Veggie Patties with Kicked-Up Ketchup

 So, I've made the switch to dried beans.  

I know what you're thinking... 

Is she crazy?...

Had she lost all her money in the stock market?...

Does she just have way to much time on her hands?...

The answer to all these questions is no.  Although I am constantly reevaluating the first one.

The truth is that I've chosen to do it both to keep our grocery bill in check and to avoid as much BPA from canned foods as possible.  I'll admit though that it has been quite the learning curve.  

Grilled Sweet Potatoes

I wasn't going to have a picky eater.  It just wasn't going to happen.  I suppose it was mostly ignorance, but I truly believed that picky eaters were the result of parents themselves.  I no longer believe that.  It might still be true, but that would mean I'm to blame for my child's pickyness...ergo, I no longer believe that.

The kid's favorite food is sweet potatoes.  High in phyto-nutrients and vitamins A and C, it's a favorite I try to encourage.  Of course, it's one of the only things he'll eat.  During the cooler months I cut sweet potatoes into fry shapes, toss them with some oil and cinnamon and bake them at around 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  It was my go to food for him when I knew he wouldn't eat what I made, or when we were going out to dinner.  Sweet potatoes guarantee a happy kid and a full belly.

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Kale (aka: Super Potatoes)

Ah Kale!  That leafy green we know we need to eat more of but can't figure out how.  I'm not talking about you people who eat a massaged kale salad for lunch daily.  (psst..you people are weird/I wish I was more like you).  I will make a confession, that I have enjoyed the odd kale salad, but I must say my jaw ached for days afterward.  Way. To. Much. Chewing. Involved.  

I like kale.  My body likes kale.  My waistline likes kale.  My jaw?  Not so much.  

 

Kale is a tough vegetable when raw.  I prefer my kale sauteed and steam cooked.  But you know how I really like my kale?  In sweet potatoes!

 

These stuffed sweet potatoes make a fabulous meal.  The kale is sauteed with some garlic--leaving just the perfect amount of chewy deliciousness.  Not only do the chickpeas add a nice dose of protein, they are iron rich.