The Art of Green Bean Eating

Hmm, what do we have here?

Let me just open 'er up and take a look.

"Oh man."

Gasp!

"Beeeeeeeeeean!"

nom nom nom

::casually steals more beans from unsuspecting momma::

(And that would be why we eat green beans 2 to 3 times a week.)

Toddler Meal Planning

God love my foodie family, we spend so much time eating - some of our greatest memories are at the dinner table.  There is absolutely no question about who Lucy got her appetite from - her very proud Momma Bear, that's who!

Having a third mouth to feed has not been without it's challenges, though.  "Winging it" just doesn't cut it in this house, especially when trying to race out the door at 6:30 am.  That leads to tardy, hungry {and whiny} Sheltons.  So after several frustrating weeks, I ultimately had to increase the grocery budget, devise a separate shopping list and meal plan for daycare, and increase our trips to the grocery store from weekly to twice weekly - you know, to keep up the banana and milk supply.  Of course, tired and pregnant, my devotion to freezer friendly meals is still a top priority.  Here's a look at what we're eating these days:

Lucy's Breakfast Menu
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Oatmeal & Fruit	Pancake & Fruit	Yogurt & Fruit	Raisin Toast & Fruit	Waffle & Fruit
Lucy's Lunch Menu
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Ham & Cheese Roll Up	Breaded Chicken, Sweet Po & Veg	PB & J	Macaroni Cup	Naked Chicken, Sweet Po & Veg
Family Dinner Menu
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Chicken Tenders & Sweet Po Fries	Salmon & Couscous	Chicken & Dumplings	Turkey Burger & Sweet Po Fries	French Bread Pizza
Cheesy Chicky Casserole	Salmon & Couscous	Chicken Quesadillas & Refried Beans	Chicken BLT Club & Sweet Po Fries	Pigs in a Blanket
Turkey Meatloaf & Roasted Potatoes	Salmon & Couscous	Buffalo Chicken Wrap & Salad	Tuna Noodle or Melt & Lemon Broccoli	French Bread Pizza

*I don't bother meal planning on the weekends, because we're either dining out, visiting family, or cooking up a tasty new recipe.   
**I am aware that the amount of chicken breast and sweet potato we eat may seem absurd to some. 

Lucy's lunch menu varies on occasion, depending on what leftovers we have on hand; but I always have these meals in the freezer.  Her morning serving of fruit is always, always, always a half of banana; and she has a second serving of fruit at afternoon snack, usually some apple or melon slices.  Our other go-to snacks include: Puffs, Cheerios, cereal bars, veggie sticks (raw and baked), cheese and crackers, fruit leather, dried apple rings, Toddler Mum Mum, yogurt, and popsicles.  When all else fails, give the girl some carbs.

And, for those who may be wondering, a "Macaroni Cup" is elbow pasta with ground turkey, roasted squash and spinach, and a vegetable marinara sauce frozen in cupcake liners.  This can be done with many different pasta dishes.  Cupcake liners are great for storing individual portions - just remember to remove the foil before microwaving...   

As for Lulu's milk intake, it has tapered off substantially over the last two months.  For awhile it seemed like she constantly had a sippy cup in hand, and as soon as it was empty, she was ready for a refill.  She currently has 5 ounces of milk with breakfast and dinner, and as requested throughout the day; apple or grape juice with lunch; and 5 ounces of water with morning and afternoon snack.  Daddy may or may not allow her to bring her sippy into the bath tub, but Mommy thinks that's just silly. 

I think that about covers us.  Do you meal plan?  Do tell!  I always enjoy hearing new recipe ideas.  Does your daycare center provide the meals for your child or do you have to pack their breakfast and lunch each day?

Messy Eater

That would be YOU, Lu.  You are messy.  Messy, messy, messy. 

Ah!  Look at those hands!!!

I realize it's been awhile since I last talked about your eating habits, so I thought an update was in order.

Your favorite food is still peas.  (I think it's more their size and shape than flavor.)  You stuff as many peas in your mouth as possible, and then tip forward to watch them all fall out.

You also love carbs: crackers, (baked) french fries, baked potatoes with butter, bread, cupcakes.

I hate sharing kale chips with you - hate is a strong word, but I sincerely mean it.  You turn those delicious, crispy chips into confetti. 

The bathtub drain is probably going to get clogged one of these days from all the food stuck to you.  In the last week I've wiped marshmallow fluff from your armpit, peeled salmon off your tush, and pulled tiny pieces of kale confetti out of every roll of chub.

Our dinner dress code is diaper only.  This is because you'll only tolerate a bib for approximately two minutes before ripping it off.

I really need to buy some kind of splat mat or vinyl table cloth for the floor beneath your highchair...  Every night I have to sweep or vaccum, and then spot clean the floor on my hands and knees.

You're latest habit is sucking the juice/flavor out of whatever you're eating and then spitting it out afterward.  So it seems like you're eating a ton, but you're really not.  And I don't know how to fix that.

You hate to be spoon-fed, but love to feed yourself.

Grammy set you in a regular chair at breakfast this morning...it was adorable.  Now I'm on the hunt for a booster seat.

I occasionally give you an apple to gnaw on while I make dinner.  It's a great way to pacify you for 10 minutes.  (This is extremely upsetting to Grampy, because fruit is sacred to him.)

I think that's about all I have...you've been throwing using a sippy cup for the past month or so.  And what a relief that is!