California mom turns meals into art to encourage kids to eat fruits and vegetables

WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- A California mom took to making elaborately designed meals to encourage her children to eat fruits and vegetables.

Sarah Gonzalez shares photos of her "fun meals" on her Instagram page where she arranges healthy foods into artistic designs.

Her page features festive holiday designs including a turkey made from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and an assortment of vegetables as well as pop culture references such as her "Shark Week" design, which features a tortilla designed to look like a shark swimming in a sea of mixed vegetables, grapes and crackers.

Gonzalez told Nanny Magazine that her picky daughter, then 4-years-old, was the inspiration for her artwork and the "lunch" portion of her username.

"She would have no problems eating breakfast or dinner, but lunch was always a hassle. She would complain and throw temper tantrums over everything I offered her," she said. "I started researching different ways to encourage her to eat better and that is where I discovered the world of creative food!"

Gonzalez said that she had not background or formal training in the arts, but enjoys participating in creative activities and has confidence in her abilities.

"If it can be made with food then I can make it!" Gonzalez said.