Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Twelve course meal

"For lunch," I told Chickie recently, "we're going to have something fun."

"What is it?" she asked.

"You'll just have to wait and see!"

Having built up her anticipation, I got to work on a 12 course meal. About five or ten minutes later, I was done. Here it is:

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Now, I can't take credit for this cute Muffin Tin Meal idea. I've read about it on multiple blogs--I think the first place I saw it was Jonah Lisa's blog. That was forever and a day ago, and I finally tried it. I dug through my cupboards and fridge, and these are the 12 courses I came up with (top to bottom, starting on the left):

  1. Raisins
  2. Sesame sticks
  3. Goldfish
  4. Ritz-type crackers
  5. Animal crackers
  6. Almonds
  7. Ranch dressing (dip for #12)--Newman's Own brand doesn't have MSG
  8. Cheese (shaped like Mickey, Sargento brand)
  9. Blueberries
  10. Wheat Thins Thin Crisps
  11. Tamari roasted pumpkin seeds
  12. Baby cut carrots

All four food groups are represented, all in kid-friendly forms. Zoodle still only has two teeth (but #3 is trying its best to break through!), so his meal was only 10 courses--no carrots or ranch dressing.

The kids enjoyed the novelty of eating from muffin tins at the coffee table!
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Chickie thought it was really fun, and as for Zoodle...
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...well, it got him to put down both binkies (the one in his mouth and the spare in his hand.) Success!

18 comments:

Call Me Cate said...

Some people go with "two thumbs up", Zoodle goes with "two binkies down". Success for sure!

Looks like they're both enjoying themselves though. And again with your superior cooking ability - 12 course lunches in 5 minutes or less. You could have your own show!

Guttermouth said...

Regardless of who came up with the idea originally, I thought this was brilliant and you laid it out really well.

I had to post a link to this entry on my Facebook page, too good! Thanks for sharing such an awesome idea!

beckiwithani said...

I've wanted to make muffin tin lunches/dinners ever since I saw them at Janell's blog. But I don't make muffins. Or cupcakes. I don't own muffin tins. Maybe I'll buy a cheap one sometime!

Out of curiosity, why are you avoiding MSG? Newman's Own ranch doesn't have pure MSG, but it does have yeast extract - which has a pretty big amount of naturally-occurring MSG in it. Because yeast extract is not 100% MSG, it only bothers me in higher "doses" - e.g., in boxes of rice mix (dirty rice, that kind of thing), where it's a pretty major ingredient. It doesn't bother me in Newman's ranch, unless I eat too much.

Unknown said...

What a super cute idea! When Ian gets a little bigger I am going to have to copy this idea for dinner.

Laurel said...

Too cute!! What a great idea :-).

Strange Mamma said...

OMGoodness. Zoodle is looking so old suddenly, and absolutely adorable in his little muscle shirt with such intense concentration on his face. I would so try this if I didn't think my Little Man would end up dumping the tin on floor in his excitement. He's a bit spastic sometimes.

caryn said...

I also have seen this around on many blogs, can't wait to try it!

Unknown said...

I like your 12 course meal idea.
To make it even more attractive, Avon is coming out with some pretty orange silicone cup cake pans. When I get them I will try that on PaPa and see if it works.
Of course you know I have to put a plug in for Avon.

Mam-ma

Mike said...

Great iddddeea! (Seeing the recent post via your new comment info, I'm hoping you still know my e-mail address, which is also not my personal e-mail address either!)

Dani said...

I've seen that before too but it's still such a fun idea- maybe I'll try it today - I just need to buy more blueberries. (They're so good and my little guy LOVES them since he's not aloud fructose and those things are one of the only fruits he gets now). I just need more of those snacky things. :)

Dani said...

ps I have that SAME binkie! (well... Mr. Grins does... heehee)

Shannon said...

GREAT idea! J is SO picky! We are finding it hard to find things that she'll eat... any suggestions? Maybe having her food on a fun tray like that, she'll be more likely to try new things!!

sarah said...

Too cute- two soothers. My daughter will probably end up marrying hers. Cute blog!!

2cats said...

What a wonderfully fun idea. It never hurts to try new ideas to get kids to eat healthy.
I wish mine were young again just so I could do this with him.

Scriptor Senex said...

Super. But does feeding your children the goldfish not risk you ending up in trouble with the American equivalent of the RSPCA - Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals! (Or even the NSPCC -National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to children).

silver star said...

What a great idea! Nice variety of foods and colors, it could also be a learning experience, see if they know what color everything is and it's name.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! I'm going to send a link to this to my granddaughter with the little boy who is such a finicky eater!

Anonymous said...

Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest
I love this idea! I had seen it a while back and TOTALLY forgot about it! Great great idea. Thanks for reminding me! Amber