Deceiving My Child-Update Part 2

I created another deception last night by mixing cauliflower into mac & cheese and cheesy mashed potatoes. I was still unable to bribe him into eating the mashed potatoes (he is against them, although he use to eat them), but he did swallow up the mac & cheese, never suspecting anything.

I have to say though, while the cauliflower is very easy to slip into a dish, the others are not so easy because of the color. If you dont want to spend a whole lot of time trying to figure out how to disguise the dark color (and dirt flavor) of beets, heck…just stick with the white cauliflower. I had tried mixing the beets into some grape jelly, and didnt realize the lingering odor of dirt they have, and how hard it is it mask…wow. I may have to give up on that one, unless I can slip it into something sweet & rich like brownies. Stay tuned for that experiment.

Another note….be careful when mixing the spinach into the jelly, you can see the bits of the spinach if looking at it in good lighting. Luckily, my son was in his room, with nothing but the t.v. on when I served it to him.

It’s very frustrating to have a picky eater, and sometimes you start feeling like you’re just running out of ideas and suggestions. Lord knows I have bribed my son with sweets in lue of eating something good more times than I can count. Sometimes, thats just what it takes, and if that makes me less of a parent, then I am ok with that.

In the week coming, I am going to try out some fruit smoothies. He does pretty good with fruits, but there are some fruits he is still not sure about, like the strawberries and pineapple. I think if I can blend real fruit with just plan vanilla ice cream, it will turn out to be a real treat. I am not sure how pineapple will mix with vanilla ice cream, but we will give it a shot. I am sure he will like the strawberry one, since he likes strawberry “flavored” foods. He is still getting use to the texture and tartness of the strawberries, so the ice cream should help sooth a lot of that.

I am also going to try melting chocolate chips and dripping it over the strawberries like they do in the stores. I have never tried this, so we will see how this goes. I am pushing strawberries so much because I recently read about how good they are for you, so we will see.

If you have ideas/tips on getting your picky eater to eat good foods, by all means: SHARE! 🙂

Deceiving my child-Update.

Ok, so I purchased and pureed broccoli, spinach, beets, red pepper, & cauliflower. I divided them up, leaving one container of each in the fridge, and freezing the rest. Last night was my first test. I made my son a peanut butter & jelly sandwich for dinner. I mixed some spinach into the grape jelly, using a whisk to get it mixed well. I cut it in half, sliced up some strawberries and put in a bowl for a side dish, with some chips. I lightly sprinkled the strawberries with sugar. (He isnt  “in love” with strawberries yet, but he’s ok with them). He swallowed the sanwich up, never suspecting anything! I was amazed. I was so happy!!

Note:  When using the red pepper, use it very lightly, as it can be hard to disguise because of the strong smell of the pepper.

Parfait Ideas

I have not had the chance to actually try this myself yet, but I keep seeing little ideas here and there about it.

1. Clear wine glass, or cute clear glass, parfait glass, or whatever you have that is clear. (seeing the ingredients is part of the fun!)

2. Cookie/cake of your choice, this could range from vanilla wafers, to lady fingers, to chunks of cake, to brownies, use your imagination.

3. Pudding, whatever you like.

4. Cool Whip, if you like.

Starting at the bottom, just layer up your ingredients, and top with cool whip, and enjoy! An idea I have is to take angel food cake or something similar, layer with strawberries, and strawberry gelatin, creating a strawberry shortcake style parfait. OR….you could do vanilla wafers, vanilla pudding and bananas for a banana pudding parfait…yum.

Chicken Pot Pie {with tater tots}

Yep, it threw me off a bit too….Tater Tots??? Well, I was flipping through one of those recipe books from Betty Crocker (I think), and found a little recipe card that was for Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. It was your basic pot pie, except instead of there being a pie shell involved, it was topped with tater tots. Well, my first thought was, if the kids see the tater tots topped with cheese, it will intrigue their taste buds and they will be more open to eating it. And then there is the added vegatable to the dish-potatoes. I dont have the exact recipe with me, but this is one of those dishes you dont need exact measurements anyway….mix till it looks good-thats my philosophy. Here are the basics of what I put in it, of course, you can pretty much do whatever suites your own tastes. (I didnt add carrots, as I dont care for them in this dish, nor does my fiance.)

cooked & cubed chicken breast

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of cheddar soup

1 can of green beans

1 can green peas

1 jar of chicken gravy

1 bag of tater tots

shredded cheddar cheese

Mix cooked chicken, vegtables, soups & gravy. (add less or more soup as desired.) Pour into greased casserole dish. Top with tator tots. Bake at 375 for about 45-50 min (till tots are crispy/firm). Pull out and top with cheese. Put back in oven and bake until cheese is good and melted, but dont bake too long till cheese becomes tough and dry.

