This Is Good?

I am interested in many things.  Some things are passing interests, some things are on my "to do when I have time" list, and some are an abiding interest that stays with me for many years.  Nutrition is one topic in which I have a long standing interest. I love to cook, and enjoying trying new foods, new recipes, and new cooking techniques. Along with this has come a growing fascination with nutrition, both for adults and children. I am deeply concerned about the poor food choices that so many people make. Their meals are full of processed ingredients and fats and sadly lacking in fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. The health implications of this kind of diet, both in the short term and the long term, are very upsetting.

There has been a movement in the past few years to encourage children to learn to make healthy choices when they eat. One idea that has gotten a lot of publicity is hiding vegetables in children's food so that they don't realize that they are eating them. Unfortunately, this does nothing to help children make healthy choices or to enjoy vegetables. This really seems like a poorly thought out idea to me (to express my feelings kindly).

I was interested to discover a newsletter about recipes for children that sounded as if it had some good information. I typed in my email and waited for the information to flow into my inbox. So far is mostly stumbling in since a good deal of it has involved treats and goodies. There has, however, been some useful information. Last week the section on vegetables included the author's recipe for carrots and peanut butter. (Open a bag of baby carrots. Place some on a plate. Place a tablespoon of peanut butter next to it. Encourage the children to dip the carrot into the peanut butter.) This was very helpful - I had been searching for a recipe like this!

The next recipe was described as a way to help children learn to like brussel sprouts. My family eats lots of them, so I eagerly read the recipe. Washing the brussel sprouts and trimming off the bottoms was familiar. Next, cut the sprouts into quarters.  So far, so good.  To make them palatable for children, the next step was to put three inches of lard into a frying pan and heat it.  (Lard?)  When it is hot, place the brussel sprouts into the lard and fry them.  (Lard?)  The children will love them and gobble them down.  (Lard?)  Is it just me, or does pouring three inches of lard down your child's throat in order to get them to try a few brussel sprouts seem a little odd?  Way to make your kids healthy!

I had thought about writing to the author of the newsletter, but found it difficult to compose a letter without using phrases that I discourage children from using to their friends.  "Dear Stupid" and "are you nuts?" were some of the ones at the head of the list.  I can hear my mother saying, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything".  I had to settle for the "unsubscribe" button.  At least I now have one less newsletter to read.