Stress-Free Holiday Meals: 3 Healthy Recipes Kids Will Love

Stress-Free Holiday Meal Prep: 3 Healthy, Kid-Friendly Recipes Every Mom Will Love

By Dr. Manasa Mantravadi

|

|

Time to Read: 6 min

As the holidays approach, the excitement of festive meals can sometimes be overshadowed by the stress of planning and preparing food, especially when you have picky eaters in the house.


But it doesn’t have to be that way!


With a little forethought and some easy, healthy recipes, you can whip up a holiday meal that your kids will enjoy, and you can feel good about serving. These recipes are not only perfect for special occasions but are also designed to make meal prep easier for moms juggling a lot during the holidays. And, by using Ahimsa’s stainless steel dinnerware , you can create a festive, eco-friendly table that’s both beautiful and safe for your family.

About Ahimsa

Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three

Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 

We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet

Want to know more? Check out our story and our products

1. Sweet Potato & Spinach Mini Quiches

Prep time

5-10 minutes

Cook time

30 Minutes

Servings

10

Category

Snack

Mini quiches are not only easy to make but also pack a punch of nutrition. They’re perfect for toddlers and kids who need a healthy boost of veggies. You can prepare them ahead of time and simply reheat them when needed.


Ingredients:


  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup of spinach, finely chopped
  • 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1/4 cup of milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cheese (optional)

Instructions:


  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Whisk the eggs and milk together in a large bowl.
  3. Stir in the mashed sweet potatoes, spinach, salt, and pepper.
  4. Pour the mixture into a greased mini muffin tin.
  5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the quiches are firm and slightly golden.

These mini quiches can be stored in the fridge for up to five days, making them a perfect snack or meal for busy holiday mornings. Serve them up on Ahimsa’s colorful purposeful plates to to add a splash of color to your tablebrighten up your table and keep the kids engaged, making holiday breakfasts both festive and worry-free.

Must Have Stainless Steel Products

2. Turkey & Veggie Stuffed Bell Peppers

Prep time

5-10 minutes

Cook time

30 Minutes

Servings

10

Category

Snack

A simple, nutrient-packed dish that’s perfect for the holidays. These stuffed peppers are loaded with lean protein and veggies, and they look festive on the table too!


Ingredients:


  • 4 large bell peppers, halved and seeded
  • 1 pound of ground turkey
  • 1 cup of cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup of chopped zucchini
  • 1/4 cup of grated cheese (optional)
  • Salt, pepper, and herbs to taste

Instructions:


  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ground turkey in a pan with olive oil until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs.
  3. Mix in the cooked quinoa, tomatoes, and zucchini.
  4. Stuff the mixture into the halved bell peppers and place them in a baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle cheese on top (optional) and bake for 25 minutes until the peppers are tender.

This dish is a hit with both kids and adults and is a great way to sneak in some extra veggies. These stuffed bell peppers look vibrant on any holiday table and are perfect for showcasing on Ahimsa’s stainless steel dinnerware . The stainless steel keeps food warm, while the stylish design ensures your holiday spread looks as good as it tastes

Stress-Free Holiday Meals: 3 Healthy Recipes Kids Will Love

3. Festive Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

Prep time

5-10 minutes

Cook time

5 Minutes

Servings

10

Category

Snack

Looking for a healthy dessert option? This festive fruit salad is light, refreshing, and loaded with antioxidants. Plus, it’s a great way to get kids excited about eating fruit!


Ingredients:


  • 1 cup of strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup of blueberries
  • 1 cup of kiwi, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup of pineapple, diced
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions:


  1. Combine all the fruit in a large bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and lime juice.
  3. Drizzle the honey-lime dressing over the fruit and gently toss to coat.
  4. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

For a beautiful presentation, serve this vibrant fruit salad in Ahimsa stainless steel bowls . The bowls’ sleek, sturdy design keeps the fruit fresh and makes cleanup easy. They add a festive touch to the table, making healthy choices look as exciting as holiday treats

Make the Holidays Easy, Healthy, and Eco-Friendly with Ahimsa

Preparing for holiday meals doesn’t have to be stressful, and it certainly doesn’t mean sacrificing nutrition. These recipes are quick, easy, and designed to keep your kids happy and healthy. Plus, by incorporating Ahimsa’s stainless steel dinnerware, you’re not only making healthier choices for your family but also reducing plastic waste.

Explore the full Ahimsa Holiday Collection for eco-friendly, kid-safe dinnerware that makes every meal a celebration. Here’s to a holiday season filled with health, happiness, and a touch of Ahimsa!

Dr. Manasa Mantravadi

Dr. Manasa Mantravadi

Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.

Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.

She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.

Snacktime Essentials

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.

Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?

According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.

Will Ahimsa products break or peel?

No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.

Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?

Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set  and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.

Related Posts

Leave a comment