Veggie Fairies!!

One childhood hurdle is learning to eat healthy!  Let’s face it, eating vegetables and other healthy foods is not something a child always looks forward to.  Luckily, the Veggie Fairies at Helper’s Hollow know just how to make eating healthy fun and even tasty. 

Along with the Veggie Fairies, I would love to share some of the most helpful, healthy and delicious recipes for snacks and meals that we have found that kids will love!!

I’ll start with a family favorite!  This is a dinner that all my kids (including my almost 2 year old) love that has lots of hidden veggies and healthy foods!!

Thank you to Our Best Bites for the amazing recipe!!

Black Bean Soup

1 T olive oil

4 large cloves garlic, roughly chopped

3/4 C diced carrots (about 2 med carrots)

3/4 C diced celery (about 2 ribs)

1 C diced onion (about 1 sm-med onion)

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 3.5oz can green chilies

2 cans low-sodium beef broth

1 t kosher salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/2 t chili powder

1/4 t cumin

1/2 t dry oregano leaves

1 bay leaf

1 lime

Optional Toppings: sour cream, tortilla chips, grated cheese, chopped cilantro, etc.

 Place a large stock pot on the stove-top and set to medium-high heat.  When pan is warm, add olive oil.  Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic and saute 4-5 minutes.

 Add in the black beans, chilies, and beef broth. Stir to combine and then add the salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf.

Simmer uncovered for about 20-25 minutes or until carrots are tender.

Remove from heat. Remove bay leaf from soup.

Place soup in a blender. (You could use an immersion blender in place of this step) Place lid on blender, but remove the stopper in the lid to let heat escape. Place a paper towel over the hole to avoid splatters. 

Puree soup until completely smooth.  Optionally you could pulse until a semi-chunky soup is achieved. Squeeze in the juice from one lime and pulse to combine.

Ladle into bowls and top with desired toppings. Serve with extra lime wedges. 

Enjoy!!