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.
I 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.
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
The question is… did you still put sandwiches in the sandwich container?? Eek!
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
My husband makes great roasted Brussels Sprouts! I actually had never tried them before meeting him!
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!
I have picky eaters too… just in different ways!
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.
I might just have to Google that documentary :) Though Chef Bob DID post a recipe for homemade bacon today on Appehtite!
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.
My boys are actually hit and miss on smoothies; pink ones are the only kind they’ll drink!
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.
Hey, nothing wrong with chocolate cake! LOL
Wow thats great that your boys drank it!
Yup, my little one loves it!
we love adding spinach to our smoothies – it’s pretty flavorless and adds so many nutrients!
Absolutely, Shane!
It’s great that your boys are so open to new ideas.
Yes, I’m pretty lucky in that respect :)
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) :)
Aw, it’s wonderful to hear about all their eating styles! Thank you so much for sharing!
i love smoothies like that – they are tasty and healthy!
Yup! And the Minute Maid Frozen Smoothies Strawberry Banana is divine!
I know a kid that would eat raw broccoli and actually enjoys it, what lucky parents
Hey, MY kid eats raw broccoli and enjoys it :)
I didn’t know Minute Maid has a line of frozen smoothies! I am going to have to look for them!
Oh yes Heidi – and they’re DELISH!
love that mug with the handle attached
Me too :) It’s SO Pinterest-worthy :)
good job getting your boys to try new things
Thanks Suzie!
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.
Ah, you would have died if you heard it when he said it, facial expressions and all :)
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 ;)
YES! Butter makes everything better :)
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.
I don’t think I even know what a fiddlehead is! Off to google..
made this yesterday morning – was so good!
Thanks for letting me know! Enjoy!
This recipe looks delicious!
It’s a keeper, Tammy :)
Yum, my son loves smoothies too easiest way to get the nutrients in them :)
Absolutely! And in no time, too!
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.
I am very lucky; he’ll try things at least once, which is all I can ask for!
Your kids always take such nice pics.
Aw, thank you Rick :)
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.
Okay, so strangely enough, my kids hate butter on their bread! But broccoli is OK!
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.
Yup, perfect way to disguise the green stuff!
You’re lucky that they’re adventurous with food. I have one that will try anything, and one that is picky beyond belief!
Ah, at least you’ve got one curious little one!
I love curiosity myself but yes it can be dangerous too. Curiosity killed the cat after all. Well, that’s what I heard.
Yes, there are limits to curiosity, of course :)
I might have to try this it sound awesome.
You’ll love it!
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.
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.
I have heard about roasted Brussels Sprouts before and again in this post going to have to get them a try soon!
This recipe sounds delicious especially because I love smoothies