This is such a great post! You are a fantastic writer, AND have put into words so many things that I am thinking right now! The information is everywhere, and I feel like the worst mother in the world for not protecting my kids from this overwhelming pile of garbage food they are being exposed to- but how do you fight a monster so big?
This is the kind of story that gives me the strength to go on- knowing I'm not the only crazy mom who wants her kids to eat food, not regurgitated garbage.
Thanks- I'm gonna share!
JJ
With grilling season pretty much here, I'm all about the homemade condiments, especially one that's so versatile. I'd like something with a bit of garlic . . .
I have started 12 varieties of tomatoes this year and by far the best germinators and hardiest seeds are the Mortgage Lifters. Love having seeds with a story!
Anon, both my boys eat edamame, which are soybeans in the shell. I too have picky eaters (4 & 6), and my new guideline is that they can eat what I put in front of them, or get something else on their own, like making their own PBJ, or a bowl of cereal and milk. This might be a challenge for a 3/5 yo, but I've found it's a good practice to start.
I make fruit smoothies with bananas, frozen fruit, honey and a block of silken tofu, often throwing in flax seed.
I'd encourage you to try to make an appointment to see St. Paul Pubic Schools' lunch operations. Mpls actually had SPPS consult on their operations, which are a pale shadow of what SPPS does. It's fairly impressive, and significantly healthier.
Anon -- Here are some things my kids liked at that age:
For a more nutritious alternative to PB&J's try organic almond butter (most of the co-ops have it freshly ground in the dairy case) and raw honey.
You can also try a bean and cheese quesadilla. Get a can of pinto beans, smash them into a chunky paste, add seasoning, spread on a whole wheat tortilla, sprinkle on grated cheddar-jack cheese and fry it up in a pan coated with olive oil. Serve it with rice flavored with cilantro and lime juice.
Annie's Whole Grain macaroni and cheese is good, too. To make it more nutritious, stir in some frozen peas while it's still hot (for color), and then sprinkle some nutritional yeast and wheat germ on it (for seasoning).
Salmon salad is a great thing to do with leftover salmon filets. And it couldn't be easier. (I just served this for lunch.) Just smash it up with a fork, add organic mayonnaise (but not canola) until the texture is spreadable, then spread it on your child's favorite crackers.
As for vegetables, grow some of your own, either in a patch of dirt in your backyard or in some pots on your deck and involve your son in the planting, the watering, etc. He will definitely see them with a new perspective when he helps grow them -- and will probably even try eating them, too.
One more bit of advice: Listen to your husband. (What?) Yes, you are "caving" when your 3 1/2 year old refuses to eat what you made for him so you give him a PB&J sandwhich instead. Are you a short-order cook or a mother? :-)
Young children should not have that much control over their parents. Not that you should make spicy Thai food or liver and onions and expect him to eat it. But there are plenty of dinners that the three of you should be able to eat and enjoy together.
I have 2 boys - I'm not worried about my youngest yet, he eats whatever I put in front of him, encluding hardboiled eggs! It's my oldest. No veggies, no whole grain pasta, no meat, only pb&j's (whole wheat bread) fruit, yogurt, and bread. My husband and I are in a consent battle because he says I cave when it comes to dinner and I end up making pb&j's. Does anyone have any awesome recipes that a 3 1/2 yr. old's will eat? I looked on Jamie's website but didn't find kids meal recipes.
There are lots of ways to get involved, and many groups working on this issue. I'd start with IATP (http://www.iatp.org/localfoods/project_healthySchool.cfm) and The Lunchbox (http://www.thelunchbox.org/), both great organizations with "feet on the street," actively working withg schools to make as difference. I'd also try hooking up with Real Food Initiatives (http://www.realfoodinitiatives.com/), an organization started by rockstar chef Seth Bixby Daugherty focused on good food in schools.
This is such a great post!
This is such a great post! You are a fantastic writer, AND have put into words so many things that I am thinking right now! The information is everywhere, and I feel like the worst mother in the world for not protecting my kids from this overwhelming pile of garbage food they are being exposed to- but how do you fight a monster so big?
