I'm sure you remember as a kid sitting with all your sisters, brothers, and/or cousins at the kids table for your holiday meal. Most kids were fine with it, especially if it was, say, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve when they had to be on their best behavior--you know how those last impressions are with Santa. Really, though, everyone wanted to sit with the adults, as it was believed adults had better or different food. Plus there was all that mystique about adult conversations that made them seem so cool! Eventually, the kids got big enough to move to the adult table, but when?

I don't actually remember a transition from the kids table to the adult table in my family. Mainly, that's because the families all moved away or got divorced or whatever and there was really only one kid left--me! Also, TV trays are big on both sides of my family as there are just so darned many of us--it makes eating a lot easier than trying to cram everyone around one giant table. In other families, I've heard the kids get to move up once they become teens. People became teens when I was a kid, there was no tween phase. So, now, perhaps once one becomes a tween one gets to move up. In my husband's family, kids didn't graduate to the adult table unless an opening occurred because, as he put it, "someone moved away or someone died."

Possibly kids should get to sit at the adult table when they know what it is their parents are actually talking about. Perhaps they get to join in when they choose to eat all their vegetables--that seems pretty grown up, right? Well, I'll say one thing for moving up to the adult table--it's BORING! Sure, it may seem like a good idea to get away from all the baby talk from the younger kids, but once you do you'll miss it forever--and there's no going back, is there? Adults are so darned serious! At least the kids can talk about whatever they want and choose to eat (or not eat) what's on the plate and, you know, just continue being a kid at the kids table.

When did you move up to the adult table? What about your kids? Or did you all always eat together?

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Getting your child to eat healthfully can be harder than a 48-hour labor. Much of the time, where picky eaters come from is unknown, although it seems able to start at an early age and set in for the duration of childhood if we're not careful. For most parents, we're terrified of the growing obesity epidemic and our children possibly becoming a part of it and we're equally concerned about our children getting proper nutrition.

So, what to do? Well, a new section of the New York Times, dedicated to health issues, has a few suggestions. The first is to keep kids in the kitchen and get them involved in food preparation. Making kids aware of all the different kinds of food out there, moreso than just getting them to eat SOMETHING, is key, and being in the kitchen gives them, at least in part, that awareness. Another suggestion is to encourage children to try a bite of everything that's served. It was noted that coercing them into eating foods or bribing them into doing it doesn't really work. Many of you have noted that as well. And hiding or restricting the goodies? Well, that just makes kids want them more. We all know how that feels--adults who deprive themselves of the things they enjoy while dieting usually end up sneaking the foods or possibly overdosing on them.

Depending on the age of your child, some of these techniques may or may not work. I can agree with offering the variety approach though, regardless of your child's age. That seems to be the kindest, smartest way to get a kid to at least try something. I also eat whatever it is I serve my child, and make a big deal out of how yummy it is. Then, he inevitably at least wants to try what I have. He may not like it, but at least he sampled--and that's better than the period during which he attempted to sustain himself entirely on Cheerios.

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I'm constantly looking for healthy things to feed my kids. Part of finding healthy food is the quick and easy factor. How long will it take to cook? Can the kids feed it to themselves without much mess? Does it taste good?

I've recently learned the joys of a Gardenburger. It is hard to believe, but I really like this meatless "burger!" It tastes a bit like tater tots, which are definitely kid-friendly. It is also easy to cook up and serve to a little one with-- or without-- a bun.

Instead of french fries, I like to use sweet potato fries. You can throw them in the pan when you're almost done cooking the burger (I use grapeseed oil). The entire process takes just a few minutes and it is good to know you're not loading your children down with a plate full of cholesterol.

We also recently tried meatless "chicken" nuggets recently and, I have to say, I'll most definitely be buying more of these at the store. While my kids don't get "burgers" or "nuggets" every day, I'm happy to know these are on hand when I feel like going the easy route.

When it comes to food, I enjoy baking and I enjoy finding healthy (or, heck, healthy-ish) food that my children like to eat. So, when I saw this post at Vegan Lunch Box, I had to do a double take. Strawberries, white chocolate and coconut? Sign me up!

(Yes, I know that chocolate and coconut aren't things that should be eaten all the time, but I'll over look that aspect for the strawberries.)

Jennifer's recipe called for vegan white chocolate, which we didn't have on hand at our store. So, if you're not vegan, you can make this recipe with regular old white chocolate, if you are vegan, get the kind that works best for you.

Basically, melt the chocolate and dip the strawberries in it. Roll the strawberry in coconut and place on wax paper. I have to admit, I had to make extra because my husband and I ended up eating several before the kids even woke from their naps.

I'm considering making a version that uses vanilla yogurt instead of the chocolate, though I'm not sure how it will turn out. Any other dessert recipes that have some form of a good-for-you aspect?