Good Parenting

Look at your refrigerator door. I bet you have three or more incredible works of art. Those pieces of art are your children’s interpretations of their world. They are so excited when you put those masterpieces up and also proud and involved because it is their creation.

Consider this approach to food. Bring them into the kitchen and let them create their masterpieces and showcase them at a meal. Getting them involved is the first step.

How about a pizza, the age-old “ants on a log”. or funny face pancakes? “Green eggs and ham” was a great start in our home. When they could read the book, they could help make the breakfast. The scrambled eggs were loaded with finely chopped spinach and diced ham. Not a complaint from any of them.

Start with something fun and that will excite their taste buds – even if it is a treat. A pizza face with a smile of sliced orange peppers, some green pepper for the noise, pepperoni (or better yet Canadian bacon) for eyes, and healthy cheese for hair – doesn’t that sound like a fun project? I bet if they have a chance to put a part of themselves into the food, they will be proud enough of their accomplishments to try the results.

Some of the finest chefs in the country train their staff to do one special thing that makes the food look more appetizing – how to compose a plate! It is similar to choosing a background and combining shapes and colors on paper – except on a plate. Let them be creative and come up with ideas for great flavors to add to their plate. Some kids don’t like one food to touch another -they can make it so.

Fresh spinach, a favorite fruit, diced red onions, a few nuts and a sprinkle of cheese? Sounds like a great salad to me – healthy, full of flavor and colors! Sour cream and salsa makes an excellent topping to a Mexican salad filled with a mix of lettuce, some spinach, black beans, tomato, and corn. If they want corn chips instead of tortilla chips and it gets the children to eat veggies, go for it. Soup is another great creative possibility. If they aren’t old enough to chop or cook, they can help select ingredients and taste test.

To add to the fun, let them name their recipes. Write them down and start a family cookbook. Getting kids to ante up on the food tasting comes in small tastes. If done properly, it will result in giant leaps to try and enjoy different foods, learn a new skill and have time together.