How to Make a Green Happy Meal

The name doesn't define the product. Happy Meals just aren't happy. They're not happy for your kids and they're not happy for the environment. Really they should be called unhappy meals. But in a pinch, busy parents go for them to appease their kids in short order. Happy meals are made with some of the most processed meats that you can find. The beef is fed hormones and fossil fuel based feed that's been treated with tons of pesticides. Couple that with high fructose corn syrup-laced coke and tons of sodium and you have a health and eco-nightmare. Instead of soda, serve a homemade juice puree or a smoothie made with seasonal fruit. Next time why not plan ahead and make your kids a greener happy meal?

- Take a cookie cutter and cut fun shapes out of your grass fed beef burgers and whole wheat organic buns. Add tons of veggies to the burger for extra crunch. Skip the iceberg and add darker greens and local tomatoes.

- Cut up local potatoes into skinny fries and bake them up with your favorite spices. If you want to be even healthier use sweet potatoes which are loaded with fiber and vitamins.

- Make fun smoothies with organic gelato, almond milk, and local fruits. If you want to give the kids a treat, make a milk shake by adding organic chocolate syrup.

- We all know the best part of the Happy Meal is the prize inside. Don't skip it, just be creative. Finish off the meal with a packet of seeds that your little ones can plant. Your kids can head for the backyard and plant their seeds and watch them grow. This is a super fun way to get your kids in touch with nature.