Well, I’ll say this much: 2020 has definitely been one for the history books. It has been, by far, the strangest year I’ve lived in! Our peace and freedoms have both been challenged. Independence Day will doubtless look, feel, and be a little off this go around. While I customarily think of celebrating July 4th amidst large gatherings of community, friends, and family, I’m not sure those things will be prudent (or even legal, in some places) this year. Perhaps we can appreciate the need for our freedoms a little more than normal, though. Regardless of whether we spend it with many or few, we can all agree that holidays still need good food. I’m going to share a healthy, simple, patriotic-themed fruit dish with you today that even your toddler would enjoy helping you make.
You will need:
- 11 wooden skewers
- blueberries (1 pint is plenty, I only used 25 berries)
- 4-5 ripe bananas
- 1-2 quarts of strawberries. (depending how big you decide to cut your pieces)
- Some sort of platter for displaying your flag creation.
Directions:
- Wash your blueberries and set to the side.
- Clean your strawberries and remove the green leaf top. You will be cutting the strawberry into six pieces. Choosing large berries, cut each one in half, from stem to bottom. Then, placing the strawberry halves on your cutting board with the flat side down, continue to cut each half in thirds.
- Peel your bananas and cut them in about 1″ chunks. Bananas are one of those fruits that quickly turn brown when exposed to air. To prevent this, you will need to dip them in a little water with either a teaspoon of lemon juice or ½ teaspoon of citric acid. This will help preserve the color for much longer.
- You are now ready to assemble your edible flag! If you have a young child, now would be their time to shine. Remember those bead-matching games, where you look at a pattern and try to create one to match? Build one of your wooden skewers as an example and have them build one to match. You will need FOUR skewers with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries, and SEVEN skewers with strawberries and bananas only (see the photo at the top of the page).
- As they are assembled, lay them side by side lifting the strawberries on the left row up over the “shoulder” of the row to its right. Keep chilled until ready to serve, and enjoy this healthy treat as you celebrate July 4th with your family!
Malcolm X once stated, “You cannot separate peace and freedom. Because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” As you consider your freedoms this year, and give thanks for the sacrifices others have made for the peace you enjoy, I hope you will think about the greater peace we have in the Gospel. While a peaceful world will likely never be achieved this side of heaven, the little we will have has to start in our own hearts, in our own homes.
Has your heart, home, or life been peaceful lately? God promises, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 Starting today, take time for God, spend time in His word, and watch Him do the rest.
Enjoy your July 4th celebration, friends!
Looking for more 4th of July treats?
Check out our recipes for FRUIT PIZZA or INDIVIDUAL FRUIT TARTS.
We encourage you to visit the A Reason For website today, to learn more about their excellent homeschooling resources!
