There are a lot of kids who like olives. My husband was not one of those kids. Even today, he'll eat them if they're embedded in a cheesy slice of pizza, but if they're in a salad, he'll roll them to my plate. What I'm saying is a lot of people enjoy olives, but not everyone has to love them.
But olives are a great way to add nutrition to your child's diet. Olives are high in monounsaturated fats, helping to lower risk for cardiovascular disease. Olives also help with calcium absorption in bones, meaning they help make and keep bones strong. Olives are high in phytonutrients, which means at the cellular level, they help out with a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that encourage healthy cell growth and maintenance. So, if you're trying to provide your family with a foundation for long, healthy lives, encourage them to eat olives.
For picky eaters, the easiest entry to loving olives is to include them in pizza. After that, try slicing them up, and adding them to salads or offering them whole as a part of a veggie tray. One of the strongest food memories I have from my childhood includes putting an olive on each of my fingers, pretending I was a frog, and then eating them off my fingers, one by one. Yum!
Black or California olives are the most consumed type in the U.S. But if your kids love vinegar-y foods like pickles, let them try out other varieties, like Spanish or kalamata olives. My neighbors are from Puerto Rico and they are the best cooks. I've adapted one of their recipes here, making it healthier and more nutritious. Try it out and let me know what you think.
Healthy Puerto Rican Rice
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup pitted green olives
1-2 tbsp. capers or 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 - 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 tsp. turmeric
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups brown rice
In a large pot sauté onion, bell pepper, and carrots, capers (or garlic) over medium heat for 8 min., or until soft. Add olives plus a little olive juice from the jar to add olive flavor (about 2-3 tbsp.). Then add tomato sauce, turmeric, chicken broth, and rice. Cover rice and bring to a boil. When it reaches a boil, turn to low and let simmer until it looks like all the broth has been absorbed by the liquid. Stir the contents of the pot, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand 20 minutes to ensure that rice finishes cooking. Serve with lean chicken or pork.
For more ideas on feeding kids healthy meals, and teaching healthy habits with the new MyPlate, visit Super Healthy Kids
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Roskelley
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