This experiment is having some unexpected results. Initially I started it purely to get the children to eat a wider variety of foods and to improve their table manners.
However, as each change is implemented, another need presents itself: It started with the sudden dawning that I was sending them off to school each day full of nutritionally barren, sugar-coated breakfast cereals, which I've now replaced with Weetabix and Readybrek. Next it occurred that the contents of their lunch boxes needed revisiting.
Then today, since DH and myself are hungover from a fantastic night out in Dubai last night, we decided to go into Manar mall in RAK for a smoothie. Normally when DH and I have a smoothie, the children opt for a Sprite, but today I decided everyone would have a smoothie. Dazzled by the huge amount of flavours on offer, they made their choices and we sat down. Then we decided we were a bit hungry. Again, normally that means McDonald's for them and Lebanese for me and DH but today I ordered Lebanese for everyone. Unimpressed by this decision, they complained for a moment but were soon munching away at their cheese maneeshes, fried halloumi and kibbeh as well as cucumber and shish tawook.
It was gratifying to watch but what really struck me was the harmony at the table, the chat between the children and ourselves. Usually we sit at one table and they sit at the next one, but since I knew I'd need to coax them to eat, I pushed two tables together and we all sat round as a family. The contrast between this amicable meal of good food and happy children, to the usual chaos that ensues as they fling their McDonalds around, fight and jump out of their seats constantly, was striking. This experiment is having a much wider effect than I thought.
Afterwards we did a shop in Carrefour. Again, usually this for me is a joyless experience as I throw things randomly into the trolley with little or no thought for what meals I might make with them. I think this has been some sort of coping mechanism that developed in response to my recovery from the eating disorder I suffered when I was younger: My earlier fascination with food and cookery was replaced with disdain and indifference so that I didn't have to engage too keenly with my former enemy.
But as I pushed the trolley around, I found myself considering what I would do with the products I picked up and feeling satisfied that I was doing the best for my family. I engaged the children in earnest conversation about what fruit and vegetables they might like to try and they eagerly responded.
At the check-out I usually give in to their requests for a packet of sweets or a bar of chocolate or a fizzy drink, but this time I refused and bought them freshly squeezed juices or flavoured waters, which they accepted without much of a struggle.
I must now go and peruse my Nigella cookbook to decide what to make this evening....
However, as each change is implemented, another need presents itself: It started with the sudden dawning that I was sending them off to school each day full of nutritionally barren, sugar-coated breakfast cereals, which I've now replaced with Weetabix and Readybrek. Next it occurred that the contents of their lunch boxes needed revisiting.
Then today, since DH and myself are hungover from a fantastic night out in Dubai last night, we decided to go into Manar mall in RAK for a smoothie. Normally when DH and I have a smoothie, the children opt for a Sprite, but today I decided everyone would have a smoothie. Dazzled by the huge amount of flavours on offer, they made their choices and we sat down. Then we decided we were a bit hungry. Again, normally that means McDonald's for them and Lebanese for me and DH but today I ordered Lebanese for everyone. Unimpressed by this decision, they complained for a moment but were soon munching away at their cheese maneeshes, fried halloumi and kibbeh as well as cucumber and shish tawook.
It was gratifying to watch but what really struck me was the harmony at the table, the chat between the children and ourselves. Usually we sit at one table and they sit at the next one, but since I knew I'd need to coax them to eat, I pushed two tables together and we all sat round as a family. The contrast between this amicable meal of good food and happy children, to the usual chaos that ensues as they fling their McDonalds around, fight and jump out of their seats constantly, was striking. This experiment is having a much wider effect than I thought.
Afterwards we did a shop in Carrefour. Again, usually this for me is a joyless experience as I throw things randomly into the trolley with little or no thought for what meals I might make with them. I think this has been some sort of coping mechanism that developed in response to my recovery from the eating disorder I suffered when I was younger: My earlier fascination with food and cookery was replaced with disdain and indifference so that I didn't have to engage too keenly with my former enemy.
But as I pushed the trolley around, I found myself considering what I would do with the products I picked up and feeling satisfied that I was doing the best for my family. I engaged the children in earnest conversation about what fruit and vegetables they might like to try and they eagerly responded.
At the check-out I usually give in to their requests for a packet of sweets or a bar of chocolate or a fizzy drink, but this time I refused and bought them freshly squeezed juices or flavoured waters, which they accepted without much of a struggle.
I must now go and peruse my Nigella cookbook to decide what to make this evening....
