10 Unique Foods My Toddler Eats!

By: Christine Cox (aka - The Choosy Mommy)

Many toddlers are what parents call picky eaters but I like to refer to my daughter as a choosy eater. Ever since I introduced her to Choosy, she now tells me to be choosy about what I eat. Some days it backfires (I really wanted that cookie the other day) and other days it is a nice reminder. But let’s be real…whether she is picky or choosy, she is still deciding what her and I eat…mostly her.

There are many times where I put food on her plate and she won’t touch it. But there are more times that she sees something that her dad is eating and she wants to try it. I will tell you that she has my husband’s pallet in that she prefers salty, spicy and sour over sweet. I love my sweets! So at least she knows who will lead her to the foods that she will love….DADDY!

Which leads me to my discussion about ten unique foods that my toddler eats. Maybe your child has unique tastes too? This is no way means your toddler HASN’T tried these foods, but these are just some things that my husband and I are really surprised that she likes. I’ve noticed that when I say I like something, she does become more open to trying, so maybe give this new Choosy Kids song, Yum Yum Yummy, a listen and sing it when trying something new!

1. Green Olives – This one isn’t so weird in that I do know some kids that like olives but she will just eat them as a snack. I HATE olives, no matter the color, but her dad also loves them.
2. Banana Peppers – Another snack food that her and her dad share a love for. The smell…uhg, it gets me every time but she loves them!
3. Wasabi Peas – Now this one really threw me for a loop. Daddy was eating them one evening and she decided to give one a try. At first I was a bit nervous because I figured, whoa, too spicy, but she ended up eating a handful (not at one time!)
4. Oil and Vinegar dressing on Sweet Butter lettuce – Otherwise known as ensalada verde in our family. This is a gem as it is a pretty low calorie dressing. It is a so simple in that you just sprinkle some extra virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar over your lettuce. A little salt to taste.
5. Pickled Cauliflower – This was a shocker to myself when my toddler came home from Grandma’s with this new favorite!
6. Frozen Waffles – This one might not be so different, but at least we aren’t drenching the waffle in butter and syrup. Just a plain, frozen waffle!
7. Soy Sauce – She loves rice and won-ton soup, but give her a dish of soy sauce and she’ll dip anything in it to try!
8. Pepperoni – Again, maybe not so different but many toddlers find this to be too spicy.
9. Green Onions – She will dip her green onions in salt and eat 3 or 4 of them!!
10. Tuna – I just mix a can of tuna with mayo and onion and make a sandwich out of it. She’s loved this for as long as I can remember.

Let me know if your child has tried or even likes any of these foods. Please post if you have a food you think my toddler would love. We are always willing to try new things (well, daddy will have to try it first I suppose).

About the Author: Christine Cox is the blog master and Choosy Mommy for Choosy Kids. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy. Click here to learn more about Christine.

2 Year Old Checkup

By: Christine Cox (aka Choosy Mom)

If you ask a parent what place their children are most likely to remember they probably wouldn’t say the doctor’s office. My daughter knew where she was and what was coming as soon as we got into the waiting room for her 2 year wellness visit and checkup. I never remember the shot schedule or what to expect at each checkup so I hope that by me telling you about each of my daughter’s checkup visits (from this point on) you will know at least what is coming for your children who are the same age and you can help calm them before the storm. Remember that each physician is different so what we experienced may not be the same for you. I would love to hear what was different so be sure to leave me a note in the comment section below.

The first things the nurse wanted to check was my daughter’s height and weight. Well, go figure since she knew where she was, she didn’t want to stand on the scale alone so I had to stand on it with her and then just weigh myself (horrifying for any mom to see what number is on the scale but remember, it is your child’s checkup, not yours!) And then the tears began to stream when she was laid on the table for her height check. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the worst part of the visit…

The doctor then came in and my daughter, who is not normally shy, hid her face and wouldn’t say a word to her. The doctor asked her where her nose, eyes and ears were and she just ignored her! After a few minutes of questioning, my daughter finally showed the doctor where her Mickey figurine’s eyes, ears and nose were so the doctor was satisfied that she knew body parts (and she does!) Next, the doctor asked her what a dog says. We have two dogs and they bark ALL of the time - she knows what a dog says but wouldn’t tell the doctor. Again, after asking her about several animals she said, “Cow goes moo,” all on her own without the cow ever being one of the animals asked. I had to laugh because it was a little sassy but she was tired of being in that room. Side note: wouldn’t you know that when we were pulling in our driveway after the visit she said to me, “Mommy, dog goes ruff ruff.” Yup, she knows her animals.

The doctor then wanted to check my daughter’s eyes, ears, nose and mouth but she closed her eyes, covered her nose and wouldn’t open her mouth. After that struggle, I was relieved to hear she wasn’t getting any shots at the 2 year appointment. (Know that if they would’ve had the flu shot available, she would’ve received it at this visit so be aware of that). However, the nurse did do a lead test which meant they had to prick my daughter’s finger to get a blood sample. I think her world was going to end, and mine too from the tears, screaming and squirming. But after the blood, sweat and tears, we were all done!

The doctors and nurses try to make appointments fast and easy for both the children and parents. And as expected, each visit will get easier as the child gets older and is able to understand the visit better. I wish for your children have an easy time at their next wellness visit and I hope if it is a 2 year old this helped you to know what to expect (and to quiz them on their body parts and animals on the drive there!)

About the Author: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy. Click here to learn more about Christine.