Happy Halloween! I have a cute little Princess Jasmine and Lightning McQueen at my house ready to trick or treat. We’ve already been to a couple of parties and the night of Halloween is their last chance to dress up. I’m even getting into the spirit by dressing up myself!
So this week we are keeping it simple with the exciting return of chili. For more menu plan ideas, see Org Junkie.
What’s Cooking This Week
Monday: Pollo Asado Bowl with toppings
Tuesday: Greek Pita Pizzas with smoothies and salad
Wednesday: Kids’ Choice (not just candy)
Thursday: Grilled trout with a spice rub, baked fries, and grilled asparagus, and fruit/veggie salad (kids make their own)
Friday: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with cornbread and fruit salad
More from Cooking Light
Best and Worst Halloween Candy
The problem with 3-year-olds
Little D is 3, and pickier than ever. The other day I served homemade garlic bread and he wouldn’t eat it because it had something green on it (parsley!).
I think the toughest part of this stage for parents is not knowing that things will change. Most resistant kids won’t stay that away unless we decide to make it an issue either by making them eat or catering to their constantly changing dislikes.
I remember ages 3 and 4 being the toughest ages for Big A in terms of feeding. The difference with Little D is I can see the future through her. And it helps.
For the past year, she has not only shown more of an interest in food, she willingly takes bites most of the time. She used to take any encouragement from me as pressure but now I’m able to help her identify food she might like by comparing it to other items. (This is like X dish you like, but cooked a little differently.)
This isn’t to say that she eats everything now, but she has taken many little steps toward food acceptance. I think this slow pace, with steps backward at times, is the norm for most children. Kids do learn to accept new foods on their own, it’s just slower than we would wish.
Little D has made it his mission to get under my skin but I’m not falling for it! Sometimes he announces he will not eat the meal, and I let him know that he doesn’t have to eat, but he does have to sit at the table. (He always ends up eating at least something.) He insists that he doesn’t like a food I’m making and I tell him that he’s not the only one eating — and that I want to eat it too. (He usually ends up eating the food.)
I’m teaching him that the meals in this house don’t revolve around him, they are a family affair. He can politely say no thank you to something, but it’s not okay to announce his distaste for it because other family members enjoy eating it. His newest word is gross.
None of this is easy, but for me, it is easier the second time around. How about you?
Prop 37
The elections are coming up. I’m always torn on propositions because you read the “for” advertisement and it sounds good. Then you read the “against” advertising it that sounds right too. It drives me crazy.
But Prop 37 hits close to home because it’s about labeling food. In this case, genetically engineered foods. California could be the first state to require labels on food products to indicate if they contain GMO ingredients.
I’m in the process of doing my homework but wanted to know if any of you had thoughts either way. My plan was to include my findings in this meal plan post, but I need more time to do my research.
Let me know what you think in the comments. Have a good week!
About Prop 37: I plan to vote against this measure, unless I get further information that settles my mind about it. Though I don’t like most of the genetic modifications I hear about, and I would like a reasonable labeling law, I’m concerned about the potential for lawsuits. I also wonder what the law considers “genetically modified”, since the opposition (and the Mercury News) says this law would create confusing labeling standards. The pro ads say this law “wouldn’t cost a dime”, and my disbelief of that statement casts doubt on their other arguments as well.
@Dawn — Those are all good points. I don’t think most people really understand GMOs and labeling could only increase confusion. Maybe there could be an approved claim from FDA so the people interested could buy their product. I, too, worry about the law suits and the rise in prices. I’m not sure we’re ready for it.
Maryann, your timing on this post about Little D’s eating habits is great. My 3 year old was the most adventurous eater I had ever seen- you helped me deal with her gigantic appetite when she was a 1 year old. Over the past couple months she’s becoming increasingly picky- she’ll still eat a lot but sometimes only bread or only fruit. She’s even begun saying “I don’t like that” to things she used to love. I’m lucky to have read enough of your stuff to know how to handle it, but it’s good for everyone to know that picky eating can happen to any child!
Hi Megan! I think most children go through some kind of picky stage. I’ve read some studies that kids with big appetites tend to be less picky. That was Little D too — he ate sooo much as a baby and young toddler (although he has never loved sweet fruit!). So even though he’s picky now he has times where he is so hungry he will eat anything (he had 3 small burritos for dinner tonight). But overall, his appetite has declined and he’s resistant. I think knowing what to expect it is key so parents aren’t thrown off guard. Always good to be prepared ; )
Re. prop 37… I wonder if passage of this bill could inadvertently increase the use of pesticides. If prop 37 gets companies to avoid GMO ingredients so their food doesn’t have The Label, farmers will also move away from GMO crops. But don’t GMOs make crops more pest resistant with fewer pesticides? So if farmers use fewer GMOs, won’t they have to make up for that by adding more pesticides? I don’t actually know if this is true or not, just something to think about.
About Proposition 37: I agree that the ads are confusing. My normal rule when I’m confused about a proposition is to follow the money- by identifying who is funding each side of the proposal you get a better idea what is at stake. Funding against Proposition 37 is largely by large corporations such as Monsanto and huge food companies (who in my opinion do not have the consumers best interest at heart… but rather money). Monsanto funded a similar proposition in Oregon a few years back(which did not end up passing) and made the claim that it would “be bad for small farmers” a scare tactic similar to the more current rhetoric that “there will be too much litigation” in that they are both distortions. I believe strongly that Monsanto and large food companies want to keep the consumers in the dark about the fact that GMOs are in almost everything so that they wont have to change their habits anytime soon. Michael Pollan has come out strongly in support of 37- he is a voice I trust regarding nutrition which gives me even more confidence in my decision to vote yes. You seem like a sensible person and I’m sure whatever way you vote will be well researched and valid, thanks for letting me share my two cents, your blog post came up in my feed and I just had to comment.
California is the state to look at for creating new law.
I’m visiting from Organized Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday today.
My faithful waffle maker of 16 years died last night! It was a wedding gift so I think that’s why my husband and I are upset. Now it’s time to shop for another one that will last another 16 years!
Looks like there’s going to be some amazing meals this week.
Happy Halloween!
Welcome Rona! Thanks for stopping by!
I recommend reading Barbara Quinn, RD’s article on Prop 37 in the Monterey Herald newspaper. She addresses the fundamental question that I think consumers are trying to answer with this proposition, “Are foods produced with genetic engineering techniques better … or worse than traditional crops?”
http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_21837957/barbara-quinn-nutrition-understanding-science-genetically-modified-organism?source=most_emailed
Thanks Trina…great article. Much to think about.
Maryann I always love your articles but the pictures you use are consistently white children and families. Please try to use more pictures of minorities.
Thanks for your honesty Sally. I have been using Dreamstime for a long time and purchase my photos so I always go for the least expensive ones (that fit the subject) so there haven’t been a lot of choices. But I’m switching now so will keep this in mind. Thanks again!