Rediscovering the goodness of food.

Since E was born, Ben and I fell into this pattern. Pizza. Chinese delivery. Pasta with jarred sauce. Packaged Indian food. And occasionally, Ben's favorite, Manwich made with Boca crumbles (that one is particularly hard to admit). It was a matter of getting food into our faces without much work or clean-up while we tended to the laundry, diapers, bottles, and baby. No wonder we felt like crap.

Well, now that Elliot is eating solid food, and now that spring is here, things have got to change. We have a few basic principles for things Elliot eats: organic, no sugar, no salt, no spices, just plain pureed food. My sister generously gave us a bunch of jarred organic food, but we've only used two jars for when we're out. Usually, the food goes in the babycook, diced with skin on, and gets pureed in the moisture left over from steaming. It's just plain food.

Holy cow, when's the last time you tried food this way? We're so busy adding garlic and pepper and cilantro to everything (or letting someone else cook it in a bath of oil) that I had totally forgotten how good food speaks for itself. When E doesn't finish a meal, I do it for him. Sweet potatoes and green beans and English peas just have that pop to their flavor that they lose too easily. And last night I cooked and pureed some nectarines-- wow. That stuff is like a drug calling to me from the fridge. Elliot is one lucky kid.

So this week we ordered a Fresh Picks box and got some amazing produce and I'm jamming on radish sprouts and collard greens and all. I'm bringing salads in for lunch and making my own dressing. I totally forgot how easy and delicious it all is. I can't wait for our CSA to start. Hell yeah, spring.