Fussy Eaters

I was a fussy eater growing up.  I remember sitting at the dinner table for four hours once, because I refused to eat brussels sprouts.  They had an unfortunate way of floating to the top of the milk glass, which was one of my usual ways of hiding food I wouldn't eat, so I was busted.  Dad said I had to sit there until I ate them.  I don't remember exactly how the standoff ended, but I know I didn't eat the damn things. 

Top view of a Brussels sprout in milk

Side view. See how it floats?

The list of foods I didn't like and wouldn't eat was endless. I threw out countless sandwiches in the school cafeteria, because my mother seemed to think I would suddenly eat meatloaf or liverwurst or tuna salad when she wasn't looking. I was perfectly content drinking my milk and eating my one piece of fruit, if I liked the kind she gave me, and the snack pack pudding that was always also included.

To say that I would eat "if she is hungry enough" didn't work in my case, and I was perfectly healthy on my diet of pudding and grapes.  As a result, I was fine giving my own daughter peanut butter sandwiches, no jelly,  every single day for lunch when she was in elementary school.  I often pulled my hair out trying to come up with dinners she would eat, but I understood.  Today as a college student,  she eats many, many things she wouldn't eat when she was younger.  I take no credit for that. I eat a lot more foods now too, except I still won't touch a meatloaf sandwich. I think people will try things when they're ready, or........

Which brings me to today.  My friend Brenda called me in a panic.  "We've been invited to dinner at an Indian restaurant by Dan's boss, so we have to go! I've heard it's so spicy, it'll blow the top of my head off!  And what if I accidently order goat, or mutton, or is that the same thing?  See I don't know!" Brenda was almost crying.

"Relax Brenda."  I said soothingly.  "First of all, the menu is in English, so you can't accidently order goat.  Also, you know I love Indian, so you might too.  Just order any chicken dish, mild.  It's comes with a side of rice and order some naan.  That's Indian bread and it's delicious.  I think you're going to love it, but just in case, toss a can of snack pack pudding in your purse, and you'll be just fine."

Naan