"Getting your child to eat his vegetables." What's wrong with this sentence? Why do we parents have to "get" our kids to eat their veggies. After all, kids eat a lot . . . . mine never seem to stop eating. Kids love food; they love to eat. So what is up with the "healthy stuff." Vegetables are colorful, crunchy, full of texture and often super yummy sweet. So when and how exactly does it become a challenge to make children eat them?

Well, all four of my children ate everything at first. They then all went through an awkward period of hesitation regarding certain veggies. I am not sure why this happened. The off comment by an adult about emphasizing how "you have to eat your broccoli" perhaps? I know I never said this. But there have always been a lot of people around my children, and let's face it, most adults have a very negative attitude towards healthy eating. Aha! Yes, if you want to "get" your kids to eat their veggies . . . . your have to realize that you are their most important influence. The power of your example will trump everything. Your own healthy habits will suddenly drop the "get" and invite in the "why not?" So maybe this article is a bit for the children . . . .. and a bit for the parents out there who still say "yuck!"

Firstly, for the sworn never-a-veggie child: Cut it up! Very, very small! Scissors work best. Just add in steamed broccoli to pasta, on top of pizza or into mac n' cheese. Mashed potatoes with cheese are a huge favorite; just add whatever cut-up veggie you want. Tiny pieces are barely noticeable, confused with other textures and voila! Nutrition 1, temper tantrums nil.

Secondly, how to make my child see the veggies but still surprisingly enjoy them. OK. We veer from full nutrition here; but it's a great way to introduce the idea of veggies being acceptable yummies. (This may also be useful for you adults out there). There are actually two ways of doing this. The first way is to put carrots, parsnip and brussel sprouts in chicken soup while cooking. Not only does this add wonderful flavor to your broth, it also makes for delectable veggies. Now these are fully cooked veggies. But bite into a brussel sprout soaked in yummy rich chicken soup and . . . . well, OK maybe the brussel sprout is just too much for most. So try the carrot! You won't be able to have just one bite. Obviously one can also cut these veggies up into the chicken soup along with pasta and chicken. This is always

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