The Health Benefits of Peas

When I make Salem a fresh, hot bowl of mac and cheese, I toss a handful of frozen peas in too cool it off - it's a win-win!

Yesterday, she got her ceremonial bowl of mac, cheese and peas. She looked at it, turned to me and said, "Mom, lemme tell you something... What is so great about peas? Why are peas a good thing to eat?"

I looked up from the t-bone steak I was cutting to share with her. I had arranged for her to have bits from the strip side, while I reserved the fillet side for myself. Man, that sounds evil, but she's not going to appreciate the fillet!

me: "Peas are vegetables, they've got fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the ground they grew from. You can't just eat a pile of starchy macaroni with dyed yellow cheese without something from a garden!"

her: "But they are so small. I don't think anything healthy can fit into them. Hey! are you cutting up meat for me?"
me: "Yep!" I walked over to her plate to toss her some steak onto her little plate. Then I sat down to dine with her.
her: "Um, can I try some of your steak?"
I gave her a few little pieces. She looked up at me after she took a bite.
her: "Um, mom? Can I trade my steak for yours? Yours is much yummier than mine and is super juicy!"

I can't fool this kid either with peas or the strip side of a t-bone steak. sheesh.