Harvey Tries Something New

Harvey Tries Something New

Hi, friends! Harvey here. 

I have something important to tell you about me. 

I like food. A lot. 

I like breakfast. I like lunch. I like dinner. I especially like snacks. 

“Harvey!” Mom says. “Remember that not everything people eat is safe for dogs.” 

Oh, right. That. 

So I have learned an important rule: I only eat foods my grown-ups say are safe for me. 

 

Breakfast First 

One morning, I woke up very hungry. 

My tummy was definitely ready for breakfast. 

“Breakfast helps give us energy to start the day,” Mom said. “Your body has gone all night without food, and now it needs fuel for everything you want to do.” 

That made sense to me. I had a busy morning planned. There were squirrels to watch, toys to find, and probably a walk to take. 

Kids have busy mornings, too. They need energy to learn, think, play, and grow. 

Breakfast doesn’t have to be fancy. Kids might have oatmeal with fruit, eggs and whole-grain toast, yogurt with berries, or toast with banana and peanut or seed butter. 

I have my own breakfast because dogs need foods that are right for dogs. 

But everybody needs fuel to get the day started. 

 

Little Fuel Stops 

Later, I heard someone open the refrigerator. 

I know that sound. 

Snack time! 

I used to think snacks were just treats. But snacks can also be little fuel stops between meals. 

Kids might choose apple slices, berries, carrots, cucumber, yogurt, cheese, bananas, or whole-grain crackers. 

Some fruits and vegetables can be snacks for dogs, too—but only if a grown-up says they’re safe. 

I happen to enjoy carrots. 

They’re crunchy. 

Crunching is one of my talents. 

And don’t forget water! Whether you’re running on two legs or four, your body needs water throughout the day. 

 

What’s for Lunch? 

At lunchtime, I started thinking about all the different things kids might eat. 

Some like sandwiches or wraps. Some like soup. Some bring leftovers from dinner. Some kids eat lunch at school. Lunch might include fruit, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, beans, rice, chicken, or foods that are special in a family’s culture. 

There isn’t just one lunch that works for everybody. 

Eating different kinds of foods helps our bodies get the different things they need. 

Then I noticed something unfamiliar on the table. 

I sniffed it. 

I looked at Mom. 

“No, thank you,” I said. 

“You haven’t even tried it,” she said. 

“I don’t like it.” 

“When did you last try it?” 

I thought about that. 

A long time ago. 

Maybe a VERY long time ago. 

Dad smiled. 

“You know, Harvey, sometimes we don’t like something the first time we taste it. And sometimes our tastes change as we grow.”

Wait.

My taste buds can change?

Interesting.

 

The One-New-Thing Challenge

That’s when my family came up with an idea.

Once every week, we would try one new thing.

It could be a food we’d never tasted before.

Or it could be something we’d tried a long time ago and thought we didn’t like.

Nobody had to love it.

Nobody had to clean a plate full of it.

We would just give it a try.

I liked those rules.

So I tried my food.

One bite.

I chewed.

I thought.

I chewed some more.

Hmm.

I didn’t love it.

But…

I didn’t hate it either.

So I tried another bite.

“Not bad!” I decided.

Everyone laughed.

The next week, we tried something else.

Some new foods were crunchy. Some were soft. Some were sweet. Some were tart.

There were things I liked.

There were things I didn’t like.

And there were things I wasn’t sure about yet.

That’s okay!

Trying something doesn’t mean you have to like it.

It means you’re curious enough to find out.

 

Food Helps Us Do Amazing Things

I’m learning that food isn’t just about filling up my tummy.

Food gives our bodies energy.

It helps kids grow, learn, play, think, and explore.

Different foods give our bodies different things they need.

And eating can be fun, too. We can cook together, eat together, talk together, and learn about foods that other families enjoy.

Sometimes we can even discover a new favorite.

So here’s my challenge for you:

Try one new thing this week.

Maybe it’s a fruit you’ve never tasted.

Maybe it’s a vegetable cooked a different way.

Maybe it’s a food your friend or family loves.

Or maybe it’s something you tried when you were little and decided you didn’t like.

You are bigger now.

Maybe your taste buds have grown up a little, too!

And if you still don’t like it?

That’s okay.

You tried.

Maybe you’ll try it again someday.

That’s what learning is all about.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I heard the refrigerator door.

Love,

Harvey