Wasabi

My eldest daughter (4.5) is a picky eater. Like many parents, I struggle to get a decent amount of vegetables into her; especially the green ones. For months she will love something and then, out of no where, she'll declare it "yucky". I have to be creative and patient. Most of all, I cannot engage into a power struggle with her. And, yes, this is incredibly difficult at times.

The upside of her pickiness is her willingness to try almost all foods. I attribute this to our rule that she never has to eat anything she doesn't like. We'll even let her spit things out. All she has to do is try it.

I used to be an avid sushi lover. When she was a baby, I went out of my way to make sure she was comfortable eating sushi restaurants. We even asked that a good friend of the family buy her a book about sushi for her first birthday. She eats the same thing every time we go, but the point is that there are items on the menu in a sushi restaurant that she wants to eat.

Tonight, she asked to go for sushi. It was just the two of us and although I wasn't really in the mood, what Mom in their right mind turns down their 4 year old asking to go for sushi? As usual, she ate her avocado roll. To be honest, I wasn't really paying attention to her. I think I was daydreaming and looking out the window when I looked up and see the panicked expression all of her face. Her eyes are watering and clearly, she's scared. I look down and see that she's eaten the entire glob of wasabi. Poor kid, she thought it was avocado.

In the seconds that proceeded running to the bathroom and cleaning out her mouth, I had another "a-ha" moment when it comes to kids and eating. I've always said part of the reason kids are picky is because they aren't working from the same frame of reference we are. I can look at a red pepper and know that I don't like it. You can tell me there is dill in something, and I know I don't want it. I know that Indian food doesn't work well for me. Kids can't do this. They HAVE to trust us to guide them. If we constantly force them to eat things they don't like, why would they willingly eat "just one bite?"

If you want your kids to trust you when it comes to food, you can't force them to eat. All you can do is model the behavior you want them to have, and trust that after seeing you eat your spinach 4000 times, they'll eventually ask for some, too. Just make sure you remember to teach them the difference between wasabi and avocado.

Do you have a picky eater?

I can’t tell you how many people ask me what to do with kids that are picky eaters, or how to introduce solids to ensure a child won’t be picky later. It is a complex question that doesn’t have a simple answer. I can pretty much assure you that your child WILL be picky at some point, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel and serve chicken nuggets every night. Here are some of my best suggestions on how to handle the picky child:

1. If you have a baby, I encourage people to think through how they introduce solids and make it FUN! Start with orange vegetables, which are slightly sweet and make sure that you have a child who consistently eats vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes before you introduce addictive carbohydrates like puffs, cheerios, bagels and crackers. On the same note, go through the yummy foods before you experiment with tastes that are often acquired, like the green vegetables. Feel free to mix those green veggies (not before 9 months) with something sweet. Apples, millet and spinach or kale, quinoa and banana.

2. Let your child play with their food. Kids learn through exploration and that can consist of all different things. Food doesn’t have to be scary. Allowing a child to finger paint with food (preferably in a controlled environment, not a 5 star restaurant) allows them to feel the food, and maybe even taste the food by licking their fingers. You have to remember that you KNOW you don’t like certain foods because you know what everything tastes like already. Children don’t have that advantage. As a result, they have a tendency to be skeptical. That’s OK. (Repeat after me, “It is OK if my kid did not eat .”

3. How long did it take you to learn to like beer? Or red wine? Or grapefruits? Personally, I had to learn to like all of those things. Heck, I’m still working on red wine. Remember that next time your child spits out their and claims, “I don’t like that!”.

4. Cook with your kids! Trust me, I *know* it makes things go much more slowly and makes the process a lot messier than if you just do it yourself. However, getting kids involved with their food is an important step in making food more accessible. They are so much more likely to eat something they’ve helped prepare.

5. Make it FUN! I’m a huge advocate for shapes and rainbows. Make owl faces out of their pancakes. Be creative. Kids will literally, eat it up.

6. Set a good example. So many people want their kids to eat their vegetables when they won’t do so themselves. Sit down to a meal with your kids and let them see how much you enjoy your own healthy foods. It might not happen overnight, but, trust me, they’re watching!

Stress, Blogging and Detoxing

So, let's just get it out of the way and say it. I suck at this blogging thing. It is a lovely idea and I can't tell you how many blog posts I write in my head that never actually make it to the screen. Part of me has even thought that I should stop telling people I have a blog. So, instead of composing another post in my head as I do the dishes and fold laundry, I thought, "let me actually go upstairs to my computer". Here I am.

Riveting, huh?

My life these days is just that. I cook, clean, drive back and forth from the park, school, ballet, playdates, and the grocery store. When my kids are asleep, I work. When they are at school, I excercise. And my brain NEVER.STOPS. I need a break. I tell my clients to take time for themselves, yet, I'm not always great about following my own advice. A friend at the gym today suggested I should plan better. Sometimes I feel like everything I do is planned.

