[Arts/Cooking] A Toddler's Reminder of Shojin Ryori

[Shosho]

It's great when the meal you prepared is enjoyed by everyone, including the harshest critic at the table—the toddler. Oftentimes, I cook something complex only to be rejected by the toddler. I don't mean Michelin star sea foam....I mean comfort food, like a pie or a roast.

It's interesting how a toddler may remind you that feeding oneself doesn't have to be complicated. Present the critic with a roasted asparagus spear and a steamed tofu cube and she might go to town with it.

Gassho,
Shosho
satlah

[Jorge]

thank you for sharing, I really feel this.

My toddler will eat something with so much joy one day, and then the exact same dish might make mi toddler gag the next time.
It helped me understand how much change is a part of growing up and that netiher the food nor my toddler are the same.
Still, I sometimes worry that doesn’t trying new foods—especially when fixated on just one or two items and eats only those all week long migth be harmfull. But then I remind myself that we’re all learning together. And I feel genuinely happy both when he explores new tastes and food and also when he sticks just to grapes and rice crackers for the day.

Gassho.
Jorge.
Satlah

[Shosho]

Jorge hang in there! And get more grapes!

Gassho,
Shosho
satlah

[Kojitsu]

I wouldn’t take anything personally if a toddler doesn’t like the food you prepare for them, their taste buds are completely different from adults. Also, some foods that are strong in flavor can take years of eating it to enjoy it, I to this day still can’t do sauerkraut, which my family loves, I just don’t do well with sour foods at all.

st/lah
gassho

kojitsu