To Eat or Not to Eat

"To eat or not to eat?" That is the question it seems that many kids are asking themselves these days...followed by the routine sniff and yuck- face. I recall the days when I would have been given "the eye" from my mom if I claimed not to eat corn or had the audacity to break out in hives and act as if I was allergic to something. Back then, there was no such thing as food allergies unless they resulted in fatalities; which, obviously, they did not because my brother, sister and I are still very much alive. In this world of all new everything including new allergies stemming from foods (plus added artificial flavors and colors), life styles of a la carte meals are all the rave. My four crumb snatchers have decided to jump on the bandwagon and at times have actually requested four different meals. All to their dismay, to be denied more times than not. I had to come up with a few tricks that have so far proven to appease my little crew. I don't know if I can say that I have completely found a cure for Food Rebellion Syndrome but I have definitely found some over the counter fixer- uppers that more often than not, tend to do the trick. Here are a couple of quick and easy meals and/or side dishes that you should try.

Colorful Italian Pasta ( 4 servings)

4 cups of tri color rotini pasta

1- 8 oz. bottles of zesty italian dressing

2- tablespoons of grated parmasean cheese

1 small gr. bell pepper (diced)

1 large diced tomato

Boil pasta and run cool water over to cool pasta

Mix ingredients and sprinkle with paprika grated parmesean cheese

Best when chilled for at least an hour in the fridge

Ham and Cucumber Pasta Shells( 4 serving)

8 oz. sea shell pasta

1 large diced cucumber

1/2 cup of ranch dressing(my kids like cucumber or spicy ranch)

1 cup of cooked, diced ham

Boil pasta and allow to cool. Combine ingredients. Serve at room temp or chill for an hour in the fridge.

Sprinkle with Shredded parmesean cheese before serving.