Salad Monster

OK, I call Susannah salad monster because I think seriously, in the history of mankind, never has a three year old eaten so much salad. But yesterday, I was the salad monster. In Maryland, BY MYSELF, I had a sample of every edible leaf growing in my yard. I just went in one line having a tasting...I avoided the valerian knowing I needed to drive back, but tasted the oregano, Thai basil, cinnamon basil, rosemary, vietnamese cilantro (yum!), regular cilantro, parsley, two or three kinds of lettuce, spearmint, apple mint, some other mint, sorrel, a few other plants I was unsure of but remembered planting, some miscellaneous chives and small onion greens (OK, not exactly miscellaneous, I just did not label them). Of all, the sorrel was my favorite so lemony and strong...it looked like some animals had sampled a few plants as well, but I suppose that is their prerogative, needing to survive in nature and all.

Salad as a lunch has so many benefits, the cleansing effect, the watery thirst-quenching crunch, the vitamin and mineral packed leafy greens, the healthy plant proteins, the filling fiber effect and the energy boost from phytonutrients and the whole package. Rumor has it that people who eat salad with or before meals consume many fewer calories (the calorie savings have varied in research...) I notice many people tossing spinach or other greens hidden in to a smoothie (I do this too) but getting children to appreciate the fresh tastes and textures of vegetables early on is significantly easier than transitioning them later. Clearly, our health does hinge on getting fresh food on the table and raising kids to enjoy and even demand it.

I get hassled by my kids and feel like the worst mother in the world if I ever skip serving vegetables...once in a while I slack off and serve a bowl of red lentils (which, actually sort of is a vegetable in a way...hmmm). Tonight, when I merely mentioned I had cabbage and spinach, Luke was so excited yelling out how he wanted each item prepared. So, after ice skating and everything else, I felt like I had to do the right thing which I did, making two kinds of slaw, spinach with balsamic vinegar and black pepper, and red lentils two ways. But, I also supplemented with Candle Cafe because I had no leafy green salad for the monster (and believe me, she was a monster tonight), and no time to caramelize onions which was also requested by this demanding gang. And I wanted some steamed greens because these children ate all of the spinach saving me not a leaf...and I need leftovers to send for lunch.

The thing is though, that my particular demanding gang (and they are demanding!!!) demands the right foods. We have had flat out brawls because I do not feel like taking the time to soak the chick peas, or I do not feel like cutting fresh ginger julienned perfectly to steam with vegetables, or I do not feel like pulling out my mandolin to make the thinnest mushroom slices to put in miso broth. But, when I do these things anyway, there is a reward...

So, I have had numerous inquiries as to why I went to Maryland for the day with no children and the answer is to bring stuff to our house because our apartment in under construction and to get a driver's license...it was a peaceful quiet day despite a bunch of errands and a failed attempt to get a copy of my driver's license (I left it in a cab a few months ago). The Social Security Administration told me it would be easier to change my social security name if I had a driver's license right after the Motor Vehicle Administration told me it would be necessary to change my name with the Social Security Administration before they would give me a copy of my driver's license...hmmm. Never mind all the long waits involved in the task. In the end, all I accomplished was an address change (long story) so I am just hoping to not be pulled over in certain states...but still, I had a great nine mile run at sunset along a beautiful river, a quick bike ride, a quiet car ride home (well, actually music was blasting)...as much as I missed the chaos, a child-free day was surprisingly therapeutic. Is this what the spa moms already know?