No, it’s not to turn Dax into a body builder. Let me explain what a picture of my muscle-y son has to do with me having a plan.
Anyone with a toddler knows about the “toddler diet”, right? That very special diet that any 18 month old, two year old, and I am assuming three and four year old is on. The one where they can’t manage to sit at the table for two seconds to eat any worthwhile food, but twenty minutes later need a “snack” or “treat”. I have to say; we don’t battle Dax too much with his eating habits. He does really well most the time, and the time that he doesn’t, we just know that eventually, some day, he’ll be hungry and eat a sensible meal. It’s worked for us. He’s growing so we don’t make it a fight.
In fact, it’s kinda fun to try and figure out a way for him to eat when he is in one of these phases. The latest? Dax gets to choose any seat at the dinner table. Forget assigned seating. If he chooses to sit in daddy’s seat, no problem. He’s choosing to sit at the table so we’re happy. Well last night as Dax sat next to Austin in my chair, and I sat across the table, we were encouraging him to take some bites of chicken potpie. I told him how eating a good dinner would make him “healthy and strong”. I’ve used this phrase with him before, but tonight something clicked. Dax proceeded to take a big bite, jump out of his chair, do a jumping jack, then get back into his chair and flexed. What? Who taught you to flex? He learned jumping jacks from playing Simon Says with his cousin, but flexing? Where did this come from? The rest of the dinner proceeded with Dax delegating whose turn it was to flex and show how strong they were. Austin and I were cracking up, but we all got in a full meal.
Now, back to that chicken potpie. Austin hadn’t been feeling well so I had decided to make him some comfort food. As I went to turn on the oven for an hour, it dawned on me that those dreaded summer months are coming where no one in their right minds uses the oven for an hour. It’s WAY too hot. In the summer you resort to any other form of cooking besides the oven. Last summer included a lot of salads and any cool foods.
My plan for this summer….learn to BBQ.
Yup, that’s my plan. Learn to BBQ. Probably sounds so simple. For me, it’s a little intimidating. I know barbequing is probably fool proof, but I’m kinda scared. I don’t know what to make, how to make it, and what turns out good?? But, with Austin gone late so many nights, I need to figure it out!
The only time I have stood over an open BBQ and grilled was in Hawaii. There is this great restaurant on Oahu where you order your meat, it comes to you raw, you walk over to this massive barbeque and slap your meat right on it. Overhead is a huge board with all the different kinds of meat and the time you should cook it for on each side for whatever way you want it cook; rare, medium-rare and so forth. I NEED this board. I need it shrunk down and sent to me, or emailed or something. I need to figure out a way to cook in the summer, keep my little lightweight Dax “healthy and strong” and I need to get over this little fear called the BBQ.
My plan? Take on the BBQ! Now help me! What do you all make on that scary thing called the barbeque that I couldn't mess up??
7 comments:
Dax is so silly! He's such a little character! I can't believe he's doing jumping jacks and flexing! What a riot!
So, the only thing I've ever cooked on our BBQ, because I had to (Joe wasn't home and I was taking friend dinner) was shrimp skewers! They're the best and so easy to tell when they're done...they just turn pink, So easy, I say start with the fish! Good plan by the way!
That is a funny story!!! Here is a EASY thing....take a bottle of Soy Vay and pour it into a zip lock bag, add chicken breasts and marinate for 2 days...grill and BAM...best chicken ever! Also, you can grill ANYTHING, just look online for grilling recipes....there are TONS and they are so yummy! And if the grill scares you that much, open flames and all....there is always the George Forman! HAHA! And have you forgotten you famous Chicken Salad Sandwiches? I could go for some of that right now!
Thanks for you kind words about Goldie....we are heartbroken for sure!
Dax is so funny!
We like to BBQ: Chicken or Steak Skewers, Veggie Skewers (sometimes fruit ones are good on the side of a meat dish...but not BBQ'd), and foil dinners. Just make it like you would at the beach (or camping), but on the BBQ instead of the fire pit!
We also bought a fire pit thing at Target and throw the foil dinners in there sometimes. It's a lot of fun and you can do s'mores afterwards!
Once you find all your BBQ recipes, can you send them my way. I too have only used the BBQ once. Red meat doesn't scare me much, but chicken always seems to come out dry around here. And another thing...during the summer in AZ, use your crock pot! A lot!
ahhhh hahahah hahah! Dax! Seriuosly, I want him to come play over here and show me his big muscles! Thats the funniest dang thing I have ever seen in my life! What a silly kid! Certainly he and McCoy would be a great mix of friends, McCoy would learn some dang funny things from that kid for sure! As far as BBQ....I too have never done it myself, so Im totally lost for words! You'll do great im sure, your pretty much pro at everything you do! McCoy has a really hard time staying seated at the table too. The only way I get him to stay and eat is to give him something to dip his food in. He's a dipper for sure! no matter what we're having, there's fry sauce, ranch or ketchup for him to dip into......Feeding kids is a never ending task! Your doing great! Let me know your suggestions on BBQ cause we're getting one too! Go to kraftfoods.com and look at their web site, and sign up for thier monthly free magazines, they are great and full of ideas for summer and bbq's. Maybe we'll have to come visit and you the hubbies can make us a killer dinner on the BBQ while we sit and play with the babies!!!
I can help you with anything you want. I do the majority of the BBQ cooking over here, and I have to say...I am pretty darn good at it. We love any meat, chicken, skewers, we have the baskets for our veggies to go in. mmmmBBQ'd veggies are the best. I'll help ya. Silly Dax...but hey, whatever works.
What a cute kid Dax is. I love it. I love having something to encourage eating too. Tanner has turned into a "BYU Baseball Player" and that means I use it to my advantage a lot. "A BYU Baseball player eats their carrotts because it makes them strong." "Oh, okay Mom." And eats away he does. It is great!
As for the BBQ. That is my goal this summer too!! I happen to have Brian to help me. But, I plan to BBQ almost all summer long. Don't get discouraged if you have a few bad meals either. It might take awhile to really get it down. Our first 3 meals on the BBQ were a little dry, but after that they have been fabulous! I love to mariante chicken (in all different sauces: BBQ, Terriyaki,et. Just buy them in the grocery store. Super Easy.) One of the tricks to keep the chicken moist and the marinade to soak in is poke your chicken all over with a fork. I just put my chicken a bowl and pour enough marinade to soak it a little. That way I don't use too much marinade. Mmmmm. We also buy the thin Carniasade (sp?) meat. It cooks really fast and is good on tortillas with Salsa or plain. Just start buying meats and marinades and try. Start with your fire only on medium. I am sure you will get the hang of it. But, just remember it is okay if you have some bad experiences in there!
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