vegephobic toddler (was High fat diets and methylation)

[Guest guest]

My name is Cheryl and I've so enjoyed listening in on your

discussions. I've been challenged to grow in my understanding and have

learned lots. I'll post an introduction within the next few days.

I am experienced with toddlers going through stages of not wanting

veggies. (I have a 5yob, 4yog, 2yob, and a 5mob.) Hopefully something

that's worked for us will work for you...or at least stir up the solution

that is within you. :-)

One thing that peaks their interest in veggies is having them help prepare

them. They get a sense of pride and ownership in " their dish " and not only

eat it but actively " sell " it to siblings (and much more effectively than I

ever could!)

Foraging is great for toddlers. Find a weed woman near you or get a book

on edible weeds in your area. Dandelions (in the spring), chamomile,

mints, oxalis (tastes lemony), chick weed (crunchy), plantain, lambs

quarters, violets, purslane, docks, and red clover are all edible. Before

we moved to town I'd take a child out with me every morning (when the dew

was still on the plants) to collect greens growing wild around the house to

put in our blender for green drink. They'd always put lots of oxalis and

mint in theirs drinks. Now we live in town so we don't have as varied a

weed selection. :-( There are still plenty of edible plants around. They

delight in snacking from nature... sucking the nectar from clover,

puckering on a rosehip, eating flowers, and so on. Three seasons out of

the year they don't have to stop playing outside and sit at a table to eat

a nutritious snack.

Hiding is always good. When I juice vegetables I'll often reserve the pulp

and use to thicken sauces and soups. They also can provide a moisture

source in cakes and breads.

Do dips work for you? My two year old will dip a veggie, lick off the dip,

then stick the veggie back in the dip as if it were a spoon. If you like I

can dig up a dip recipe that uses tahini, carrots, and celery. Even using

the veggie as a spoon he'd still be getting his veggies.

Sometimes we make the food more entertaining. Our children like eating

veggie curls. I (or my older two) use a vegetable peeler to peel all the

way through a vegetable. Some things like broccoli need to be soaked in

cold water to make them curl up more. Along this line is grating

vegetables and sprinkling them on a serving as a colorful garnish or mixing

it in a dish.

Have to get children dressed now. Hope I didn't repeat anyone as I'm two

days behind in reading my email.

~Cheryl

----------

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.295 / Virus Database: 159 - Release Date: 11/1/2001