Friday, June 5, 2009

Encouraging Vegetable Consumption

My children don't eat enough vegetables.

I admit it. I am not exactly sure how much vegetable matter they should be consuming, but I bet they fall short. Call it motherly intuition.


Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, I have discovered the 'secret' to encouraging vegetable consumption. Merely follow these simple steps.
1. Purchase the largest, freshest, and most expensive artichoke available in the Cleveland area.

2. Steam it carefully for nearly an hour while you feed your children other healthy foods.

3. Tell them that it is a huge flower, looks very weird, is expensive, and is 'Mommy's treat.' (You are now half-way there).


4. Take your children outside and let them ride their bicycles so they will leave you alone while you consume this gorgeous artichoke - uh, very gracefully in your lap sitting in the kid's wagon.
5. Pretty soon, that curly-headed girl will wonder what you are doing. Reluctantly let her try one.

6. When she gets tired of standing, hovering over your precious artichoke, let her sit down in the wagon with you.


7. Exchange nibbled leaves for freshly steamed leaves from your bowl. Repeat.



8. Try not to cry when your precious artichoke begins to disappear.



9. Don't be stingy and forget to tell her about the heart, even though you are tempted to tell her that part doesn't taste as good.




10. Work on matching shoes next week.





6 comments:

Badass Geek said...

I have a hard time getting my shoes to match sometimes, too.

Aunt Juicebox said...

Funny! And I love that bowl!

Indy said...

I don't think I could eat them without cheese and tortilla chips. LOL.

Jen said...

Luv Artichokes too!! But where is the melted butter to dip in?? MMMM.
I like the technique of getting kids interested in eating something new and healthy. Sorry darling ALL the broccoli is for Mom!!

MIT Mommy said...

Badass - I understand. Geeks often buy multiples of the same style because it can be so confusing. Of course, I would never do that.

Aunt Juicebox - I had to go back and look to see what bowl I used. I bought those in Hawaii I think. I use them all the time. Someday my kids will go to China and feel at home, right?

Indy/Jen - Yeah - my mom dips them in a mayonnaise thing, but I always eat them just steamed with nothing on it.

Flea said...

Oh my! I haven't had a fresh artichoke in eons! That looks so good.

Love the shoes. :)