Growing up with a band of brothers, there was a common refrain at my childhood home, “What’s for breakfast?”

However, in order to answer this question, one must return to dinner the night before.

Our mother, in her desire to provide our growing, young bodies with nutrition, decided to try a new vegetable for dinner.  Do diced beets from a can catch your fancy?

Being used to green beans, peas, and corn, my brothers and I looked at the beets with their strange color and unappetizing smell, and we knew these little morsels would taste just awful. 

All of us went on strike at dinnertime . . . refusing to eat any of the beets.

Our father wasn’t a happy camper with our decision.  In fact, he became quite animated that we should all try a sample at dinner.  Yet, we refused to budge.

Finally, our enlightened father drew a line in the sand (or on the table), “If you don’t try these beets tonight, you can have them for breakfast in the morning.”

Morning arrived, and instead of our usual Cream of Wheat or Quaker Oatmeal, our breakfast menu consisted of those horrible red beet squares.  My brothers and I held fast—NO BEETS!

Our mother was paying close attention to her sons.  Never again did she include beets with a meal.

To this day, I still won’t eat beets, no matter how they are prepared.  I think my brothers probably feel the same way.  Do you have a least favorite vegetable?

Originally published August, 2020.