Chop it while it’s Hot: How prepping veggies right when you bring them home from the store can increase the likelihood your family will eat them.

Surprise, no surprise, you found another head of molding broccoli at the back of the crisper drawer, or an unopened bag of celery growing fur buried behind the berries. When your best intentions for healthful snacking are foiled by forgetfulness, or an on the go schedule has you/your kids reaching for packages rather than produce, it can feel disheartening (or worse, wasteful).  

If we have one tip that ACTUALLY WORKS when it comes to veggie consumption, it’s to prep- wash, chop, package - it all as soon as you bring it home from the store, before it even hits the fridge (never to be seen again…). We like small to medium reusable containers that can be grabbed as easily as that bag of ‘booty - filled with sticks of carrots and celery, florets of all things cruciferous, or, even easier, cherry tomatoes (you can even leave them on the vine for a new presentation, potentially inviting reluctant triers to pluck off a few).  

Bonus tip: enlist help! Littles can rinse/dry while bigger helpers may be ready for chopping duties.  Then, before you package things up, put out a platter with a dip (we love a yogurt based ranch or a simple hummus) and/or nuts for a protein packed snack. A perfect activity for that fun few hours before dinner when the snack monsters appear :)