As well-meaning parents, we strive to ensure the health and development of our children by offering fresh, nutritious, vitamin-rich foods. However, as a mother seasoned with 13 years of experience, I know all too well the pitfalls of toddler-hood--especially during mealtimes.
There was a time before Mary turned 2 when she ate practically anything that was presented to her. She ate broccoli like it was candy, devoured peas and carrots as if they were chocolate morsels, and munched on beans like they were potato chips. She welcomed all fruit, including pink grapefruit despite its mildly acerbic aftertaste. During this period of epicurean awakening, Mary’s absolute favorite meal was extra-firm tofu in bite size cubes with about a half-cup of red kidney beans and a handful of cubed mozzarella cheese. Today, as a precocious 3-year-old, her taste buds have decided to revolt against the best intentions of a healthy diet. As if, overnight, her taste buds staged a coup and ousted her cravings for healthier fare. Her repertoire of fruits and vegetables has been reduced to 5 kinds of fruit and baby carrots. She refuses to eat peas, corn, and other vegetables. Fortunately, Mary still likes tofu, 100% whole grain breads and pasta, and she will eat broccoli topped with a little bribery.
I decided to engage in a little deception. Drawing inspiration from a recipe book my mother gave me titled “Deceptively Delicious,” I invented something called “green cheese”. Its name might conjure up images of rancid cheese or mold on weeks-old bread; but it is, quite simply, spinach! Basically, I take finely chopped spinach and cover it up with cheese. This kind of deception works best on foods like homemade burritos, grilled turkey & cheese sandwiches, turkey cheeseburgers, or most foods that include cheese. The name came about one day when Mary asked me what the “green thing” was in her bean and cheese burrito. In a panic, I searched my brain for an answer to calm her suspicion. Suddenly, of its own accord, my mouth blurted, “green cheese”.
I knew for certain that Mary was sold on green cheese when she saw me chopping spinach yesterday to put in her grilled turkey & cheese sandwich. As expected, she asked, “Is that spinach?” I replied, “Yes, it is.” Sure enough, Mary whined, “But I don’t want spinach.” I firmly stated, “This is what we’re having.” To which Mary replied, “But I don’t want spinach. I want green cheese.” Success!
Now if I can only figure out a way to make deceptively delicious Brussels sprouts!
(P.S. The beautifully designed plate is a one-of-a-kind original made by Mary's big sister, Danielle).
There was a time before Mary turned 2 when she ate practically anything that was presented to her. She ate broccoli like it was candy, devoured peas and carrots as if they were chocolate morsels, and munched on beans like they were potato chips. She welcomed all fruit, including pink grapefruit despite its mildly acerbic aftertaste. During this period of epicurean awakening, Mary’s absolute favorite meal was extra-firm tofu in bite size cubes with about a half-cup of red kidney beans and a handful of cubed mozzarella cheese. Today, as a precocious 3-year-old, her taste buds have decided to revolt against the best intentions of a healthy diet. As if, overnight, her taste buds staged a coup and ousted her cravings for healthier fare. Her repertoire of fruits and vegetables has been reduced to 5 kinds of fruit and baby carrots. She refuses to eat peas, corn, and other vegetables. Fortunately, Mary still likes tofu, 100% whole grain breads and pasta, and she will eat broccoli topped with a little bribery.
I decided to engage in a little deception. Drawing inspiration from a recipe book my mother gave me titled “Deceptively Delicious,” I invented something called “green cheese”. Its name might conjure up images of rancid cheese or mold on weeks-old bread; but it is, quite simply, spinach! Basically, I take finely chopped spinach and cover it up with cheese. This kind of deception works best on foods like homemade burritos, grilled turkey & cheese sandwiches, turkey cheeseburgers, or most foods that include cheese. The name came about one day when Mary asked me what the “green thing” was in her bean and cheese burrito. In a panic, I searched my brain for an answer to calm her suspicion. Suddenly, of its own accord, my mouth blurted, “green cheese”.
I knew for certain that Mary was sold on green cheese when she saw me chopping spinach yesterday to put in her grilled turkey & cheese sandwich. As expected, she asked, “Is that spinach?” I replied, “Yes, it is.” Sure enough, Mary whined, “But I don’t want spinach.” I firmly stated, “This is what we’re having.” To which Mary replied, “But I don’t want spinach. I want green cheese.” Success!
Now if I can only figure out a way to make deceptively delicious Brussels sprouts!
(P.S. The beautifully designed plate is a one-of-a-kind original made by Mary's big sister, Danielle).
