Hooper is a finicky eater. I say finicky instead of picky because usually we can get him to eat good, but it takes a whole lot of patience, perseverance, distraction, inventiveness, and some more patience. Other times he can be flat out picky. Not sure if it has to do with the color or the texture or the smell, but sometimes he won’t even try things. I’m determined to have him eat good and expand his horizons. I’m determined to, well, not let him turn out like me… Picky at 30.

So we went to the store the other day to pick out some new foods to try.

Please take a moment to notice the one shoe off. This seems to be a favorite shopping cart activity.

I cut up some grape tomatoes, black olives, and mozzarella cheese (one of his favorites). I also sauteed some shallots. 

To be honest, I thought I had outdone myself. There’s no chance in hell I’d ever touch the puree mixes I feed him, but this little combo looked good, smelled good, it had success sprinkled all over it. I topped it off with a little balsamic vinegar dressing and voila:

And the result:

Do you see that scared look on his face? See that tension in his little hands and he attempts to push the table away? Oh no, I don’t think this is going to work out.

See the intensity in those eyes? At least I know someone will eat it.

Anyway, as suspected, it was a bust. So I made a second attempt. I pureed it.

…And it was still a bust. 

We put it on garlic bread and this mama and papa savoured the goodness. And boy was it good. 

I have a few tricks up my sleeve to get this little guy to try more of a variety. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Have you dealt with picky eaters? Have any tricks? Advice? Suggestions? Recipes? I’m all ears…