This morning we headed to Santa Monica to walk around the farmer's market. I haven't been to that one in years and somehow remember it much bigger (maybe it's bigger on the weekend?). But it was certainly big enough for our needs today. And although her first choice was to go to the zoo, I think Juju was happy we went because she had her first taste of one of my favorite snacks, peas in the pod (or English peas if you prefer) and she is hooked!
I have fond memories of eating fresh peas as a very young child. I remember at our old house in NY we had a vegetable garden out back (I think my Grandpa Leo who had a green thumb planted it for us) and we grew peas. I loved running out there and eating the peas right off the stalk. This reminds me I want to figure out a way to grow vegetables in our backyard. We tried once with tomatoes but we live in a canyon and some of our animal neighbors kept harvesting everything for us before we could get to them. I also want to compost since peas in the pod leave a good amount of waste. I'll work on both of those ideas when I have some more time.
Juju wasn't interested in the peas at first but once I showed her how to eat them she was obsessed. She ate the entire bag in about a block and a half so I had to go back and buy some more for tomorrow's lunch. It was actually a great way to move around the farmer's market. Her eyes and hands were so focused on not dropping any peas on the ground that she moved slowly and stuck by me stand after stand. We also bought some beautiful strawberries. They are finally starting to taste as they should which means summer will be here before I know it. Time really does fly.
I made lunch ahead of time again; our mornings are just too crazy to make a fresh lunch and I certainly wouldn't have time to blog about lunch if I made it in the morning! Joining the peas in the pod are clementine segments, strawberries, and cream cheese hearts. I made the hearts by slathering a bunch of cream cheese on two pieces of whole grain bread and using one of my handy dandy Tokyo Japanese Outlet heart-shaped cookie cutters. I've never given Juju a cream cheese sandwich before but my guess is she is going to love it. I am concerned that the lunch might not have enough protein so I might throw something else in the snailbox like yogurt or hummus and carrots.
When I asked Juju today what she wanted for lunch tomorrow she replied "carrots and ice." Let's hope this is a welcome substitute.
Inspired by reading this piece on artichokes I bought some beauties at the farmer's market today. I once had a fantastic raw artichoke salad. Maybe I'll try making it but I'm guessing the taste will be a little too sophisticated for a toddler's lunch.
i make cream cheese sammies with thinly sliced cucumbers for sophie all the time. i went to the tokyo outlet today. bought some good stuff! you totally inspire me!
ReplyDeletei gave my kids day-old pizza and goldfish for lunch today. it was, however, new haven style pizza, which tastes better a couple of days later, i think.
ReplyDeletei am going to try the cookie cutter sandwiches thing. need to find some cookie cutters in the shape of buzz lightyear.
I am sure they love the pizza.
ReplyDeleteAs for the cookie cutter, I had no idea someone actually made this but they do! http://www.cheapcookiecutters.com/products/buzz-lightyear-cookie-cutter