There are wonderful aspects about being an Auntie, but one of the most disappointing aspects is not being able to be part of your nieces and nephews' day-to-day lives. September can be particularly sad as all the school day anticipation is a nuclear family experience.

I can offer you a warm, wonderful remedy! Start a tradition! Sometime in the week before the first day of school make a “Color Dinner!" The idea is to have everything you serve, and I do mean everything, just one color. Choose their favorite color or ask your nieces and nephews to choose a color. In my forthcoming book: Color it Yummy! Expanding and Enriching Children's Meals," I present tried - with my own grand children who are 7 and 41/2 years old - and true menus, lists of various foods, and simple recipes.

Let’s start with seasonally appropriate…. ORANGE:

APPETIZERS: Orange pepper strips and baby carrots dipped in homemade Russian dressing (mayonnaise and ketchup).

ENTRÉE: Paprika dusted pork chops, baked sweet potato, steamed orange cauliflower and orange flavored applesauce; to drink, orange juice.

DESSERT: Mango chunks and clementine segments.

This menu is intended as an inspiration, so use your ingenuity and creativity to make your own unique meal. Healthier eating is simply a by product of the fun as the children focus on the novelty of one color.

It is much easier to take a taste of orange cauliflower than to follow the admonition of: "Eat your vegetables." Children love to be part of the process; making  Russian dressing is great fun. They will be more willing to try new and exotic foods as long as it is under the umbrella of color.

You can expand this new tradition to include any important events in your nieces' and nephews' lives, such as birthdays, going to camp, returning from vacation or just for the fun of it. It will strengthen your bond while introducing a more expansive way of enjoying food.

Enjoy, and please share your colorful meal plans!