Eat Right: Healthy Kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipes

The holidays are a chance for New Jammies families to sit down together and be thankful for the year that has passed and the new one ahead. Especially at Thanksgiving.

The annual Turkey Day dinner offers a bounty of fruits, vegetables and sweet and savory cuisine that often appeases adults more than kids. Picky eaters sometimes become even pickier when yams, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie are involved.

Thankfully, New Jammies is here to help.

We’ve found healthy Thanksgiving recipes sure to make everyone at the table happy. Even the kids. Happy holidays and bon appetite. Gobble gobble!

Thanksgiving Apple and Dip Appetizer
Courtesy http://www.superhealthykids.com

Ingredients
One large Honeycrisp apple

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
1 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions
The key to this appetizer is to prevent your apples from turning brown. To prevent browning, use lemon juice for the tart flavor. Slice apple in wedges and arrange slices in a fan shape like a turkey tail. Place every other apple up and then down. Fill small dish with peanut butter yogurt dip and garnish with a piece of candy corn for beak and raisins or chocolate chips for eyes.

Salad Greens with Pears, Fennel and Walnuts
Courtesy http://www.mayoclinic.org

Ingredients
6 cups mixed salad greens
1 medium fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 medium pears, cored, quartered and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions
Divide the salad greens onto 6 plates. Scatter the fennel and pear slices over the greens. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and walnuts. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar. Add black pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.

Healthy Cranberry Sauce (adapted from WH Foods)
Courtesy http://www.superhealthykids.com

Ingredients
1 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries
1/2 cup honey

Instructions
Place OJ, ginger, and cinnamon in a sauce pan. Turn on medium heat until it reaches a boil. Then add the package of cranberries. Stir over heat for 10 minutes. Add honey. Stir until well combined.

Zucchini Oven Chips
Courtesy http://www.myrecipes.com

Ingredients
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fat-free milk
2 1/2 cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices zucchini (about 2 small)
Cooking spray

Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°. Combine first five ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Place milk in a shallow bowl. Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place coated slices on an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray; place rack on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp. Serve immediately.

Paleo Pumpkin Bars
Courtesy http://www.hummusapien.com

Ingredients
¾ cup creamy almond butter
½ cup pumpkin puree
1 overripe medium banana
¼ cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp coconut flour
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
⅓ cup chocolate chips and/or walnuts, optional

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray an 8x8in square baking dish with cooking spray. Place almond butter, pumpkin, banana, maple syrup, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Stir until well-combined. Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring until smooth. Pour into prepared baking dish, smoothing with a spatula. Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Serves 12.