TASTY SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS, PART DEUX!

At last, it's here ... Summer!  With the children out of school & lots of free time (for them, if not for you!), we know how challenging it can be to keep kids active during the summer months.  That's why here at Tastybaby we’ve come up with ten more great eco-friendly ideas to help keep you & your little ones happy & healthy! (Add these to last year's list & you've got 20 tasty ways to fill their summer days!) And here's Part I if you missed it last year!

10.  Plant a Garden

There is no better way to help the environment than by planting trees, but his summer take it one step further & plant a whole garden! With a little bit of research, you can customize your own garden with your favorite trees, flowers, fruit & vegetables.  Enjoy the “fruits” of your labor by picking your very own produce! This is an activity that doesn’t need to end in the summer months -- it can last all year long!  What better way to teach your kids about the earth & healthy living than with their very own garden?

9.  Paint your favorite landscape

If your art projects at the kitchen table seem to be getting a little monotonous, try a change of scenery!  Take your kids outdoors, set up an easel & let them paint their hearts out!  Each week, pick a different object in nature for them to paint -- maybe it is mountains one week & trees the next.  At the end of summer put all their paintings together for your very own summer exhibition!

8. Sign up for cooking classes

There is nothing more rewarding than watching your child cook his or her very first meal.  Help them along by signing them up for cooking classes!  Whether it is learning the basics or attempting some more adventurous techniques (like sushi!), they will learn about healthy eating & they'll have a great time doing it.  Companies such as What’s Cooking in the Bay Area &  KidFresh in New York City offer classes using only organic, locally sourced ingredients.  Check out their websites for more information or look online for classes near you.

7.  Make Homemade Organic Ice Cream

Ice cream is the perfect treat for a hot summer day ... this year, why not make it extra tasty by creating your very own?  All you need is:

1 quart organic heavy cream
1 ¼ cups organic milk
10 organic egg yolks
1 ¼ cups organic white sugar
1 vanilla bean
1 tablespoon organic vanilla extract
 
In a heavy saucepan combine the cream & milk over medium heat.  Split the vanilla bean in half, scraping out the insides & place inside the pot.  Pour half the sugar into the bowl & allow to come just to a boil.
Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks together & add vanilla extract & remaining half of the sugar.  When the cream is ready, slowly add egg mixture in & whisk thoroughly. (Be careful not to add the egg mixture all at once or you will end up with scrambled eggs!)  Once the ingredients are all combined, heat until the mixture coats the back of a metal spoon (but never bring it to a boil).
Once the mixture is thick enough, chill it in a freezer until cooled.
            
You can make a variety of ice cream flavors using fresh summer fruits like strawberries, peaches, cherries & mangos.  Now that is tasty!

6.  Set up a Lemonade Stand

Everyone remembers setting up a lemonade stand as a child, so why not do it this summer with your very own?  All you need is a table, cardboard signs & some delicious organic lemonade!  You can teach your child about the importance of giving back to the community by donating the proceeds to your favorite local charity.

5.  Fly a Kite

Looking for a great way to spend a summer afternoon?  Go fly a kite!  What a thrill it is to watch the kite go higher & higher up in the sky ... on a sunny, breezy day, it couldn’t be more simple!

4.  Tye Die T-Shirts

Let your kids make their own individual art that they can wear!  This is the perfect activity for your kids & friends to do during a summer playdates.  All you need is organic cotton t-shirts, rubber bands, colored powdered dye, squeeze bottles, plastic bags, scissors, newspapers & rubber gloves.

Before beginning, take proper precautions by placing newspapers on the floor.  Take a t-shirt & section it out by wrapping rubber bands around it.  Wearing rubber gloves mix, the dyes in squeeze bottles & squirt the dye onto the crevices & folds of the t-shirt.  Apply different colors to different areas.  Once finished, place the t-shirt into a plastic bag & set aside for a few hours.

Remove the garment from the bag & rinse one section of the colored areas at a time.  Try to avoid having the dye run into different sections if possible.  Remove the rubber bands & place the t-shirt on a flat surface to dry.

3.  Have a Picnic

Next time lunch time rolls around & the weather is just right, why not pack a picnic?  Assemble healthy sandwiches, cut ripe summer fruit, whip up our favorite spicy lentil dip*, grab a blanket & you are ready to go!  Whether it is in a park, at the beach or in your backyard, picnics are so much fun! (check out blog from our Malibu picnic!)

            * To make the spicy lentil dip:

6 3.5 ounce packs (2 boxes) Tastybaby Bollywood Baby, thawed
2 Tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
1 small organic yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves organic garlic, crushed
1 tsp of fresh organic ginger, grated or finely chopped
1⁄2 tsp ground organic turmeric
1 tsp ground organic coriander
1 Tbsp organic tomato paste
2 Tbsp of organic italian parsley, finely chopped Kosher salt & fresh ground organic pepper

Our Tasty Recipe:  
Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat & cook onion, garlic & ginger until the onion is soft. Add turmeric, coriander & tomato paste & continue stirring. Add thawed Bollywood Baby to onion mixtureb & combine by stirring well. Add 1 Tbs olive oil to loosen, then add parsley & season with salt & pepper to taste. Remove from heat & let cool. Serve at room temperature with toasted pita or fresh veggies.

2.  Decorate bicycles and go for a bike ride

Let your kids' creative juices flow & let them decorate their bikes.  Provide them with colorful streamers, yarn, balloons, glitter, markers & cardboard so they can make their very own nameplates.  After they finish decorating the bikes, go for a spin around the neighborhood & display all of their great work (make sure to remember to wear a helmet)!

1.  Dance, Dance, Dance!

When you can’t seem to find anything else & the kids keep saying “I’m bored!” turn on the stereo, pop in a CD & have your own dance party right in your house.  Whether it is ballet or hip-hop, dancing allows for kids to learn new moves & get a great workout!