I mentioned a bit yesterday about our recent need to get our family's metaphorical food ducks in a nice, serviceable row. There have been various challenges lately, the biggest one probably being the fact that Mariam seems to really require regularly scheduled programming in the snacks and meals department and in the event that she doesn't get the food that her body needs exactly when it is needed, bad mood related things are sure to follow. Even after being gluten-free for over a year (her celiac diagnosis was in November of 2011), she still doesn't do a great job of recognizing when she is getting hungry, and unless I'm nearby to make sure that she eats, she simply doesn't.
So, it has become increasingly important that I have well thought out and foolproof to execute meal plans in place for breakfast and dinner, seven days a week. And that I pack school lunches that she approves of ahead of time and swears that she will eat. And, quite honestly, that I pick her up from school in the afternoon already under the assumption that she will not have eaten the lunch that I packed and that I will need a snack at the ready.
This week, popcorn is proving a popular snack choice for the car ride home. I decided to forgo the air popper and do my popping via stovetop pot, just for fun. I don't really recommend it, but if you take the lid off the pot at all while said popping is taking place, kernels will fly out all over the kitchen and babies think that this is amazing.
I tossed the popcorn with butter, sea salt and grated parmesan, and then packed it into half-gallon canning jars. When Mariam gets into the car in the afternoon, it is easy to turn on an audiobook and hand her a jar and a cloth napkin. She can unwind for a few minutes while she snacks and listens, and then by the time that we get home, she is much better able to think about an additional healthy snack choice to get us through until dinner time.
Whatever the reason might be, it sometimes feels like our food learning curve has been a bit steep. Maybe because we've been wading through the waters of going gluten free while also being nut free, and having the baby be allergic to eggs. There's a lot to think about, really. So, I am. I'm thinking, and planning, and spending a lot of time with my Cuisinart.
And eating a lot of popcorn, too.
