My two year old can just barely fit in-between our two sliding glass patio doors leading to our back yard. He entertains himself for hours by sliding the doors back and forth, back and forth. He also takes great pride in the fact that it is very difficult for me to pull him out of there when he is not ready to go. Ha ha, “You can’t get me Mom!”

To be so young again…..J

24 hours later…… geesh! I can’t believe how long it has taken me to get back to this computer. I have been looking forward to the creative aspect of writing all day and all nightlong. Sick kids, sick husband and a sick car (no kidding, we had to drive it in to the dealership this morning) caused immeasurable delays. I even had to cancel my afternoon weightlifting class. (Big audible sigh.) I am still hoping to make it to the YMCA for my personal workout before bedtime.

Ok, enough rambling. I simply wanted to share with everyone my menu planning strategy. Here it is:

B: Oatmeal, dates, barley malt, honey, sunflower seeds

Chopped steak and apples

S Raisins

All natural fruit leathers

L Noodles and Peanut Sauce, raw carrots

Banana carrot rye muffins

S Cucumbers and garlic veggie dip

Cheese and raisins

D Diced chicken, shrimp, Garlic, and rice noodles, salad for all

* *

B Oatmeal with natural applesauce

Grilled beef patty with 5 spice blend (salt, parsley paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion,)

S Dried cranberries

All natural fruit leather

L Pinto Bean Garlic dip with corn chips and carrots

Banana Carroty Rye Muffins, pumpkin seeds

S Pumpkin Raisin Bread

Pumpkin Raisin Bread

D Steamed broccoli Medley with baked chicken for all

B Oatmeal with chopped dates and seeds

Grilled beef patty with 5 spice blend, apples

S Raisins

All natural fruit leather

L Rice, Tuna and Broccoli

Banana Carrot Muffins with pumpkin seeds

S Plums

Green apples and pumpkin bread

D Leftover tuna and broccoli

Venison Muffins with homemade ketchup



B Oatmeal and blueberries

Grilled beef patty with cheese and apples

S Dried cranberries

All natural fruit leather

L Peanut butter and jelly on white rye bread

Banana Carrot Muffin with pumpkin seeds

S Plums

Dried cranberries

D Leftover veggies and scrambled eggs

Swedish pancakes with maple syrup

B Leftover pumpkin raisin bread with canned pineapple

Grilled beef patty with cheese and canned pineapple

S Gala apples

Gala apple

L Mushrooms with honey, tamari sauce and corn chips with garlic veggie dip

Banana carrot muffins

S Diced pears

** Diced peaches

D Vegetable fritters (rutabaga, onion) with pan Fried salmon patties for all.



What about day 6 and 7? Leftovers, leftovers, leftovers. Now, I didn’t say that my meal planning was perfect or that there is enough variety within it. But this is just a realistic example of what my children will actually eat. (Sometimes the hubby surprises me and joins us.) And truthfully, my five year old is still a little squeamish about eating meat first thing in the morning. One of these days I might be able to experiment with beef jerky. He loves anything tough and chewy (hence the all natural fruit leathers for his school snack every day.)

I believe that at some level our brains tell us what we need to eat. That is based on the assumption that one has been eating foods in their natural state for quite some time (otherwise, artificial flavors, etc fool the brain.) As for myself, I literally inhale garlic like it is oxygen. I also pay attention when my two year old turns up his nose at familiar good tasting foods. I even ask my five year old the question, “what do you feel like eating?” Unfortunately, he can’t tell me. I always get the same answer “you just pick it, Mom.”

This is the same kid who becomes visually grossed out watching his brother eat black bean dip or Mom eating green veggie dip. Hmmm. I think the five year old would eat Pizza Hut every day of the week if I allowed it. (Addictive, addictive, addictive)

Food for thought.