I love that this book is getting parents to cook healthier foods for their children. But I think that it asks parents to take a lot of extra time to do the “behind the scenes” (and out of eye-sight) work. Many busy parents don’t have time to cook home-made meals, let alone cook a separate batch of purees…

There IS a lot of great information on what makes foods nutritious in this book. It makes me feel proud to serve my kids veggies because I better understand what makes them healthy. Only, I cook them once, and serve them in their natural state, not pureed and hidden…

I agree that we should be honest with out kids, but I also really liked the cookbook. When my son is old enough to help out in the kitchen I plan on full disclosure. I don’t think slipping some puree in a sauce or some veggies in a baked good is a new concept. I also don’t think it’s deception as long as I’m not lying about it to the kid.
Mostly I like the recipes so that I can add some nutrition to foods DH and I enjoy. This book isn’t sparking a lifestyle change, but rather another resource for some fun and healthy recipes.

Here’s my take on it: http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/10/lay-off-jessica-people.html

Sure, there are some kids who start out eating a variety of foods and who continue on without a blip.

But then there are my kids who started off like gangbusters, and then asserted their independence and asserted it strongly. There are plenty of ways that my husband and I guide them toward making good choices, but oftentimes, the kids don’t see the entire workings of the psychology behind the act. “You can wear coat a or coat b, which color do you like better?” I’m manipulating the choice, of course. And I’m getting them to wear a coat when they’d insist on not wearing one at all. Sometimes the straightforward explanation works; other times my daughter is a more typical 5yo and won’t listen to reason, no matter how logical I’m being. Sometimes, logical or natural consequences aren’t appropriate or could be dangerous i.e. my daughter who really does seem to have strong taste aversions to the point of really being one of those kids who will become malnourished, or get darn close.

Also, I get what Carrie is saying. I think that peace at home and at the dinner table can be the best “health food” there is for a child. The attitude I sometimes hear of “This is the rule, like it or lump it” or heavily authoritarian styles of parenting, or worst of all, using or denying food as reward or punishment is very upsetting and, I believe, potentially damaging.

And a lot of parents are trying to mend their ways, and this book can be a wonderful starting point. I’m a host site for a local Community Supported Agriculture organic farm, and it’s amazing how many people are surprised by a head of kale and have no idea what it is or what to do with it. Steaming it and pureeing it and adding it to a brownie mix or whatever might be as far as they can go with it…for now. Forget the kids; if this book can get some adults to buy a squash, then Mrs. Seinfeld is doing a great job.