Tofu and bean sprouts

When we first arrived in China, the first few months of eating were rough on all of us. The first month, we spent living in a hotel room, so we ate out a lot. The following few months, I was adjusting to cooking in a kitchen I didn't understand and with ingredients I wasn't as familiar with. I tried new recipes, and often threw the finished product in the trash. During that time, Josiah mainly lived off of Ritz crackers and raisins. Literally. He gradually started eating yogurt and Chinese food, but it took a while for him to transition.

These days, I'm comfortable in the kitchen and a much better cook than I was even in the comfort of the States. But, I still lack a serious skill.....

...making all veggies so delicious that my kids and I want to gobble them up. Who has this skill? A LOT of Chinese people!

In particular, our helper. She comes once or twice a week to clean and cook for us. She is amazing! She buys the ingredients she needs to cook, and whips up 4-5 dishes every time. And my kids devour her food--every time!

For example, the other day she made homemade tortillas with 4 different fillers: green peppers and potatoes, tofu and bean sprouts, broccoli and garlic, celery and potatoes...and then a sauce with eggs in it (sounds gross, but was DELISH).

I had to chuckle tonight as the kids and I all scarfed down 4 wraps. At one point, I had just helped each boy take a bite, and bean sprouts and tofu were hanging out of both of their mouths. If we still lived in the States, I'm not sure this would have ever happened.

Another interesting thing? We eat much less meat here, and don't even notice it! In our home, we eat mostly chicken, and usually only a few times a week. The veggie dishes are so good that we don't even miss the meat! 

I have some serious learning to do.

*I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad, just trying to share that kids (and formerly very picky adults!) can love just about anything if it's made with some pizzazz!!