My tongue is saying yes but my tummy is not wanting anything.  ~Kyle Piper 12/2011

Since this is the New Year’s, it seems as though most of us make the New Year’s resolution of weight loss, eating healthy or a combination.  I do believe that for most of us, the following story will really hit home.

As we were leaving swimming lessons, Kyle and I discussed what we were going to have for dinner.  We decided to make his Egg Spectacular (omelet).  Usually we make the Egg Sandwich Spectacular but we decided against sandwiches.  We discussed the ingredients we were going to use.  There are a couple of common items that make it Spectacular, but sticking with the Piper method, we simply use what’s in the refrigerator.  This time I had eggs of course, cauliflower, cheese, and ham.  Kyle really wanted broccoli but alas, I was all broccoli out.  Kyle mentioned we needed milk but, “Let’s not put as much as Gigi did the last time.”  You see one time, not long ago, my mom put too much milk in the egg mixture before adding it to the skillet.  Kyle was not happy with the results of that Egg Spectacular.  I said, “O Kyle, that was one time. Gigi does a pretty good job with cooking, especially eggs.”  “Ya Aunt Heather I know, well except for that other time too, when she burnt the food.”  O my Kyle, he cracks me up!

Kyle making cookies 2011

Once we settled in the house, I went straight to work since time always seems to be so limited in the evening.  Kyle went over to the TV and put the local news on.  I really wanted him to get started on his homework while I made dinner to avoid keeping him up late and rushing to get everything done.  But on the other hand, I love it when Kyle helps me cook.  It makes it so much more fun.

Kyle insisted on helping me with dinner, as he usually does.  Not that it’s a bad thing, but I’m looking at the bigger picture of time management.  He said he wanted to practice breaking eggs and separating the yolks.  He said he’ll put the whites and yolks back together in a bowl and beat the eggs.  He also wanted to practice his egg flipping skills.  Now how can I deny a child of trying to perfect his skills?  Also how can I deny myself an opportunity of cooking with Kyle?  Yikes!  I guess homework would have to have a few extra minutes until we made dinner and ate.  Not only do we cook, but while we’re waiting on the food to finish cooking we stand in the kitchen and shoot the breeze.  This is my opportunity to see what’s going on with him in school, with friends etc.  It’s amazing the conversations we’ve had, when they are not forced and very impromptu.  Great bonding time.  It you haven’t done it with your kiddies, I highly recommend it!

Once we finished cooking and eating, Kyle had a second helping.  He knows protein and vegetables are good for him and I had no objections.  About halfway through his second helping Kyle said, “My tongue is saying yes but my tummy is not wanting anything.”  Can you believe the inner turmoil he was facing?  I took that as a compliment, that the food was so good he wanted to eat more, but he was full to the brim.  Once I got past the funny comment, I said, “Then don’t push it.  Never make yourself stuffed full.  It’s not healthy.”  Kyle always knows that I always wrap up the leftovers as to not waste, but I never expect him to finish his plate.  What I do try to practice is taking small portions and going back for seconds.  I couldn’t believe it, he was having an internal debate about eating.  I guess it’s more common than not.  Although, I worry.  I never want Kyle to have to deal with this fight throughout his lifetime.  I guess I just have to keep reinforcing good eating habits and teaching him about proper nutrient.

See Cooking with Kyle- Introduction