What's my point, you wonder? Well, I was downstairs thinking about all of this shoving food into my mouth because today was a horrible planning day for me in terms of food. When I plan, which I usually do, we eat very well. Today was the exception to the rule. Breakfast was normal as we have our routine of green smoothies and oatmeal. I dropped the kids at school, went to the gym, and ran home for an 11am conference call. Next thing you know, it is 12:40pm, I haven't eaten lunch, and have to pick the kids up at school in 20 minutes. I run out the door (wearing my pajamas because I don't have time to change...not that anyone would really notice the difference between my pjs and normal attire of sweatpants). My daughter shows me the Purim basket she made me, complete with chocolate chip hamentashen. I'm starving, and proceed to shove the entire cookie into my mouth as I'm loading the kids into the van. We get home, I make myself a decent lunch of leftovers from a couple nights ago. Sweet potato and beans, I think. I put the little one down for a nap, the older one heads to the park, and I get ready to take the kids to ballet and do a couple loads of laundry (where do all these clothes come from???). I get snacks for them, but not for myself. Wake the little one, she's cranky. Load the car, pick up the older one from the park. Change into ballet clothes in the car, drop the older one, take the little one to the park. I have zero clue about what to make for dinner. On the way home I'm thinking how nice it would be if fast food were an option. For me, it just isn't. We head to the grocery store and look for dinner ideas. It is 5:40 and I'm STARVING and have two kids with me. It's not pretty. Make a long story short, I couldn't find anything fast *and* decent at the grocery store, so I buy a package of sausage and decide we are having toast, eggs, greens and sausage for dinner. Fine. I AM GOING TO KNAW MY ARM OFF AT THIS POINT. As I'm making dinner, I eat 3-4 sausages and a couple pieces of cheese. The kids are melting down, the hubs is calling and wanting to know if I can run the kids outside for a second (UMMM, NO). I manage to throw a meal together (apples, left over asparagus, farm fresh eggs and toast with cheese -- the cheese is a major treat for us). We eat but the stress gets to me and after the kids go upstairs I find myself stress eating. It was just a bowl of raw kefir with hemp seeds, but the point is I'm not hungry and I've been stress/binge eating all week. I realize, I need to do this detox as much as anyone else.

So that is a lot of rambling to make this annoucement....

I'm not just going to hold your hand through this detox. I am going to do it with you. Does it require a little extra thought and planning for me that week? Sure. But, if I'm expecting everyone else to take a 5 day break from the stress and chaos of their lives, I should do the same. I'm not any different. I go through the same things you guys do and need this just as much (if not more). I did it a couple weeks ago and the results were amazing...I lost a couple pounds, I felt great, had lower stress, slept great and ate well. I'm in. Are you?

Super Easy Falafel with Sweet Potato and Chard Soup

Have I ever mentioned that even as a kid I didn't like candy? Or pizza? My Mother claims that I even liked liver and onions until I hit elementary school and learned my tastebuds weren't as cool as everyone else. So it probably doesn't come as much of a surprise that I've never liked fried foods. I've honestly never really understood what all the fuss was about....it just seemed like greasy, tasteless...I don't know what. Well, I think I've seen the light. What I made tonight was oh-so-yummy. I always know I have a dinner winner when I start thinking about what I am going to write in my blog as I'm eating. And, I have to tell you, the key to this dish is in the oil. You have to use coconut oil. Not only because it is so much better for you (I'd even go so far as to say it is healthy -- though NOT fat free) but because the crispy, sweet flavor is what makes this dish. And, to think I didn't think I liked fried foods.

1 15 Oz Can Cooked Chick Peas, rinsed and drained
1 Garlic Clove
1/4 Cup Onion, chopped
1/4 Cup Cilantro, chopped
1/4 Cup Parsley
1/2 Cup stone-ground wheat crackers
1 Tsp Cumin
1/2 Tsp Salt
Coconut Oil

Puree all ingredients (except oil) in food processor. Make sure the mixture is throughly combined. Heat medium saute pan heat with aprox. 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. You want the pan to have a thin coating of oil. Form patties using about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and add the patties to the pan and saute for 4 minutes on each side or until golden (you may have to add a little more oil if your pan get too dry). Remove the patties from the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate (to absorb any extra oil). Try not to eat all of the patties before you serve them.

I served the falafel with a sweet potato and chard soup.

Here is the recipe:

1 large yellow onion
1 T coconut oil
1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large yam
6-7 green onions, white and green parts
6 cups mineral broth
1 bunch Swiss chard
fresh ground black pepper
a dash fresh lemon juice

Chop the onion coarsely and sauté it in the olive oil, stirring often on medium heat until it is soft and beginning to color. Add the chopped garlic, and keep cooking on a low flame, stirring often, until the onion is golden brown, about fifteen more minutes. Meanwhile, peel the yam and cut it in 1/2" dice. Wash the chard, slice the greens off the stems, and cut the leaves into 1-2" pieces. Thinly slice the chard stems. Wash and trim the green onions and cut them in 1/2" pieces. Combine the yams, chard, green onions and broth in a soup pot and simmer gently, covered, for about twenty minutes. Add the sautéed onions to the soup, and simmer another ten minutes, then taste. Add fresh ground black pepper, and some lemon juice to taste. I blended everything at the end as I think it makes it a little more kid-friendly and also easier to digest, but you don't have to do the same.

