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Until the last several months, there was no way I could shop, walking around on cement floors, carry bags of food up the stairs to the house, and put things away. My knees just wouldn’t stand for it. So, my kids became my helpers—much needed and well paid. I have needed much less help lately, although I do make sure everyone gets a chance to help in exchange for a treat.

Here’s my tip: they can choose anything they want from the produce department. It doesn’t have to be organic, it doesn’t have to be local, it can be exotic like rambutan, something we used to eat that we don’t anymore like a banana, or something as common as an apple. It’s their choice. I’m always amused, but frequently shocked by their choices. One week, my teen was having serious mushroom cravings and picked a box of enoki mushrooms! My youngest is a real adventurer, not only choosing the most exotic item she can find, but coming home and Googling it to see what it is and how to prepare it! My middle girl is enticed by “convenience” so it’s the already-prepped fruit salad for her. My son almost always gets a small bag of grapes.

I didn’t originally plan it for health reasons, it was more a budget thing. In the produce department you can get single-servings of food. On the cookie aisle, the packages are much larger. But as I became more aware of the ingredients, I was so glad we started this habit. The kids aren’t tempted by the candy at the checkout, I don’t have to hear the “gimmes” and they are experiencing unusual, but real food!

This post is part of Fight Back Fridays, hosted by Food Renegade.