If I had a nickel for every time I, or someone else with young kids has said, "My kids are picky eaters" I'd be getting a pedicure every week until I turned 88.

But it's true!  And I don't know what to do about it!  With my 3 year old, it's a little easier because I can say, "If you want dessert, you have to eat your veggies."  And I'm fine with her choosing not to eat the veggies and then not getting dessert.  I'll just save 'em for lunch the next day.  My 1 year old is a different story.  Not only does she say, "No!" but it turns into something you'd see on Smackdown! with arms flailing, food flying everywhere, and lots of screaming.  I'm pretty sure I still have food on my wall from an incident in '09.

 It's the constant pleading, arguing, blah, blah, blah that is so draining.  Sometimes I'll give my girls their fruit or veggies that they're to have for dinner around 3:30 because it takes a good 2 hours for them to finish it.  And it usually involves me saying, "Take another bite.....Don't forget to eat your apple!.....Take another bite........C'mon, eat your carrots!"

My husband and I love good food.  We love to cook, and try new recipes.  Sure, I have been known to get incredibly excited over KFC's popcorn chicken, and my husband is chomping at the bit to try their "Double Down" sandwich (you know, the one with the bacon for bread?).  But I think that, for the most part, we model good eating habits for our girls.

Recently, I tried to get creative and tried this.  Not what I'd call successful.

So tell me, mommies.  Share with me your advice and wisdom.  What are your tactics, tricks, mandates for getting your lovely children to eat their fruits and veggies?  I'm all ears!  Let me know, and I'll try them all out and follow up with a post on what worked for my picky eaters!