Monday, March 14, 2011

The Bowl Secret

If Meg had her way her diet would consist of three things: snacks, dips for said snacks, and apple juice.

Wait.

Now, before you start thinking that I am worse than that mother who feeds her kids dog food, let me explain. You see, it's all about the bowl.

About three weeks ago I bought a set of small bowls for her to have at snack time. She LOVES them. However, since the first time she used one I called it a "snack" bowl she thinks that everything that goes in them is a snack. Crackers? Snack. Standing rib roast? Snack. Pasta? Snack. Fruit snacks? Well, that one is just obvious. Since she always wants to eat out of those bowls, be it at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, everything is a snack.

The dipping is a bit harder to explain. I blame my mother. She's the one who taught Meg that for every food imaginable there is something it can be dipped into to make it more delicious. Meat has ketchup. Cookies have milk. Fruit has yogurt or peanut butter. Pretty much everything else can be dipped in syrup, either maple or chocolate, depending on taste. Dips must be placed not in the bowl, but to the side of it, preferably in a smaller bowl. I mean, we're not animals. And if a dip is not available? Foods can be dipped into other foods in order to at least make a semblance of a well balanced meal.

The apple juice? Yeah, she just loves it. I figure it's not horrible for her as long as we cut it with tons of water. I can only imagine the sugar crash she will have the first time someone gives her full octane juice.

I am hoping that as Meg gets older her eating habits get a little less esoteric. Either that, or we will be sending her away to college with thousands of tiny bowls, every condiment imaginable, and apple juice.

Oh, what the hell. Even if that happens I doubt she will have the weirdest eating habits on campus...

13 comments:

Jen said...

NOW you tell me the trick to get E to eat. Right now, if it doesn't come in a plastic wrap, it's tough going to get her to eat it. I just need to get me some bowl and dip action going. Must. Try. This.

Kelly said...

Mea has a thing for dip, too. Currently, everything needs to have ranch on it. Pizza, crackers, chicken, steak, porkchops, crackers.

She must put the ranch on her plate herself. We are going to have to start buying ranch by the case.

Anonymous said...

Ever since I fell in love with sushi, finding and collecting little bowls and ramekins have been a personal quest. One of my favorites is one shaped like a fish. I put my vitamins in them, snacks and dips of course, and also jewelry, etc... They just make me happy. I can totally relate, and no, those would not be the weirdest eating habits on campus!

BugginWord said...

I live for condiments. I'm most happy when surrounded by tiny bowls filled with white frothy substances. Take that any way you want.

LL Cool Joe said...

The main thing is she's eating and enjoying food. It really doesn't matter what you put it in.

Meg's smile is priceless. You have a vey beautiful daughter. :)

Unknown said...

Elijah is our dipper. He discovered A1 sauce last year. So when you put any kind of beef on the table, he's like "where's my sauce."

She is so cute, Libby.

Anonymous said...

We still do "special bowls" for the 12,11 and 5 year old.
I think it's time to fire up those parenting classes again.

VEG said...

I don't know, man, it sounds like she's ALREADY practicing for college:) I mean snacks and dips? That's college in a nutshell. Just replace the apple juice with beer and voila!

Mmmm snacks and dips. Damn you. Now I want!

Anonymous said...

Hey, whatever works. She's absolutely adorable, so she can get away with eating out of nothing but bowls until she's 80 if she wants to! :)

Riot Kitty said...

Meg's got it right. Love the little pigtails!

Stephanie in Suburbia said...

Oh too cute! My toddler still flips her plates over and insists on eating off her high chair tray. Maybe bowls will go over easier.

Stephanie Meade Gresham said...

When my daughter was three she was quoted saying, "I love alllll the dippies".

And she does. Her brother is working up a ferocious appetite for dips, too. And if you ask me...chicken nuggets are merely a vessel for honey mustard or ketchup.

Right on, Mea! Dip till you can dip no more!

Jen Has A Pen said...

First, "full octane juice" is something I intend to steal for a post someday. It's not plagiarism if I tell you in advance, right?

Second, my mother (who is a skinny bitch) always says, "Jennifer, I think you wouldn't struggle with your weight so much if it weren't for all the extras! Why can't you just enjoy a sandwich without extra mayo and avocado and two types of cheese???" Because then it would suck. Duh.

Keep on, Meg! Yo mama taught you well!