We are always on the lookout in my family for restaurants that open early for breakfast on weekends. We recently discovered that The Naam, the quintessential West Side vegetarian restaurant, is open 24 hours. Sold. Early morning weekend breakfast it is.

Up Bright and Early at a Vancouver Restaurant

Whether you’re a vegan, a vegetarian or an omnivore, you will find something to suit your taste buds at The Naam. With a good variety of egg (or tofu) dishes, omelettes, pancakes, cereals and smoothies, both you and your picky little ones will be satisfied. The ingredients they use always seem super fresh and healthy – which is important in a vegetarian restaurant.  It certainly beats a whole lot of other early morning breakfast places where the closest thing you’ll find to a vegetable is hashbrowns.

On a recent visit to the Vancouver restaurant, prompted by my daughter’s early rising and a complete lack of food in my refrigerator, I ordered the spinach and feta omelette. Was it the best breakfast I’ve ever had? Probably not. But it was still pretty tasty, and the ingredients were exceptionally fresh and healthy. And did I mention that they’re open 24 hours? If your kid is going to wake you up at 6:00 am on a Saturday, you might as well get out there and get some fresh, yummy food in your belly!

Not Just Breakfast

For those of you who are fortunate to have children who don’t wake up before the sun rises, you can still check out The Naam for lunch or dinner. Don’t be scared off by the fact that you can’t order a steak. Their salads, Mexican dishes and veggie burger platters more than make up for the lack of meat on the menu.

While The Naam is certainly a child-friendly Vancouver restaurant with their high chairs and generally welcoming attitude, it is also a great place to try for date night or an evening out with friends. They have live music every night from 7:00 – 10:00 pm. The schedule of performers is posted on their website, so once you find a favourite, you can be sure to go back again and again to hear them some more.

What’s your favourite Vancouver restaurant when you’re looking for fresh and healthy food? Leave us a reply and let us know.

The Naam

www.thenaam.com | Facebook
2724 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver

French Bakery Offers Colourful Treats for the Sweet Tooth

This small, family-run French bakery specializes in delicious macarons. Macarons, in case you didn’t know, are not to be confused with what we would usually call macaroons. Proper Parisian macarons are light and airy little almond-based biscuits sandwiched around a layer of ganache. They come in many different colours, each with its own flavour: Earl Grey, raspberry, yuzu, passionfruit, chocolate, coffee and many more. The flavours vary seasonally and for special occasions like Movember and Breast Cancer awareness. These macarons also happen to be gluten-free, too! Macarons make a great present and are available in gift boxes of various sizes. French Made also takes special orders for things like wedding favours.

Another hard-to-find-in-Vancouver specialty you’ll find at French Made is Canelés de Bordeaux, which are lovely little rum cakes, traditionally eaten with coffee in the afternoon. I tried one for the first time and loved the caramelized outside and rich, moist inside. Also available: brioche (a sweet, rich white bread sprinkled with pearl sugar), Financiers (almond flavoured mini sponge cakes), pain au chocolat and many, many more treats.

Not Just Sweets

Stop by the French bakery to pick up pastries for brunch or a simple sandwich made with Terra Breads baguettes and quality local meat for lunch. If you get there by 10:30 am, you can take advantage of their breakfast combo: tea or coffee, a pastry and a Happy Planet juice for $7.50. French Made Owners David and Catherine have plans to expand their offerings to include grilled sandwiches like Croque Monsieur as well as including seating inside and out.

French Made Baking

www.frenchmadebaking.com | Facebook | Twitter
81 Kings

Foodies, prepare to take a whirlwind 17-day tour of Vancouver restaurants at Dine Out Vancouver. Running from January 20 – February 5, 2012, Dine Out is Canada’s largest restaurant festival. It features over 225 Vancouver restaurants offering three-course, prix-fixe menus for $18, $28 or $38 per person. Many menus also feature suggested wine or beer pairings. When it comes to what to do in Vancouver for the culinary set, this is the biggest event all year.

