Toddler Tested Recipe

Today's toddler tested recipe is cannellini bean florentine. This was my son's lunch today.

This is another cheap, easy, and nutritious meal.

All you need is olive oil,  sage, garlic, a quarter of a yellow onion,  a good sized tomato (or two small ones), half a red pepper.  Saute these ingredients.  Add a cup of diced carrots, add a can of cannellini beans. While the beans are simmering,  add a bag (12 oz) of baby spinach.  Add chicken stock (optional). I did not have chicken stock today, so I added Braggs Liquid Aminos. 

Freeze or refrigerate leftovers.

In Praise of Sandra Boynton

I wanted my son to have a good collection of books. Being a bit of a bibliophile,  I know that there is no end books being made. It has been a while since I had exposure to children's anything and I didn't want to just nilly willy aquire stacks of books. He has Jules Verne and Dickens and Tolkien for his teenage year.  The Monster at the end of the Book is waiting for him when he is just a little older. Dr. Seuss and the Bearinstein Bears are always appropriate,  but you have to wait for your little one to have a bit of an attention span before you can introduce them. He likes Mr. Brown can Moo, Can You? and There's a Wocket in my Pocket but most Suess is just too long.

We were actually at the pediatrician when I discovered Sandra Boynton. There was a well loved copy of Are you a Cow? in the waiting room.  I was giggling while reading it.  I fell in love instantly with her simple yet goofy style of writing.  Did you know rhinoceros snort and snuff? Have you ever seen a vicuna violinning?

He books are cute without being sappy. They are goofy without being insipid. The illustrations are simple,  yet enjoyable to a young reader.

I am a llittle offbeat and although I enjoy time tested classics, its nice to have an alternative.  We enjoy reading her books together and hope you get the chance to discover her writing. 

Toddler Tested Recipe

In my I'm back post I shared a quick and easy toddler recipe for black bean soup.

This recipe is cheap, easy to make, and nutritious.

Make one serving of quinoa according to package directions.  Lightly sauté half two bell different color bell peppers, a quarter of a yellow onion,  and one clove garlic (unless your child is like mine and loves flavor,  then make it two.) Cook two cups of frozen peas. When everything is cooked, mix it all up. Freeze any leftovers.  Sometimes I serve with kale.

Follow with a fruit,  pear goes well with this meal.

My son greatly enjoyed this meal.