Keeping foods simple

We come into this world with taste buds that enjoy the simplest flavors.  As children, we enjoyed pureed steamed vegetables that contain little to no seasoning.   Then over time those foods become bland to us.  In the simplest form, I see this as a battle between nature and nurture.  Do our taste buds change as we age? Are we biologically predisposed to like certain foods?  Are our taste buds changed by our exposure.  My guess, is that it's like anything, a little of both. 

For example,  when my parents met, my dad's favorite condiment was ketchup.  (Really dad,  ketchup,  yuck! )  But I'm happy to report that after a few years he began requesting salsa with every meal.  So my dad was introduced to a more intense (non-sugar laced condiment) and his taste buds changed.

Another thing, we know that if we reduce our daily salt or sugar intake our bodies will adjust.  Then what we considered salty enough before will taste too salty.  But here's the thing, and the reason I wanted to write this post,  we know that the healthiest foods are those that are in their purest form,  without salt, sugar,  dyes,  preservatives, etc. added, the so called clean foods.  So shouldn't we do what we can to keep our children's taste buds' desire for clean foods? 

Having said all of that, (and before I'm overly judged)  I have to admit that I genuinely enjoy salty and sweet foods.  And of course, I'm not perfect so my kids also indulge every once in a while. But I want them to stay as food "pure" as possible for as long as can, so I try.

LQ Morning snack:  Vanilla Greek yogurt and blueberries

LQ Lunch: Roasted organic turkey, Colby Jack cheese cubes, avocado slices and almond, coconut, and dark chocolate trail mix

LQ Afternoon snack: Organic peanut butter and pretzels

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Almond, coconut, and dark chocolate trail mix

Ingredients:

1/4 cup semi sweet dark chocolate chips

3/4 cup coconut shavings (roughly chopped)

1/2 cup raw almonds (roughly chopped)

Methods:

Roughly chop the almonds and coconut shavings.  In the meantime heat the chocolate chips in the microwave for a minute.  Combine all the ingredients.  Enjoy!

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LA breakfast: blueberries and yogurt

LA lunch: Roasted organic turkey, Colby Jack cheese cubes, avocado slices and whole wheat pasta

Trying to get it back together

Morning snack:  Triscuits topped with peanut butter and raisins and Stonyfield yogurt
Lunch: Pizza pockets, black olives and yellow pears
Afternoon snack: Yellow pears and oatmeal cookie
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Ok, so I have to confess...

In case it hasn't been obvious, I've been a complete disaster that last 6 weeks or so.  I'm in the process of getting a master's in nutrition education and it's completely kicking my behind!  Add to this the fact that I recently started a new job and you get a VERY exhausted mommy.  I've been packing lunch, taking pictures, blah, blah, but then I drop like a hot tamale into my bed.  So I'm working on compiling a massive post with all the meals I've missed but until then I'll just work on posting daily.

I hope ya'll can be patient with me!

Carrot Pumpkin Spinach Oat and Quinoa Concoction (just because I couldn't come up with a better name)

Morning snack: almond butter and raisins on a whole wheat English muffin, watermelon, honeydew melon and cantaloupe

LA's morning snack: carrot pumpkin spinach and quinoa concoction

LA's lunch: chicken, avocado, watermelon, honeydew melon and cantaloupe

Little LA has been EXTRA hungry lately.  And if you have ever been around him when he eats, you know that he's already a big eater.  So, it begins!  This little guy is going to eat me out of house and home before he even turns 1.  

Carrot Pumpkin Spinach Oat and Quinoa Concoction

Ingredients

Chopped carrots

Chopped spinach

Pureed pumpkin

Quick cook oats

Precooked quinoa

Onion powder

Low-sodium chicken broth

Method

Put everything in a pot and cook on medium to high heat until the vegetables have softened and the oats have cooked.  

I've made this for LA before and he absolutely loved it!  So hopefully I made it the same.  I really need to start measuring.

Adding a Crunch

Morning snack: cantaloupe and cottage cheese

Lunch: Triscuits topped with sharp cheddar cheese, turkey, avocado and red bell peppers, popcorn and clementines

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I personally enjoy foods that have different textures.  Instead of chips I like to add a variety of fruits, vegetables or popcorn to give myself a little crunch.  Some of my favorite vegetables to add are carrots or sugar snaps.  But my all-time favorite is popcorn.  What a great way to eat a whole grain!  

LA's meal: turkey, steamed cauliflower and skinned clementines

LA gets peeled fruit because he only has 2 little teeth.  But that doesn't mean that should stop him from eating all kinds of delicious fruits and vegetables.

Back to Basics

Morning snack: Cottage cheese and Triscuits

Lunch: Turkey, cheese and avocado whole wheat roll up, cantaloupe and steamed broccoli

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It's been quite sometime since I made roll up for LQ but they have always been a favorite.  She told me the other day that she doesn't want chicken in her roll ups, sandwiches or anything.  So we're down to turkey.  Oh boy, protein intake is an uphill battle!

LA's meal: turkey, steamed broccoli and blueberries

Peanut Butter Apple Balls

Morning snack: watermelon and carrot cake muffin

Lunch: sharp cheddar grilled cheese on wheat, apple slices and peanut butter apple balls

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I had some left over shredded apples from yesterday's carrot cake muffins and for some reason I came up with this snack.  I don't have a recipe, but will come up with one if LQ loves them.  Basically it's shredded apples, peanut butter, honey, cinnamon, oats and the exterior crumble is Barbara's shredded wheat cereal.  Initially they were pretty sticky, but I placed them in the freezer and they came out perfectly!  I love them, now I'll just have to see if she does.

LA's meal: turkey, honeydew melon and broccoli

Carrot "Cake" Muffins

Morning snack: vanilla Greek yogurt and carrot "cake" muffin

Lunch: Avocado, chicken and cheese stuffed mini pita, blueberries and cottage cheese

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Here are two great things about today's meals, they're delicious and it only took 35 minutes to make everything.  Yes, this includes the muffins and grilled chicken!  To be honest, I'm not sure how I did it but it worked.  

Carrot "cake" muffins

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

3 TBS melted butter

1/3 cup agave

1 medium egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup finely grated carrots

1/2 cup finely grated apples

1/2 cup raisins

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.  Combine wet ingredients in a bowl.  Combine the wet and dry ingredients.  Pour into pre-greased muffin pan and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Enjoy!!

LA's meal - grilled chicken, steamed broccoli and cauliflower and blueberries