Beets are rich in in iron, calcium, and Vitamins A and C. They are an excellent source of folic acid and a very good source of manganese, potassium and fiber.  They are a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, iron and Vitamin B6. Throughout history, beetroots have been used for medicinal purposes, especially for liver disorders because they have stimulating effects on the liver’s detoxification processes. Studies have shown that beets contain anticancer properties.
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Betacyanin is the pigment that gives beets their rich purple-crimson color; the pigment is a powerful cancer-fighting agent. Research found that the fibers in beets have a favorable effect on both the bowel function and cholesterol levels. Beets’ protective role against colon cancer is probably due to the combination of its betacyanin and fiber content.

This recipe is a favorite in our family and we usually have them every week.

Ingredients:
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3 organic beets, roasted (you can do more and freeze them, which cuts down on prep time)

3/4 cup organic ricotta cheese

1 cup whole grain organic pancake mix

3/4 cup water

1 banana

2 tsp cinnamon
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Directions:
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1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree.
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2. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake on a hot griddle. When bubbles start to form and sides appear cooked, flip and cook until no longer doughy.
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3. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar. (Seriously–they are eating beet pancakes! Give them the sprinkle of sugar!)

Enjoy! Don’t you love the bright pink color?

My daughter hungrily reads the recipes in Honest Pretzels, which are laid out in an illustrated, very kid (and adult) friendly way, including a section “Ask an adult for help with”. She wanted to make something immediately, but neither her father or I had the time to help her, so we let her go at it on her own. It was her first solo cooking adventure (except for using the oven), and she did well. At one point, she asked me whether she should pour the flour from the five pound bag into the measuring cup or dip the cup in the flour. Thankfully she asked and a huge mess was avoided.

The organic Button Cupcakes were delicious. I’ve modified Mollie’s recipe below, such as omitting the Hershey’s Kiss on top (not supporting Hershey) and only using organic ingredients. I’ve written it in the step format she lays out for children, but I have not included all of her specific instructions for children.

Organic Button Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put 12 muffin papers in the muffin pan.
2. Sift 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (Mollie tells children to use a strainer and gently shake it over the bowl, which is a great solution if you don’t have a sifter).

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