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The Curious Thing About Curiosity

July 3, 2014 By Lena

Before I became a mother, I associated curiosity with many positive traits: growth, intellect, analysis and inquisition. To me, curiosity represented a willingness to learn, better oneself, and most importantly, be cognizant of the wonderful world around us. I admired those who challenged the status quo by becoming curious about things, people and places that matter.

Of course, after I had children, my interpretation of the word shifted just slightly.

Now, curiosity means sticky fingers and broken electronics. It means a glass figurine pulled from a top shelf; a centipede trapped under a bowl, a melted crayon found on white berber carpet. And that’s just scratching the surface. My home has been taken over by amateur scientists, hell bent on discovering who, what, when, where and WHY – sigh, always why. Does everything need a reason?

Yet as I type this, I realize how short-sighted I’ve been. I’ve let my petty frustrations mask the true joy of raising curious children. Because for every shattered glass figurine, there’s an appreciation for how fragile life can be. For every trapped insect, there’s respect for our living ecosystem. And for every melted crayon, there’s a lesson in science – namely, coloured wax + expensive carpet = mom furiously scrubbing with a bucketful of chemicals while muttering obscenities under her breath. Okay, so maybe there’s a lesson in science and linguistics.

Maybe it’s time I rethink my views on curiosity.

And now I’m smiling, because I’m thinking about the very first time Ryder tasted ice cream; a tiny lick off a tiny spoon, and instantly, his eyes became twice as large with sheer delight. I’m remembering Reid’s first bites of corn on the cob; holding the ear of corn at arm’s length, trying to decide what to do with it. I’m laughing at Ryder’s introduction to steak, where he chewed the fibrous meat for about 5 minutes before he pulled it out of his mouth and declared, “Beef is broken. Can’t eat.”

In fact, for little ones, I truly believe that curiosity begins in the kitchen – and a fun and delicious way to encourage kids to be curious is by involving them in preparing and tasting new flavours and textures. I’m pleased to once again partner with Minute Maid, who along with the Canadian Living Test Kitchen has created a new line of recipes that will spark creativity and help pave the way for future curious culinary exploration.

Today, I showed the boys how good greens can be with this delicious and simple Berry-Banana Green Smoothie.

1 can (250 mL) Minute Maid Frozen Smoothies Strawberry Banana
2 cups frozen mixed berries
1-3/4 cups milk
1 cup baby spinach leaves
Half avocado

In blender, combine Minute Maid Frozen Smoothies Strawberry Banana, mixed berries, milk, spinach and avocado; purée until smooth.

Minute Maid SmoothiesI am blessed; both my boys have pretty adventurous palettes, and rarely do I need to “hide” vegetables from them (ten times out of ten Ryder will eat the broccoli, Brussels sprouts or beans first). I sincerely hope they continue to be curious about the foods they eat, the things they do and the places they see… and if that sense of curiosity brings them to melted crayon territory, I’ll just remember to look back on this post, and chill out.

For more delicious recipes that are perfect for curious little individuals, visit Minute Maid.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: healthy living, kid-friendly recipes, Minute Maid, Minute Maid Smoothies

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    July 3, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    even I wont eat brussel sprouts, they are great taste palettes to even eat them first! one of my own rare memories when I was young, I used to cover up a worm with a sandwich container then feel guilty I was smothering it so Id uncover, then cover feel guilty uncover lol

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      The question is… did you still put sandwiches in the sandwich container?? Eek!

  2. Anne Taylor

    July 3, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    Curiousity does evolve over the years, doesn’t it! The smoothie looks delicious! Brussel Sprouts are the best veggie out there. Roasted in olive oil with salt and pepper……..YUMM

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:25 pm

      My husband makes great roasted Brussels Sprouts! I actually had never tried them before meeting him!

  3. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    July 3, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    You are so lucky that your boys will try out foods. Curiosity is definitely a good thing! The smoothie looks good but not sure my family would try it out….can you say picky!

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:25 pm

      I have picky eaters too… just in different ways!

  4. MrDisco

    July 3, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    i agree about curiosity. this one time i got curious as to how bacon was made so i sought out a documentary. it could have ended in disaster (like a hot dog making documentary), but happily it was all good and i learned valuable knowledge.

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:26 pm

      I might just have to Google that documentary :) Though Chef Bob DID post a recipe for homemade bacon today on Appehtite!

  5. Jaimeem

    July 3, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    Lucky that your sons will try new foods, my son seems to be stuck in that ‘grilled cheese and hot dog’ stage and refuses a variety of things. Ive made him smoothies and I get a solid no.

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:27 pm

      My boys are actually hit and miss on smoothies; pink ones are the only kind they’ll drink!

  6. AlwaysARedhead

    July 4, 2014 at 10:10 am

    My girls will pretty much eat anything, but the teenage boy, he is picky. He only likes chocolate cake and pretty much refuses to try any other dessert.

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:27 pm

      Hey, nothing wrong with chocolate cake! LOL

  7. Yuen C

    July 4, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    Wow thats great that your boys drank it!

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      Yup, my little one loves it!

  8. shane

    July 5, 2014 at 9:19 am

    we love adding spinach to our smoothies – it’s pretty flavorless and adds so many nutrients!