*Note: This would also be good with corn/celery.  A variation would be to top with crescent rolls instead of tator tots, or mixing biscquick and topping for a biscuit like topping, or sticking to the original by pouring mixture into a pie crust and topping with an upside down pie crust, sealing edges.

Deceiving My Child

My son’s grandmother sent a book during the Christmas holidays called “Deceptively Delicious“.  She is always very helpful with tips and advice when it comes to raising children, I am guessing because she had a lot of practice with 5 of her own. I am always open to advice and tips. My son is a very picky eater…as a lot of kids are. I am always jealous of that kid that will eat just about anything, like my fiance’s children. I can make just about anything and put it in front of his kids, and they just eat away. My son on the other hand, looks at me like there is a wild animal, still alive, on his plate. It’s so hard to get him to eat healthy, nutritious meals. So……with this cookbook, Deceptively Delicious, it list ideas and recipes on how to get your child to eat the healthy foods they need, without all the fuss and resisting. In doing this, you will simply puree fruits and vegtables, and secretly add them to dishes they already love, praying they never notice!

 

I have yet to try any of the recipes, but have made a list of ideas to try very soon. The book also list which vegtables are the highest in nutrient content, so you can choose accordingly to get the most out of your deception. Here is a list from the book, in the event you are sitting in my place, and need some ideas to get your child eating healthier. (just throw in  a food processor or blender until smooth. Add a few tablespoons to meals your child already likes).

 

Alvacado: loaded with monousaturated fat, which lowers cholesterol leveles in the blood to keep kids heart-healthy. Good source of fiber & helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Full of vitamin E, which protects healthy cells and helps heals scrapes & cuts.

Beets: Chock full of two different anitoxidants. that help protect healthy cells against damage all over the body. Folic acids in beets help keep kid’s cells growing and functioning the way they should. Beets are good for heart health and keeping kid’s blood pressure regulated.

Broccoli: it contains natural substances that may help fight certain cancers. Also helps heal cuts & wounds. Good source of vitamin C. Builds strong bones and teeth.

Butternut Squash: Contains beta carotene, which is reat for keeping eyes and skin healthy. Contains potassium which is importan for a healthy heart.

Carrots: Terrific for skin and eyes because they are loaded with bete carotene. Also full of insoluble fiber.

Cauliflower: May help body fight off certain cancers. Help to resist infections, good source of vitamin C.

Pumpkin: Build a healhty heart. Good source of beta carotene.

Peas: Good source  of folate for good heart health. Good source of fiber for healthy digestion.

Red Pepper: Single best way to get vitamin C, which help to fight off infections and heal cuts and scrapes. High in several antioxidants that help protect healthy cells.

Cooked Spinach: Best for folic acid. Non-animal protein source of iron, helps regulate blood sugar and helps keep a healthy heart.

Summer squash: helps keep skin glowing because it provides vitamin C.

Sweet potato: Helps to stabilize blood sugar levels by providing soluble fiber. Good for skin, eyes and all over good health because they are rich in beta carotene.

Apple: High in anitoxitants

Banana: Helps regulate blood pressure, healthy heart, helps keep brain fit because it is a good source of B6.

Blueberries: one of the best possible fruits when it comes to protecting healthy cells. Nice amount of soluble fiber.

Cantaloupe: Great for eyesight and eye health. Also helps with healing.

Cherries: Great for anthocyanins, which help grow healthy brains and may fight certain cancers as well.

Pineapple: Helps with digestion while also helping to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Raspberries: Great source of soluble fiber and antioxidants.

Strawberries: Great source of vitamin C. Also high in anthocyanins, for brain health.

 

I have made a list of foods my son likes, and what I plan to add to them. I will post another blog when I have the results :). Hopefully this will turn out good and I can finally get some good nutrients into my child!

Hurry Up and Wait

Those who know me well, know that I have a hard time sitting still. I am go-go-go! I find myself in a rush all the time. I am rushing to get ready in the morning, I rush to get Cheston to school, I rush to work, I rush to get work done, I rush to get home. And for what? I seem to have this complex with being late. I can’t stand the thought of being late, for anything. Why? I have no idea, I guess it’s just a personality trait. A trait that is driving me crazy! Is it possible to drive yourself crazy! To get on your own nerves…thats bad!

