The health cautious part of me dreads the kid’s birthday parties that seam to come at least a couple of times a month. It is not so much the token cake and ice cream that I mind, but the hot dogs, chips, candy, soda, punch, and goody bag that comprise to reek havoc in my dear child’s body. Is this excess really necessary?

I would love to propose another way to celebrate each year of precious life. Let me explain by describing what we did during my daughter Ashton’s 3 year old birthday party. The guests and their parents got to snack on fresh veggies and guacamole and hummus dip along with a big bowl of red grapes and some trail mix. They sipped water and %100 juice boxes. For lunch we did a fun activity making “Pretty Pizzas.” Everyone got their own whole wheat English muffin or whole wheat pita. They got to spread their own sauce and sprinkle their own cheese. Then they got to be creative decorating their pizza with a variety of veggies. They used shredded carrots at hair, kidney beans as eyes, olives as noses, and red bell pepper stripes for the lips. Some people made landscapes or race cars. Then we baked the pizzas at 400 for about 10 minutes. The kids and parents had a blast eating their own creations while getting a wonderful amount of nutrients. For the cake Ashton and I made a simple yellow cake.  We topped it with beautiful strawberries and homemade whipped cream. Instead of mounds of frosting I stuck in fun candles and a plastic Happy Birthday sign.

It was a hit.  People left feeling treated but with out the sugar crash that most parent dread. Hey moms, let’s band together and try to create parties that will build our kiddos up.