Thursday, June 18, 2009

Topsy Turvy Gardeners We Are




The pickiest eaters in the universe live in this house. Horrible. Terrible. Finicky. Fussy. If something remotely healthy gets beyond their lips and into the mouth, well, the result is ugly.

We've bribed. We've threatened. We've punished. We've even lied to them about the food actually not being healthy. Nevertheless, the picky eaters continue to live here, and I worry about what will become of their health and bodies as they grow and life's stresses get more intense.

Our doctors have told me not to worry. They've also told me to worry. They've said to give the kids vitamins and other minerals, and they've said to not give them anything.

But last winter I read an article that said that when kids grow their own food, they eat it.



And that is the answer to the question several people have asked me. Why, after all these years, have I decided to attempt a garden?








We bought some topsy turvies and planted tomatoes, quickly dying cucumbers, and a mystery food. We think we might be growing yellow squash there. We also are trying to coax some strawberries out of hibernation. Into a small garden plot went a little corn and some surprise fruit. It's a garden without rhyme or reason, and that makes it perfect for us.








My thinking is that if none of the plants produce any food, my family will still be ahead. You see, my children will have at least touched a green plant with the potential to produce healthy food. And we shall take progress where ever it's available.


15 comments:

Busy Bee Suz said...

I need to follow in your footsteps too...I think if they have a hand in producing it, they will eat it.
How does one grow jelly beans anyway?

Mental P Mama said...

LOL. They eventually come around;)

Julie said...

you crack me up!!!! Love that!

Jeannelle said...

Good for you.....and, for your kids, even if they don't seem to care. But, I'm sure they do care. I love the mini-cornfield!

claudia said...

I am still working on getting a garden to grow. Mainly because I want to eat healthier. And if I grow it I will most likely eat it.
I have not figured out how to grow ice cream yet though.

Decadent Housewife said...

Hope the garden trick works.

Unknown said...

That is so cool. Keep us posted on the grwoing and how this works for you all. I think they will love it.

Anonymous said...

Great idea! I hope it works... If not, try dipping vegetables in chocolate! ;-)

Laura ~Peach~ said...

love love love it... it is always fun to go out and pick what you and God have grown... we never do it to live but to enhance our lives... even when i dont feel like it mike makes me by saying things like it makes him happy to see me go to the garden and come back with a shirt full of produce ( i always forget a bucket LOL) he could not care less but he loves it for me... and that makes it worthy, love the topsy turvys lol hence the 4 we have too!~

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

Way to go Caution! I love it! Another MOM of the year award to you! Little T is on garden duty this year too! Go check out our updated pictures!

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

Your garden looks good to me! I like seeing my kids work for their food :-)

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I enjoyed reading your blog today. Your garden looks great.


Love it when I have time to do blog hopping...Love the flowers on the side....so cute

Hope you will stop by and visit me.

This month I am posting on our Disney trip plus a June giveaway.

Lawyer Mom said...

But Michelle Obama and Alice Waters have made gardening totally cool. So fret not. It's only a matter of time before your children are emulating Sasha and Malia and demanding organic.

I've found (though it doesn't work consistently) that having Mr. M help me cook dinner helps a lot -- washing vegetables, reading recipe instructions b/c I've lost my reading glasses, stirring, etc. When he's participated in the process, he's more invested in the product. Just a thought.

Love your box garden, by the way. My husband is building one for our backyard. Let's hope it's a victory.

Jeannelle said...

You must have added some photos to this post. Tell your son sitting in the garden box to lick his fingers clean.....he'll get his minerals that way!

Mrs4444 said...

Awesome strategy! (And very funny.) :)