 

I have been thinking about it more and more lately. What’s all the rush really going to solve. I am not enjoying my life anymore because things are getting done quicker. The people around me aren’t happier because of it. I am putting myself in full throttle, only to exhaust myself to a point to when I find that time to sit down, I am ready for sleep. I don’t want my life to be like this. I dont want to rush to do everything I need to do. I want to be able to take my time and enjoy the things around me, the people around me, and even the things I am doing, if possible.

 

So, with that being said, here are some things I am trying out:

1. I am coming in an hour later at work. This will allow for more time to get ready in the morning, and allow for me to get up 30 mins later than normal, since I can put my son on the bus (which he loves, oddly).

2. I am going with the flow of traffic. Instead of feeling like I have to sway in and out and rush through traffic, I am driving as if I were going shopping. I will get there when I get there. No one cares if I am a few minutes late anyway.

3. I am not trying to keep a spotless home. In the past, I would find myself cleaning daily. Thats laundry, dishes, sweeping, on & on & on….this is purely exhausting. There is no point in keeping a compleltey clean home, I have to keep telling myself that. Its ok if its “lived in”. I hate clutter, and I hate things to be out of place….another complex. (yes, there are many)

4.  I am going to take more time for myself. Time for myself usually consist of the shower and drive to work. I think it is healthy for everyone to make time for themselves, if even for a quiet moment, or to read a book.

5. I want to spend more time doing things I enjoy, instead of panicking and going crazy over things that need done, i.e. housework, yardwork, etc. I love to scrapbook and take photos. I also love to browse cookbooks and try new recipes. I want to spend more time cooking and gardening.

I know I won’t be able to accomplish all of this, but I believe every person needs goals in their life. And if I am able to accomplish just half, I am doing damn good.

Thank You Gov. Riley…..

I read this article this morning, and was proud of the decision of our Governor. I know someone right now, sitting on their rear, collecting unemployment from the state, not even trying to find a job, cause he/she is milking it for all its worth. The law/rules of unemployment and other assistance type programs need to be a lot stricter and revised to help those in real need and those actually trying to help themselves.

Riley rejects unemployment money

Updated: Feb 24, 2009 03:56 AM CST

Riley rejects unemployment money

By Eric Sollman – Bio | Email

MONTGOMERY, AL (WAFF) – Alabama’s Governor says he’s reading between the lines when it comes to free federal money.

Governor Bob Riley wants to turn down millions of dollars for unemployment

It’s the only part of a massive federal stimulus plan, so far, that the governor says he doesn’t like.

Riley feels the federal government is attempting to govern each state by changing it’s unemployment laws, and he doesn’t like what that could mean down the road.

Governor Riley is just the latest governor to shake his head to at least one section of President Barack Obama’s 1,100 page stimulus package.

“It is a tax anyway you cut,” says Governor Riley.

He says the part of the plan that gives states money for unemployment will cost tax-payers in the long run.

It will mainly effect small businesses.

“It would cost the business community up to 17 million dollars a year going forward. Now the stimulus money stops in two years,” Riley added. 

Two years and 66 million dollars sounds great people who are unemployed like Etta Pettis.

“Politicians, state-leaders, everyone that can help, help us. Because we really need it,” said Pettis. 

The need for a stimulus continues to be debated.

WAFF 48 News hit the streets to find out what people think. 

“I think we are just emptying the coffers to drive this nation into bankruptcy that we will never recover from,” said Glenda Waller. 

“It’s all about the money. it’s not about the people, they don’t realize it takes people to make money, they just think it takes dollars to make money,” said Herman Jones. 

Governor Riley said he’s against the part of the law that would expand unemployment benefits to people who wouldn’t normally qualify.

The final say on this funding, though, lies with the state legislature.

They can re-write unemployment laws to comply with the stimulus bill and the federal dollars would follow.  

 

OAMC

I love searching for new recipes, and I kept coming across some that read “OAMC”. I felt kind of dumb because I had no idea what this meant, until I Googled it. 🙂 I then realized, this is a great idea, esp. for someone will large families!

 

Once A Month Cooking.

It usually means you take a day or two and cook up enough meals to put in the freezer, so you have a month’s worth of frozen meals.

But these days it has come to variations. Some people don’t have the time to do a big cook like that, so they double or triple recipes and freeze extras, do mini-sessions with one or two kinds of meats that were on sale that week, do a bunch of prep-work and freeze that for fresh cooked meals instead of re-heated meals.

It is a great way to cook, or prep, because you have less to do when you come home from work tired. Some things my just need to be microwaved or put into an oven, where as others are all prepped and ready to be cooked fresh.

