Food for thought!

    Fatherhood comes with many responsibilities, and one of the most important ones is ensuring that our families are well-nourished. As a dad, I take pride in preparing healthy meals for my two sons and my wife. However, this can be a challenge, especially when my wife isn't a big fan of vegetables!

    To solve this problem, I have come up with a simple solution. I prepare the veggies in a separate pan so that I can eat them, and my wife doesn't have to. This way, she can still enjoy the main meal without feeling like she's missing out on anything. For the most part it is just leaving out veggies but every now and again shell try something new! It's all about respecting her boundaries when it comes to meals.

    When it comes to feeding my sons, it's a bit different. My toddler eats whatever we have, but in smaller portions. I try to make sure that every meal includes a variety of vegetables, proteins, and carbs. I also try to limit processed foods and sugary drinks, as these can have some negative impacts. With kids however a lot of the easy snacks are processed. Looking at labels is important knowing what is in there. Feeding the baby is the easiest part of mealtime. He's still on milk, so I don't have to worry about preparing anything special for him. All props to my wife though because she is the one busting her ass to make milk for the little one!

    Making healthy meals for my family is not always easy, but it's something that I'm passionate about. I believe that good nutrition is essential for our overall health and well-being, and it's important to start instilling healthy habits in our children from a young age. I've spent several years not eating healthy and its led to some health issues. I don't want that for my boys and I want to set them up with habits for success early.

    I also understand that not everyone enjoys the same foods, and that's okay. Finding ways to compromise and accommodate everyone's preferences is key. It's also important to remember that healthy eating doesn't have to be boring or tasteless. There are plenty of delicious and nutritious recipes out there that the whole family can enjoy. And if you're not in the mood for something super healthy take out is always on the table!

    One of the fun things when learning new recipes is learning about the culture or history they come from. One day I hope to share this with my boys as they help me make meals. For now I'll just jabber with the toddler and hope he learns a word or two! This connection with history and food has been an important part about writing for me. It is adding flavor (pun intended) to the book and really helping to flesh it out. One of the things that makes a world feel fleshed out are the little bits of culture like food and music.

    Being a Dad means taking on many responsibilities, including providing healthy meals for our families. It can be a challenge, especially when dealing with picky eaters, but finding ways to compromise and accommodate everyone's preferences is essential. By prioritizing good nutrition, we can help our families thrive and live healthier, happier lives. I personally know that food is the ultimate binder of families and people. I will keep doing my best to use it to create great memories for my family, and also to flesh out my book! If I find a fun recipe ill talk about it some! Who knows it might even be something funny on the way to the book.