A few weeks ago I decided to make a Big Move on the picky-eating front. So I made an appointment for Poppy, and last week she met with a couple of specialists to determine whether there might be a physical reason behind her aversion to fruits and vegetables. It was a rather long appointment. They talked to her, they watched her eat a few things, and they asked her to put a dried banana chip on her tongue. Which she did, albeit not happily. And at the end of the appointment, the experts had reached a consensus: It’s all in her head. Or her heart, or wherever it is that she stores her anxiety.

That’s pretty much exactly what I was expecting them to say, and even though I hate that she seems to have inherited my anxiety along with my eye color it’s still good news. But it means that there isn’t really a clear course of action or a defined therapy to help her. Their recommendations were that we continue what we’ve been doing, which is to let whether or not she eats something be her choice. To keep offering fruits and vegetables, of course, and to have a rewards system (or two) in place, but not to make it into an epic drama.

They also suggested we try something called “food chaining,” where you pick one food and offer it up in a variety of ways. Poppy decided she’d like to try food chaining with apples this week, because she loves applesauce. After a little Googling, I opted for the following:

We already have a long-term deal with Poppy that involves trying everything on her plate, no whining and the dream of someday having an American Girl doll. The therapists said we should have some short-term goals in place, too, so we’re going to link those to the food chaining. Most of the rewards she asked for have to do with spending one-on-one time with friends and family.

And now let us perform an entirely ungraceful segue into this week’s menu plan.

Monday: Poppyseed chicken casserole

This is one of my favorite fall comfort foods, but I try not to make it too often. Because it sort of turns me into Gollum.

Tuesday: Baked ravioli

It would be a stretch to find an easier meal. You cook some ravioli, toss it with marinara, top it with cheese and bake it until the cheese is slightly browned. And then it’s dinner time!

Wednesday: Chicken, macaroni & cheese and green beans

This was Pete’s request for kids’ choice night, verbatim. I’ll be using a copy cat recipe for Cracker Barrel’s “grilled” chicken tenders.

Thursday: Chili

I ended up not making chili last week, so it’s on the schedule again this week.

Friday: Pizza