Some others may have more input. Also check out the OAMC threads for more ideas.

Struggles of a Single Parent

(I am not going to use names or whatever since this blog is open to the public, but you know who you are.)

I know all too well what it is like to be a single parent and the difficulties you face, both support wise, and financially.

A friend (we will call him John) called this morning to tell me his son was sick, again. He had recently recovered from strep throat. John is a single parent who has full custody of his son. His son is a toddler, and if you are a parent, you know how often little ones are sick! Well, John’s son was up sick all night, so of course he had to take off from work to keep the little one at home, and maybe even see the doctor. I asked, and later realized this was a DUMB question, if the mom could ever stay home with the child, since John’s time off at work was running out, if it hadnt already. He replied, NO…the mother thinks since I have full custody, I should take on all responsibility….Doesnt that make you want to just eat a handful of nails!

It got me thinking. John is a single parent. He doesn’t make a whole lot of money, and does good to make ends meet. That is based on working 40 hours a week. So, what happens to a single parent when paid leave at work has run out, the savings is bone dry, and your child is sick? Well, you can’t send a sick kid to school/daycare. So you have to stay home with them until they are better, even if that means staying home unpaid. Therefore….come payday….the bills that were budgeted for a full pay check, may or may not survive the reduced pay you will get that week for being home. What is a single parent to do? Sure, some people are fortunate enough to have great parents with extra cash, but what about the ones who dont?

I have worked my tail off since I started working way back when. I have been divorced since 2006. Being a single parent can be a very scary thing. Emergency situations like a child being sick, or even worse, hospitalization, can push you over the financial edge. What do you do when there is nowhere to turn to for help? Just like my friend John, he is likely out of paid time off, and has bills that will be coming in, medicine he needs to buy, and now he will be getting a reduced check. How do you get caught back up?

It crossed my mind this morning, and it may be ridiculous, but it was a thought. The government has so many programs for every little thing…some that are just flat out stupid. I figure, if we can pay someone unemployment for years……and whatever else crazy situation………What if the government made a program to help single parents in the time of need such as having hardship due to illness of a child, etc. What if there was a program, where if your child became ill, and you lost work that was unpaid…if you had to show your child was sick (Dr.’s excuse) and all that paperwork, what if there was some kind of financial help to parents in times like these? Is that just too far fetched? Is that asking too much? In my eyes, this would be help to someone in a very hard situation, when there was no other help to be had. It was just an idea.

Back in the summer, John had a major surgery and was out of work for almost two weeks. He was able to use a week of vacation he had saved up, but was left with a week of unpaid time. What do you do in times like these, esp. when the other parent is a moron and refuses to help in any kind of way. I think some kind of program would be nice, I know it would really help him.

When You’re a Celebrity…

I am reminded of a country song by Brad Paisley….(When you’re a Celebrity)…and you know….although that song is cute, its witty and quite funny….its also very true. When you become famous, it seems (from the outside looking in)…that the rules that apply to you and me, are a lot different to the famous and very wealthy. This is not news…but that doesn’t make it right either.

Just like Rodriguez, the hot item baseball player…..he just admitted to using perfomance enhancing drugs to help him be a better player, with better stats. Now…to me, this is the same is plain ol’ CHEATING. And from where I come from, when you cheat….you are put out. Children look up to you….they want to grow up to be like you. And what message are you sending? That if you can be better, do drugs and force better on yourself. When you cant get where you want to be, although its against the rules…take drugs and break the rules…its ok as long as you’re winning. That’s all that matters right? What the hell is happening to this country I love? Where the players we grew up loving, and collecting cards, etc. on, are just phonies! Don’t you think that just maybe, when we child finds out that you have been using drugs to improve your performance, that they will feel like they were lied to? And that maybe this will afect the way they trust people, and affect the way they look at people? Maybe it will cause them to look at people different. Maybe more and more people just arent who they seem? Do these players ever stop to think about what they are doing or how it will affect their fans? Dont get me wrong, I hate baseball, so I could care less about his stats or whatever he accomplishes…but my son looks up to certain players, and he likes sports, and other celebrities….and it would really bother me if someone he looked up to, turned out to be a total fraud.

I think they should kick anyone who uses these enhancement drugs to the curb, never to return. And endorsements they have, or would have should also be stripped. This country is becoming more and more corrupt or maybe I am just becoming more and more aware.

I hate to break it to you, but celebrities are just humans like you and me, and they should be treated as such….and if not here, well it will still be brought up in the end….When you have to look back on your life, and the things you did, the things you said, the way you acted, the way you treated others, the things you let happen.