We haven’t had berries in our house since 2004. Doesn’t that just sound dreadful?
When I was a child, we picked blueberries in Maine. It was a summer tradition for my mom and me. When I first had Big, I dreamed of doing that with him. Blueberries, he liked them okay. But upon the second eatting of strawberries, when he broke out in hives, they were outlawed.
When Middle came along, he had an opportunity to try strawberries. And he had the same response. Hives (or spots, as we call them) all over his face.
Middle loved blueberries, though. Blueberry yogurt. Blueberry muffins. Blueberry bagels. Blueberries. Blueberries. Blueberries. And then. And then he hurled. 3 times in a row. And each time, it was blue. The doctor didn’t need a test. That, she said, is an allergy.
When Big was 4, the pediatrician suggested we try strawberries again. He refused, and I didn’t mind, knowing Middle’s reaction. At age 5, I offered to bring the berries to the doctor’s office to try them there. Still. Refusal.
But about 2 months ago (at ages 6 and a half and 4 and a half) they took a step. They tried blueberry muffins. And everyone stayed healthy. So I bought semi-fresh blueberries and, again, the kids were healthy. Suddenly Middle wanted blueberry yogurt again. We were taking huge steps.
Strawberries, though. Strawberries were a different story. I don’t know if the boys were more concerned about the taste or the spots. Whatever, they wouldn’t touch them. Until this Monday when, again at Classymommy‘s house, there was a fruit salad. And Big loves fruit salad. I tried to pick out the strawberries. Apparently, I missed one. He didn’t realize he ate it until it was in his mouth and, so he tells me, he took it out when he tasted something unfamiliar that he loved. He loved it so much, he reached onto someone else’s house and had more. About 30 minutes after lunch I found him in the bathroom. Look Ma, no spots! And suddenly I’m buying pints and quarts of fresh local strawberries and he’s requesting to go picking at Highland Orchards (and we will, I promise! If only everyone could stay awake in the car.)
Middle, though? He still won’t eat them.
Fresh and Local Whipped Berries
(this works really well with blueberries, but tastes divine with strawberries, or a mix of the two.)
Ingredients:
Fresh Berries
Cool Whip (store brand whipped topping works just as well)
Graham Crackers
The only ingredients you'll need
To do:
- Allow whip to soften, stir.
- Crush graham crackers. Mix in with whip.
- fold in berries.
- enjoy on its own, or over a pie, ice cream or cake.
Its not as pretty as I'd like, but it tastes so good, and its so simple to make, that looks don't really matter
© 2010, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’m so glad berries are back in your life! My goodness, I didn’t know some people had such strong reactions to them…although I guess now I remember when introducing foods to babies we are supposed to wait longer for strawberries and such. In any case, I love the “something unfamiliar that he loved.”
.-= beth – total mom haircut´s last blog ..Staying home today =-.