By cooking/steaming a fruit or vegetable to only put it into something else that will be cooked further destroys any nutritional value the food will hold. The best veggies are those still served up raw. Heat breaks down the chemical compositions of the vitamin complexes.

My mom bought me this book (after seeing Jessica Seinfeld on Oprah). I have three kids and the eldest wouldn’t eat a vegetable without forcing himself to throw up. The middle one was okay with some veggies until his saw his big bro wouldn’t eat them, but they haven’t gotten to the baby yet.

I was extremely skeptical about this – celebrity wife, gimmicks, etc. – but I have to admit, I read the whole book and then tried several recipes. A few things you should know if you’re interested in this:

- Jessica Seinfeld never says that this is new to the world. It never occurred to her to do this, that’s all. There seems to be a big uproar over her “stealing” the concept, but the only advantage she has is celebrity. That’s nothing new! I admit I had a “duh!” reaction myself after reading her intro. This all makes perfect sense; I’d just never thought to do it.

- She makes it clear in her book that vegetables should be served with meals; even if you’re hiding other veggies. Her kids see both the hidden and plain-sight versions. I think she’s right.

- This is not all about desserts! Yes, she has several dessert recipes in here, but also several breakfast options and a good number of entrees. I don’t think she’s saying we should feed our kids all brownies and cookies. She’s saying she can sneak healthier ingredients in everything, even treats. If you can get away with it, why not?

I spent one night pureeing foods (butternut squash, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes and beets). Then I made two different recipes — the rice balls (brown rice, cheese, pureed chicken, butternut squash and zucchini), and the tortilla “cigars” (pureed carrot, chicken, and squash) My eldest reads very well, so he figured out right away what I was up to. The middle one helped me make the rice balls, and the eldest watched me make the tortilla cigars.

And you know something? My extremely picky kids cautiously tried these foods, and then happily ate them. Even my husband agreed that they were tasty. If nothing else, it’s taught my kids to (a) try new foods, and (b) understand that all veggies are not bad. Once they get used to eating the dreaded vegetables mixed up in other things, I think they’ll be less anxious about eating them in their original versions!

I don’t think it’s a given that children of foodies will automatically have mature and curious palates. If your kids do, then more power to you. I’m a huge foodie, and my kids are cautious of taste and texture, possibly related to some developmental issues.

Bottom line? Don’t knock it ’till you’ve tried it!

Jessica Seinfeld may have stolen the recipes. Read for yourself:

http://www.celebitchy.com/6800/jessica_seinfeld_busted_plaguarizing_recipes_from_earlier_cookbook/

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2007-10-21-seinfeld-book_N.htm?csp=34

tried many of the recipes and so far they are only O.K. at best. The brownies were awful, the spicach taste was still there even after completely cold. According to the book, the spinach taste is suppose to be gone after complete cooling. Two of the muffin recipes are just O.K., nothing to get excited over.The mac-n-cheese has a wierd texture but tastes alright, again not over the top great or anything. Since I pureed many different veggies already I will keep trying some of the other recipes, but not very impressed so far!

I think parents should do what it takes to make sure kids are eating healthy…nothing wrong in tricking them to eat something while still offering veggies in their origional form and encourage them to eat those. I think Jenny has a good thing going and those who have negative things to say are just jealous they didn’t think of it first.

Did watch the Oprah’s show with Jessica guest appearance, and would have to agree with Lorraine…Have two grown up children, whom I did the same…but when your married to a celebrity, you become noticeable…go figure…

I was doing the same thing 23 years ago for my son and daughter…..putting pureed fruit into mash potatoes, etc….its not rocket science…..but I guess you have to be married to a celebrity to gain recognition…go figure……!!!

Lorraine at Tea4llc@gmail.com

So Jessica is teaching her kids to love cakes, brownies, and doughnuts? sounds healthy…

I have a 4 month old but I am going to buy this book for myself. And yes, I am serious. I’ve always had food issues..even as I child. I refused to eat baby food…this goes back a looong way. It’s always been a very stressful issue in my life (so please don’t attack me).

I intend not to pass on my food issues to my daughter but the reality is, it’s better to get the veggies into kids like this book suggests than not at all.

Strangely enough, friends of my family had 2 girls around my age that my parents would compare us to, saying “so and so have to clean their plates..they aren’t allowed to say yuck”…well so and so both resent the fact that their parents forced them to eat everything on their plates, as they don’t know how to self-regulate when they are full now…food can definitely be a complicated issue.