Even Mayor Gregor is feeling the excitement, saying, “I’m proud that Dine Out Vancouver will be showcasing the best of what we have to offer for the 10th straight year and look forward to welcoming even more restaurant patrons and food aficionados in the years to come.”

Kids at Dine Out Vancouver: Do You Dare?

This all sounds fabulous, but here’s the big question: do you dare bring your kids? We asked our Facebook fans for their thoughts on bringing little ones to Dine Out Vancouver. The responses ranged from, “Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha,” courtesy of Harriet Fancott, to Saadia Organics saying she’d done it and it was, “Excellent!” Of course, you have to know your kids, but with so many Vancouver restaurants to choose from, there are some great, family-friendly options . We’ve rounded up a few suggestions.

Kid-Friendly Vancouver Restaurants

We have it on good authority that these Vancouver restaurants will welcome your children, during Dine Out or anytime:

• The Boathouse Restaurant
• Brasserie Bistro
• Dunn’s Famous Montreal Smoked Meat Restaurant & Delicatessan
• Imperial Chinese Seafood Restaurant
• Milestones Grill + Bar
• The Old Spaghetti Factory
• The Reef
• Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co.
• Section (3)
• Thai House Restaurant

Street Food City

There are a number of great events happening during Dine Out Vancouver, and we think Street Food City sounds like the most fun of all. On January 24, 25 and 26 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, a collection of Vancouver’s street food carts will all gather on the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Gather and feast on delicious food prepared by these vendors. Special Dine Out Vancouver Festival creations and discounts are available. With everything from juice, tacos and grilled cheese, to Tandoori chicken wraps, Korean/Mexican fusion and BBQ, there’s sure to be something to please everyone.

Have you taken your kids to Dine Out Vancouver? If so, what was it like? What are your favourite kid-friendly (and parent-friendly) Vancouver restaurants? Please leave us a reply with your insider tips!

About two years ago, my husband had an afternoon appointment on Arbutus. A café in the area had recently caught my eye, a place with a most tempting name: Plaisir Sucré. We decided to meet there with our kids (then three years and five months) once he was free. At the time play areas weren’t top on our list of criteria, rather we were drawn in by the promise of delicious French treats. So we were happily surprised to enter the Vancouver restaurant and find a foam-tiled play area and plenty of toys to occupy our kids as we caught up with one another!

A Family Favourite

Plaisir Sucré has since become a favourite for all of us. The scrumptious French pastries are an ideal accompaniment to a leisurely break, while the sandwiches make for a filling lunch. They also have soups and quiche, as well as bread to go. On our most recent visit, I enjoyed a generously-sized ham and Brie sandwich and an Americano, and barely managed to resist ordering a sweet! It almost goes without saying that the coffee is sublime.

Food for Grown-Ups, Welcoming to Kids

The welcoming owners of this Vancouver restaurant, Fabrice and Erika Roché, are parents to two young children. Although their food appeals to grown-up foodies, they are always welcoming to little customers. Both of my kids are fond of Plaisir Sucré’s cookies and pastries, and even my super-picky two year old eater can’t get enough of their flaky, buttery croissants, which are simply merveilleux. The toys on offer caught my youngest’s attention from our first visit, and even now appeal to my kindergartener. They so enjoy playing and eating there that I can relax, take advantage of the free wifi, and catch up with friends in person. The vibe is friendly and cozy. It’s a place where regular visitors are known by name, and where children and adults alike are made to feel at home.

A Taste of the Left Bank in a Vancouver Restaurant

On a pleasant day, the playground and splash pad at Kits Community Centre is a short stroll away, and the Arbutus Walk area gives some car-free green space and another play area. But when the rains pour down, settle in with some calorie-worthy treats, and let the little ones play while French conversations drift across the café and French-language programming plays on the TV behind the counter. This Vancouver restaurant is a taste of the Left Bank on the West Side!

