When I was (a lot) younger than I am now… I was at my grandma’s house and my cousins were visiting. One couple had two young daughters, and I remember the two year old requesting a ketchup sandwich for dinner. After some negotiation and fussing, they did in fact give her a ketchup sandwich, and I remember being a bit offended by it. Any new college grad who is single and exploring vegetarianism could relate, I mean, that is just so gross right?

I am chagrined now to admit that I ever even judged a couple, hundreds of miles from home with two young kids just trying to make it through an evening with extended family. Now I know, whatever works and keeps them happy can be A-Okay for one night.

My own children love ketchup. And as they refuse more and more vegetables each month, I find myself thinking, ‘hey, it is made of tomatoes, it must somehow count as a vegetable’.

A recent article in the New York Times cited a few critical items to go organic on when forced to choose. Ketchup was, I think, number one. The author said, simply, when you have young children who want to really pour it on, spend the bit extra for organic and let them – it will make everyone happier and healthier.

Here’s to you then, as I squirt the fourth helping of organic ketchup onto my child’s plate. We didn’t get a nap today and we only have an hour to bedtime.
Dinner is served!