Real Food Recipes for Healthy Leprechauns - Dye Free St. Patrick's Day Treats

Sometimes life intervenes and I don't get to do what I want as a blogger.  I'd planned on making guacamole dip from the cookbook I was featured in as my 2011 Saint Patrick's Day recipe, but out of town Spring Break visitors and urgent care visits said otherwise. (Little boo is breathing fine now!)

So instead, here is a round-up of some real green recipes I have featured before on Food with Kid Appeal, as well as links to some of the other places FwKA recipes have been featured.

Party Drama
A holiday is a mixed bag for a real foodie.  I believe kids can have a blast making and tasting food that is naturally colored and enjoy a holiday with real food treats.  I get grief from family who think I'm just a holiday bah humbug because I snub my nose a petrochemical food dyes and junky store bought treats on holidays.  Party hosts get their feelers hurt when my kids or I opt out of a chemically food-dyed item.

It's hard for everybody to wrap their brain around what I oppose. I'm anti junky food additives.  I'm not anti sugar, treats, fun or colorful food.  It's also hard to reconcile the gap between my definition of "moderation" and others' definition of "moderation."  I don't want to eat junky chemical food additives in moderation.  I don't want to eat them at all.  Since food scarcity is rarely an issue at a party and there are usually plenty of menu items to choose from, I can usually still find something to eat at a party that doesn't involve ingesting factory made junk.  I'm very fortunate that all of my family cooks from scratch most of the time. Outside of store bought treats, family meals are usually pretty nourishing.

I choose to eat real food treats in moderation.  I choose to almost nearly eliminate factory made food even during holidays and special occasions.  I'm not judging other folks choices, I'm taking care of my health. I'm teaching my kids to think about the food they eat, even foods they eat in moderation.

I will be saying "no thanks" to artificially colored menu items tonight at our family St. Patrick's day party.  The kids are on their own.  If they want to indulge, they may.  They may say no thanks as well, not sure how it will all play out.  I will probably catch some hell for my choices and theirs. I can live with that.

Kid Appeal Tip  According to a little web research, leprechauns cause mischief by pinching people on St. Patrick's Day.  In order to avoid a prank by a leprechaun you can wear green so they don't see you.  Why not take that a little farther with the tots?  Let them know that in addition to wearing green, they can be even more invisible to leprechauns by eating plenty of real green food.  Leprechauns can see artificial colors so the only sure way to protect against a pinch is eating naturally green food. Green food like broccoli, spinach, kiwi and grapes.  Let me know if it works in getting some wholesome food down the hatch!

Naturally Green St. Patrick's Day Recipes
Green Kefir Smoothie from Not a Short Order Cook.

Green Monster Smoothie from Brenda at Meal Planning Magic

Green Macaroni and Cheese from FwKA







Healthy Little Green Pearls from FwKA








St. Patrick Day recipe round-ups featuring Food with Kid Appeal recipes and guest posts
I'm always so honored when an unknown blogger or reader decides to link up to one of my posts.  Thanks for the love!  Disclaimer (not all recipes featured by other bloggers are chemical dye free...).
PBS Kitchen Explorers
Meal Planning Magic
The Foodies
Polka Dot Design
Two Kids Cooking
My Delicious Ambiguity
Pitter Patter Fun
Nourish MD
Mr Food
Two Kids and a mom Cooking
Messy Kids
Red Plum 
Food with Kid Appeal (more green recipes)

(If you linked up to one of my posts for a St. Pat's article and I missed you, I'm sorry!  Leave me a comment with the URL and I'll get the list updated.)

This post is participating in Life as Mom's St Pat's URS and Pennywise Platter (link coming soon).

Enjoy your little leprechauns today!