Thank you to all my 50,000+ followers.  Thank you for following me.  Thank you for understanding my purpose.  I hope I help you or others.  

Just for the record… it’s been really difficult with my youngest son lately. He’s my pickiest eater.  Getting him to eat a variety of foods has been really challenging in the past couple of weeks.  Actually seemingly overnight he’s gone off some of his old favorites (salmon, seaweed, mushrooms, cheese) so I’m not cooking/serving most of them right now. Instead of trying too hard with lots of different foods, I am going with healthful foods I know he will eat.  

So for his health and our sanity I am serving mostly the following foods: broccoli, sugar and snap peas, green beans, celery, carrots, apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, pears, yogurts, milk, and fairly plain salads.  He’ll eat other things apart from these fruits and vegetables as well, but really limited considering the rest of the family— brown rice, pasta (plain), chicken, baked white fish, couscous, hummus, peanut butter, steak, lamb. 

He won’t eat soup, chili, stew, stir fry, and most foods that are a one pot meals. Last week was difficult since that’s mostly what I made.  Makes it challenging but I am still making him eat a little of the food if I’ve made it.   I figure just like he is “off” certain former favorites and not liking things mixed, he will eventually come back to a greater variety if I don’t push too hard, but remain firm.  I remember when I was his age taking a dislike to the cheese on pizza and sauce on spaghetti, but I got adventurous again not long after and my mother didn’t push.  Instead of any possibility of a fight, most of this week I am cooking things I know he’ll eat.

As a child I remember going to some friends’ homes where the mom made my brother and I eat the overcooked zucchini and squash.  Big-seeded, mushy, thin-cut vegetables are not appealing to many young kids. I held my nose and choked it down.  My brother sat at that table all night.  We wouldn’t touch them for years.  Now, it’s a different story.  I think if the vegetables are cooked right they are more appealing, but it’s not a guarantee that they’ll pass muster.  Also if you push too hard, if you aren’t flexible, it can backfire.  It’s a fine line and not an easy thing to decide.  Being firm yet flexible. Not giving in every time, but understanding when you must bend the rules.  So making sure the alternatives aren’t full of sugar and that his dietary needs are met.  Thankfully he still loves his broccoli. 

And now to prepare for another storm.  Hopefully we won’t lose power in this one because no power equals no heat or water (hot or cold). 

Is there anything you wish to know?   A recipe I didn’t share?  A story you’d like to share or something you wish I’d share?  Let me know!