Tricky, Tricky...

The boys (particularly Alex)

1. Do not like to mix foods

2. Are aversive to strong flavors

3. Despise sauces of any kind

We've worked really hard over the years to push the limits on these fronts, but with very little luck. These kids will eat almost anything - so long that it is raw, unspiced and unsauced. They will eat every vegetable and fruit imaginable (brussel sprouts are a recent favorite). Plain pasta - no butter no sauce - love it! Plain cereal - fine. They are big time milk drinkers. It's basically a relatively healthy diet. You just can't mix liquids and solids or there is a complete uprising.

Then, there are the visual issues. No grill marks. No crunchy parts. No browning from sauteeing. All food must look to be in its usual, natural form or (Alex in particular) will pick away all imperfections before eating.

So, I've been thinking long and hard on ways to circumvent the aversions. I'm rather proud of myself for this tricky move! Last night we took them to Mongolian Grill for dinner. Here was my thought process:

1. They get to choose their favorite meat, veggies and fruit from a buffet and fill a bowl.

2. They get to choose a sauce. Must have one...but they get to choose at least.

3. They get to choose their spices (I let Alex off the hook on this one though).

4. They get to watch the cooks grilling their chosen foods with tool tossing antics and all (very entertaining).

5. They get their choice of plain, totally harmless tortilla or rice to go with their creation.

The moment of truth was when we sat down with the very dark/grilled food, flavorfully sauced, all mixed together. There was lots of reminders from Mom that "You picked this food! It was all your favorites! Don't you think it will be great? Those cooks were AWESOME!". Magic. They ate it. A few faces, a little rummaging around the brownest pieces, never more than one type of food on Alex's fork and lots of drinks to wash it down, but they ate it! Total success. Repeat visits are in order. I consider it sensory therapy...perhaps the restaurant bill should thus qualify as a medical expense? There were a couple self-medicating beers on the tab for Jim and I in the event of complete failure. It all sounds FSA eligible, right? :)