It has been difficult transitioning my husband from the old eating habits toward the new healthier BTD lifestyle. In fact, it was such a struggle for so long, that I gave up. I focused on pleasing my children's taste buds while sticking to healthy eating principles. But tonight, I feel as if I accomplished something important. While negotiating the dinner menu, my hubby and I decided to cook the following:

Rice corkscrew pasta

red onion, garlic, carrots, celery

pinto bean dip

Hunts spagetti sauce

Leftover ground beef

iceberg lettuce salad with green leafy lettuce mixed in

The A's enjoyed the pasta with the onion, garlic, carrots, celery and the pinto bean dip. (I had not planned on mixing this all together. I had planned on carrot strips with pinto bean dip. But when I accidently sauteed too much red onion, I creatively threw in the bean dip to soften the overwhelming taste of the red onion. And what do you know, it tasted quite good!)

The O's enjoyed the pasta, ground beef, and traditional Hunt's spagetti sauce. Both of them ate a little bit of salad with French dressing. While I did not like the Hunt's sauce (corn syrup, I believe) or the dressing, I have to admit that this meal is an improvement over the usual fare. If this kind of base meal works for both Mom and Dad, that just maybe I have found a way to slowly transition them into my "healthy" realm. Let's think about the possibilities for a moment:

Black bean, celery, corn with rice pasta Vs. Tomato sauce, beef and pasta

Pinto bean, celery, carrots, onion, garlic pasta Vs. stroganof like sauce, beef and pasta

Chicken, onion, garlic, spice and pasta Vs. Chicken, garlic, cheesy sauce and pasta

I may have to use the sauces my husband prefers until I can figure out how to make tasty alternatives. But the possibilities have got me thinking..........

It was a very peaceful supper. (Of course, my five year old wouldn't touch a thing. He can't stand 'crumbly meat'.) But it was nice anyway. Good eats, everyone.......