Melanie Antweiler lives on the Westside with her husband, two energetic sons, and two humongous Maine Coon cats. A stay-at-home mom, she finds herself serving as co-chair of the PAC at her kindergartener’s school. Melanie uses the skills honed in grad school to obsess over, or “research”, strollers, and maintain a personal blog.

Plaisir Sucré

Facebook
2668 Arbutus Street, Vancouver

Vancouver Restaurant with Serious Kid Smarts

When we arrived, we were ushered past sober-suited business people in elegant surroundings discussing serious business things, and seated at a table with a bench seat. There was room for a kid to fidget without danger of knocking over his chair. Score one for Italian Kitchen. Then our server brought their “Toddler Hospitality Kit” with the menus. Score two for Italian Kitchen – and bonus points for the triangular crayons that don’t roll off the table. Sheer genius, that.

The menu at this Vancouver restaurant includes a good selection of Italian classics with enough variety to suit almost anyone. What I really loved was the children’s menu, which included beef tenderloin or grilled salmon with vegetables and roasted potatoes, among other items. Look, Ma, real food! My three year old son chose the children’s sized pasta with tomato sauce. They brought it to our table so quickly it was as if the chef had read his mind before he ordered. Score three for Italian Kitchen. Honest food, and the understanding that little kids can’t wait to eat.

Cloth Napkins and Kids Food

Everything on the kids’ menu is less than $10, and prices for the grown-up fare range from $13 antipasto to $20 for linguine with jumbo prawns. The food was delicious, and the service was stellar throughout. My husband was so impressed with everything that he asked to speak to the manager to laud our server and the restaurant’s treatment of pint-sized patrons. We will definitely be going back – next time to try an evening meal!

What to do in Vancouver if, like me, you believe white cloth napkins and children shouldn’t be mutually exclusive? Head down to Italian Kitchen on Alberni Street. They’ve got this one figured out.

We’re always looking for kid-friendly fare in unexpected places – any restaurants that have surprised you recently? Let us know in the comments!

Italian Kitchen

www.glowbalgroup.com/italiankitchen/ | Facebook | Twitter
1037 Alberni Street, Vancouver

Stock Up Cafe is one of my favourite places to multi-task. There aren’t many places in town where you can grab a quick (not to mention fresh and healthy) bite to eat, pick up a ready-made entree and sides for dinner and secure a unique birthday or hostess gift for your favourite foodie. And don’t forget your java fix with a coffee to-go on your way out the door.

Fresh and Tasty Vancouver Restaurant

My favourite time of day to visit Stock Up is between 7:00 and 8:00 am, for one of their delicious made-to-order breakfasts. Their fully-stocked case of salads, sandwiches, wraps and entrees always appeals to me, too – it has provided a great picnic lunch for my family on a number of occasions. Their freshly baked muffins, scones and other baked goods are always tempting and tasty and make a great snack to pair with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Eat in or take out, I’ve never been disappointed.

But if you stop by for breakfast, lunch or a snack, why not pick up dinner while you’re at it? Stock Up isn’t just a great Vancouver restaurant, it also has a wide variety of fresh and ready-made family sized or individually portioned entrees and sides that would be a welcome addition to almost any supper table. In a life of multi-tasking, not every dinner can (or should be) made from scratch. And if you’re going to take a short cut every now and then, you might as well make it fresh, healthy and tasty.

Pick Up Something Special

With several cases filled with unique foodie treats and gift ideas, you’re bound to find a special treat for yourself. They have shelf upon shelf of sauces, spices, dressings, tea and cookies, even soaps, candles, cutting boards and novelty cocktail napkins. It is always worth a look to tempt yourself with something fun.

Kid-Approved Healthy Meals

As if all this potential for one-stop productivity wasn’t enough, you will, in all likelihood, also have a child or two in tow when you visit Stock Up Cafe. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something of interest to sample while sitting in one of the Vancouver restaurant’s clean and comfortable high chairs. And you can give yourself a pat on the back. Not only are you multi-tasking over lunch, but your child is enjoying a fresh and healthy meal. Everyone’s a winner.

