Up!

If you’re looking for more creative ways to add sorghum to your diet, add it to a soup or stew to turn a broth into a hearty and nutrient-filled meal.

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 excited for summer barbecue season with True Made Foods’ Pitmaster Low Sugar BBQ Sauce! This sauce packs your classic tangy, Kansas City-style flavors into a veggie-based, low-sugar and corn syrup-free alternative. It’s made with sweet veggies for all-natural flavoring, resulting in only 5 grams of added sugars and 35 calories per serving. On top of it all, the sauce contains essential vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, making it the only nutrient-dense barbecue sauce of its kind. Hats off to True Made Foods for sharing this better-for-you version of a classic American staple!

The Creative Kitchen is thrilled to have True Made Foods as a Supporting Sponsor of the LA Kids Food Festival on August 17th + 18th. Learn more about the festival here!

From the Mouth of a Kid: 

This sauce makes my chicken yummy! 

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Barbecue season just got so much better! This BBQ sauce from True Made Foods is all-natural, low-calorie, low-sodium, and low-sugar. It’s great because it’s sweetened with butternut squash, carrots, and spinach – and only a touch of brown sugar. Everybody in my house is a big fan! I love the nutrients, and we all love the delicious taste: it’s truly a win-win for the whole family!

The Icing on the Cake:

True Made Food’s Pitmaster Low Sugar BBQ Sauce is non-GMO, gluten free, and certified paleo-vegan friendly, making it accessible to families with many varieties of diets and dietary restrictions!

Time to Eat?!

Any time you want to add some more nutrients to your family meals, choose True Made Foods Low Sugar BBQ Sauce! The vegetables included in their recipe provide potassium, iron. Vitamin K, and protein.

Mix it Up!

Mix this barbecue sauce into whipped cream cheese, to taste, and serve as a dip with your favorite potato chip!

www.truemadefoods.com

www.facebook.com/TrueMadeFoods

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.

Who doesn’t love veggies dipped in ranch dressing? With Bitsy’s Garden Ranch flavored Smart Crackers, you get that classic ranch flavor (plus all the vitamins from the vegetables) in one little package — perfect for snacking on in the car, or throwing in a lunch box. For only 100 (organic!) calories, these crackers offer more than half of the daily recommended amount of immune system boosting vitamin A, 15% of daily calcium for strong bones, and so much more!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

They’re crunchy and the shapes are fun!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

My kids love these crackers, and I feel great serving them to my kids since they’re packed with vegetables! They’re great for packing in lunches or as a snack on the go.

Flavorful Features:

Bitsy’s makes all sorts of Smart Crackers: Cheddar Chia, Cinnamon Sweet Potato, Sweet Maple Carrot, and of course, Garden Ranch. They also have cookies made with ingredients like beets, zucchini, and sweet potatoes.

The Icing on the Cake:

Tiny crackers are perfect for tiny hands and they’re mess free. Bitsy’s also has a trial bundle, so your little ones can try all the flavors to see which ones they like best.

Mix it Up!

Dip them in hummus for a protein rich snack, or, crush them up and use them instead of breadcrumbs on oven baked chicken tenders for a boost of veggies at meal time.

www.bitsys.com

www.facebook.com/BitsysBrainfood

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.

Finding snacks that can be enjoyed by everyone can be difficult with allergies and flavor preferences, so when we found Enjoy Life Breakfast Ovals we had to spread the word! These soft-baked whole grain snacks are free from the 14 most common allergies and are also gluten-free! They come in four varieties, so there is sure to be a flavor that everyone will enjoy. With whole grain oats as the first ingredient, Breakfast Fruit and Oat Ovals provide important vitamins and minerals as well as fiber keeping you energized and fuller for longer.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

It tastes like a cookie, and I get to eat it for breakfast. My mom is the best!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Finding a way to get my kids to eat a nutritious breakfast is a monotonous task, especially when they are begging for sugary cereal every morning. They put their nose up at a bowl of oatmeal or whole wheat toast, but when these breakfast ovals entered the kitchen they became a hit! The kids gobble them up because its tastes like a cookie, and I am happy to know they have clean and wholesome ingredients, a good amount of fiber, and 20 grams of whole grains. They not only are great for breakfast but also for an easy after-school snack.

Flavorful Features:

Enjoy Life Breakfast fruit and oat Ovals come in four delectable flavors:

• Berry medley
• Maple fig
• Apple cinnamon
• Chocolate chip banana

The Icing on the Cake:

All Enjoy Life products are gluten-free and free from 14 common allergies so almost everyone can enjoy these tasty treats.

Time to Eat?!

Munch on these Breakfast Ovals for a quick breakfast or an afternoon-snack.

Good to Go?

These are the perfect size to fit in mom’s purse or your kids’ lunchboxes.

Mix it Up!

Skip the granola and use the Breakfast Fruit and Oat Oval as a mix-in for yogurt!

www.enjoylifefoods.com

www.facebook.com/enjoylifefoods

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.