I’d like to share a true story that happened just last week. 

The grocery store was the last stop as I was running some errands with my two toddlers.  I have our 2 year old daughter (will be 3 in July) and our 18 month old son.  As you can imagine, by this third stop they were both starting to get tired of getting in and out of the car.  I mean, who wouldn’t start getting annoyed with that, right?  I couldn’t blame them. 

So, I did what any parent who needs to get something accomplished would do.  I turned around after parking in the grocery store parking lot and said:

“This is the last stop.  I promise.  Can you do Mommy a favor and just hang in for a few minutes more while we go in the store?”  As I looked at their I’m-going-to-have-a-meltdown-any-minute faces staring back at me, I then uttered the famous words:

“Mommy will buy you a treat if you’re good.”

As you would imagine, they perked up a bit after hearing that.  So, after snagging the last double grocery cart with that lovely front car attachment (thank the parental gods for those things!), into the store we ventured.

As I repeated the four items we needed over and over in my mind (milk, eggs, bananas and cereal), we made our way through the store.  As I grabbed the cereal box, I said to my daughter:

“Okay, we’re just about done.  And since you and your brother have been such good listeners today even though we’ve been in and out of the car a lot, I want you to tell me the special treat that you want.” 

She poked her little face out of the side of the cart and looked at me as if she had just won the kiddie lotto.  So, I reiterated:

“Yes, just tell Mommy what you want.  Anything you want in the store.” 

I totally cringed after I said it thinking she’s going to pick candy or something else sugar-laden.  I let her choose since her brother will copy her and eat what she eats regardless if I asked him or not!

As I could see the excitement building in her face, like I could literally see all the thoughts running through her mind, and as she opened up her mouth, I braced myself as she said:

“Ummm, I want…”

(Huge pause) 

“Uh, I want…Strawberries!” 

I was blown away. 

Of all the goodies we had passed in the store that I knew she had seen – the ice cream near the egg aisle, the chocolate and pink colored milks surrounding the regular milk.  Even those over-priced balloons they have everywhere and the toys hanging on every end cap of the non-perishable aisles.  She could have picked any of those things – but no, she didn’t.  She picked FRUIT!

Just when I was about to jump for joy with my pride-swelling heart and when I really thought things couldn’t get any better – she opened her mouth and added:

“Strawberries, Mommy.  But, I want cantaloupe, too.  Okay, Mommy? Can I?”

It was a very proud day for me.  But don’t get me wrong.  You may be thinking that by the way I reacted to her choice that my kids don’t eat healthily or that this was a huge deal for the wrong reasons.  Don’t misunderstand.

My reaction to her decision was because all of the effort we exert as parents to provide our children with the foundation of good eating principles (among other things ) and the power to make good choices. 

Here’s how we’ve gotten to this point in these past few years – much of which you’ll find here on Today I Ate A Rainbow:

1.       Everything in moderation - I tell my kids “Eat this first and then you can have that.”  Chances are, when they fill up on the good stuff, they are less likely to be hungry for the “bad” stuff when the time comes.  Sometimes they forget and other times, they don’t.

2.       Associate with an element of fun – I try to make eating enjoyable.   When possible, we try to do really with fun and memorable things as a family.  We have family dinners every night and I let the kids pick out the vegetables we’ll eat and prepare.  During the day we have “picnics” for snack time.  Some days it’s a tea party with some graham crackers and some fresh fruit.  Other days, it’s something different.  Sure, we may have fresh baked cookies from time to time, but again, moderation and making it fun and memorable.  Last fall, we went apple picking and my daughter still remembers she got her very own bag and got to pick the apples right from the trees. 

3.       Make it accessible – If you open the refrigerator or pantry and the first thing they see is the “junk” of course they’ll want that first.  We have those items in our house too – but I keep the fruit out on the counter and at their eye-level shelves in the fridge, while the cookies or chips are behind the whole grain crackers or the low-fat pretzels.  

