Focusing on Fussy Eaters Part 2
I hope some of the ideas from last week’s blog, Focus on Fussy Eaters, helped to tempt those fussy eaters to nibble a few new foods! Today I have a few hints from friends who have overcome finicky behaviors at the table.
A mom who read the blog shared a great idea. She makes meals an adventure! For example, mashed potatoes become a mountain with a lake of gravy and a few “boats” of pot roast, julienne carrots create a “campfire” when stacked and a drop of honey is the “fire”, and Brussels sprouts are mini cabbages just picked from Mr. McGregor’s garden. Weave a story into the meal. Invite the kids to join in the storytelling.
Another tactic is to use a variety of eating utensils. Try chopsticks to give a twist to mealtime. Use fancy toothpicks in fruit, vegetables, or meat. (Make sure the prices are cut small enough to not be a chocking hazard.) My mom gave the boys spaghetti forks years ago. The battery-operated forks would spin at the touch of a button. They wanted to use the forks at every meal. Messy, yes! But very fun, no matter what was on the other end of the fork.
Try a disguise for the objectionable food. My friend, Judy, did just that when her children weren’t interested in green veggies. She hid zucchini in none other than chocolate cake. She graciously gave me permission to share her recipe. It’s really good!
Judy’s Zucchini Sheet Cake
2 C sugar
1 C oil
3 eggs
2 ½ C flour
¼ C baking cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1 C milk
2 C shredded zucchini
1 Tbsp. vanilla
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 10 x 15 jellyroll pan. Combine sugar and oil. Add eggs, beating well after each one is added. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix into sugar mixture alternately with the milk. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Pour into pan. Bake 25 minutes or until center is done. Check with a toothpick. Frost with chocolate frosting.
Chocolate Frosting
¼ C butter
1/8 C cocoa
3 Tbsp. evaporated OR regular milk
2 C powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
Mix all ingredients together. Spread over slightly cooled cake.
Sometimes kids absolutely will not eat certain foods. Just keep offering a variety of foods. Taste buds do mature!
God is great, God is good,
Let us thank Him for our food.
Amen
© 2013 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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Photo by Peter Wendt on Unsplash