Shhhhh....I'm a Sneaky Chef

Please don't tell my kids. After years of resisting, thinking my children should eat healthy food because it is GOOD, not wanting to deceive them by subversively hiding vegetables in their brownies...

I gave in. I bought The Sneaky Chef by Missy Chase Lapine.

Now I'm not sure why I resisted. It's not like I'm going to quit serving up carrots and broccoli. It's just that, in addition, I'm going to add wheat germ and pureed beans to their pancakes.

Shhhhhhhhh.

Anyway, it was totally worth the money just for the adrenaline rush I get when I furtively peek over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching while I spoon sweet potatoes into the muffins.

SHHHHHHHHHH.

For the first time in about three years, my middle child is consuming vegetables. However small the amount, at least I can say he gets a few of those crucial vitamins each day.

Plus, we made some killer chocolate chip cookies the other day, and I can't wait to try some brownies made with spinach and blueberries. (Vegan or no, I have to at least taste all these concoctions before serving them to my kids.)

There is a wealth of information and ideas in this book. I've already come up with a few adaptations on some of my kids' favorite recipes. My picky eater really only likes a few foods that work with this method. You can't add anything to toast or vegetarian bacon, for instance. But I'm having all sorts of fun with muffins and pancakes.

If there is enough demand (in other words, if even one person is mildly interested), I'll share some of these discoveries and recipes with my readers.

Also, Lapine just came out with a sequel, The Sneaky Chef to the Rescue. I haven't seen it yet, but apparently it includes holiday recipes, healthier variations on some of the original recipes, and some dairy-free, egg-free and gluten-free recipes for kids with allergies.