The holidays are in full force. We finally got our tree up, our cards are being printed and we went to our first (no kid) party.
This week I’m trying a new twist on Macaroni and Cheese from the book Cooking Light sent me (The New Way to Cook Light) that I’ll post if it turns out. Little D loves mac and cheese so we’ll see if it passes his test. I’m also making fried rice, which is kind of new for me.
For more menu plan ideas, see Org Junkie.
What’s cooking this week?
Monday: Black bean and chicken quesadillas with all the toppings
Tuesday: Butternut squash macaroni and cheese and a big green salad
Wednesday: Kids’ choice
Thursday: Breaded chicken with fried rice and fruit
Friday: Slow cooker lentil and ham soup with french bread and a salad.
More from Cooking Light…
Holiday Entertaining and Menus
Superfast Honey Glazed Almonds
The uneaten lunch
I make a point not to comment on what or how much Big A eats of her lunch. But lately it has been coming home barely touched. So I asked her if she had something else to eat which happens sometimes. She said no.
Me: Just not hungry?
Her: Yes
Me: Is there something else going on? Another reason you’re not eating much of your lunch?
Her: Yeah…
Me: What is it sweety?
Her: You always make me the same things.
(insert knife into heart and turn)
But I sensed something else was going on. I do try to I rotate a variety of meals and 2 days a week she gets hot lunch.
Me: What happens at lunch? Anything else?
Her: Well, there is some forcing to eat and I don’t like it
Big A was referring to the pushing that occurs at lunch to get the kids to eat, which I witnessed one time I visited. We talked more about this — and she admitted that this added pressure made lunch less appetizing (not those exact words).
I think the feeding environment is influencing her as well as her tiring of the options and her likely going through one of those anti-growth spurts where she’s just not that hungry.
So I talked with the aid at school who supervises lunch and let her know that I want Big A to be the one to decide when she done eating. I also offered to come in and help out with lunch when I can. And lastly, I asked that any outside food be put in her backpack so that it doesn’t interfere with her appetite (except for the monthly birthday celebrations that occur at snack time). Big A understands that we will find a time for her to eat it at home — either at snack or at another meal.
Big A and I went through my Trader Joe’s cookbook for some new ideas. Kids tire of even their favorite foods so it’s always beneficial to change things up, even if it’s just buying granny smith apples instead of red delicious or opting for Clementines instead of oranges.
Other reasons kids don’t eat their lunch include not enough time, filling up on juice or milk first, outside food given right before mealtime, eating a snack that is too close to lunch and socializing with friends. We need to help kids come to mealtime with an appetite, make the atmosphere pleasant and encourage them to focus on food.
Anyone else dealing with a child’s lunch coming back barely touched?
The post Weekly Meal Plan: Monday December 10th appeared first on Maryann Jacobsen.