AmyDerk's Profile

As an avid cook and baker and long-time CSA member, I knew I wouldn't have a picky eater either, until I did.

From the time he hit solids, our son was a very narrow-band eater. We always gave him what we were eating, making sure there were one or two things we knew he liked on the plate (maybe a slice of bread and butter or cubed cheese, not a separate meal). We followed the advice of "How to Get Your Kid to Eat" (http://amzn.com/0915950839) which is pretty much, 1) don't be a short-order cook, and 2) give them their food and let them be. We ask him to try everything, but a second bite is up to him. And heck yeah, "kid food" wasn't off limits.

At 6, our son now loves spinach and kale, beet salads with goat cheese, any kind of fish, and on and on. It was a long road, but worth it. Keep putting a bite or two of everything in front of them. Eventually, they'll come around.

And yeah. I knew everything about parenting too. Right up until the day my son was born. ;)

We diagnosed my husband with this (thanks, internet!) last fall. But the soup was delicious, so it was all worth it. ;)

My cousin (former chef, current Mexico City resident) rinses the chopped onions to remove some of the bite and leave the sweetness. Brilliant. She also taught us to leave out the tomatoes (even good ones aren't a great textural addition) and use generous salt, lime, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro. A huge hit anywhere we take it (which is now everywhere).

I dip in flour, stone-ground mustard thinned with water, then panko mixed with whatever seasoning I'm in the mood for. Occasionally, I'll drizzle with melted butter before throwing in the oven. Great for chicken or pork. May be a little flavor-forward for lighter fish.

Did you make the cushions? And I want to know where the lamp came from. I guess I have to wait for the follow-up posts. Gorgeous!

The myth that people with diabetes need to eat sugar-free desserts persists, but all carb sources provide sugar. Bananas, bread, potatoes, candy. It's about moderation and management. Having said that, if your grandmother was diagnosed a long time ago, she may still believe she needs to go sugar free (or she's tired of others who don't understand the guidelines policing her dessert choices). So a dessert that uses Splenda may be welcome. But a slice of normal pumpkin pie isn't going to be any harder on her blood sugar than a serving of mashed potatoes or stuffing. FYI, you can find reliable options at dlife.com.

I want to marry her.

I would post a note that says: "Love tomatoes as much as we do? Let me know. I'll put one aside for you." You won't come off sounding like a jerk, and nice people are harder to steal from.

DH tends to open a new box/jar/bag when there's a half serving left in the old one.

He hates my film of hairspray on everything in the bathroom.

The bottom line for eating with diabetes is moderation. Nothing is "off limits," as long as she manages her carb intake (whether from sugar, fruit, starches, etc.) according to her own doctor's recos. She may also be watching fats and salt to manage other issues related to diabetes. Having healthy choices will give her options, without making her feel like she has to eat the "special thing" you prepared for her. That lets you both off the hook. Just include some not-too-decadent dishes, and everyone will thank you.