This is the kind of story that gives me the strength to go on- knowing I'm not the only crazy mom who wants her kids to eat food, not regurgitated garbage.
Thanks- I'm gonna share!
JJ
With grilling season pretty
With grilling season pretty much here, I'm all about the homemade condiments, especially one that's so versatile. I'd like something with a bit of garlic . . .
I have started 12 varieties
I have started 12 varieties of tomatoes this year and by far the best germinators and hardiest seeds are the Mortgage Lifters. Love having seeds with a story!
Anon, both my boys eat
Anon, both my boys eat edamame, which are soybeans in the shell. I too have picky eaters (4 & 6), and my new guideline is that they can eat what I put in front of them, or get something else on their own, like making their own PBJ, or a bowl of cereal and milk. This might be a challenge for a 3/5 yo, but I've found it's a good practice to start.
I make fruit smoothies with bananas, frozen fruit, honey and a block of silken tofu, often throwing in flax seed.
Thank you Lee and Rich for
Thank you Lee and Rich for the great suggestions. I will look into those areas.
Thanks! Sounds easy and
Thanks! Sounds easy and good! Can't wait to make some~
I'd encourage you to try to
I'd encourage you to try to make an appointment to see St. Paul Pubic Schools' lunch operations. Mpls actually had SPPS consult on their operations, which are a pale shadow of what SPPS does. It's fairly impressive, and significantly healthier.
Anon -- Here are some things
Anon -- Here are some things my kids liked at that age:
For a more nutritious alternative to PB&J's try organic almond butter (most of the co-ops have it freshly ground in the dairy case) and raw honey.
You can also try a bean and cheese quesadilla. Get a can of pinto beans, smash them into a chunky paste, add seasoning, spread on a whole wheat tortilla, sprinkle on grated cheddar-jack cheese and fry it up in a pan coated with olive oil. Serve it with rice flavored with cilantro and lime juice.
Annie's Whole Grain macaroni and cheese is good, too. To make it more nutritious, stir in some frozen peas while it's still hot (for color), and then sprinkle some nutritional yeast and wheat germ on it (for seasoning).
Salmon salad is a great thing to do with leftover salmon filets. And it couldn't be easier. (I just served this for lunch.) Just smash it up with a fork, add organic mayonnaise (but not canola) until the texture is spreadable, then spread it on your child's favorite crackers.
As for vegetables, grow some of your own, either in a patch of dirt in your backyard or in some pots on your deck and involve your son in the planting, the watering, etc. He will definitely see them with a new perspective when he helps grow them -- and will probably even try eating them, too.
One more bit of advice: Listen to your husband. (What?) Yes, you are "caving" when your 3 1/2 year old refuses to eat what you made for him so you give him a PB&J sandwhich instead. Are you a short-order cook or a mother? :-)
Young children should not have that much control over their parents. Not that you should make spicy Thai food or liver and onions and expect him to eat it. But there are plenty of dinners that the three of you should be able to eat and enjoy together.
Hope this helps!
I have 2 boys - I'm not
I have 2 boys - I'm not worried about my youngest yet, he eats whatever I put in front of him, encluding hardboiled eggs! It's my oldest. No veggies, no whole grain pasta, no meat, only pb&j's (whole wheat bread) fruit, yogurt, and bread. My husband and I are in a consent battle because he says I cave when it comes to dinner and I end up making pb&j's. Does anyone have any awesome recipes that a 3 1/2 yr. old's will eat? I looked on Jamie's website but didn't find kids meal recipes.
Thanks Rashmi, There are
Thanks Rashmi,
There are lots of ways to get involved, and many groups working on this issue. I'd start with IATP (http://www.iatp.org/localfoods/project_healthySchool.cfm) and The Lunchbox (http://www.thelunchbox.org/), both great organizations with "feet on the street," actively working withg schools to make as difference. I'd also try hooking up with Real Food Initiatives (http://www.realfoodinitiatives.com/), an organization started by rockstar chef Seth Bixby Daugherty focused on good food in schools.
Any other great suggestions, folks?