...and here is why...

I posted a few days ago that I recently introduced the "garbage plate" to my kids. A pre-dinner veggie tray that keeps them excited about eating their veggies and gets them good nutrients before even sitting down at the dinner table. This was one way to keep my kids eating healthy options. I happened upon another one last night...and here is why...

We decided to go to dinner and the kids wanted pizza. We went along with this option. It is not primal (this would be one of those times where the 80/20 rule applied, read about it in The Primal Blueprint). The choice ended up being a good one, and here is why...

My kids LOVE salad!!!! They haven't TOUCHED the stuff - EVER! Just not big fans. and here is why...

I don't use dressing on my salad. I eat it dry. I like it dry. I love the flavors from all the veggies together. I don't need an "enhancement" to meld the flavors. But last night, while at the pizza restaurant, I ordered a salad from the salad bar. The cashier asked me what kind of dressing I wanted. I assumed it was just on the bar, but the dressing was kept behind the counter. She named off a few and I just said "bleu cheese". She handed me the plate and the dressing (which I assumed would sit unopened next to my plate...I don't know why I took it). I went to the bar, grabbed some greens and toppings, including a little cottage cheese - I've always liked that on my salad. I sat down to eat my salad and was surprised when both kids wanted a bite "with that stuff" (pointing at the dressing) on it. They took one, two and then three bites each! They LOVED it...and here is why...

The dressing, of course! Why the heck didn't I think of this before??? They don't need a lot, just a little to add flavor. They couldn't stop eating it. Then, Brandon asked if I could make this salad for dinner at home. Of course, boy...want me to make it tomorrow? A "yes" came from both sides of the table as the kids nodded and smiled at the thought of having more...and here is why...

I had missed the boat...and here is why...

Since I like the flavors of salad solely on its own, I never stopped to think about their personal taste preferences. Ugh! Of course they want dressing...and here is why...

EVERYONE DOES! I might be the single person alive that prefers it WITHOUT dressing. I could have had salad eaters all these years! I learned my lesson...and here is why...

Giving my kids a little dressing is not nearly the health detriment that them NOT eating salad would be. And, eventually, they may prefer the tastes as I do, naturally. Until then, would you prefer bleu cheese, ranch or Italian?...and here is why...