Food Fun

When it comes to food, kids can be so picky. Here's a good way to mix up mealtime even if your child has a very limited palette. Serve their same old food with a new twist. It's something that may seem so obvious but we all have a tendency to fall into a rut so this option might be something you’ve never thought of. Here are a few examples that have worked in my kitchen: Mozzarella cheese- The prepackaged string cheese is great and my kids love it. But sometimes they get bored. Every once in a while, I cut it up into small circle pieces. It’s great snack to serve in a little bowl. Just the sight it cracks my 2 year old up, maybe because it’s something unexpected. They also like it grated. There's something about feeding themselves grated cheese that get's them giddy. Carrots- They are a favorite around here but to avoid burnout, I sometimes serve Minis. Other times it may be shredded or even julienned. They like them raw or cooked. And they never know how I’ll serve them so it makes it fun. Who knew? Toast- Another biggie in my family. Sometimes it’s with cream cheese cut into squares, or my toddler’s favorite in long, thin strips. Sometimes it’s a whole piece, not cut up at all. Big bread makes young children think they’re eating something really grown-up and that will get them to eat almost anything. And husband’s specialty, the “mini-toasty” where he slips an egg and some cheese in there and makes it a breakfast sandwich. Waffles- My kids request them every morning. NO, I don’t make them by hand. I take the easy way out and buy the frozen brand but even still, we have a variety of waffle offerings. The regular: cut up with syrup. The dippers: where they can dip the strips into the syrup or applesauce. And the weekend special: with whipped cream and strawberries. Yum.

When it comes to eating, the fun just never ends.