Stay warm, everyone! It is cold out there!

Mulligatawny

So. We've established I've been in a soup mood lately. It's cold and I've been looking for ways to incorporate tumeric into our diets. As a result, I decided to take a leap of faith and try an Indian recipe tonight. Why is that such a big deal? Well, for starters, I hate Indian food. I made this pot of Mulligatawny while we had friends over for a playdate this afternoon and I dreaded eating it. I can't tell you what I nice surprise this sweet and spicy dish was. It was a little spicy for the kiddos so I may adjust the seasonings next time, but for now I'll give you the recipe as is.


2 tbsp. coconut oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon tumeric
2 cups sweet potato and parsnip
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cups Mineral Broth
3 tomato stewed tomatoes
2 cups eggplant and frozen peas
2 tablespoons curry powder

Put oil into a large, deep pot over medium heat. When hot, add the onion, carrot, celery, cumin, and turmeric. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about five minutes. Add the hard vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for a minute or two, then add the stock and tomato; bring to a boil, then lower the heat so the mixture bubbles gently. Cook, stirring every now and then, until the vegetables are fairly soft, about 15 minutes. Add the soft vegetables and curry powder and adjust the heat once again so the mixture simmers. Cook until all the vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and serve.

Here is a little bit of information on tumeric based on what I found online:

"Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.

5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.

16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it's fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. My favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to egg salad. It adds a nice flavor and gives the egg salad a rich yellow hue.

Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant."

Potato & Corn Chowder w/ Fresh Sage

I know I haven't posted in awhile. Between the holidays, multiple school programs, launching my business and dealing with some deaths in the family, things have been crazy busy here. The good news is that we are almost done with January and before we know it, it will be time to plant our spring garden. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the weather to turn and start playing outside and enjoying a bit of sunshine. The good news about these cold, winter, days where we are stuck inside is that I have lots of time to cook and experiment with new recipes. Tonight I made the most amazing soup and just had to share it with you.

If you want recipes from me more often, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. I'll be giving out recipes weekly (at least through the winter). Just send an email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the heading to joy@notjustkale.com.

Potato & Corn Chowder with Fresh Sage

2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup diced sweet onion
1 cup diced celery
1 medium Japanese sweet potato (the white kind - chopped)
1 large Russet potatoe (chopped)
4 cups mineral broth (see July post for recipe)
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons onion powder
4 tablespoons fresh chopped sage
1 tablespoon sea salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon pepper
1 bag frozen sweet corn
1 cup whole milk

1. Heat large soup pot on medium temperature.
2. Add oil and increase heat to medium high.
3. Add onions and celery.
4. Sauté until lightly caramelized, stirring frequently (about 10 minutes)
5. Add potatoes and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add mineral broth and dry thyme.
7. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
8. Add onion powder, sage, salt, pepper and frozen corn.
9. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
10. Temper and add milk, cook until potatoes are tender. (5 minutes)

Halloween, Sugar and Primary Foods

The Hubs and I often disagree on how much sugar and "junk" to allow the kids. I want them to eat as healthfully as possible. I've even been known to tell my kid she can't have any candy at a birthday party. The more I learn, and the more I reflect, and the more I realize he has a point. (Just don't tell him I said that -good thing he doesn't read my blog).

With Halloween fast approaching, I've been thinking a lot about candy and sugar consumption. This is the first year that my oldest daughter will be trick-or-treating with friends and it is unlikely she will forget about the candy after a couple of days, as she has in the past. We've been reading a book called, The Switch Witch (how does one underline on a blog, anyway?) by Charity O'Neill. The premise of the book is similar to the tooth fairy. You leave your candy for the switch witch and while you are asleep the switch witch comes and trades your candy for a gift. It is a nice idea and we'll see how well it goes over this year. However, the more I think about it, the more I'm starting to think it is important that I let my kids indulge in Halloween; sugar included. The thing is, what we put into our body is actually considered secondary nutrition. Our primary nutrition is how we feed our soul. It is what makes us happy. It is why I named my company Not Just Kale. You can eat all the kale you want, but if you don't have things in your life that make you happy and make your soul feel nourished, you still won't be healthy. Think about it. If your marriage or job isn't what you want it to be, are you REALLY happy? I mean, at your core of your being happy? Probably not. If your not really happy, are you at your optimum health? Probably not. So, anyway. I'm getting onto a tangent here. The more I think about Halloween and candy, the more I think it is important that my kids feel included and not deprived on Halloween. So I'm going to let them have candy. Probably more candy than they, or The Hubs, expect. I'll try not to have a nervous break down as they eat, either.

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