I once read that restaurants sell more vegetarian entrees if they don't call them "vegetarian."  Apparently, most non-vegetarians assume that anything in the vegetarian section of the menu is for "other people," not omnivores like them, so they don't even bother to look. My husband definitely falls into that category.  If I tried to start a Meatless Monday tradition, he would mentally relabel it Miserable Monday, and count the hours until Tuesday.  If I ever do cook a vegetarian meal, I sure ... continue reading...

In her book The 52 New Foods Challenge (which I referenced in my last post), Jennifer Tyler Lee discusses the power of what she calls "gateway foods": ingredients your child already likes, which will make them more willing to branch out and try a new dish.  For example, Lee once served blueberries (which her kids love) in a simple fruit salad with chopped mango (which was new to them).  Her kids were more willing to try the mango because it was paired with a favorite, familiar food. Maybe ... continue reading...

People--kids included--tend to be more receptive to things when they have some say in what's happening.  At our home, that can mean things like: Serving themselves Choosing what to add to their entree Selecting our entree or side dish Helping prepare what your family eats. Self-Serve Dinners Most of our meals are served "family-style," with a pot or skillet in the middle of the table, along with a very simple side dish or two (and when I say "simple," I mean it--a bowl of baby ... continue reading...

  Years ago, when my two oldest children were still little, I went to a seminar for parents of picky eaters.  The teacher explained that at dinner time, she served her kids a small amount of something healthy they disliked.  She then put a food they really liked on the table, and told them they could have the thing they wanted after they finished what was already on their plate.  She said her kids always ate the first thing she served so they could get the thing they liked ... continue reading...