Apologies for lack of posts this week - it's been a busy time and I've been working at the Star Tribune Booth at the State Fair for a good chunk of it. I've been handing out corn-on-the-cob flavored lip balm, selling a lot of t-shirts and answering a ton of questions. Stop on by, you can't miss the booth at the bottom of the Grandstand.
And I liked that Great Minnesota Get-Together so much I'm going back for more - we're going as a family later this weekend. Since I have food on the brain...on to a post about food:
We have an Eat This, Not That book. It features photos of familiar grocery store and restaurant foods. It is informative and sometimes surprising what the healthiest choices are. ie: In your kid's Halloween bag - Whoppers malted milk balls are a better choice than Tootsie Rolls. Or that at most any fast food place your best breakfast choice is their version of an egg sandwich over a bagel. Who knew? Admittedly, often the choices are between the least of two evils, comparing junk to junk. But it can be eye-opening.
Well, Ben became enthralled with the entire concept. I don't know if it was the brightly colored photos on each page, or seeing some familiar foods but he loved it. He had me go through the entire book page by page asking why some foods were "Green arrow" (Eat this) foods, and some were "Red arrow" (Not that) foods and why.
He is now very conscience about what foods are the better choice. On a road trip last month we were rushing through a gas station to find the nearest restroom. As we hurried down the aisles Ben pointed around wildly at all the snack foods. "Red arrow, red arrow, red arrow!" Yep. he was right. On that same road trip there was inevitably a McDonalds. He piped up from the back seat. "The best choice at McDonalds is chicken nuggets, apples and milk. No french fries" Again, something he learned from "Eat This, Not That". (But of course if said french fries were presented, he would have no qualms about gobbling them up...)
Recently he saw cinnamon rolls at a concession stand. He tugged on my sleeve and whispered." I think those are red arrows mama." "Why do you think that? "I asked "Because they taste so good!"
Well, we're heading over to the State Fair. It's fine to enjoy a few deep-fried delicacies that only come round but once a year.
We may introduce him to some foods that are yellow arrows. Proceed with caution.
