Passionate is a very strong word. I am passionate about only a few things. First, I am passionate about my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am passionate about my family. I am passionate about spending time outside enjoying nature. And finally.....I am passionate about GOOD food. Jami calls me a "food snob".

My parents were great about exposing me to a wide variety of food when I was growing up at home. As I went to college, I expanded my palate and began to enjoy many things that I thought I never would. Jami and I went to Italy on our honeymoon. That was the ultimate place to enjoy awesome food.

After Jami and I were married, I had this preconceived notion that I would cook dinner for the two of us, and we would sit down and enjoy it together. This sounds realistic, right?  I was in for a complete shock! Jami rarely sat down to a meal growing up. He had not been exposed to many of the foods that I had. I knew I had my work cut out for me. It was very important to me for us to sit down and enjoy meal time together and talk about our day.  He learned quickly how important this was to me. I spent time preparing meals for the two of us. Jami would come home from a long day, and really all he wanted was food. Preferably, PB & J!  Wow, how could this be all he wants when I spent time preparing a meat, starch, and veggie (or casserole). We went through several meals and I then knew the extent of his "picky eating".  OK, NO veggies, NO casseroles or anything with more than 2 things mixed together, I could do this. 

We BOTH adjusted. I was more realistic with making our meals, AND more importantly Jami was willing to try different foods. He has come a long way!!!

Now, for what I deal with on a daily basis on feeding our family of five. I plan what I'll be making for the week on Sundays (according to what is on sale). I typically cook 2 -3 nights a week planning on having leftovers for the rest of the nights. I always have a couple of things at each meal that four of us will eat.  EJ makes her own meal of yogurt, fruit, and chips of some type.  There are many meals that I cook where no one in the house will eat what I've prepared. It is the most frustrating thing ever!  I enjoy cooking and planning meals for our family. Then, I spend time preparing it for everyone. We sit down as a family, and then the majority of our lovely family complains about what I've made. I know that for most families, the mom and dad simply say, "you're not getting up until you eat". Do you know how hard that is to do when you know that one of your kids will seriously sit there indefinitely? It's hard to enforce this with some of the kids and not with others. Explaining this to a 8 and 6 year old have gotten us no where.

I have given in tremendously at meal time to have peaceful times together. I have lowered my expectations of what Jami, N, and O will eat. I allow EJ and N to make their own dinner if they do not like what I prepare. I have begun to make dishes with veggies in them and freeze them individually for myself to eat at lunch time when the kids are in school. Small changes have gone a long way, even if we do enjoy meals very differently from most families. It works for us, and that is what is important.

What I can do for the health of our kids is this. When grocery shopping, I make sure I pick up lots of fresh fruits. I also limit the amount of snack foods I buy. Our family has a "snack bucket" and the kids are allowed to choose what they want for a snack.  Usually, I have granola bars, raisins, pudding, teddy grahams, and goldfish in there for them to choose from. We don't really keep cookies or high sugar sweets in the house. (Jami has a hard time with this part!) So, that is how I do my part as a mom as helping my kids eat as healthy as possible with the limitations that we have been dealt.

When EJ returns from Remuda Ranch, I am looking forward to eating more foods with her. I can't wait to see what foods she enjoys.  It's kind of like looking forward to the developmental milestones of an infant/toddler. I loved all of my kids "firsts". The first time they smiled/cooed. The first time they rolled over or walked.  The first time they said "mommy" and "I  love you". Now, I get to look forward to seeing what foods EJ enjoys after she gets back. Don't tell Jami, but I hope she LOVES lots of veggies and casseroles!