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:34 pm

      Absolutely, Shane!

  9. Victoria Ess

    July 5, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    It’s great that your boys are so open to new ideas.

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:34 pm

      Yes, I’m pretty lucky in that respect :)

  10. Flora M

    July 5, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    My oldest granddaughter LOVES veggies – she will always eat them before the meat. My oldest grandson, well, lets just say teenager + boy = eat everything in sight and then more LOL. My middle granddaughter (5) is the *P*I*C*K*Y* one in the family !!! The youngest granddaughter (almost 3) will eat anything, but just very very very slowly (with some “laps” around the house in between each bite – she’s the Energizer Bunny) :)

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      Aw, it’s wonderful to hear about all their eating styles! Thank you so much for sharing!

  11. Nicky

    July 5, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    i love smoothies like that – they are tasty and healthy!

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:38 pm

      Yup! And the Minute Maid Frozen Smoothies Strawberry Banana is divine!

  12. Eldon

    July 5, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    I know a kid that would eat raw broccoli and actually enjoys it, what lucky parents

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:38 pm

      Hey, MY kid eats raw broccoli and enjoys it :)

  13. Heidi C.

    July 6, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    I didn’t know Minute Maid has a line of frozen smoothies! I am going to have to look for them!

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:38 pm

      Oh yes Heidi – and they’re DELISH!

  14. MrDisco

    July 7, 2014 at 12:44 am

    love that mug with the handle attached

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      Me too :) It’s SO Pinterest-worthy :)

  15. Suzie M

    July 7, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    good job getting your boys to try new things

    • Lena

      July 8, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      Thanks Suzie!

  16. AC

    July 8, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    Good to see you’re embracing the boys’ curiosity. Cracked me up when Ryder said, “Beef is broken. Can’t eat.” Love viewing the world from a child’s perspective.

    • Lena

      July 10, 2014 at 11:21 am

      Ah, you would have died if you heard it when he said it, facial expressions and all :)

  17. Melinda L.

    July 9, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Curiosity… it’s amazing how curious kids are. I for one don’t like brussel sprouts, but I’m slowly coming around to it…thanks to butter ;)

    • Lena

      July 10, 2014 at 11:21 am

      YES! Butter makes everything better :)

  18. nicolthepickle

    July 10, 2014 at 7:35 am

    We have smoothies often. My kids will eat anything even fiddleheads, but my husband is a different story. So we have smoothies and I can be reassured that my family is getting enough good stuff.

    • Lena

      July 10, 2014 at 11:22 am

      I don’t think I even know what a fiddlehead is! Off to google..

  19. nicky

    July 11, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    made this yesterday morning – was so good!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:21 pm

      Thanks for letting me know! Enjoy!

  20. Tammy M

    July 16, 2014 at 9:24 am

    This recipe looks delicious!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      It’s a keeper, Tammy :)

  21. Renee LeBlanc

    July 16, 2014 at 11:25 am

    Yum, my son loves smoothies too easiest way to get the nutrients in them :)

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Absolutely! And in no time, too!

  22. loucheryl

    July 21, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    Your little guy is adorable and you are so lucky that he is such a curious little boy when it comes to trying new food.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      I am very lucky; he’ll try things at least once, which is all I can ask for!

  23. Rick F

    July 23, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Your kids always take such nice pics.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Aw, thank you Rick :)

  24. Wanda Tracey

    July 24, 2014 at 12:46 am

    You are so lucky to have children that will try different things and actually enjoy them.I had some picky little eaters that actually ate healthy because they would not eat butter or margarine on their bread or potatoes.LOL.Your children have fantastic palettes.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:23 pm

      Okay, so strangely enough, my kids hate butter on their bread! But broccoli is OK!

  25. Jane Reid Gray

    July 25, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    I also have picky eaters and they are almost adults ho hum I try to disguise the healthy things they will not eat love the idea of Spinach in a smoothie.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:23 pm

      Yup, perfect way to disguise the green stuff!

  26. Athena

    July 26, 2014 at 7:36 am

    You’re lucky that they’re adventurous with food. I have one that will try anything, and one that is picky beyond belief!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      Ah, at least you’ve got one curious little one!

  27. Stephanie LaPlante

    July 28, 2014 at 7:53 am

    I love curiosity myself but yes it can be dangerous too. Curiosity killed the cat after all. Well, that’s what I heard.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      Yes, there are limits to curiosity, of course :)

  28. BobbiJo Pentney

    July 28, 2014 at 10:29 am

    I might have to try this it sound awesome.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      You’ll love it!

  29. kathy downey

    April 8, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Thanks for the recipe,i cant wait to give this a try on the weekend when the grandkids are here,my grandson will drink anything is a smoothie but he is a very fussy eater.

  30. kathy downey

    April 23, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    i Lena,hope your enjoying your weekend we made this smoothie last evening and the kids really enjoyed it.Its a excellent way to get the greens in them.

  31. kathy downey

    September 21, 2016 at 10:12 am

    I have heard about roasted Brussels Sprouts before and again in this post going to have to get them a try soon!

  32. Debbie White Beattie

    June 19, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    This recipe sounds delicious especially because I love smoothies

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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