Thursday, February 19, 2009

A Muffin "Tin" Meal

Between Munch's habit of stretching out mealtimes to intolerable lengths (she chews and chews and chews, but takes forever to swallow her food) and her recent lack of appetite because of her cold, I was desperate to change up the dinner table vibe. Last week, we had a picnic at her play table. Everyone used animal chopsticks and I put her campanelle pasta in a parfait glass.
This week I discovered Muffin Tin Meals on the blog, Her Cup Overfloweth. It's a cute idea- we know how kids love having their food in separate compartments. And I just finished reading Bento Box in the Heartland by Linda Furiya, whose columns I enjoyed in the food section of the SF Chronicle, so I'm already inspired by the whole bento idea- thank goodness we're headed to the Pacific East Mall again so I can find some cute mealtime accessories (particularly some safer food picks!). And, for her birthday, Munch received an adorable cupcake making set which just happens to have a mini-muffin pan- the perfect size for her lunch. It just was meant to be...
So without further ado, my first muffin tin meal-

I repeated several components just because the portions were so tiny. Basically it's matchstick-cut carrots, raspberry yogurt, cubed apples, green peas, and rolled turkey slices.

I'm pleased to say, the Munchkin loved it. It also helped that I filled several compartments with her beloved green peas-those were the first to get gobbled up, with requests for more! Gotta love that girl!

11 comments:

Cheffie-Mom said...

Creative food! Love it! I hope Viv is feeling much better!

Sarah said...

What a fun idea, I'll have to try this for my son.

Journey on! by Kelleye said...

Wow- what an idea! You have it going on! My boys would be stabbing each-other with the tooth picks! She is a cutie!

Savvy-Motherhood said...

just found you from followers on MBC! What a great idea you have here!
love - donna

Cinder Rail'lee said...

This is a GREAT idea! I'll be coping you =), Caleb dislikes sitting long enough to finish a meal(comes with being extremely hyper) small portions, and food he loves! THANK you for posting

Helene said...

Awesome idea!!! And I would've never thought to use a mini-muffin pan like that! I'm definitely gonna have to try that with my 4 picky eaters!

Welcome to the Follow Me Club!

Veronica Lee said...

Thanks for following my blog. I'm following yours too and looking forward to more visits to your fabulous blog.

LaTonya Yvette said...

Awesome Idea! I'm following you. (stalker) lol

Chris said...

What a great idea. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea. Where were you when my kids were babies. By the way one of their favorite foods when they were toddlers and even to this day are peas (personally I can not stand them.)
They would eat bowl after bowl of them resisting even candy in favor of their beloved peas. ove to all . Aunt Lynn

Anonymous said...

Cheffie-Mom- Thanks! I always appreciate your visits!

Sarah, Kelleye, Tami, Helene- Wish I was clever enough to have come up with it- seems so obvious, doesn't it? That's the great thing about blogs- a great way to share ideas with so many people!

Donna, Veronica, LaTonya, Chris- Welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

Lynn- Viv even requests them frozen- like teeny pea popsicles!