Stock Up Cafe

www.stock-up.ca
6019 West Boulevard, Vancouver, 604-266-4527

I love a good holiday party, and by New Year’s Eve, I’m always ready to leave the turkey and hot buttered rum behind. Life as a mom is busier than I had expected – but it has given me a new reason to continue to fill my home with friends, family, and good food. The joy my daughter brings everyone in my life is reason enough to put together a great New Year’s Eve party, and then once she goes to bed, Mom gets to let her hair down just a little!

There are a few key ingredients to set the stage for an amazing New Year’s party, so follow these suggestions, and you are only steps away from an effortless, easy, fabulous party to ring in 2012!

Throwing a Glamourous New Year’s Eve Party

1. Have a cocktail ready for your guests as they arrive. Something fun for the kids is nice too!
2. Lay out platters for all night grazing.
3. Dinner should be simple and easy.
4. Always have a surprise up your sleeve for the countdown.
5. Send everyone off with something memorable – it keeps your party going.

1. Have Cocktails Ready

I love to serve drinks in mason jars because it’s just so sweet and unexpected. This year my cocktail of choice is Pimms and Ginger because it is so nice and refreshing. I love it over the winter as a nice break from all the red wine at parties.

2. Lay out Platters

A great antipasto or cheese platter goes a long way without having to cook anything. Bosa Foods carries everything for a one stop cheese platter shop. Talleggio and buffalo ricotta are showstoppers and add something unexpected to the mix. Be sure to check out the aisle with preserves, and pick out some olives there also – I prefer pitted olives for parties, as it eliminates having to spit out a pit. The only rule for cheese platters is to have them heaping with goodies. It’s more inviting than a sparse one – so use a smaller platter if necessary. Pick up some crostini’s, some fig preserves, and arrange everything with some roasted nuts, grilled veggies, roasted garlic, grapes, and whatever you like. As soon as your guests have their drinks in hand, they will wander over to the cheese platter and start picking away!

3. Simple and Easy Dinner

For dinner this year I’m feeling quite rustic. Nothing is simpler than a glazed bone-in natural ham served with potato rolls, an assortment of mustards, and pickled vegetables. I’m going to bring it out for dinner and leave it out all night. Each party-goer can slice their ham and pile it in a potato roll with whatever toppings their heart desires! Use a simple glaze on the ham, pop it in the oven and pull it out an hour or so later. Serve it on a big cutting board with a nice sharp knife and all the accompanying sides. Everyone will go back for seconds and thirds as the night progresses and the drinks keep flowing. For the fancy mustards and pickled veggies, make the trip to Gourmet Warehouse. It’s one of my favourite stores in the city. As for the potato rolls, any nearby bakery should have them!

4. The Countdown

The champagne toast is the best part of New Year’s Eve. I think Liberty Wine is the only place to go. It doesn’t hurt that they offer a case discount, but they can always recommend a wine or sparkling in your price range. My go-to choice is Blue Mountain Winery’s Brut. Each bottle of champagne has enough for six flutes of sparkling, so plan accordingly. If your budget can take it, a refill after the first toast is always a nice touch. There is a superstition that after the stroke of midnight, 12 lucky grapes should be eaten to represent the 12 coming months. They look darling in your champagne flutes on a skewer or a rosemary sprig if you are daring enough. They say the sweet grapes represent a sweet month in the coming year, and the sour ones supposedly predict a less than perfect one. It’s a fun way to bring everyone together and a lovely tradition to bring in the New Year!

Immediately after the toast, bring out something to satisfy the sweet tooth – chocolate dipped strawberries served on vintage silver trays are my favourite. They really lend a glamorous feel, and are such a wonderfully decadent but easy item to prepare! Kids always feel so grown up and special when they are included, so for the big kids, serve them a champagne flute with sparkling juice for the toast and a chocolate dipped strawberry also!

