A couple of years ago I caught Jessica Seinfeld on Oprah promoting her book, Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food. The book offers recipes that include pureed that can’t be detected by kids. It seems too easy, but hallelujah it works! My kids have eaten cauliflower, butternut squash and spinach…without knowing it. My kids are 15 and 12 and given a choice, eat only from three basic food groups: pizza, chicken nuggets, and macs and cheese. When I force veggies on them, I can only get them to eat a few baby carrots or yellow squash…maybe. (Hannah loves squash casserole which is basically yellow squash smothered in cream and cheese!)

Since getting the book, I made chocolate granola bars with spinach (its the blueberry bars in the book, but I used chocolate), added squash to macs and cheese, and tonight included cauliflower and sweet potato in homemade chicken and rice soup. And they ate it and liked it! Better yet, I didn’t have to bug them about eating their veggies.

I do include regular veggies as a side and make them eat them. But I don’t have to worry about the one bite they take because I know they are getting other veggies covertly.

The planning and having ready-made puree is a hassle. I don’t like planning or hassles. My solution has been to use baby food. Its already pureed and ready to ad. Plus the small (level 1) size jars are just the right amount for most meals.

Another good book is The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine that uses the same hide-the-veggies strategy. She offers some great recipes and few more puree ideas.

By Mike Geary, Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer

Hi again. Mike here with another Lean-Body Secrets Ezine.

Today, I have one of my never before released delicious Lean-Body desserts or snacks that always helps to satisfy my sweet tooth while at the same time getting TONS of quality nutrition.

It’s my own special version of a healthy peanut-butter-fudge! If you don’t like nuts or peanut butter, you can simply leave out those ingredients and make a chocolate-only version. Pay attention, because there are specific ingredients that make this a LOT healthier for you than typical fudge.

I will say that this dessert / snack is not low-calorie per se, but it is loaded with quality healthy fats, some protein, LOTS of antioxidants, and is relatively low in sugar, while also containing a decent dose of fiber. Overall, it’s a great snack that helps curb your appetite, fuel your muscles, loads you up on protective antioxidants, and quells that sweet tooth that often makes you overeat on refined sweets.

Geary’s Lean-Body Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

• 3/4 cup organic coconut milk (not the watered down “light” version which just replaces some of the healthy coconut fat with water)
• 1 bar (3-5 oz. bar works well) of quality extra dark chocolate (look for at least 70-75% cocoa content on the label)
• 4-5 tablespoons of peanut butter or your favorite nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, macadamia butter, etc)
• 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/2 cup whole almonds (optional)
• 2 Tbsp raw wheat germ
• 2 Tbsp rice bran (usually only available at health food stores)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A little stevia powder to sweeten

Start by adding the coconut milk (cans of organic coconut milk are available at most health food stores and possibly even your grocery store) and vanilla extract to a small saucepan on very low heat. Break up the extra dark chocolate bar into chunks and add into pot. Add the nut butter and the stevia, and continuously stir until it all melts together into a smooth mixture.

Then add the raisins, almonds, wheat germ, and rice bran and stir until fully blended. Spoon/pour the fudge mixture onto some waxed paper in a dish and place in the fridge until it cools and solidifies together. Place in a closed container or cover with foil in fridge to prevent it from drying out.

Enjoy small squares for dessert and for small snacks throughout the day. This is about as good as it gets for a healthy yet delicious treat!

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