End of the Rainbow Fruit Salad

I love celebrating babies.  Today, a few other food bloggers and I are throwing a virtual baby shower for our friend, Jessica, from Sunny Side Up.  She is a food blogging friend who I had the privilege to meet two years ago while attending a food conference in San Francisco.  We met up at the Oakland airport and ventured our way together on public transportation to find our hotel.  If it wasn’t for her savvy traveling skills (she’s lived in China, people!) I know I would’ve been lost.

That’s only one of the many reasons I’m thankful for this girl!

When I had Simon, Jessica sent me the cutest little onesie and matching toddler shirt with my Seeded at the Table logo on them.  The onesie said “Little Seed” and the toddler shirt said “Big Seed”.  Ah-dor-able.  She also has the biggest heart and sweetest soul, which will make her the best mom ever.

Jessica is having a girl and they already named her Maeve, which is Irish.  Because of this, and Jessica’s love for Irish dancing, the theme for this virtual baby shower is “Jessica’s Pot of Gold”.  Isn’t that cute!?

This post is more about the gift I’m sending Jessica rather than the recipe.  I recently came across this children’s recipe adventure book called End of the Rainbow Fruit Salad.  It is the first of a new and upcoming series of interactive cookbooks with a mission to teach kids about the food they eat and establish a love for healthy eating at an early age.

With a title like “End of the Rainbow” and one of the first pages referencing a pot of gold, I couldn’t resist making this the focus of Jessica’s Irish-themed shower post!

Judah and I had fun following the recipe in the book and counting the fruit as we put together this fruit salad for Jessica and Maeve.  I love the little characters and illustrations on each page.  Super cheery and bright!  It’s such a fun way to get your kids involved in the kitchen and have them learning at the same time.

I know Jessica will also have the best of time spending time with her daughter in the kitchen, and someday they will throw together this same fruit salad while Maeve learns to count. (Jessica, yes, I’m sending you this book plus another little surprise. Look for it soon!) It may seem like a long ways away before she’s ready to cook with you, Jessica, but that day will be here in a blink of an eye!

Congratulations, friend.  I am super excited for you and pray for many blessings for you and your family in the years to come.  Enjoy and savor every moment of every milestone, phase, cry and laugh because she will be off to preschool before you know it.  😉  xoxo!!

To check out the rest of the recipes and posts for Jessica’s shower, please visit our gracious hosts:

My Baking Heart
Mrs. Regueiro’s Plate