By Kathleen Bullard

A few weeks back, we talked about the Mom who gave her kid potato chips because, “I just bought a whole pack of them at Costco and it won’t kill her to eat them!”

Uh, yeah it will.

I used to avoid Costco because it seemed to be full of nothing but big, oversized packages of junk food and things I didn’t need. It still does. But on the urging of a friend, I rejoined and was surprised at how many fresh fruits and vegetables were offered, and how many are organic.

One whole section has cut-up apples and veggie trays and out on the floor there are loads of fresh fruits in boxes. And here’s why you need to bring a hoodie: in the room-sized walk-in refrigerator reside all the fresh vegetables. Not all the quantities are huge, and many of them are pre-washed and organic. It’s practically freezing in there. Now put your hoodie so you can take the time to walk around and check out all those great veggies. Asparagus, and broccoli, and zucchini, oh my! And kale, and spinach, and Brussels sprouts! And the berries! Go ahead and go overboard!

And while you have your hoodie on, go down to the refrigerated dairy section and pick up some eggs and milk.

Oh, but your kids don’t like veggies and you don’t know what to do with them? No excuses! Head over to the spices and get one of the many spice mixes or marinades. Harder vegetables like zucchini, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and even asparagus can be grilled or roasted with a little oil and spices or a marinade. Leafy vegetables like kale, collard greens or broccoli can be steamed and helped with just a little oil and vinegar or salad dressing. Add veggies to a pasta dish. Dip them in hummus.

Kids still don’t like veggies (and secretly you don’t either)? How many times have they really been tried in a way that was tasty? Did you know that we typically have to try a food 9 times before we like it? We are talking about the health – mental and physical – of your kids. Stop with the junk food. Eat healthy. Wear a hoodie and stay in the cold sections. You and your kids will thank you for it.