Some nights at the dinner table go better than others...

Last night was a bad night at the dinner table. Dekker (my 5 year old) is my pickiest eater. Lately it's gotten really bad. For a while I thought it was a contro thing (and maybe it is), so I would just ask that he try a bite of whatever I ate, and then he could have a PB&Honey instead. But then the other two would want to do the same. So then he had to wait till we were done eating- but I still found the other two eating less at dinner and requesting a PB sandwich and I felt my efforts to make a real meal unimportant. Lately I've decided he's not going to starve himself, so he can eat what I make, or not eat at all.

Last night I made wild rice, a mushroom sauce, roasted broccoli, and applesauce. While I was making dinner Dekker kept saying how good it smelled, but when it was on his plate in front of him he refused to eat it. He took one bite of rice (no sauce) and one bite of broccoli so he could have a helping of applesauce and then after much whining and complaining, chose to go to his room for the night instead. Am I a bad mom?

Tonight was a better night. Tonight I made pan-fried tilapia, Rhodes Rolls with a rub of garlic butter and herbs, and roasted brussel sprouts. Dekker came to the table with a smile and said he'd try a bit of everything. He gobbled his fish and roll, and tasted the brussel sprouts! Josh had two rolls, an adult size serving of fish and tried his brussel sprouts. Naomi had a little fish, two rolls, and also tasted the brussel sprouts. Jake, who "doesn't much care for brussel sprouts" loved them, ate seconds, and said they were the best he ever had. I actually like roasted brussel sprouts, and so also enjoyed them along with the fish and rolls. Serving bowls were empty. I was so happy I pulled out a new recipe I'd found for single serving cakes in mugs (cooked in the microwave) and we all made our own little desserts later!

Monday night was kid-friendly and successful as well. Jake was the last to catch our weekend stomach bug, and so didn't have an appetite. I kept it simple and made tuna melts, mac and cheese, sliced oranges, and peas. I served it all in their little lunch plates Nana gave them for Christmas with each thing in its own little pocket, and they all were good eaters.

You win some, you lose some. But I've learned that making the effort to sit down as a family, and trying to make good choices about what we eat eventually pays off. Josh has become a pretty good eater, and is generally very grateful for the meals I prepare. Jake NEVER complains, usually enjoys, and ALWAYS thanks me for my efforts. And so we keep plugging along.

A seafood night standby

Fish Tacos!


We started making these after our trip to Alaska when we brought bake 100 lbs of halibut. Since I can't usually gut the price of halibut, now I make them with tilapia. I usually have a bag of frozen tilapia filets in the freezer so I can make these on a whim.

My batter is done by eye, but goes something like this:

2 parts bread crumbs
1 part corn meal
1 part flour
1 tsp paprika
then season salt, salt, and pepper to taste.

I pan fry them in butter. About 1-2 Tbsp of butter per filet (depending on size).

I like them with napa cabbage, avocado and either fresh salsa or Cafe Rio dressing.

Everyone gobbles them up.

Coconut oil...And Dekker eats salad!

I remembered to take a picture at the last minute- so sorry it's not the best, I had to do with what was left.

The outside night menue:
Sweet potatoes with mashed in coconut butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar.
Mesquite Salmon grilled on a Cedar plank (my favorite way to prepare salmon!)
Garden salad

Did you know that coconut oil is good for you?! I love those good fats and oils. Did you know you can use it in place of butter on sweet potatoes and its FABULOUS?!

I recently picked up some Vidalia Sweet Onion dressing from Costco. It's pretty dang tasty in wraps, cold pasta salads, as a dressing on sandwiches, and on salads. Seriously, you know it must be good when your four year old eats his serving of salad and then asks for a second helping! He also commented on the hard boiled eggs, which I don't always put in- so I was taking mental notes.

And do yourself a favor- find some mesquite seasoning, heavily sprinkle it on some fresh salmon, then grill it on a cedar plank. Even if you haven't liked fish in the past, you just might "mmm" and "ahhh" over it!

Ah Quinoa!

Quinoa- the versatile grain (like rice), easy to digest, a rare plant complete protein, good source of fiber, gluten free, and high in iron. Buy it! Eat it! Love it!

Pic-nic-friendly Salmon Quinoa salad

4 cups prepared quinoa and finely chopped carrots
(I threw quinoa and carrots in my rice maker with a little olive oil, sea salt and water)

3-4 handfuls Sauteed Spinach
(coat a pan with olive oil, sauté garlic for flavor then toss in spinach till "wilted")

1 large Cooked filet Salmon, flaked)
(I marinated mine in 1/2 c. pineapple juice, 2 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp tsp soy sauce, 1/4 tsp ground ginger and then baked in foil 10 min each side)

Combine together and serve either warm, or refrigerate and serve cold. Tastes great either way! I packed this to the park one evening and everyone gobbled it up.

Seafood is a better choice than meat in my mind...

One day I came up with this concoction.( I'm open to suggestions on alterations to make it even better)

** Made this again last night, with some adaptations that I thought made it better- so I'm updating now** (Oct4)

Jaime's Coconut Shrimp Soup (over rice)

Saute:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion finely chopped
1/2 Tbs minced garlic
1-2 peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Add:
1 tsp green curry paste
1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp curry powder
1 can coconut milk
3 cups chicken/vegetable broth
3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp sea salt
(let simmer till flavorful)
Last few minutes add:
peeled, tailed SHRIMP
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Pour over cooked rice. Yummy!