Green beans have legs---according to my daughter.

Is it not amazing what you learn from your children? They can come up with the wildest things. Their imagination is neverending, and the great thing about it is that it applies to all areas of their life. Nothing is off limits these days. For instance, take this conversation I had with my daughter the other day over the dinner table.

"I no like Green Beans"

"Why not sweetheart?"

"They have legs."

"Oh, they do? I had no idea."

I truly could not help but giggle, yet at the same time, think about what in the world was going through her head. Clearly, it was her way of getting out of eating green beans, because surely no mom in the world would ever make their child eat food with legs. Surely. However, I had to remind her that just last week she was eating this very food with these imaginary legs that she says are there. And the kicker is that she actually liked it.

No. Not this week though.

Here is the thing with food in our house--I'm strict about it. I'm strict, but I'm learning to loosen up at times. I want my children to always be grateful for the food on the table, and to know that there are people, including other children, who go days without having food. At the same time, I do not wish to push food down their throat that they may not like. And no, this does not mean they do not have to eat vegetables. I want to make food that I know they will enjoy because they have in the past, and then also incorporate new foods that they may not be so familiar with, but try to make it as tasty as possible. No they do not have to finish everything off their plate, but I will in no way shape or form be making a new meal. What they have in front of them is what they get. But at the end of the day, like I mentioned, I want my children to enjoy their meals. I want to be the mom that they tells their little friends--"She makes the best spaghetti and meatballs {I do!}." Because there is just something about cooking and happy bellies that makes my world go round.

Thankfully, it does not always have to be complicated. Thankfully, I have my go-to recipes with all the needed protein and vegetables, and a little something extra to add to the flavor. Thankfully, I have Campbell's soup to come to the rescue. 

When I discovered The Wisest Kid in the Whole World™ launched by Campbell's soup, I was certain that there was not a single recipe in there that my kids wouldn't love. They look fun, they are classic recipes with a twist, they are easy {5-6 ingredients}, and they allow one the opportunity to squeeze in those much needed veggies to children that insist on veggies having legs. Ahem. I especially love the recipes that incorporate the Campbell's Cream of Mushroom, because my daughter will eat up each and every kind of vegetable I could think of--as long as it was covered with Cream of Mush. 

There are tons of great recipes to check out--such as Mini Chicken Pot Pies, Mini Green Bean Casseroles, Heavenly Sweet Potato Pie, and more! I've already started making a list for my meal planning, and I'm excited to see what my little picky eater thinks of them.

I do have to share though one of my ultimate favorite recipes that I originally found here. I do everything that the recipe calls for, but I also throw veggies into the mix, my favorite being-- carrots, celery, and broccoli. 

INGREDIENTS:

3 lbs chicken pieces
1 (2/3 ounce) package Italian salad dressing mix
4 tablespoons melted butter (divided)
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can Campbell's cream of chicken soup
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth

DIRECTIONS:

1 Place chicken pieces in crock pot and sprinkle Italian seasoning over chicken. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
2 Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
3 Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a sauce pan and saute onion and garlic. Add Cream of Chicken Soup, cream cheese, and chicken broth. Stir until smooth.
4 Add this mixture to crock pot and cook on low for an additional hour.

It's a definite winner in my book, my husband's book, and the picky eaters' book. That's for sure.