Last week A. decided she liked kale.  A leafy kale forest is still growing in our half-tilled vegetable garden, next to the bean tee-pee twined with dead vines.

A. ran up to the kale, ripped off a leaf, and started munching it raw.  ”YUM!  I love kale!” she shouted.  

My heart swelled with joy and relief.  This is the child who has not eaten a vegetable (other than the occasional carrot stick) since she was 10 months old and loved dilly beans.  (See “Picky Eater” for more on the ALL-WHITE DIET).

Kale is a power food, chock-full of iron, vitamins and nutrients.  We should all be eating it daily (right).

So what do I do with my child’s new taste?  I tried presenting a few blue-green leaves at dinner next to her bunny noodles.  She nibbled a bite, then asked to be excused.   Perhaps I should back off.  I want to gently encourage the kale love, not turn her off it with my exuberance.  

Meanwhile, C, who loves all food, looked at the kale and said, “Yucky.  No salad!”

If only I had the energy and love for cooking, I could create delicious dishes with leafy greens that the whole family would devour.  But I confess I’d rather write/run/garden/play/sleep /do yoga/dance/read/ do almost anything than cook (at this point in my life).  Here comes the mothering guilt again.  (NO, GO AWAY!)

Luckily the girls like their Yummi Bears–  new candy-style multi-vitamins.

Tags:   kale · nutritionNo Comments