Food Blues!

[kppzbw]

I have the meal blues these days and am in a bit of a slump. The rules for the food program get stickier and stickier and I'm almost afraid to cook! Is there a cookbook of daycare menus that are kid tested and approved? I have made a dozen + recipes lately and most have been a flop (at least the kids thought so). I have read threads on this forum and looked at menus posted. My kids won't eat humus or mashed cauliflower or anything too out of the box. I want them to enjoy the meals and leave the table with a full tummy. Any ideas? Also, what are some "supper" ideas now that CCNI is so fussy with the packaged meats etc. Thanks in advance!

[Blackcat31]

I have the meal blues these days and am in a bit of a slump. The rules for the food program get stickier and stickier and I'm almost afraid to cook! Is there a cookbook of daycare menus that are kid tested and approved? I have made a dozen + recipes lately and most have been a flop (at least the kids thought so). I have read threads on this forum and looked at menus posted. My kids won't eat humus or mashed cauliflower or anything too out of the box. I want them to enjoy the meals and leave the table with a full tummy. Any ideas? Also, what are some "supper" ideas now that CCNI is so fussy with the packaged meats etc. Thanks in advance!

My food program sponsor/agency has a ton of recipes listed on their site.

I am with a different agency now but the one I used to be with also offered tons of recipes and snack/meal tips, tricks and ideas on their site too.

Check with yours and see if they offer the same.

[kppzbw]

Thank you! I will check!

[Leigh]

Try asking your parents to each bring in some of their family's favorite recipes. At least you know that ONE kid will like it! The best recipes I have used are the ones that I have received from someone else's favorites list.

[Josiegirl]

Try asking your parents to each bring in some of their family's favorite recipes. At least you know that ONE kid will like it! The best recipes I have used are the ones that I have received from someone else's favorites list.

That's a great idea! You could make your own cookbook from all your current dcfs, then add to it as families come and go.

For me, I keep cooking simple. Mostly because I don't really like to cook, don't have the time and hate seeing too much food wasted if nobody will eat it. We had just a simple goulash today and 50% of the kids just ate the noodle part.

[NoMoreJuice!]

Keep in mind that a child needs to be exposed to a new food an average of 17 times before they'll like it! Worked with all the new veggies I've thrown at my kids over the years. And for the kids whose only veggie in their life prior to my daycare was a french fry.

Also, no matter what you cook, if you let the kiddos serve themselves (called family style I think?) they are ten times more likely to eat what they put on their plate. This summer I have started doing this with the school age kids and 5 year olds going into Kindy. It really does work! I may get brave and try to start doing it with the toddlers this fall.

[jenboo]

I cook. They eat or go hungry.
I don't base my meals off of their likes.
After a couple weeks, almost all the kids will start eating the meals. (I did a 3 week rotating menu and change it every 6 months).