As Holley Grainger completed her degree, she discovered the best way to share important nutrition information was through food. This registered-dietitian-turned-entrepreneur now empowers parents to prepare wholesome meals for their kids with accessible recipes and advice on her website, holleygrainger.com.
Taste of Home: What inspired you to share your recipes with other parents who want healthy dinners for kids that are also tasty?
Holley Grainger: I began blogging in 2013 and launched my brand, Cleverful Living, in 2018. I have always loved bringing joy and fun to life as well as helping people make life interesting—especially in the kitchen. As a mom, I saw a need for parents wanting to feed their families simple, healthy meals.
By using my skills as a registered dietitian, I teach parents how to make memorable meals at home using the most nutritious, readily-available ingredients while providing tips, tricks and permission to take shortcuts. I also encourage parents to bring their children into the kitchen to help cook. This not only teaches healthy habits but creates family memories.
TOH: How do your kids help out in the kitchen?
HG: My children love to join me in the kitchen. In fact, you can see them cooking with me in dozens of videos on my blog and throughout my social media platforms. This past March when schools were canceled and everyone was encouraged to stay home, we began a weekly series of live videos on the site called Virtual Snack Dates. Each afternoon during our snack date, we would demonstrate how to make a new snack while chatting with viewers from around the world. Our “dot com’s” as my youngest, Frances, calls them, were one small way our family could give back and bring joy to others.
(We love getting kids in the kitchen, too, Holley! Here’s a roundup of our favorite cooking kits for kids.)
TOH: Lunchbox meals are your specialty. What’s in your ideal pack?
HG: On a good day (because, hey, we may not hit the mark every time), I pack a fruit, vegetable, whole grain and some type of protein—either from lean meat, dairy or beans—in each box. And, of course, you can’t forget a “happy,” like a sticker or note from Mom or Dad.
TOH: What advice would you give to new cooks looking to balance health and comfort in their recipes?
HG: Don’t overthink it or feel like you have to re-create the wheel! There are thousands of delicious, healthy comfort food recipes online that are made with nutritious ingredients. Start small, start simple—and just have fun!
TOH: What is an ingredient you keep on hand?
HG: Dark chocolate has so many health benefits! How could there really be anything wrong with an indulgent food that I can recommend someone eat a little bit of each day? I love the complexity of dark chocolate’s flavor and its variety of culinary uses—from sweet desserts to savory chilis. Plus, who doesn’t want to pinch off the corner of a dark chocolate bar as a little snack when preparing a meal?
TOH: What’s your favorite aspect of cooking?
HG: Now more than ever, I have come to realize just how much I cherish the time I spend with my family around the table. Cooking for and with them brings joy, love and peace to my heart and to our table.
Cheesy Roast Beef Pinwheels
Try one of Holley’s fam’s favorite recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
- 2 tablespoons honey mustard or Dijon mustard
- 8 slices provolone cheese (try Swiss or pepper jack for an adult version)
- 8 slices deli roast beef
- 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
Directions
Step 1: Prep the crescent roll dough
Preheat oven to 375°F. Unroll crescent dough and separate into 2 rectangles; press perforations to seal. Spread rectangles with mustard.
Step 2: Layer on the fillings
Top with provolone and roast beef, overlapping if needed. Sprinkle evenly with red pepper.
Step 3: Create pinwheels
Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a short side; pinch seams to seal. Cut each roll crosswise into 4 slices; place on parchment-lined baking sheets, cut side down.
Step 4: Bake
Bake until golden brown and cheese is melted, 15-18 minutes. Serve warm.
Pizza Wraps
This recipe features the flavors of your favorite pie but only takes a few minutes to make—and there’s no cooking or baking required. Perfect for when you’re rushing to get kids on the bus! —Elizabeth Dumont, Boulder, Colorado
Marshmallow Fruit Dip
You can whip up this sweet and creamy dip in just 10 minutes. I like to serve it in a bowl surrounded by fresh-picked strawberries at spring brunches or luncheons. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
1-2-3 Snack Mix
Salty and satisfying, this colorful, kid-friendly trail mix provides quick protein and energy by the handful on action-packed summer days. It's great for long car trips, too! —Sue Sherman, Toledo, Ohio
Turkey Ranch Wraps
Here's a cool idea that's ready to gobble up in no time. It's a terrific use for deli turkey. Just add lettuce, tomato, green pepper, shredded cheese and ranch dressing for a flavorful blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Fruited Turkey Wraps
This colorful wrap tastes great and is so good for you. It's packed with lean protein, fruit and veggies and wrapped in whole-grain goodness! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Kiddie Crunch Mix
This no-bake snack mix is a real treat for kids, and you can easily increase the amount to fit your needs. Place it in individual plastic bags or pour some into colored ice cream cones and cover with plastic wrap for a fun presentation. —Kara De la Vega, Santa Rosa, California.
Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up
I had a sandwich similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it.—Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana
Lunch Box Chicken Wrap
This lunchbox-friendly wrap is a tasty way to use leftover chicken and get kids to eat more veggies. Using colorful, thin strips of vegetables adds visual interest when the wrap is cut into slices. Suddenly spinach is too pretty to refuse. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas
My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time. They haven’t noticed that as good as they taste, they’re also good for them. —Kim Holmes, Emerald Park, Saskatchewan
Pesto-Dijon Egg Salad Sandwiches
Turn your old-standby egg salad into your new lunch favorite. Honey Dijon mustard and pesto add a sensational, savory spin, and the celery and onion lend nice crunch. —Carrie Kenny, Batavia, Ohio
Blueberry Crumble Tarts
Pop one in a lunch box, share a batch at work or wait until dessert—these are sweet anytime, anywhere. Sometimes, I refrigerate prepared tarts overnight and bake them while making dinner the next day. Foolproof. —Carole Fraser, North York, Ontario
Sausage & Cannellini Bean Soup
Here's my reproduction of a dish from a famous Chicago eatery. We think it rivals the original. I usually cook this at least once a week. It's a tasty way to keep my lunchbox full of healthy options. —Marilyn McGinnis, Peoria, Arizona
Mini Grilled Cheese
If you're looking for a fantastic make-ahead snack, try these miniature grilled cheese sandwiches. They're nice to have in the freezer for lunch with soup or a salad. My family loves to nibble on them anytime. —Anita Curtis, Camarillo, California
PBJ on a Stick
I always try to come up with new ways to serve lunch to my kids. This recipe was a hit! —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Orange Turkey Croissants
Orange you glad it’s not the same old crustless ham and cheese? Orange you also glad you don’t have to get up early to pack lunch? In less than 10 minutes, you (and five others) will have something to look forward to all morning long. —Jennifer Moore, Centerville, Iowa
BLT Tortillas
I first sampled these BLT wraps at a bridal luncheon years ago. Now I frequently make them for our weekly neighborhood dinners. —Darla Wester, Meriden, Iowa
Pasta Salad in a Jar
If you're planning a picnic, make this pasta a day ahead. For my husband's lunch at work, I sometimes tie a plastic fork on the jar. —Pat Neiheisel, Leetonia, Ohio
B Is For Book Sandwich
To fix this ham-and-cheese pleaser, just take a page from our creative food editors. You also can use a cutout of your child’s initial. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chewy Honey Granola Bars
These bars have sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. They freeze well, too. — Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont
Sprinkle Fruit Dip
Making this creamy mixture especially festive are its bright candy sprinkles. An assortment of fresh fruit "dippers" adds even more goodness. —Leslie Miller, Butler, Pennsylvania
Turkey Salad on Wheat Bread
When one of my favorite lunch spots closed, this recipe let me hold on to more than just good memories. The peas, bacon and cheese are such a fun and springy combo. I make big batches of the salad for parties—turns out I'm not the only fan! —Merrijane Rice, Kaysville, Utah
Ham 'n' Cheese Brunch Strips
These hand-held sandwich strips pair well with scrambled eggs. If desired, substitute slices of cooked chicken for the ham. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chewy Energy Bars
This energy bar recipe is quick to make and easy to store. My husband and I put these homemade granola bars in our lunch, but they're also a nice portable breakfast or snack. —Sharon Rast, Show Low, Arizona
Lunch Box Pizzas
When you have these fun-to-make mini pizzas, it's no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there's no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas
Cheeseburger Buns
My mom stuffs soft homemade yeast rolls with ground beef, tomato sauce and cheese to make these tasty sandwiches. They're great leftovers, too. My son takes them in his lunch the next day. —Nancy Holland, Morgan Hill, California
Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels
I came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it's really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, Massachusetts
Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies
These fun treats put a sweet, fluffy filling between two chewy oatmeal cookies. The old-fashioned flavor is deliciously homey—always perfect for holiday trays. —Jan Woodall, Indianapolis, Indiana
Ground Beef Noodle Soup
This savory specialty combines ground beef with onions, celery and carrots. "This is a wonderful fast soup to make any day of the week," says Judy Brander of Two Harbors, Minnesota.Laurie Dixon, Taste of Home Assistant Editor, contributed to this article.
The post The Secrets to Making Healthy Lunches for Kids, According to One Dietitian Mom appeared first on Taste of Home.
Peggy Woodward, RDN