5. Send Something Home

Send your guests home with little treats to remind them of the great time they had the night before! This is a great chance to get your kids involved, to craft or create something special. Remember to treasure the moments where everyone is laughing and sharing, the kids are running around, and you’re all enjoying time together. Memories last a lifetime, and a beautiful New Year’s Eve party is the perfect setting to build them.

Perienne Sadler is the owner, chef, and operator of Cove Fine Foods, a high end casual gourmet café, bakery, and catering company in Deep Cove, North Vancouver. She has a one year old little girl. She lives a life filled with beautiful food, family, friends, and experiences while being a mom – which always comes first and foremost. You can also find her at Cove Fine Foods on Facebook.

New Year’s Eve Party, Part One: The Recipes

Pimms and Ginger

It wouldn’t be a New Year’s Eve party without cocktails!

Ingredients:
1 Bottle Pimms No. 1
1 Case Canada Dry ginger ale
2 Big juicy oranges – cut into wedges
2 Big juicy lemons – cut into wedges
Ice

Instructions:

• Fill glasses three quarters full with ice cubes.
• Fill up halfway with Pimms.
• Fill up almost to the top with ginger ale.
• Squeeze an orange wedge and lemon wedge into the drink and put wedges in.
• Stir and enjoy!

Glazed Bone-in Ham

Turkey is so last weekend.

Ingredients:
1 Bone-in natural ham
Maple syrup
Dijon mustard
Brown sugar
Sea salt
Pepper
Chicken stock

Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Hams come in many forms – any will work, but my preference is a fresh, all natural, bone in ham. They come cured, partially cooked, or fresh. The cured hams are ready to eat, but improve drastically with a little love. Partially cooked hams need to be roasted to temperature, and fresh hams have to be cooked all the way. Most bone-in hams are sold with the outer skin removed. If your ham still has it on, don’t be intimidated – cut off the outer skin using a sharp knife. Trim the fat layer down to an even thickness all over, and score all over in a diamond pattern. The quality of the ham is vital – call us at Cove Fine Foods (778.340.1919) and we can order a Sloping Hills all natural bone-in ham for you. They’re raised naturally in Qualicum Beach.

In a bowl combine a heaping dollop of Dijon mustard with a handful of brown sugar. Thin out with a generous drizzle of maple syrup. Add a few pinches of salt and pepper. Set aside.

Place your bone in ham in a roasting pan with a cover. Generously rub the Dijon mix over the scored ham. Pour enough stock in the bottom of the pan to just cover the bottom. Cover with a lid or foil and place in the oven. Cook for an hour to an hour and a half or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees on an instant read thermometer. Baste occasionally. Remove from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes prior to serving.

Place rested ham on a cutting board, slice off a few slices, serve with warm potato rolls, mustards, aioli’s, and/or any pickled vegetable for crunch and saltiness!

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

What’s a New Year’s Eve party without dessert?

Ingredients:
1 Large container of the biggest, reddest, juiciest strawberries you can find
1–2 lbs Callebaut dark chocolate, chips or pieces
Fresh mint sprigs – optional

Instructions:
Using Callebaut dark chocolate is vital – it is the only chocolate that I ever recommend using for this dessert. Trust me on this one. Superstore carries it in their bulk section, and Gourmet Warehouse carries it in their baking section.

Wash strawberries and allow to dry completely. Place a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper to the side.

Place your chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Place over a pot with simmering water in it, and stir slowly to evenly melt all of the chocolate. When tempering chocolate, be careful to ensure any of the moisture from the steam or water doesn’t make its way into the chocolate. This can cause your chocolate to sieze up.

When the chocolate has melted evenly, turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the double boiler. Carefully holding each strawberry by the green tops, dip into the melted chocolate and rotate to coat evenly leaving a section of red strawberry exposed on the presentation side for a pretty look. Place each strawberry on the lined cookie sheet, presentation side up. Dip all strawberries in the chocolate and place on the cookie sheet to dry. Place in the fridge to set the chocolate. Remove from fridge when completely hardened, and place on a nice platter before serving.

Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

This can be done the day before the party, reducing your stress level considerably.

Up next? We put the recipes together and throw a glamourous New Year’s Eve party!

Perienne Sadler is the owner, chef, and operator of Cove Fine Foods, a high end casual gourmet café, bakery, and catering company in Deep Cove, North Vancouver. She has a one year old little girl. She lives a life filled with beautiful food, family, friends, and experiences while being a mom – which always comes first and foremost. You can also find her at Cove Fine Foods on Facebook.

Vancouver Yoga Studio

Che Baba strives to be affordable and welcoming, with a focus on health and wellness through Hatha yoga practice. Drop-in classes are $15 (or just $10 for your first ever), and prices include tax and use of a yoga mat. To save money you can buy a punch pass for 10 or 20 classes. Or if you are a serious yogi, try their Unlimited Membership.

Yoga classes at Che Baba include many options for all levels. There’s Flow, which integrates breathing into postures like one long dance. For the francophones among us, Flow is also offered en français weekly. Or try their combination Yoga/Pilates for more focus on strength training. For a gentler pace you can try the Relax class. Che Baba also offers classes aimed at more specific health issues such as Joint Care and Back Care. If you’re not so sure about yoga, check out Yoga Basics: a great, non-intimidating place to start. Last (and in terms of cost, least) is Karma Yoga, a weekly free class taught by newly-trained instructors.

What to do in Vancouver: De-Stress over the Holidays

Che Baba has some great options to keep the whole family calm and grounded. They offer Kids Yoga for ages 3-10, which incorporates songs, games and stories into the practice. They’re also working with Collage Collage to coordinate activities for kids and parents. On Wednesdays at 10:00 am you can drop your kids off for a one hour crafting class, while you attend yoga – call 604-569-1929 to book a spot. I can feel the zen flowing over me just thinking about it.

There are some holiday-themed events happening this month as well. Every evening this week they’re offering yoga by candlelight – festive and calming. Plus they’re holding a New Year’s Eve Kitchen Party on December 31 from 8:00 pm until late. Tickets are $50 each, available in advance at the Cantina or on a first-come, first-served basis at the door. Your first drink is free, and you’ll be able to enjoy creations from their kitchen all evening. If you have the childcare, it sounds like a real treat.

Vancouver Restaurant

Che Baba is more than just a yoga studio. The Che Baba Cantina is a great new Vancouver restaurant. It’s the perfect place to stop in post-yoga for a bite, or to drop in to anytime. When you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver, Che Baba has a lot to offer.

Che Baba’s curvilinear stucco interior and red-brown tiled floors evoke a stylish 1970s charm. The place has a very intimate feel – it only seats about 30 — while still managing to be friendly. With southern French inspired food by chef Marta Pan (from the much-loved Pan-o-Pan Fine Foods), espresso, a well-stocked bar and a simple wine list, there’s something to please everyone here. A family lunch at Che Baba is very accessible – all the dishes are under $15. The generous helping of mushroom and thyme gnocchi was a big hit with the toddler and papa, and I found the beet salad delicious. Sous-chef Geoff Van Hassel was very careful to make sure that the egg was perfectly poached to our 16-month-old’s satisfaction.

Che Baba Cantina is open 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Friday and Saturday, but closed Sunday and Monday.

Che Baba Yoga and Cantina

chebaba.ca | Facebook
603 Kingsway, Vancouver

If your family is anything like mine, the holiday season is well underway with gatherings of friends and family from small to large all month long. Before we had children, our holiday meals had a strong focus on gourmet food – the more unusual and expensive, the better. However, now that we have kids, the focus is on fun, with a side of food. Many kids, mine included, aren’t the most adventurous of eaters. If something new is presented to them, my kids will usually declare that they don’t like it, even if that new food hasn’t come close to approaching their mouths.

Let me share my tips for a happy holiday meal that kids will actually eat.

