I was terrified the first time I threw a kids’ party without the usual pizza and brightly dye-colored cakes and candy. I was worried I was going have a revolution on my hands - a mutiny- a gang of pizza-crazed 2-year-olds who were going to make me walk the plank. I was pleasantly surprised when only one parent asked - “Where’s the pizza?”- and astonished when there wasn’t a peep or a wimper from the kids. “Phew” I thought back then. “It is possible”.
This year I had a little boy pull me aside. He had a concerned look on his face. He said, “I only eat one kind of chicken nugget and I don’t eat salad.” I replied, “I’m sorry that I don’t have your special nuggets, but the chicken on the table is really tasty and you don’t have to eat salad.” About ½ an hour later I saw him happily munching on a sweet and sour lemon chicken stick and the noodles with pesto sauce. I personally handed him an apple lemonade ice pop and saw him wipe his cake plate clean. So, even the picky ones left satisfied.
On the menu this year was:
For starters I made Guacamole and served it with Organic GMO free “Way Better” sweet potato chips.
Keep the avocado seeds in the guacamole. It will help keep it from turning brown.
Add 1 teaspoon of avocado oil to your guacamole. This, too, will help it from turning brown.
Hummus and vegetables. This year I bought some fresh made from a local market. Usually I make it fresh, but there is only so much time…..
Fruit kebabs. Honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple and grapes.
Main course:
Grilled Chicken on a Stick 2 Ways. I marinated the chicken overnight and then I grilled them. Well, my husband grilled them……
1. Sweet and Sour lemon. I used the marinade from my “Sweet and Sour Lemon Chicken.”
2. Chicken Satay.
Green Salad with my favorite dressing. Mix of Romaine, Butter Lettuce, Arugula and Sorrel.
Gluten-Free Tinkyada Brown-rice noodles with fresh pesto sauce. I bought this one from a local market.
Sweets:
Homemade ice pops
Chocolate Mint, Apple Lemonade, Pina Colada, Sour Apple Sorrel, and Ruby Beet.
Sam is eating the Pina Colada Pop here. His favorite was the Ruby Beet. He looks like a vampire in the photos of him eating that one though!
These were a huge hit. I actually got a call from a 7-year-old boy who was at the party asking for the recipes!
Spinach Avocado Chocolate Cake. I used Coconut Whipped Cream as icing and put a layer of strawberries on the top and in between the 2 layers.
Pina Colada Pie. Not to be missed. This was a huge hit.
So there you have it. A kids’ birthday party without junk. It can be done.
