My kids don't like salad. In fact, every time they see lettuce, or fresh herbs for that matter, on anything, I hear the same thing from the pink booster seat section of the dining room: "Salad!? I don't like salad!" But if you're trying to get kids to eat (and at some point enjoy) fresh and healthy foods, it's all about repetition — sometimes with a twist. I bought these Japanese vegetable cutters online for less than four bucks, and they've been worth their weight in gold. Here, simple carrots and cucumbers get a new look in seconds — and make this spinach salad suddenly appealing.

I'm no fool; I know a star-shaped carrot will get you only so far, but I'm just trying to get the kids engaged. Pique their interests. If it takes a heart or a star to pull off a spinach salad for the under-five set, I'm in.