Expanding Her Horizons

We've witnessed a small miracle at our house in the past week. As I've mentioned before, Claire is a picky eater...especially when it comes to meat. Prior to last week, there were only 3 dishes containing meat that she would eat: pasta with meat marinara sauce, my mom's recipe for chicken & rice casserole, and chicken nuggets (and she's picky on those). Then the winds of change came blowing through our kitchen...

Last Sunday night, I made breakfast for dinner - skillet potatoes, bacon, and pancakes. When I took Claire her plate, I held up a piece of bacon and told her that unless she took a bite of it, she wouldn't get any pancakes or "fries". She protested and said that she didn't like it. Then she actually took a bite. And she didn't spit it out. Lo and behold, it was a hit! And she proceeded to eat a total of 3 or 4 pieces that evening.

On Wednesday, I made our favorite tostada salad recipe for dinner (will post it one of these days...so very yummy). The recipe includes a mixture of ground beef, black beans, Mexican stewed tomatoes, and green chiles. I tossed the meat mixture into her bowl with some shredded lettuce, cheese, olives, and avocado - all of which are on her favorites list - and crossed my fingers that she'd at least give it a try. Max offered her the first forkful and upon hearing that it was salad, she wolfed it down. She was immediately ready for more. I was shocked and beyond happy when she not only ate the first bite but polished off the entire bowlful that I had prepared for her.

Tonight was the icing on the cake. I made a favorite salmon recipe for dinner and as I usually do, I put a small serving on Claire's plate. A very long, long, long time ago, Claire ate salmon a time or two and seemed to like it. But as of tonight, it had probably been a good 18 months since she'd willingly taken a bite of our favorite finned food. Once again, I informed her that she had to take one bite. Surprisingly enough, she opened up fairly quickly and after I put it in her mouth she said, "I like it!" and proceeded to eat 4 more good sized bites over the course of the meal.

In addition to her doubling the number of dishes she'll eat containing meat in a week's time, she also added another item to the list of things she likes today: a peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich. We've tried to get her to eat them before but it was always a no-go (as with just about everything else new that we place in front of her). When I sat the kids up for lunch today everything seemed normal...Claire with her picky-girl special and Hudson with his usual spread. Hudson got up from the table for a second and when he turned back, his PB&J was sitting on his place mat with a small bite out of one corner. Claire was quick to admit that she had stolen said morsel and that - drum roll, please - she liked it! I made her a half PB&J of her own so that she wouldn't have to steal more from her brother. She polished it off without a problem.

I'd been worried for some time that Claire would never try (and heaven forbid, actually like) anything new unless chocolate was the main ingredient. She didn't like every new thing I made her try this week. Grilled filet mignon is apparently disgusting. But I'm okay with her thinking that. Her accepting four foods onto her very exclusive list of edibles in a week's time is positively monumental. I think I see a tiny light at the end of the tunnel and I'm hopeful that she'll continue to broaden her horizons when it comes to food. Miracles never cease...