1. Think Outside of the Box when Planning your Holiday Menu

While many of us have grown up with a Christmas dinner tradition, there’s no rule that says you absolutely must have turkey with chestnut stuffing, or roast beef with horseradish. Of course, there’s no rule that says you can’t have that either – but if you decide to stick with your traditional holiday food, and it’s all new to your kids, don’t be surprised when they request a grilled cheese sandwich instead.

Whether you decide to go super traditional or not, you may want to consider adding a few child-friendly items to your holiday menu. These are all quick and easy additions to your meal and won’t add too much prep time to your already busy day:

• Christmas Themed Pizza: Pizza is one of my favourite meal items for kids because it’s so easy to customize. From plain cheese to fully loaded, you can let your kids decide what goes on top. I usually make my own super easy yeast-free crust which doesn’t require rising time and is perfect for a last minute meal. Shape your dough into something that fits the season, such as a Christmas tree, stocking, or wreath, and let the kids top their own pizza pie.

Image Courtesy ALotofLoves on Flickr

• Green Beans and Bacon: The more complicated a recipe is, the less likely it is that my kids will be willing to try it. I’ve found that if something is simple and recognizable, the kids will often eat it with minimal complaint. This means that casseroles tend to be out, and you can forget about anything mashed or mixed with multiple toppings. Funny enough, this green beans and bacon recipe is also usually a hit with the adults at the table too, which proves that simple wins more often than not.

Image Courtesy Gnawme on Flickr

• Sugar Cookies: Year after year, I have struggled to make fancy desserts only to be disappointed when my kids don’t want to touch it, and the rest of the guests are too full to eat another crumb. This year I plan on keeping it simple, but cute. Sugar cookies in festive shapes, such as snowmen, snowflakes, or Christmas trees, are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This Sugar Cookie recipe is the best one I’ve found, and kids of all ages (including my husband) love cookies in fun shapes. Bonus points for being easy to make, and decorating the cookies is a great holiday activity for the kids.

Image Courtesy Kristin_a on Flickr

2. Fill Out Your Holiday Menu with Fresh Ready-Made Food

If you’ve got the time, it’s wonderful to make everything by hand using only organic, whole, locally-sourced ingredients. If you’re like me, that’s not entirely realistic. Allow yourself to feel guilt-free about giving yourself a break over the holiday season. Take a tour of some of the fantastic specialty grocery stores in Vancouver and see what they have that is already made and ready to go. I’ve found a spectacular octopus salad at Whole Foods that knocked my husband’s socks off. You can also pick up some wonderful cheese from Urban Fare. The food market at Granville Island is, of course, well known for providing a whole host of ready-made options for a quick gathering, and then there’s one of my favourite food shops in Vancouver, Meinhardt on Granville Street, where I could spend ages gazing at their deli items.

3. Relax Your Food Rules for the Day

Now that you’ve planned your menu and included a few kid-friendly items on it, it’s time to enjoy the day. In my house, we usually have rules regarding food, such as the kids must try at least a bite of everything on their plate before they’re allowed dessert, however on Christmas Day I plan on relaxing those rules. No one, including me, wants to hear our usual nit-picking at the dinner table.

The kids will be excited by all of their new gifts and having friends and family over. It’s possible that they’ll be too excited to eat. It’s also possible that they may decide that trying new food is not something they’re willing to do that day. And that’s okay. For one day, the overall happiness of everyone will be more important than ensuring that my kids eat a bite of apple and turnip casserole.

If the kids are feeling surprisingly adventurous, I’ll be thrilled if they want to try everything at the table, however I’m not going to insist that they clean their plate. One day of unbalanced eating during the holiday season isn’t going to hurt them, and we can always go back to our regularly scheduled picky eating on Boxing Day.

What are your tips for preparing a holiday meal that kids will actually eat?

Marilyn writes about parenting, food and life on her blog, A Lot of Loves. She’s a die-hard Christmas fan who started planning her holiday dinner menu six months before the Big Day.

*Image credit – Children having holiday dinner by Elise Ramsey on Flickr.