Plant the Seeds for Fun and Food

What better way to get your child to eat her vegetables than have her grow them herself? When kids take an interest in gardening, they're looped into the process it takes to get produce to grow from seeds and ultimately end up on their plates. For toddlers and preschoolers, it's as simple as taking a few table scraps and planting them. Cutting out potato eyes, for example, doesn't cost anything extra. If potatoes in the bin go a bit longer than they should, then cut those burgeoning eyes and put them in a couple inches of soil in a deep container, like a bucket or small plastic garbage can. When the spuds sprout about four inches, then your toddler can throw more soil on top to cover completely. Repeat the growing and burying cycle until you reach the top of the container and see what comes up when you pull the sprouts. The next time you serve chick peas, dry a few of them on a paper towel on the counter for a few days, then put them in a jar and cover with warm water. Use a rubber band to secure a paper towel over the top of the jar and let sit overnight. In the morning, drain the water, cover with fresh water, and repeat the process until they start to sprout.