It's Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family; be sure to swing by and check out all the great tips!
The Zucchini Project is devoted to encouraging folks to grow their own veggies, not only for their families, but also to share. One of the setbacks a Mom will often encounter is the fact that one of the most prolific, easy to grow veggies, Zucchini, is the one the kids will often reject. What good is a boatload of Zucchini if the kids won't eat it? Hence, "The Zucchini Project"!
My first and foremost tip for getting kids to eat the good stuff is involving them in the planting. First, many hands do make for light work. Even toddlers can stick their finger into a mound of dirt, make a hole, fill it with a seed, and cover it up. It's fun. We talk about what we will plant, and where it will go. We talk about what we will make with the veggies. We talk about the Fall Festival, and what we hope to enter if everything goes well. We talk about whether they want to have gardens when they grow up. Some will be bold, stating that their gardens won't have squash. Still, the kids are intricately involved. When the zucchini is flowing in a few months, I will be able to encourage the kids in what they have accomplished. While we discuss the science and economics of growing our vegetables, they will also be encouraged to eat what they've grown.
My first and foremost tip for getting kids to eat the good stuff is involving them in the planting. First, many hands do make for light work. Even toddlers can stick their finger into a mound of dirt, make a hole, fill it with a seed, and cover it up. It's fun. We talk about what we will plant, and where it will go. We talk about what we will make with the veggies. We talk about the Fall Festival, and what we hope to enter if everything goes well. We talk about whether they want to have gardens when they grow up. Some will be bold, stating that their gardens won't have squash. Still, the kids are intricately involved. When the zucchini is flowing in a few months, I will be able to encourage the kids in what they have accomplished. While we discuss the science and economics of growing our vegetables, they will also be encouraged to eat what they've grown.
I won't hold it against them if they still can't stand zucchini...I hated it as a kid. That's another day, another topic. I will work on making it palatable in various forms, and share my stories along the way. Many small hands in the garden works for me!
I agree, it's so great to have the kids help! Thanks so much for linking up!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. Froggy will not eat any kind of greens except ones that she has planted herself and picked right from her garden. She still only munches on them right then but that is something at least right?
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