4.       Offer it (even if they don’t eat it) - Every night for dinner from a very young age, I’d place vegetables on my daughter’s plate with the rest of the meal.  She rarely ate them – maybe a bite or two.  However, she got used to seeing them on her plate and they were always offered and available.  I did the same for our son and so far, it’s worked out well.

5.       Lead by example – When I reach for a snack, they see me eating grabbing the apples, or cucumbers, carrots, and red pepper slices.  My husband and I both love banana and other berries in our cereal and our kids are the typical I-want-what-you’re-having toddlers and now they also love banana and strawberries sliced in their cereal.

6.       Involve them -  Whether it’s picking out the specific pieces of fruit in the store or farm stand, helping place the container of freshly cut fruit in the fridge or letting them help water the tomato plant – just involve them.  Kids, by nature, are curious and eager to learn and help.  So, let them!  

7.       Dip it – Dipping is fun!  Offer a variety of choices of dips for them to eat with their fruit or veggies.  Humus or any low-fat dressing is yummy for vegetables.  Here’s a fruit dip I learned to make a long time ago and make on occasion: Mix a small container of a berry yogurt and some aerosol whipped cream until it’s to the dip-like consistency you prefer.  Serve with melons, pineapple or berries.  

8.       Sneak it in – Well, maybe not really sneaky, but add purees and veggies whenever you can to dishes.  Even baked goods!  I use unsweetened applesauce or another puree in place of oils.  They’ll never know that macaroni and cheese has some pureed cauliflower or squash mixed in or that pasta casserole has some spinach in it. 

While our eating is far from perfect, I’d like to think it is balanced.  All I can do is to continue to encourage our kids to make the right choices and be consistent with having the healthiest options available.  Most importantly, I just plan to be supportive of the choices they make along the way and keep my fingers crossed that on most days, they’ll choose the strawberries over the candy. 

Carly Kirsch
Newly Nested
www.newly-nested.com
http://newly-nested.blogspot.com/

Complete baby planning services for your new or expanding nest.

Carly is a Baby Planner & Consultant and owner of Newly Nested. 

Like most “mompreneurs” her career did not exactly begin with owning her own business.  She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication in 2003 from Central Connecticut State University and continued on to hold positions in Marketing, Communications and Public Relations.  

After searching for her next potential career opportunity after the birth of her second child, Carly found herself continuously coming back to the idea of doing something that involved families while combining her knowledge of all things pregnancy, baby and beyond.  

She was already being asked questions by friends, family members and acquaintances about pregnancy, baby products and opinions or suggestions about parenting. 

Then, it clicked.  If people close to her wanted and needed advice on everything from baby registries to brands of diapers and more, then there must be others who needed these services as well.  The next step was simple – creating Newly Nested.  It combines everything Carly is passionate about and is something she truly and honestly loves to do.  

Carly has a lovely nest of her own with her husband, two children and dog in Cheshire, Connecticut.

She currently writes a Mom’s Talk column on Patch.com and is a member of the International Baby Planners Association. You can connect with her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Newly-Nested/123442977709663 and Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/CarlyKirsch.

Loveable Ladybugs
Adapted from Batter Up Kids: Delicious Desserts Makes 12 ladybugs

What you need:
12 seedless Green or Red Grapes
12 (6- to 8-inch) wooden skewers or toothpicks
12 whole strawberries
24 mini chocolate chips or dried black currents

Directions:
Step 1. Wash your grapes and strawberries

Step 2. Cut the ends off of the strawberries and cut the grapes in half

Step 3. Slice off the bottom of the strawberries (this will help them to sit flat on the plate)

Step 4. Place a grape on a toothpick or wooden skewer, sliding it all the way to the end

Step 5. Next place the strawberry on the skewer, cut end first, and slide it down to touch the grape

Step 6. Gently score the top of the strawberry to create the appearance of wings

Step 7. Finally, carefully push the pointed ends of the chocolate chips (or dried currants) into the strawberry to make the ladybug’s spots.