Another Small Victory

Why am I blipping produce again? Some of you may be wondering if I am beginning a new blip series. Bridges, portraits/interviews, running water......and now fruit? It is not a new series, it is a WAY OF LIFE. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

There is a new motto in this home. And this motto was created today for our kids.


New Kitchen......New Rules.

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And here's what my kids thought about the new motto earlier today:

Me: New Kitchen.....New Rules you guys.

My son: New Kitchen New Rules?

Me: Yes. Your food is going to change around here.

My son: Aaaah man....

My daughter: I no want New Rules New Kitchen.

My son: No it's New Kitchen New Rules.

My daughter: New Kitchen New Rules is yucky!!!

So, as you can see, I pretty much figured that dinner was going to be a challenge / mini nightmare. But at lunch today, they both agreed that since they liked their chicken last night, it would be okay if I put thin slices of it in their grilled cheese sandwiches. We are making progress.

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Dinner Time.

My daughter: I want noodles and shaky cheese (parmesan cheese) fo dinna'.

Me: Well hip hip hooray for that because I am making Spaghetti.

My daughter: Yay!!!!

Me: Spaghetti with red sauce.

My daughter: Oooo, I no like that.

Me: I know, but today you will.

My son: Ooooh great.

I decided on Spaghetti for our second food challenge night because I wanted to experiment with sneaking some good stuff into the sauce. So I blended two cups of marinara sauce with a half a can of peas and some fresh cloves of garlic (I have to say, I am not getting canned peas anymore due to the mushy factor. Frozen peas are crisper and tastier). Yes, it was a little heavy on the pea flavor side but my kids don't like red sauce and they won't eat peas so how would they know?! I chose a really fun bag of noodles and I called them, "Monster Truck Wheels". Believe me, that didn't really excite them as they were quickly figuring out that I was just trying to make it sound fun. I let them each sprinkle on their own shaky cheese and I watched and I waited. My daughter said, "Ewwww" but then took a bite. I was shocked. My son reluctantly took a bite and then said, "This isn't good.....it's great!" (that's his new funny little joke). Oh good. Off to a very good start.

Then they both started to slow down mid meal. And then started goofing around. My daughter was wanting to push her plate away. So I actually had to take turns spoon feeding the spaghetti to each of them. And believe me, I am not going to pretend that this did not get very old and frustrating. I had to keep reminding myself that at least they were eating it. So I told them that tomorrow I would not spoon feed them anymore. They were turning that whole scenario into a funny game and that is not going to be a funny game at every meal. Then they finished their spaghetti with a side of cottage cheese and applesauce. And they made it through dinner without spilling their milk. A miracle I tell you!

After dinner, I got out a piece of paper and we made a sticker chart. 15 blank squares for each of them. And they can earn three stickers a day which means that they can make the decision to eat their meal and have the opportunity to put a sticker into three separate squares. The goal is to fill up the chart. My son asked what happens when they fill the chart. I actually have no idea but we will come up with something. I am thinking a special activity somewhere. Something like bowling.

And tonight as they were getting ready for bed, I let them know that we would be having waffles in the morning. "Yay!!!!" they both screamed. I will be blending a banana, egg, peaches and flax seed into the waffles with the hope that they won't even know because it will still look like a waffle. And then we will be visiting our local health food store soon for multi grain waffle mix and wheat germ. My Mom made us sprinkle wheat germ on everything cereal related as kids. I didn't appreciate it then but I appreciate it now. Thanks Mom for the good healthy foundation!!

I know, it appears as if I am obsessed with this right now. But they are finally taking bites of things that they would have otherwise refused so I need to jump on this and keep the momentum going. No more plain cheese quesadillas. From here on out, there will be beans and whatever meat that we are eating on the inside. And I am going to be thinking of ways to blend the avocado back into their diet. An important brain food that they loved as infants. But since it is green, it has been a no go. Aaaah, there is still so much work to be done.

New Kitchen......New Rules. And we're sticking to it.