La-de-da. The First Family has a new chef as of today, a fellow from Chicago who specializes in healthy food and “knows what they like.” From what I read, he’s going to have to put a dash of something special into every meal. I happened to see an interview last fall of the Obamas in the kitchen. Those sweet girls pooh-poohed their daddy’s fancy tuna poupon salad, and smiled, “cheese!” when asked their own favorite food. I’m convinced they’d have a seat at our table anytime.
I can understand that the President is driving a national nutritional agenda. We all drive our own family nutritional agendas, and on those nights it doesn’t drive you to the drive-thru, an agenda like that can drive you bonkers. Take my friend Shawn, who decided to take herself off the hook from cooking this week so she wouldn’t take her dinner frustrations out on herself for a change! In the spirit of compassion for all moms and dads who want permission to veer off-agenda and have a happy meal or two, let me give you an idea of some of the healthful variety that passes for dinner in our house:
Any noodle or vegetable soup with a sprinkle of cheese.
Pasta with marinara and cheese.
Romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and cheese.
Macaroni and cheese, not homemade.
Cheese pizza.
Cheese quiche.
Cheeseburger hold the burger with extra cheese.
Grilled cheese sandwiches. As long as the crusts are cut off.
Cheese quesadillas.
I’m not hungry can I have some Cheez-Its.
Cheese straws, cheese slices and cheese cubes.
Fruit slices and cheese with more cheese.
Chicken nuggets. Hallelujah! No cheese.
Artichokes. I kid you not.
All of the above with ketchup.
And ranch dressing.
Yes to the ranch dressing!
Comment by Kristin H. — January 29, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
Pasta and store-bought pesto is our quick dinner of choice. Ready in 10 minutes and (strangely) the only green food the kids will eat! Thanks for your list. I come from a long line of ketchup fans.
Comment by Katherine — January 29, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Bring on the ketchup, Karen. I’d eat any of these things, especially if someone else prepared them. (Or opened the wrapper.)
Comment by Jena Strong — January 29, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
I am at the point now where If I am pinched for time – I throw all the vegtables in the wok, stir fry with a little bit of olive oil, grab the already made Quinoa and throw that in the wok and Viola – DInner fast and good!
Comment by Cat — January 29, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
Everything is better with cheese, isn’t it?
Comment by East End Jenn — January 29, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
Sounds like a familiar menu to me 😉
Comment by Bridge — January 30, 2009 @ 3:24 am
Uh huh. My son subsists on peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, hot dogs/corn dogs, cheese and crackers, and boxed mac & cheese. Scrambled eggs have recently become acceptable. I am thankful that he will eat a little salad, and that he is a fruit fan. I long ago gave up the notion that he'd eat the same meal as his parents. No illusions of control.
Comment by Judy Merrill-Smith — January 30, 2009 @ 3:57 am
Artichokes have been one of my comfort foods since I was a kid (& I've passed on the taste for them to my boy). It makes little sense, given my general geographical location, but a lot of sense, given that it's a close relative of the sunflower.
While not as grateful as Wisconsin, Ohio is grateful for the love of cheese.
Comment by TZT — January 30, 2009 @ 6:01 am
As long as it is Dutch cheese.
🙂
Els (From Holland)
Comment by Anonymous — January 30, 2009 @ 9:09 am
My two-year-old LOVES cheese and now after reading your post I am finding out out he’s not the only one.
🙂
Comment by Anna — January 30, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
Thank goodness we're not the only ones. My son's rotating menu: mac & cheese (not homemade), bean burrito w/ cheese, quesadilla with just cheese….and lots of fruit. I've pretty much given up on vegetables, at least for now.
Comment by Shelli — January 30, 2009 @ 11:53 pm
My son loves cheese. He must sample cheese at every place we visit with a ‘cheese counter’. People try to give him ‘kid’ cheese, but noooo. Aged, 4 year or 5 year, sharp sharp sharp cheddar from raw milk and preferably pasture fed cows. He knows his cheese. He has had a few amazing conversations with farmers about their cheeses when they realize how much he is into it.
Yes, cheese.
Comment by denise — January 31, 2009 @ 1:58 am
Well, as a cheese junkie myself, I suppose it would be hypocritical to deny my son cheese as well. Hmmmm..bring on the calcium???
Comment by Deby — February 10, 2009 @ 11:19 pm
Your list sounds like everything we’d love to eat right now, but haven’t been able to for months (restricted diet due to nursing). In fact, I’m practically salivating just thinking about it. Oh, the day when cheese returns to my diet will be a glorious one. I’m sure our dinners will be looking a lot like this!
Comment by Nikole — February 22, 2009 @ 1:27 pm