How to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables and About the Time I Almost Met the Barefoot Contessa

We are not big t.v. watchers in our family and the only shows the kids have seen me watch are the occasional episode of Nineteen Kids and Counting, Beth Moore teaching (they think she screams and don't like me to watch her:), or the Barefoot Contessa cooking show on Food Network.  Their favorite of the three is the Barefoot Contessa show because they love to discover new dishes to try and convince me to make for them. 

At one time, my DVR was filled with episodes of the show and I have probably seen almost all the episodes once.  I usually just fast forward to see what she is cooking and then watch the show if I am interested in making the item.  Her recipes always work for me and usually taste amazing.  She made me feel successful in the kitchen, which was a new thing for me.  I am grateful that I can google her name and whatever I want to make (ie. Ina Garten roast chicken) and end up with a foolproof recipe made with simple ingredients that my family will love.  Her simple recipe for roasted veggies made veggie lovers out of my kids.  I will always love her for that.  (See the bottom of this lengthy post directions on how to roast almost any veggie.)

Many years ago, Dylan started asking questions about her.  Where did she live?  Could we go to her house and cook with her?  Why was she so overweight?  He was really worried about her health at one point and was asking all kinds of questions about why someone would eat too much, etc.  It sparked a great conversation or two.  Then, a few years ago, I read that she had been to a Williams-Sonoma near our house to sign her new cookbook.  I told the kids and they were very disappointed they hadn't gotten to meet her.  I was surprised and told them that if she came to town again, we would be there.

A few months ago, I found out she had a new book tour planned in our area and I told the kids we were  going to see the Barefoot Contessa in November!  Dylan had since moved on and said, "Ummm...I'm o.k."  Not interested.  Alyssa was thrilled!  She brought it up so much and was so excited that she would run into my room, first thing in the morning, letting me know how many more days until she met the Barefoot Contessa.  I started thinking that maybe she didn't understand what a book signing was like, as she was so excited, so I checked in with her about what she was expecting.  Her desire, she said, was to tell Ms. Garten she liked her recipes, that Beef  Bourguignonne was her favorite, and she also wanted her picture taken with her.  She then told me she wanted to put this picture in the hallway and I suggested her room would be an even better place for the picture.  I thought these expectations were reasonable and I was ready to make her little dream come true.

The day of the event was an insane one for our family, schedule wise, so Tim left the house at 10:30 to stand in line (HUSBAND OF THE YEAR!!!!) and I was to meet him in line at 1:00 after facilitating the Thanksgiving feast games for Dylan's class (I am co-room mom for Dylan's class and the Thanksgiving feast was my party to run--I had originally planned to keep Alyssa out of school the day of and get in line early, etc. but that plan had to change)  The event started at noon and I had paid for and reserved my cookbook a month ahead of time--this is like your ticket to the event and they only offer a set amount of books.  Tim phoned me and told me to go to the Will Call line and pick up my book when I got there (you can't pick them up early) and then meet him in line.  Tim and Dylan would then leave to a Cub Scout camp out and my little girl and I would stand in line as long as we needed to so she could have her picture and say her piece. 

This is where things started to go downhill fast.  To make this very long story a bit shorter I will summarize: Will Call line lasted for hours, Tim's line ended and only the Will Call line was left and not moving, they ran out of books, Barefoot Contessa got tired and walked out.

I will carry with me forever a picture of my sweet girl, eyes filled with excitement and expectation, still wearing her turkey t-shirt with her hand print on it from her school feast, holding my hand and waiting patiently, oblivious to the chaos and commotion around her.  She didn't realize she wasn't going to get to see Ina.  Women all around me were getting very angry, demanding things from the employees...it was an ugly scene.  Alyssa asked me to take off her turkey shirt and fix her hair in anticipation of her picture.  I complied and then just stood there in line, holding her hand, waiting until I could break the news to her without tears of my own.  I was so disappointed for her.  All the daily countdowns, excited squeals, careful planning and running around to make it happen, her waiting in line much longer than she ever had...I was just sad.

