A New Year’s Food Challenge: 52 weeks, 52 new foods – Guest Post 

By Jennifer Tyler Lee

52 weeks, 52 new foods. How one family achieved the most frequently broken New Year’s resolution: to eat healthy.

Battles over broccoli and Brussels sprouts were fierce at our family table. Getting my kids, ages 3 and 6, to eat healthy was a terrible struggle. Over time, the diversity of dishes on our family table narrowed so much that even my husband and I weren’t eating very healthy anymore. I wanted our table to be a place of joy and fun for our family – a place where we could gather for great conversation and healthy food together. It all changed when I turned healthy eating into a game.

More points for kale than kiwi, and bonus points for trying a new food, even just a “taster.” With this simple shift, I found my kids clamoring for cauliflower, and trips to the local market turned into a scavenger hunt looking for new foods to try to rack up points. We were finally moving in the right direction.

When it came time for New Year’s resolutions, we decided to take on one simple challenge, together as a family: 52 weeks, 52 new foods. The kids would be in charge of this culinary adventure, choosing a new food to try each week and preparing the recipes for our family “new food night.” I would chronicle the entire adventure on our blog. Having failed every time in the past at keeping New Year’s resolutions, I knew that the key to success for our family would be to have one clear goal, taken on together, and an easy way to keep track of our progress.

Our adventures took us to countless farmers’ markets, roadside stands brimming with locally picked produce, bountiful school gardens, and flourishing farm fields. It sprouted a kid-sized version of a farm-to-table vegetable garden in our backyard. Romanesco, radicchio, baked persimmon and basil pesto were enthusiastically welcomed to our family table. Together we learned about where our food comes from, how diligently local farmers work to bring us a bounty each week, and how the food choices we make impact our community. We gathered treasured recipes and tips from farmers’, chefs, friends and family and together we planted, picked, cooked and tasted our way through 2012.

Nearly fifty-two weeks later, I am proud to say that we achieved our goal — the first time I can say that about one of these infamous resolutions. Even more important than the destination, though, was the journey. Our 52 New Foods adventure challenged everyone in our family to try something new each week, it encouraged us to start a garden, it brought us together to cook and enjoy healthy food as a family, and it connected us with new friends in our community. Some recipes flopped and some were great successes, but regardless of the outcome each week we came together to celebrate and enjoy healthy food as a family. My formerly picky eaters now have a book of recipes that they love to cook, and are spreading the word by teaching their friends how to prepare simple, wholesome dishes, through a series of garden cooking classes they are hosting at school.

In 2013 we’re taking 52 New Foods on the road, sampling new foods from around the world. We are excited to continue our family food adventure, one week, one meal, at a time. I hope you and your family will join us for the ride!

You can tune into Crunch a Color’s 52 New Foods adventure on Twitter, Facebook and Crunch a Color’s weekly recipe blog. Simply follow @crunchacolor and #52NewFoods.

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Top Picks from Crunch a Color’s 52 New Foods:

Tomato mozzarella skewers

Tomato Pops make fresh picked cherry tomatoes even more fun to enjoy! Everything seems to taste better (and is more fun!) when it’s on a stick.

Friendship garden soup

Inspired by Michelle Obama, Jennifer’s 8 year old daughter created this simple recipe that brings together garden fresh veggies and good friends for an afternoon of kid-style cooking.

Butternut Squash Soup

This easy butternut squash soup recipe is a must for your holiday table! It’s a healthy version of my favorite holiday soup – and can be made ahead to give you more time to celebrate with friends and family.

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About the author: Jennifer Tyler Lee is a mom of two children and the creator of Crunch a Color® — the award-winning nutrition games that make healthy eating fun. Like most parents, she struggled to get her kids to eat healthy, balanced meals, so she decided to make it into a healthy eating game and she’s giving back to support non-profit kids’ nutrition programs. Winner of the Dr. Toy and Parent Tested, Parent Approved awards, Crunch a Color® has been featured by Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, Pottery Barn Kids, Laurie David’s Family Dinner, Kiwi Magazine, Dr. Greene, Yum Food & Fun for Kids, and The San Jose Mercury News, among many others, as a simple, fun and playful way to get kids to eat healthy and try new foods. Jennifer’s passion is making mealtime fun and healthy for busy families. Her easy recipes, quick tips, and new food adventures are regularly featured at Pottery Barn Kids, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, The Huffington Post, and on her weekly recipe blog at www.crunchacolor.com.