a favorite lunch – kiddie style
There’s lots of words coming out of M’s mouth these days. Most words are her made-up version of what the real word’s suppose to sound like. Except for ‘No.’ She’s got that word down pat.
I place food in front of her and her response is ‘No, No, No Mama, No!’ As cute as this sounds coming out of her mouth, Its her way of telling me she wants nothing to do with the food. Which makes our dining room like a food fight just ended.
However… when I make this spaghetti pie, there’s nothing but smiles on her face. She gobbles it right up! I think it has something to do with the shape. Kids seem to love anything thats in the shape of pie or pancakes… or french fries… or tater tots. Kids like interesting shaped food.
Kids will also eat the strangest food combinations with glee……like blueberries (pronounced “blue-oohh”) with her spaghetti, kiwi (pronunciation forthcoming) with a turkey burger, and strawberries (pronounced “stwawww”) with, well – she will eat strawberries with anything. A mouthful of sauce and pasta can be followed with kiwi and then washed down immediately with milk…doesn’t even phase her oh so refined palate. Future judge of Top Chef in the making here folks!
Spaghetti Pie recipe coming tomorrow 🙂
Yum! Great idea for kids…and adults 🙂
I love this! You actually make kiddie plates look so good! You feed her like I fed my boys. Max will eat almost anything now, but Jay used to be a lot more picky. The shape thing brought back so many memories…I was completely mortified one time when Jay refused to eat chicken at my sister-in-laws house because it was “not shaped like Burger King chicken”! Yeah, my kid! Embarrassing, but happily, he has grown out of it.
I remember making this with my mom as a kid. We found it in one of those children’s cookbooks. My sister and I thought it was the coolest dinner ever. It’s really good, too.
Your little one is adorable! I LOVE spaghetti pie- can’t wait to see your version!
She has the best dimples ever.
I wants spaghetti pie for dinner now!
Maybe this is a dumb question, but how do you know how much to feed a kid? I mean, what size portions do you choose? And how old are they when they switch from “eating until they are full” to “eating until the plate is clean”?
This is not a dumb question at all.
At this age, kids will only eat until they are full. I like using the toddler plate because they’re sectioned out for portions already. I always give M a small portion and if she wants more I give it to her.
As far as switching from “eating until full” to “clean the plate”…. this is all about the parents. If parents continuously encourage their child to clean the plate, thats what the kid will grow up doing. If the child see’s their parent snacking all day, they will think thats normal.
Children will mimic their parents… so I know I need to be a good role model for M. Ellyn Satter has incredible books on this topic. Her books should be required reading for all parents 🙂 http://www.ellynsatter.com/
That looks delicious!!
I can’t believe how big she’s getting!
What a well balanced meal! Go mom!
Definitely a well balanced meal that looks absolutely delicious!
She is seriously the cutest! 🙂
Ahhh, so sweet! 🙂
Spaghetti pie!? Who wouldn’t love it!?
Hi Estela,
Love your blog. Just got mine up and running a couple months ago and am overwhelmed at how many wonderful food blogs I’ve seen! I am a Dietitian as well, went to UT and lived in San Diego for 5 years as well so we share 2 of the same cities! We have very similar approaches to nutrition and am glad to see that there will be someone else posted recipes with butter (all things in moderation, right?!). Take care, Melanie