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Picky eaters: Plant a garden
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Planting a garden can help picky eaters be brave enough to try new foods.
There are many reasons why children turn out to be picky eaters. Sometimes we, as adults, pass on our love or hate for a certain food by verbal expression or simply not exposing our children to those foods. Kids' menus and ready-to-eat foods are a also big factor - we'll touch on that bit of evil in another post.
Texture and mouth feel have a lot to do with our like or dislike for a food, spice or condiment, as does smell. Allergies and intolerances can also play a role, making for an unpleasant mouth feel that can continue all the way down to the stomach.
Whatever the reason, there are lots of things we can do to broaden the horizon for both kids and adults labeled as picky eaters. Planting a garden is a great place to start!
What gardening can do for kids...and you, too!
Think about it. How cool would it be to eat something you grew yourself - Something you started from seed, watered, nurtured, watched grow, learned more about! A garden gives a child a sense of ownership - the garden belongs to them and it's their responsibility to feed and water it. It also gives them a sense of pride as their garden grows and flourishes. Science and math come to life in a garden, too, by learning the life cycles of plants and measuring and preparing the garden space. When kids are involved in growing, understanding and preparing their food, they're more likely to try it and enjoy it.
Plan a theme garden such as a Pizza Garden (tomatoes, basil, oregano, peppers), or a Salad Garden with different greens, herbs and edible flowers. Take the time to also plant something new that no one in the family has ever tried - you can have fun all trying it for the first time together as a family.
Keep it small:
You don't need a big space. Our garden, pictured above, is a tiny 3' x 5' plot of land we edged right next to the house. It's the perfect size - easy to weed and control.
Contain it:
If the thought of actually planning and planting a garden in the yard seems overwhelming, container gardens can be just as rewarding for everyone. Hardy herbs are a great way to start and they're easy to grow from seed. Basil is super fast, as is mint. Even if you never reap what you sew, it's a thrill to see the tiny seeds sprouting through the soil.
How does your garden grow? If you've never planted one, here are some great links to get you started:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-start-a-garden.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_110539_start-vegetable-garden.html
http://www.weekendgardener.net/vegetable-gardening-tips/starting-garden-050705.htm
Dawn Viola is a nationally recognized artist, competitive cook and food writer. Follow her blog, Wicked Good Dinner, or onTwitter.
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