Travel Broadens the Mind.

I realized today that you don't even have to leave home for travel to broaden the mind. Ben and Shira are taking a "world cultures" class at our homeschool co-op. Last week they studied Italy and this week they made Italian food. Ben and Shira couldn't eat the food as it contained bread and cheese. However, their teacher told them how they could make a tomato and basil salad.

This afternoon Shira made one all on her own. Over the last few months, I have spent a fair bit of time with Shira teaching her how to use sharp knives, but up till now has steadfastly refused to use them. This afternoon she chopped tomatoes all on her own, shredded basil and topped it with freshly ground black pepper and some EVOO. I was so proud of her. She seems to have a feel for food because the proportions were perfect. She's on a roll, now she wants to make another dish for us.

The bigger news was that Ben ate an entire bowl of this salad. He has steadfastly refused to eat salads, tomatoes or basil for nearly 7 years. Two world cultures classes and here he is, eating salad like a champ.

I am looking forward to next week's co-op. I can't wait to see what Shira is going to cook for us and what new food Ben is going to eat.