An older lady who had been standing near us in line and had been so impressed with Alyssa pulled the store manager over to us and pleaded, "This little girl has stood in line for 2 1/2 hours with a smile on her face, never complaining, wanting to meet Ina.  Can you take her to the back for a quick picture with her?"  The manager looked at Alyssa compassionately and told us she'd be back.  At this point I knelt down and told Alyssa that it looked like the Barefoot Contessa had to leave.  I reminded her she lives far away and probably had a plane to catch.  Alyssa quickly turned into me and self consciously cried a bit.  I told her I was disappointed too and that we would try again another time.  The store manager returned and saw Alyssa hugging me, shook her head no and then said, "I'm going to go back and try again!"

The manager returned shortly and spoke directly to Alyssa.  She told her that Ina had already left and that she was very sorry she wouldn't get to meet her.  She, along with another woman standing with her, offered Alyssa some stickers signed by Ina Garten (which puzzled Alyssa because she didn't understand the significance of an autograph but she took them with a shy smile).  Then the store manager introduced the lady with her as the Regional Manager for Williams-Sonoma and asked Alyssa if she wanted her picture taken with her because she kind of looks like Ina and had stood with Ina all day.  I encouraged Alyssa to do this, but again she was puzzled because titles mean nothing to her.  However, she walked over to her, smiled, and posed for the picture by holding up the free cookbook they had given her.  After I had taken the picture and thanked the Regional Manager for being in it, I then looked to the store manager to thank her for her kindness.  There were still angry people around us demanding all kinds of things and these two ladies, the ones with the "power" that should be putting out fires quickly, were going out of their way to make my little one feel special.  She was looking at Alyssa, with tears in her eyes, and then looked to me and smiled sadly.  I told them I was so thankful for their kindness, grabbed Alyssa's hand and we walked out the store and into the peace of the mall. 

As she looked up at me, I braced myself for devastation.  My girl feels things very strongly.  In a happy voice she asked if her cousin was still spending the night.  I assured her that she was and she happily asked if we could get a piece of chocolate from Godiva.  As we had stood in line that day, we were smelling the wonderful smells coming from Godiva and watching them make their creations through the window.  We walked in and bought a $7 chocolate strawberry and she was on top of the world.  She was acting as happy as she would have if she had met Ina and now was making her plans for what she would do with her cousin. The last thing we did, before we left the mall, was take a picture in front of the Christmas decorations.  She smiled, filled with excitement about her sleepover, and asked me to send the picture to the Barefoot Contessa--so she'd know Alyssa had come to see her.

That whole experience has made me think a lot.  There were many lessons and blessings from that day and for that I am grateful.  Seeing my husband give so much of his time, surrounded by women talking to him about cooking, was such a wonderful picture of him loving his girl.  Watching the entitlement and ugliness that comes out when "grown ups" don't get their way was a good reminder of what can happen to any of us when we focus first on ourselves.  Observing my girl move from excitement, to disappointment, to excitement again so quickly blessed me deeply.  I love that she chooses to hope again immediately and that she has a joy and peace in her heart from Christ that cannot be taken away.  Seeing people take the time to listen and to be kind to a seven year old experiencing disappointment was a blessing to me.  Kindness is powerful and free and all of us can choose to lavish it on others each day.  I want to consciously choose it!

The biggest gift I was given, however, was the reminder that Jesus always DOES live up to His hype.  He never grows weary, is too tired, or is too busy for us.  He always loves us and gives us His best.  If our expectation and hope is in Him, we are never disappointed.  Remembering this,  I am better ready to move into Thanksgiving with an expectant, grateful heart and into the Christmas season with adoration for my King!  Praise Him!

****For preparing vegetables in such a way that kids will eat them watch this.  I have used this technique with great results with root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, etc.), broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and all kinds of squash.  The result is sweet and tasty!  I don't use olive oil at high heats, however, due to it not being stable at high temperatures.  Instead I roast with coconut oil or palm oil.

I use veggies, Real Salt, oil, and pepper and toss on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper (to avoid metal exposure) or a glass baking dish (Anchor Hocking are completely lead free!).  I toss the veggies every 10 minutes to make sure they bake evenly and have had good results at 400 degrees.  With reluctant veggie eaters  I would start with sweet potatoes or butternut squash as they become very sweet.

Here is a cool chart to explain which oils are best to use and at what temperatures.