Produce For Kids Launches Get Healthy, Give Hope Campaign

One of the most difficult challenges I face as a parent is getting my kids to eat healthy. I always joke that "if it isn't fried, frosted or fattening, my kids won't eat it." While that isn't entirely true, some days it seems like it is. Like those days when I try to get them to eat vegetables. Fruit isn't an issue in our house and they will usually gobble most fruits right up, but if you give them something green? No way!

Produce for Kids has recently partnered with Sprout and LazyTown, and I am hoping this partnership will entice my kids to eat more vegetables. From now through the end of July, Produce for Kids will offer shoppers collectible Ideal Meals – quick and easy healthy meal ideas, which are free and can be found in displays featuring LazyTown characters from the popular, health-focused, children’s series airing exclusively in the U.S. on 24-hour preschool television channel, Sprout.

Ideal Meals offer shoppers chef-created, nutritionist-approved easy solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables as the main ingredients, Ideal Meals are great for busy families who crave fast meal options that don’t require stopping at the local drive-thru.

This promotion doesn't just entice kids to eat healthy, it also helps kids in need. The partnership with Sprout and LazyTown is part of Produce for Kids' Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign. Produce companies participating in the campaign are proud supporters of local children's charities and local children's hospitals, including those affiliated with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The more produce shoppers like us add to our shopping lists the more hope they can give to local children.

Look for the Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign at the following grocery stores:

• Meijer: May 27th – June 23rd
• Homeland: May 30th – June 27th
• Publix: May 31st – June 28th
• Kroger Southwest: June 13th – July 24th
• Fred Meyer: June 14th – July 26th
• Price Chopper: June 17th – July 28th
• King Soopers: June 20th – July 31st
• Kroger Central: June 21st – July 18th

There will also be character appearances at select stores. Visit Produce for Kids for locations and dates.

I will definitely be popping into my local Publix to check out some of these Ideal Meals! Here are a couple of recipes my family will be trying in the near future:

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Perfectly Petite Pizzas

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 whole wheat English muffins
• 4 Tbsp. tomato sauce
• ¼ lb. deli roast beef
• ¼ lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 4 Tbsp. guacamole
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 2 mini cucumbers, sliced

Preparation:

1. Toast English muffins.
2. Spread 1 Tbsp. tomato sauce on each English muffin. Add roast beef, cheese, 1 Tbsp. guacamole, tomato and cucumber.

For a complete meal serve Perfectly Petite Pizzas with:

• ½ cup watermelon chunks, oranges segments and blackberries
• A glass of water

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Pineapple Pork Kebobs

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Rosemary Garlic Marinade

• ½ cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Pineapple Pork Kebobs

• 1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut 1-inch chunks
• 1 cup pineapple, cut 1-inch chunks
• 1 cup sweet onion, cut 1-inch chunks
• 1 cup rainbow peppers, cut 1-inch chunks
• 10-inch skewers, soaked

Rosemary Veggies

• 2 cups broccoli, chunked
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 4 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Rosemary Garlic Marinade

1. Mix olive oil, rosemary and garlic in small mixing bowl. Divide in half.

Pineapple Pork Kebobs

1. Thread pork, pineapple, onions and peppers onto skewers.
2. Brush skewers with half of Rosemary Garlic Marinade, season with salt. Let stand 5 minutes.
3. Place skewers under preheated broiler 5 inches from heat; broil 10-15 minutes or until meat is firm and lightly browned.

Rosemary Veggies

1. Heat remaining marinade in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add broccoli and cherry tomatoes, cook for 5 minutes, or until broccoli is bright green and tender.
2. Remove from heat and add cheese.

For a complete meal serve Pineapple Pork Kebobs with:

• ½ cup roasted red potatoes
• ½ cup sliced apples, oranges and cherries

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Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I will be receiving a promotional item for this post. No other compensation was received. The information and Ideal Meals recipes were provided by Produce for Kids.